- NYIT Bears
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NYIT Bears 
University New York Institute of Technology Conference(s) East Coast Conference NCAA Divisions I & II Athletics director Clyde Doughty, Jr. Location Old Westbury, NY Varsity teams 10 Football stadium President's Stadium Basketball arena Recreation Hall Nickname Bears Fight song Colors Blue and Gold Homepage nyit.edu/athletics The NYIT Bears refer to the mascot and sports teams of the New York Institute of Technology (NYIT), located in Old Westbury NY, United States. All of NYIT's teams compete in NCAA Division II except baseball, which competes in Division I. The NYIT Bears are part of the East Coast Conference (ECC), and the baseball team is part of the Great West conference. The NYIT Bears are best known for their men's lacrosse team, which has won four NCAA Division II national championships.
Contents
Current Sports Programs
Recreation Hall during an NYIT Bears women's basketball game
- Men's Programs
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Women's Programs
Facilities
President's Field: A 1,000-seat stadium that is the home of the lacrosse, baseball, and men's and women's soccer teams. In 2006, the NYIT replaced the natural grass of the field with FieldTurf.
Recreation Hall: A 500-seat arena, Recreation Hall is home to men's and women's basketball, and volleyball.
Old Westbury Field: A 250-seat field, Old Westbury Field is home to the softball team.
Achievements
Baseball
Led by Bob Hirschfield the NYIT baseball team is the only sport that competes at the NCAA Division 1 level, as part of the Great West Conference. With over 650 wins under his belt Coach Hirschfield has helped several players reach the next level and sign professional contracts. The most resent signings are Joe Esposito, Mike Laluna, Kraig Binick, Mike Roth, Lou Bernardi, Jon Burke, Andrew Gurassi, and Steve Faulkner. Some of the more notable Professional signings in recent years are Mike MacMillan, Mike Gaffney, Chris Rojas, Brian Goelz, and Jimmy Goelz.
Lacrosse
During lacrosse coach Jack Kaley's tenure (1993 - 2009), NYIT's lacrosse team rose to become a national powerhouse. Under Kaley, the Bears had a record of 152-28. They won the East Coast Conference championship four consecutive years(2002-5). They have reached the NCAA Division II national championship game six times, and have won the national championship four times, including an undefeated season in 2003.
- NCAA National Finalists: 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2008
- NCAA National Championships: 1997, 2003, 2005, 2008
Men's Basketball
In 1980, the men's basketball team made their first and only appearance in the NCAA Division II national championship game, losing 80-74 to Virginia Union.
- NCAA Tournament Appearances: 1978, 1980, 2004
- ECC Championship: 2006/2007
Volleyball
The volleyball team has reached the NCAA tournament six consecutive years, 2001-06.
Women's Basketball
In 2005, the women's basketball team advanced to the East Coast Conference Championship game, and in 2006, the team started the season 5-11 before rallying to finish 8-3 and advance to the second round of the ECC tournament.
Men's Soccer
Since coach Carlos Del Cid took over in 2001, NYIT's soccer team has become one of the best in the nation. In 2003, the Bears advanced to the NCAA playoffs after an absence of 18 years (1985). They have established a school record of 13 wins in a row and have been ranked as high as no. 7 in the nation. In 2005, the men's soccer team advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight. They lost on penalty kicks to Franklin Pierce College.
Softball
The softball team made its first appearance in the NCAA tournament in 2009.
Notable alumni
- Don Cooper: Baseball (Pitching Coach, Chicago White Sox, Member of 2005 World Series Championship team)
- Ray Giannelli: Baseball
- Allen Watson: Baseball (Member of 2000 World Series Champion New York Yankees)
External links
New York Institute of Technology Academics Colleges and Schools: Architecture and Design • College of Arts and Sciences • Education and Professional Services • Ellis College of NYIT • Engineering and Computing Services • Health Professions, Behavioral, and Life Sciences • Management • New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) • History of NYIT • Computer Graphics LabAthletics East Coast Conference • NYIT BearsCampuses Central Islip Campus • Manhattan Campus • Old Westbury Campus • Global CampusesStudent life Campus Slate • Chronicle • Housing at NYIT • LI News Tonight • Student Entertainment Council (SEC) • Student Government Association (SGA) • WNYTEast Coast Conference Full members Bridgeport • C.W. Post • Dowling • Mercy • Molloy • NYIT • Queens • Saint Thomas Aquinas
Associate members Categories:- College sports teams in the United States by team
- New York Institute of Technology
- Men's Programs
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