NYIT Bears

NYIT Bears
University	New York Institute of Technology
Conference	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
Mascot
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 New York, United States. NYIT competes in NCAA Division II for every sport except baseball, which competes in Division I. The NYIT Bears are part of the East Coast Conference (ECC). The NYIT Bears are best known for their Men's lacrosse team, which has won three NCAA Division II national championships.

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
  • Basketball
  • Cross Country
  • Soccer
  • Softball
  • Volleyball

Facilities

President's Stadium: A 1,000 seat stadium, President's Stadium 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

Lacrosse

Men's Lacrosse celebrates the 2005 National Championship

Since coach Jack Kaley took over in 1993, NYIT's lacrosse team has become a national powerhouse. Under Kaley, the Bears have a record of 152-28. They won the East Coast Conference championship four consecutive years from 2002-5. They have reached the NCAA Division II national championship game five times, and have won the national championship three times, including an undefeated season in 2003.

• NCAA National Finalists: 1994, 1997, 2002, 2003, 2005
• NCAA National Championships: 1997, 2003, 2005

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 from 2001-6.

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 establish a school record of 13 wins in a row. They've also been ranked 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 against Franklin Pierce University. Few names of the Elite Eight team are: Eduardo Anacleto and Lucas Vetekesky (Brasil), Silviu Telespan (Romania), David Velasco (Mexico), Kevin Lee (Jamaica), and Peter Antoniades (England).

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

• NYIT Bears homepage
• New York Institute of Technology homepage
• East Coast Conference Home Page