Binghamton Bearcats

Infobox college athletics
name = Binghamton Bearcats

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university = SUNY Binghamton
conference = America East | division = Division I
director = ?
city = Vestal
state = New York
stateabb = NY
teams = 1?
arena = Binghamton University Events Center | mascot = Baxter the Bearcat
nickname = Bearcats
color1 = Forest Green
color2 = White
hex1 = 008000
hex2 = FFFFFF
pageurl = http://www.binghamton.edu/
pagename = Binghamton

The Binghamton Bearcats are an NCAA Division I athletics program at SUNY Binghamton. They are one of four Division I programs in the SUNY system.

History

Binghamton has competed in the NCAA since joining the SUNY system in 1950. During the 1946-1950 era, there were no particular affiliations or mascots. When, in fact, they joined SUNY and adopted the new name Harpur College, the school also adopted their first mascot: a donkey named Harpo. In transitioning to SUNY Binghamton, they also developed their athletics program further, adopting the new school mascot: The red white and blue Colonials.

In 2001, Binghamton would step into Division I athletics. The school hired Joel Thirer as the new athletic director to bring the Division III school into Division I, which they completed faster than any other school in history. They became a member of the America East Conference.

More recently, the university has hosted a number of conference championships, including the 2005, 2006 and soon 2008 men's basketball championships.

Recent accomplishments

* Rory Quiller became the first Binghamton athlete to win a Division 1 National Championship in 2008. His pole vault of 18-0 1/2 was good enough to take first place at NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships. He became the first America East athlete to win a National Championship and received his third All- American honors. He is now pursuing 2008 Summer Olympics.
*The Men's Soccer team made it to the 5th consecutive [America East] championship for the 2007 season.
* Ryan Graham became the first diver from Binghamton to qualify for NCAA Division 1 Zone Championships in 2008.
* Rory Quiller won the 2007 NCAA East Outdoor Track pole vault Championships with a new conference and Binghamton University record (18' 1"). This victory was followed by placing 4th at the NCAA Championships. He was the first Binghamton athlete to earn All-American honors twice.
* Men's Lacrosse knocked off 6th ranked SUNY Albany at home on April 28, 2007. This was the schools largest upset and came on Senior Day. [24]
* Rory Quiller posted a second place finish in the 2007 Indoor Track pole vault Championships (18' 1/2").
*The Men's Soccer team played their first game in the new Bearcat Sports Complex against Cornell. They came to a 3-0 victory in front of a record crowd of over 1,800 people. The success lead to receiving votes in the Adidas national ranking and moving into the 7 spot for all of the Northeast.
* The Men's Soccer team opened the 2007 season with the best record (5-0-0) since 1987. The women's team also played an inaugural game in the new Bearcats Sports Complex (they lost 2-1 in overtime to Syracuse University).
*The Men's Tennis Team has won four of the last six America East titles (2003-2005, 2008)

Binghamton Basketball

The Binghamton Men's Basketball team has experienced many ups and downs throughout their Div. I history. Perhaps the program's biggest win was against ACC member, University of Miami in the winter of 2006. Incidentally the 2006-2007 season was the program's worst finish in the America East conference. Following a loss to Boston University (BU) in the first round of the 2007 America East Championships, head coach Al Walker (the only coach Binghamton has had in their Div. I history) was forced to step down. As of March 26th, Kevin Broadus, assistant coach for Georgetown University was announced to fill Walker's position.

Rivalries

The Binghamton Bearcats' primary rival is the SUNY Albany Great Danes. This is largely because they are both members of the America East Conference, as well as the SUNY system. Their geographic proximity has led to the name, "The I-88 Rivalry". Other rivals typically depend on the sport, but include: BU, Stony Brook and University of Vermont

Facilities

Events Center

The Events Center plays host to both men and women basketball games. It has a capacity of 5,322. The facilities has an indoor track where the track and field teams practice and compete, indoor tennis courts for both men and women tennis teams, as well as the primary weight and fitness equipment, sports medicine and uniform issuance facilities.

Bearcats Sports Complex

Opened in the Fall of 2007, the Bearcat Sports Complex features two artificial turf fields for soccer and lacrosse. One field is intended primarily for competition and the other for practice. Additional features include night lighting, over 2,500 seats for the competition field and 1,000 for the practice field, a concession stand and bathrooms.

West Gym

The West Gym hosts the weight, practice and competition facilities for the wrestling team. Also, the varsity pool is home to both men and women swim and diving teams. The gymnasium is used for volleyball, basketball practice, and also wrestling matches. The lower level has the main erg room for the crew teams.

Varsity Field

Home to the varsity baseball team, Varsity field features a diamond with dugouts and bleachers.

East Gym Field

Home to the softball team.

Alumni Stadium

A 2,000 seat stadium, athletic field, outdoor track and field facilities. While it has previously hosted the lacrosse teams, it is primarily used for the track and field teams. The track was resurfaced in 2007.

Les Wagner Rowing Center

The LWRC is home to the men and women's crew teams as well as the [http://www.hiawathaislandboatclub.com/ Hiawatha Island Boat Club] , a local rowing organization. The facility is located on New York State Route 17C in Campville, NY, just east of Owego, NY. The center has two docks with access to the Susquehanna River. The facility houses the team's shells and equipment and has restroom facilities. The LWRC hosts the Busfield Memorial Regatta each spring.

Mascot

Binghamton's mascot is the fictional Bearcat and is named Baxter. The costume is designed mostly to resemble a bear but has some cat-like features, such as whiskers and a long tail. Baxter wears a white home jersey with the number 1 on it and his name on the back. He also wears green shorts and green sneakers. Unlike the mascot in the athletics logo who is portrayed as fierce and growling, Baxter has a wide smile and bright eyes that make him a smash hit among children, especially his Jr. Bearcat Club. Baxter is a part of the cheer team and is portrayed by various students and community members. In addition to home basketball games he also makes appearances at various campus events, community functions, and other athletic events such as men's soccer games.

pirit Squads

Binghamton is renowned for having a very dedicated student fan base. The best example of this is the BU Zoo, a student association group that dresses in all green and cheers on the Bearcats at every home basketball game and most away games. In addition, Binghamton features varsity cheer and dance teams, including the student association group Kickline, that are present at all athletic functions. The BU Pep Band, which was started in 2004, provides musical entertainment at all home basketball games.