July 24, 2010
Bryant men make move to Div. 1 official
by PR Wire Report/
Bryant University Director of Athletics Bill Smith has received notification from the NCAA confirming that the Bulldog men’s lacrosse program has completed its two-year reclassification and is officially a Division 1 program. The field hockey program was also elevated to Division 1 status.
Both programs will be eligible to compete in the Division I championships. The men’s lacrosse team will kick off its season this spring on February 19 at Saint Joseph’s.
“I know I speak on behalf of the men’s lacrosse and field hockey coaching staffs when I say that we are very excited about the opportunity for our student-athletes to compete for a national championship at the highest level,” said Smith.
“Our student-athletes, coaches and staff members have worked hard to get to this point, and while we are still at the midpoint of the transition process for the remaining 20 varsity sports programs, we couldn’t be more excited for field hockey and men’s lacrosse to become full Division 1 members.”
Men’s lacrosse, under the guidance of head coach Mike Pressler, went 12-5 last spring, taking key wins over such opponents as NCAA tournament qualifier Army, 7-6, in West Point, N.Y. and nationally ranked Yale, 9-7, on the road in New Haven, Conn.
A total of nine Bulldogs earned all-conference honors in leading the Bulldogs to a perfect 4-0 record against league opponents, highlighted by NEC Defensive Player of the Year Matt Murnane (Rockville Centre, N.Y.), who would go on to also earn USILA All-America honors. The NEC will add men’s lacrosse as a conference sport beginning this spring.
Bryant has recently completed its second year of a four-year reclassification process to full Division I membership. The remaining 20 varsity sports programs will be eligible to compete for NCAA Division I Championships in the fall of 2012.
