Bryant Men Complete D1 Reclassification
from press release
SMITHFIELD, R.I. – It's official.
Bryant University Director of Athletics Bill Smith received
notification this week from the N.C.A.A. confirming that the
Bulldog men's lacrosse and field hockey programs have completed
their two-year reclassification and now officially belong in the
ranks of Division I.
Both programs will be eligible to compete in their respective
N.C.A.A. Division I championships beginning this fall, when field
hockey opens its 2010 season at Davidson University on August 27.
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 I members."
Field hockey, under the direction third-year coach Shaunessy
Saucier, posted seven wins in just its second year of Division I
competition in 2009. The Bulldogs went 4-4 in Northeast Conference
play, defeating the likes of Robert Morris, Siena, Quinnipiac and
Monmouth.
Saucier will welcome back 17 letterwinners in 2010, including
leading scorers Courtney Landi (Kingston, N.Y.) and Elise
Boissoneau (Ashburnham, Mass.), who combined for 13 goals and 31
points last season.
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.
