NYIT Bears | |
---|---|
University | New York Institute of Technology |
Conference | East Coast Conference |
NCAA | Divisions I & II |
Athletic director | Duane Bailey |
Location | Old Westbury, New York |
Varsity teams | 13 |
Football stadium | President's Stadium |
Basketball arena | Recreation Hall |
Nickname | Bears |
Colors | Blue and Gold |
Website | www |
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. 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 was part of the Great West Conference until it disbanded. The NYIT Bears are best known for their men's lacrosse team, which has won four NCAA Division II national championships. NYIT sent several runners to the Olympic Games in 1980, 1988, 1992, and in 2000.
President's Stadium: A 1,000-seat stadium that is the home of the lacrosse and men's and women's soccer teams. In 2006, the NYIT replaced the natural grass of the field with FieldTurf.
President's Field: The home of the NYIT baseball program. In the 2012-2013 academic year, President's Field is scheduled for a face lift with raised dugouts, a new press box behind home plate and will FieldTurf both the infield and outfield.
Recreation Hall: A 500-seat arena, Recreation Hall is home to men's and women's basketball, and volleyball.
NYIT Softball Complex: The home of the NYIT softball team.
NYIT Tennis Complex: Six courts, four upper and two lower, that the Bears men's and women's tennis teams call home.
Led by Bob Hirschfield until 2012, the NYIT baseball team is the only sport that competes at the NCAA Division I level, as an independent. With over 650 wins under his belt Coach Hirschfield helped over 60 players reach the next level and sign professional contracts. The most recent signings were Joe Esposito, Mike Laluna, Kraig Binick, Mike Roth, Lou Bernardi, Jon Burke, Andrew Gurassi, Steve Faulkner, George Carroll & Danny Lackner. Some of the more notable Professional signings in recent and past years were Al Watson, Al Labozetta, Bill DaCosta, Alan Ashkinazy, Mike Gaffney, Chris Rojas, Brian Goelz, and Jimmy Goelz.