Athletics news, summer 2023
Binghamton wins Commissioner’s Cup as top program in America East
For the first time in the university’s 22-year Division I history, Binghamton athletics has captured the America East Stuart P. Haskell, Jr. Commissioner’s Cup for overall excellence. The department rode contributions from 17 different affiliated sports to outdistance runnerup Albany and the rest of the conference schools.
The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in America East as determined by a scoring system which rewards a school for success both during the regular season and championship competition in the conference’s 18 sports.
Binghamton won with 367 points, ahead of Albany (335), UMBC (292), Vermont (280), UMass Lowell (275), New Hampshire (251), Maine (240), Bryant (230) and NJIT (121).
Hall of Fame Class of 2023 selected
Five individuals and one elite team comprise the Binghamton Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023, the department announced on Tuesday. Set to be enshrined on October 14 are soccer player Skip Curth ’90, longtime athletics director Dave Henderson (1955-81), golfer Jake Katz ’11, tennis player Julie Klein ’00, softball pitcher Margaret Yerdon ’02 and the 2003 men’s soccer team. The 27th Annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will take place during Homecoming Weekend on campus.
Singer, Setter, Songwriter
When the BU volleyball team steamrolled through its historic season this past fall, many Bearcat alums beamed with pride. One of the most voracious voices came from former America East Setter of the Year Sarah (Ngo) McIntyre ’18. The exuberant four-year leader could be seen in the home crowd cheering and stomping after every BU point, much the same way she celebrated when her team was victorious on the same West Gym floor. McIntyre even provided analysis on BU’s broadcast team for the America East championship, which the Bearcats hosted as the regular season champion and No. 1 seed.
Three BU sports will now compete in Northeast Conference
Three BU sports will now compete in Northeast ConferenceIn a key move to strengthen opportunities for conference success and NCAA advancement in three spring sports, Binghamton has joined the Northeast Conference as associate members in men’s tennis, women’s tennis and men’s golf, the conference announced Monday.
The move brings all three programs under the same conference umbrella for the first time in more than a decade after the America East discontinued those sports due to a lack of sponsoring institutions. In the NEC, all three programs will benefit from consolidated competition in the Northeast and automatic NCAA berths available for the NEC champion every year.
Student-Athletes achieve 3.42 GPA in spring semester
Binghamton student-athletes continued their longstanding academic achievement with a 3.42 grade-point average for the spring semester. It’s the 12th consecutive semester the group has surpassed a 3.2 GPA and fifth time in the last seven semesters above a 3.4. The spring success also continued the department’s trend of outpacing the general student population on campus, which posted a 3.26 GPA.
All 19 sports achieved a 3.1 or higher team GPA and 14 teams carried a team GPA above 3.3.
Athletics partnership with Jersey Mikes leads to big donation to University autism unit
With an athletics partnership serving as a bridge, area Jersey Mike’s Subs has made a generous donation of $27,154 to the Binghamton University Institute of Child Development.
Franchise owner Connor Wilson made the presentation to ICD director Dr. Jennifer Gillis Mattson and Director of Clinical Services Dr. Rachel Cavalarai at the 33rd annual Matthews Auto Bearcats Golf Classic, held Thursday at The Links at Hiawatha Landing.
The two-area Jersey Mike’s locations accepted donations throughout March, which was their designated Month of Giving. The partnership between Jersey Mike’s and Binghamton athletics included various marketing initiatives throughout the year, culminating with the Day of Giving on March 29.
BU athletics holds annual golf tournament
The Binghamton Bearcats Athletic Association (BBAA) hosted its 33rd annual Matthews Auto Bearcats Golf Classic at The Links at Hiawatha Landing on Thursday.
The goal of the Matthews Auto Bearcat Golf Classic was to raise money for the Athletic Department’s General Scholarship Fund and 176 golfers took part in this year’s event. Since 2016, the Matthew’s Auto Bearcats Golf Classic has raised over $320,000.
Woidt hired for community engagement position
Binghamton athletics has hired Liz Woidt as Assistant Athletics Director for Community Engagement and Marketing, the department announced on Monday. The addition of Woidt is part of BU’s strategic emphasis on external relations and building partnerships across the region.
“We enthusiastically welcome Elizabeth Woidt to the Bearcats family,” Deputy Director of Athletics Ze Zeon said. “Liz brings a wealth of experience, passion, and a unique perspective to help enhance how we engage our community and promote the athletics department. She is the most suitable ambassador to help share the Bearcats’ story and strengthen our relationship with the greater Binghamton region and beyond.”
Student-Athletes honored at annual awards banquet
Binghamton athletics held its 76th Annual Varsity Awards Program Monday night at the Events Center, where the athletics department honored its 400+ student-athletes and celebrated the achievements of the 2022-23 year.
Hosted by student-athletes Laney Harbaugh and Cian Galligan, the in-person event featured an array of awards, highlight packages and speakers.
BU Student-Athlete Advisory Committee holds St. Baldrick’s fundraiser
The Binghamton University Athletic Department’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) hosted the St. Baldrick’s Foundation fundraising and head-shaving event on Monday night at the Events Center. Through the event, almost $2,000 was raised for pediatric cancer research.
The head shaving events, such as the one hosted by SAAC, are a form of solidarity with children who typically lose their hair during cancer treatment. In addition, these events also raise both awareness and funds in the fight against childhood cancer.
BU inducts 58 student-athletes into honor society
The Binghamton Athletic Department has announced its 2023 induction class into the National College Athlete Honor Society (Chi Alpha Sigma). There are 58 inductees in this year’s class.
In order to be eligible for induction into Chi Alpha Sigma, a student-athlete must have achieved junior academic standing by their fifth semester, have attained at least a 3.4 cumulative grade point average and have participated in a sport sponsored by the NCAA.
Athletics receives 100% staff giving
Binghamton Athletics announced today that 100 percent of its full-time employees participated in the department’s annual staff giving campaign, marking the second consecutive year that the group has achieved this milestone. The department’s 80+ full-time employees have all made a gift in support of its 420 student-athletes.
“It is truly remarkable to have 100 percent participation from our department in supporting our student-athletes,” Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Development Officer, Ze D. Zeon said. “A huge thank you to our coaches and staff for being all-in ... that level of support within our department is inspiring.”
To make a gift to the Binghamton Athletics general fund, please visit bubearcats.com/giving
Four winter athletes named SUNY Scholar-Athletes
Senior women’s basketball guard Denai Bowman, senior distance runner Matt Cavaliere and junior swimmers Maddie Hoover and Liam Murphy have been named SUNY Scholar-Athletes for their respective winter sports.
The quartet was selected among nominees from the four Division I SUNY universities (Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo and Stony Brook). Additionally, SUNY selected recipients from its Division III and junior college ranks. A combination of academic and athletic accomplishments were the criteria for selecting each SUNY Scholar Athlete.
Student-athlete mental health committee begins third year as resource
When Kayla McKenzie was a sophomore at Monroe-Woodbury High School, she embarked on the college recruiting process. Her primary sport was soccer and the ensuing three years would bring the most pressure and mental stress that she had experienced up to that point.
“Sophomore year of high school is when you start getting recruited,” she said. “I started going to all of these tournaments around the country. Some of my friends started getting recruited by some of the top schools in the country like Penn State and Notre Dame, so I started feeling very stressed and wondering why I wasn’t getting recruited.”