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Le Moyne Dolphins
Logo
UniversityLe Moyne College
ConferenceNortheast Conference
NCAADivision I
Athletic directorMike Lindberg (interim)
LocationDeWitt, New York
Varsity teams21
Basketball arenaTed Grant Court in the Le Moyne Events Center
Baseball stadiumDick Rockwell Field
Softball stadiumSoftball Complex
Soccer stadiumTed Grant Field
Aquatics centerVincent B. Ryan, S.J
Lacrosse stadiumTed Grant Field
NicknameDolphins
ColorsGreen and gold[1]
   
Websitelemoynedolphins.com

The Le Moyne Dolphins are the athletic teams that represent Le Moyne College, located in DeWitt, New York, in NCAA Division I intercollegiate sporting competitions. The Dolphins compete as members of Northeast Conference. Le Moyne had been a member of the NCAA Division II Northeast-10 Conference since 1996.[2][3] At the end of the 2022–23 academic year, Le Moyne began the transition to NCAA Division I as a new member of the NEC.[4]

Athletic registration rate

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More than 75 percent of students are estimated to participate in some form of athletics at Le Moyne. Le Moyne student-athletes have combined to post term cumulative grade-point averages of at least 3.0 in 42 consecutive semesters dating back to 2003 (through spring 2024).[5] Dolphin student-athletes routinely combine for term GPAs of at least 3.3 in addition to completing more than 2,500 hours of community service each year as part of The Le Moyne Way program.

Name origin

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As early as the second century, Christians associated the dolphin with love and tenderness. A dolphin appears on the seal of the Bishop of Syracuse, just as it was on the seal of the ancient See of Siracusa. Le Moyne named its teams the Dolphins to encourage students to look to the future, because the dolphin is a sign of comfort and union and fraternal charity. The Dolphin is a constant reminder that Le Moyne is steeped in centuries-old tradition and philosophy.[6]

History

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Le Moyne has long been a lacrosse power at the Division II level, earning seven men's and women's national championships in the sport. The Dolphins' men's lacrosse team captured its sixth national crown in 2021, under the leadership of head coach Dan Sheehan. Le Moyne registered its lone women's lacrosse national title in 2018. The Le Moyne men's basketball team gained national attention when it defeated Division I powerhouse Syracuse 82–79 in a November 2009 exhibition game.[7] Le Moyne's women's basketball team nearly pulled a similar shocker before falling to Syracuse 73–70 in an exhibition game at the JMA Wireless Dome on November 3, 2022.

Following a long career in senior administration at the West Point, Bob Beretta was named director of athletics on January 7, 2021. He is only the fourth director of athletics in the college's history.[8] On June 4, 2024, Beretta resigned to become the athletics director at his alma mater, St. Bonaventure. Beretta's resignation is effective June 21, and the college planned to name an interim director, as the search for a permanent replacement is conducted.[5] Mike Lindberg, a Le Moyne alumnus from the class of 1979, became the Dolphins' interim athletic director on June 20, 2024. Mike served as the athletic director at Wells College in Aurora, New York from 2014-2023. Under his watch Mike was vital in the creation of the state of the art multi-purpose turf field. Along with the improvement in facilities, Lindberg also saw the Express win a few North Eastern Athletic Conference titles. Previously, he was the associate director of intercollegiate athletics at Ithaca College from 1998 to 2013 where he was a part of various conference championship and NCAA DIII National Championship teams. [9]

Varsity teams

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List of teams

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Men's sports Women's sports
Baseball Basketball
Basketball Cross country
Cross Country Golf
Golf Lacrosse
Lacrosse Soccer
Soccer Softball
Swimming and diving Swimming and diving
Tennis Tennis
Track and field† Track and field†
Volleyball
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor.

Men's basketball

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Main article: Le Moyne Dolphins men's basketball
Le Moyne (in dark jerseys) v Syracuse game in 2010

In 1960, the men's basketball team won the Middle Eastern College Athletic Association Tournament, which was hosted by Saint Peter's College at the Jersey City Armory.[10] Consolation games other than the third-place game were played at the Saint Peter's gym.[11] In the tournament, Le Moyne defeated Saint Peter's, Iona and Long Island to win.[10][12][13]

5th place5th–8th place SemifinalsQuarterfinalsSemifinalsFinal
December 27 at the Armory
Fairleigh Dickinson93
December 28 at Saint Peter'sSt. Francis (NY)58December 28 at the Armory
St. Francis (NY)62Fairleigh Dickinson50
Siena50December 27 at the ArmoryLong Island70
Long Island58
December 29 at Saint Peter'sSiena55December 29 at the Armory
St. Francis (NY)95Long Island57
Saint Peter's108December 27 at the ArmoryLe Moyne66
Iona61
December 28 at Saint Peter'sWagner53December 28 at the Armory
7th placeWagner65Iona603rd place
December 29 at Saint Peter'sSaint Peter's74December 27 at the ArmoryLe Moyne90December 29 at the Armory
Siena70Saint Peter's62Iona58
Wagner68Le Moyne64Fairleigh Dickinson77

Women's basketball

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Main article: Le Moyne Dolphins women's basketball

Le Moyne had a women's basketball team in the eight-team City League, which called itself the Le Moyne College Girls' Basketball Team, during the 1958–59 season. The team won three of its first four games, and the effort was led by senior Barbara Wood, chairman of the Le Moyne women's athletic association.[14] Lynn Eisenhauer was also a member of the team.[15]

On January 9, 1960, the team defeated the Hancock Field Women's Air Force team, 42–25, at the West Jefferson Street Armory in the opener of a doubleheader that also featured men's team against Clarkson.[16] Sue McCann led Le Moyne with 20 points, while Patty Sue Young and Joanne Pospeich added 10 each.[17]

Le Moyne participated in the Women's Recreation Basketball League during the 1960–61 season.[18]

During the 1961–62 academic year, Le Moyne's women's athletic association organized women's basketball as an intramural sport. Four teams competed in the intramural league: the Seven-Ups, captained by Nan Hurtubise, the Four Freshmen, co-captained by Rose Van Epps and Madeline Welch, the Mufki-Pufkis, captained by Nancy Allen and the Sound Offs led by captain Patty Sue Young. The teams played a six-game schedule, meeting each of the other three teams twice. Games were played on Mondays at the Charles Andrews School.[19] The Seven-Ups were the league champions, and trophies were presented to the winning team members: Nancy Dillon, Rita Ruane, Betty Graf, Emily Hodapp and Rita Amyott. Pat Resch was named most valuable player. Martha del Vecchio won the most improved player award. Rose Van Epps was honored as the most spotsmanlike player. Ruane was elected president of the women's athletic association for the 1962–63 academic year.[20]

Intercollegiate women's varsity basketball was revived at Le Moyne in December 1962. The initial team members were Pat Resch, Carol Collins, Claire Cunnion, Rita Ruane, Dale Amend, Barbara Schlaerth, Nancy Dillon and Bernadette Baecher.[21] Elizabeth Schuchman joined the team before its first game, which was at the Le Moyne Athletic Center against Auburn Community College on February 9, 1963.[22] Led by head coach Sue Gibbons, the Dolphinettes, as they were called, won that opening game, 33–26. Nancy Dillon and Dale Amend led the way with 12 points each. The Dolphinettes also earned a road win against Auburn Community, 48–46, in overtime. Bernie Baecher had 18 points in that game, and Amend added 17. The Dolphinettes dominated Nazareth, 48–6. Le Moyne did not allow a field goal in the game. Freshman Donna Argenbright led the way with 13 points, and Baecher added 11. The Dolphinettes outscored the Syracuse Orangewomen in a mid-season scrimmage. Le Moyne completed their perfect season with a 4–0 record, when they beat Cazenovia, 36–14, on March 16. Amend led the way with 17 points, and Baecher added 11 in the season finale.[23]

Women's basketball was played primarily as an intramural sport at Le Moyne during the 1963–64 academic year.[24] However, a varsity team, captained by Bernadette Baecher, was selected from the intramural players and hosted a Syracuse intramural team in March 1964, but the Dolphinettes were defeated by the Orange.[25] The Le Moyne women's athletic association organized basketball as an intramural sport during the 1964–65 academic year as well.[26]

In fall 1968, plans were announced to field a women's varsity basketball team for the 1968–69 season.[27] However, it is unclear whether this took place. Women's intramural basketball was planned for the 1970–71 academic year. There was hope that enough interest would be expressed to form a varsity team. Cathy Coughlin was the student who took the lead on organizing women's basketball.[28] In November 1970, it was announced that women's intramural and intercollegiate basketball competition would begin in the spring 1971 semester.[29] Tryouts for the women's varsity team were scheduled for December 14, 1970. Games were scheduled against Onondaga Community College, Nazareth and Oswego State.[30] In February 1971, Onondaga Community College was replaced on the schedule by Cazenovia.[31] The Dolphinettes improved their record to 2–0 with a 35–24 win over Oswego State. Patty McCarthy scored 16 points to top Le Moyne's scoring list for the second straight game. A road game at Syracuse was scheduled for March 11.[32]

Le Moyne played five intercollegiate games in the 1971–72 season and finished with an 0–5 record.[33]

An eight-game varsity schedule was planned for the 1972–73 season. The team opened on January 18, 1973, with a 40–31 victory over Cazenovia, led by the hot shooting of Sue Mellie, the strong rebounding of Eileen Brewer and the guard play of Mary Jo Muellner.[34] The second game on the schedule was a home matinee against Siena on January 27, with the men's teams meeting that same evening. Facing a tough zone defense, the Lady Dolphins started 0 for 10 from the floor but still managed to take an early 8–2 lead, after Mellie heated up. Despite a rebounding edge, Le Moyne could not penetrate Siena's zone and were called for 20 fouls compared with only 11 charged to the Indians. The Lady Dolphins fell, 25–23.[35] Mellie scored 16 points to lead the Dolphinettes to a 37–35 road win at Cazenovia on February 1. Beth Ackley's defense sparked a Le Moyne comeback that erased a 10-point deficit and built an eight-point Dolphinettes lead. Le Moyne survived a late Cazenovia run to hold on for the two-point victory. The Dolphinettes fell to 2–2 on the season after suffering a 42–25 home loss to Syracuse on February 3, in which their new uniforms debuted. Previously, the women's team had played in tee-shirts and gym shorts. The Dolphinettes had a game scheduled for February 15 at Syracuse.[33]

Efforts were made to organize a women's varsity basketball team for the 1973–74 season, with tryouts held on November 13.[36]

More than 100 women played intramural basketball at Le Moyne during the 1974–75 academic year.[37]

Le Moyne launched its women's varsity basketball program in earnest during the 1975–76 season, opening with a home game on February 10, 1976, against Nazareth. The Dolphins were coached by Le Moyne athletic director Tommy Niland, who retired as the head coach of the men's team three years earlier after 25 years at the helm. Niland said he wanted to coach the team to get a first-hand look at women's athletics to help him formulate future commitments the school should make to women's sports.[38] The Guppies, as they were called by the student newspaper, fell to Nazareth, 53–28. Wendy Archinald had 10 points and eight blocked shots for Le Moyne.[39]

Official statistics for Dolphins women's basketball only go back to the 1976–77 season.[40][41]

Baseball

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After much success in Division II, Le Moyne's baseball team reclassified to Division I in the fall of 1987.[42] The Dolphins rallied in the ninth inning to win their first game as a Division I team, 8–5, at Binghamton on September 10, 1987. Pete Stoyan's single in the final frame drove in the winning run. The Dolphins dropped the second game of the season-opening doubleheader, 4–3.[43]

Athletic facilities

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The Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex houses Le Moyne College's athletic teams, visiting competitors, and coaches. Student-athletes use outdoor facilities including the Dick Rockwell Field for baseball, tennis courts, a softball complex and other fields including Ted Grant Field, completed in 2010, an athletic turf complex for lacrosse and soccer. The Niland Complex includes the Henninger Athletic Center, where basketball games and other events take place on Ted Grant Court.

Tommy Niland, namesake of the athletic complex, was Le Moyne's first athletics director and is the most significant figure in the college's athletics history. He was the first head coach of the freshman basketball team starting in the 1947–48 season, Le Moyne's initial academic year during which all students at the school were freshmen. Niland also coached Le Moyne's varsity basketball team from its inaugural season in 1948–49 until 1973, winning 326 games and going to seven NCAA College Division tournaments. He was also Le Moyne's first varsity baseball coach. After his varsity basketball coaching career ended, Niland remained in his position as Le Moyne's athletics director until his retirement in 1990. Niland also served on various NCAA regional and national committees, including the infractions committee that imposed the death penalty on Southern Methodist University's football program in 1987.[44] Niland's membership on the committee was criticized by the Dallas media, one member of which wrote, "My only suggestion to the NCAA is only people from big-time programs should sit in judgement of big-time cheaters. What could the Le Moyne AD possibly know about downtown Dallas bag men and the going price for high school running backs in Texas?"[45]

The Complex also includes the Dick Rockwell Baseball Field. Rockwell, a graduate of Ithaca College, won 757 games on the Heights between 1968 and 1996 at the Division I and II levels, going to the Division II national tournament 12 of their last 13 seasons in the division, and becoming a power in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference in Division I. Rockwell also served as Le Moyne athletic director from 1990 to 2009.

The Campus also has trails behind the school that are used by the Cross Country for their home meets and other teams to train on.

National championships

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Team

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Association Division Sport Year Opponent Score
NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse[46] 2004 Limestone 11–10 (2OT)
2006 Dowling 12–5
2007 Mercyhurst 6–5
2013 Mercyhurst 11–10
2016 Limestone 8–4
2021 Lenoir-Rhyne 12-6
Women's Lacrosse 2018 Florida Southern 16–11

Individual

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Association Division Sport Year Individual(s) Event
NCAA Division II Women's Swimming and Diving 2008 Alison Lesher 200-yard Butterfly

Club sports, intramural sports and facilities

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The Thomas J. Niland Athletic Complex incorporates a 47,000-square-foot (4,400 m2) facility with a 25-yard (23 m) competition-size swimming pool, fitness center and weight room, a three-court size multi-purpose gym area, an elevated jogging track, and four racquetball courts. It is designed primarily for intramural, recreational use, and personal fitness activities. Students can also use fitness centers which are located in several of the residence halls.

The college participates in thirteen sports on the club level: men's ice hockey, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, women's field hockey, women's basketball, men's rugby, women's rugby, equestrian, fencing, rowing, ultimate frisbee, sailing, and Tae Kwon Do, in addition to cheerleading, with both men and women on the squad. All club teams are given qualified coaches, practice facilities and uniforms.[47]

The college conducts an extensive intramural program with sports and competitors that vary each year. The program usually includes: basketball (men's and women's leagues); flag football (men); indoor soccer (men's, women's and coed leagues); walleyball (coed); racquetball tournaments (coed, men's and women's divisions); volleyball (coed); softball (men's and women's leagues); and inner tube water polo (coed).[48]

Notable alumni

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References

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  1. ^ Le Moyne Approved Logos (PDF). Retrieved February 22, 2017.
  2. ^ "Le Moyne College Announces Addition of Indoor and Outdoor Track as Varsity Programs". LeMoyne College Athletics. Retrieved 2017-02-22.
  3. ^ "Le Moyne Baseball to Reclassify to Division II Beginning 2011–2012". LeMoyne College. July 30, 2010. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  4. ^ "Le Moyne College Accepts Invitation to Join Northeast Conference" (Press release). Northeast Conference. May 10, 2023. Retrieved May 10, 2023.
  5. ^ a b Lane, Craig (June 4, 2024). "Bob Beretta Announces Resignation As Assistant Vice President of Athletics & Recreation". Le Moyne Dolphins. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. ^ "Symbolism of "Dolphin" is Explained Here" (PDF). The Dolphin. September 20, 1950. p. 2. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  7. ^ Staff (November 4, 2009). "Johnson, Le Moyne stun Syracuse". Associated Press. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  8. ^ "Staff Directory". Le Moyne Dolphins. Retrieved 10 September 2015.
  9. ^ "Mike Lindberg '79 Named Interim Athletic Director". Le Moyne Dolphins. June 13, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  10. ^ a b "Le Moyne Defeats L.I.U. Five, 66-57, For Tourney Title". New York Times. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  11. ^ "LeMoyne Wins on Pitman Goal". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. December 28, 1960. p. 11. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "Iona's Five Gains Semi-Final Round". New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  13. ^ "L.I.U. Gains Final by Winning, 70–50". New York Times. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  14. ^ "WAA Keeps Active". The Dolphin. Vol. 12, no. 7. February 12, 1959. p. 6. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
  15. ^ Sullivan, Marie (February 28, 1959). "Oh! For the Life of a Co-Ed... Even If She Does Share Her Living Quarters with Nine Girls, and Has Incinerator Trouble". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. p. 5. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  16. ^ "LeMoyne Takes 15th Straight Home Victory". Syracuse Herald-American. January 10, 1960. pp. 27, 29. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  17. ^ Reddy, Ed (January 10, 1960). "Dolphins Crush Clarkson". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. pp. 31, 33. Retrieved June 6, 2024.
  18. ^ "Wafs Win Easily". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. March 3, 1961. p. 14. Retrieved June 17, 2024.
  19. ^ "W.A.A. in Action with Two Programs". The Dolphin. Vol. 15, no. 6. December 15, 1961. p. 7. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  20. ^ "WAA Holds Dinner, Trophies Awarded to Winning Teams". The Dolphin. Vol. 15, no. 12. May 18, 1962. p. 6. Retrieved June 20, 2024.
  21. ^ "Women's Athletic Association Elects Officers, Forms Cage Team". The Dolphin. December 14, 1962. p. 6. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Co-Eds Inaugurate Collegiate Slate; Auburn First Foe". The Dolphin. February 12, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  23. ^ "Girls' Team Undefeated in First Year". The Dolphin. March 26, 1963. p. 7. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
  24. ^ "WAA Enlarges Sports Program". The Dolphin. Vol. XVII, no. 7. December 19, 1963. p. 10. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  25. ^ "WAA Basketball, Volleyball Defeated by S.U., Cortland". The Dolphin. Vol. XVII, no. 11. March 19, 1964. p. 6. Retrieved June 25, 2024.
  26. ^ "WAA News". The Dolphin. Vol. XVIII, no. 3. October 22, 1964. p. 8. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  27. ^ "W.A.A. Swings into Action". The Dolphin. October 4, 1968. p. 6. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  28. ^ "Women Liberate Athletics". The Piper. Vol. 2, no. 2. Le Moyne College. October 5, 1970. p. 4. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
  29. ^ "WAA News Notes". The Piper. Vol. 2, no. 5. Le Moyne College. November 20, 1970. p. 7. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  30. ^ "WAA News Notes". The Piper. Vol. 2, no. 6. Le Moyne College. December 11, 1970. p. 8. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  31. ^ "WAA News". The Piper. Vol. 2, no. 7. Le Moyne College. February 5, 1971. p. 4. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  32. ^ "Lady Dolphins 2–0". The Piper. Vol. 2, no. 11. Le Moyne College. March 12, 1971. p. 8. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  33. ^ a b Randall, Kathe; Muellner, Mary Joe (February 9, 1973). "Dolphinettes Split in Court Action". The Piper. Vol. 4, no. 14. Le Moyne College. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  34. ^ "Girls Take Game with Cazenovia". The Piper. Vol. 4, no. 12. Le Moyne College. January 26, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  35. ^ Randall, Kathe; Muellner, Mary Joe (February 2, 1973). "Lady Dolphins Lose Close One". The Piper. Vol. 4, no. 13. Le Moyne College. p. 7. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  36. ^ "Girls' Varsity Basketball". The Piper. Vol. 5, no. 8. Le Moyne College. November 9, 1973. p. 8. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  37. ^ Reed, Sheri (February 7, 1975). "Expanded Athletics for Women Probed". The Piper. Vol. 7, no. 14. Le Moyne College. p. 7. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  38. ^ "Niland to Coach Gal '5' at LeMoyne". Syracuse Herald-Journal. February 10, 1976. p. 38. Retrieved July 2, 2024.
  39. ^ Aquilina, Ed; Sweeney, Anne (February 3, 1976). "Primary Outing Spells Defeat". The Piper. Vol. 10, no. 3. Le Moyne College. p. 7. Retrieved July 24, 2024.
  40. ^ "Le Moyne College Women's Basketball - All-time Game Results". static.lemoynedolphins.com. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  41. ^ "Northeast 10 Athletics" (PDF). Northeast 10 Athletics. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  42. ^ Connolly, Kevin (September 3, 1987). "Baseball Goes Division I". The Dolphin. Vol. XLI, no. 10. Le Moyne College. p. 4. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  43. ^ "Le Moyne Splits 2". The Post-Standard. Syracuse, New York. September 11, 1987. p. C-12. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
  44. ^ Hobson, Geoff (February 26, 1987). "Niland Has Hand in History". Syracuse Herald-Journal. pp. C-1, C-7. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  45. ^ "Tecas Sportswriter: Why Niland?". Syracuse Herald-Journal. March 4, 1987. p. C-5. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  46. ^ "Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship Results" (PDF). NCAA. NCAA.org. Retrieved January 6, 2016.
  47. ^ "Club Sports". LeMoyne College. 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-07. Retrieved 2016-01-06.
  48. ^ "Intramural Sports". LeMoyne College. 2010. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
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