INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF A JESUIT EDUCATION

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is an integral part of the Jesuit education system at the University of Scranton. As coaches and administrators, we are “educators and mentors” who take an active role in advising in the personal growth and development of the student-athlete. We are committed to the integration of learning with a healthy lifestyle, and dedicated to the cultivation of student-athletes as leaders within the campus community and as graduates. Our student-athletes will develop their “potential into achievement” and make lasting contributions to the University by dedicating themselves in academics and athletics, making a commitment to enhancing the quality of campus life for this community and faithful service to others.

MISSION STATEMENT

The Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is committed to the University mission of integrating high-quality student learning with the development of the whole person. Our mission is based upon the premise that physical activity is an integral part of the total educational experience and contributes to as well as enhances the quality of University life in many ways. In an environment where academic excellence is the highest priority, an active physical life, which emphasizes participation, competition, confidence, and leadership, is important in establishing a lifetime concern for fitness and health. The overall goal of the program is to establish a lasting appreciation of physical activity that brings enjoyment and physical well being to the University of Scranton students.

FALL SPORTS OVERVIEW

Men’s Soccer:

Success has been a loyal companion to the Royals soccer program for the past two decades. Fueled by 11 All-Americans, Scranton has fashioned a rich history of 13 NCAA national tournament appearances, including four straight trips to the Final Four. The team has also been a dominating presence in the Middle Atlantic Conference, winning eight MAC titles, most recently counting three of the last five MAC Freedom League championships.

Women’s Soccer:

The Lady Royals pioneered the NCAA Division III’s early formative years, counting four national tournament playoff berths and promoting six All-Americans. The Middle Atlantic Conference has been Scranton’s private preserve with an all-time record of eight MAC championships, including a reign of seven straight titles (1989-95).

Field Hockey:

Recording 14 winning seasons since 1976, Scranton reached the program’s high water mark in fall-97, earning its first NCAA playoff berth, setting a school record for wins (16), highest national ranking (13th), and capturing its first MAC Freedom League title. Dominating the team’s highly regarded lineup is the Lady Royals first All-American, defender Andrea Thompson.

Women’s Tennis:

The Lady Royals tennis team crowned its legacy of 21 winning seasons in 22-years with its first MAC conference championship in fall-94. Scranton’s program has accrued eight MAC league titles in the last nine seasons, and featured the MAC doubles champions in 1995. Scranton annually flies its colors at the prestigious Rolex Tournament and the Capitol Tennis Classic in Washington, D.C.

Volleyball:

Scranton has revelled in the 1990’s with eight banner campaigns, enjoying its top three season-victory totals in the decade. Ten MAC league titles, the latest in fall-94, plus its first ECAC playoff berth in 1997, makes the Lady Royals one of the most competitive program’s in the region.

Women’s Cross Country:

Annually ranked among the elite in the Middle Atlantic Conference, the Lady Royals have finished second the past three seasons at the MAC championships. In terms of academic achievement Scranton’s harriers were the national runnerups in team academic performance among all Division III squads in fall-97.

Men’s Cross Country:

Featuring Joe Fent, the 1997 MAC champion and NCAA regional all-star, Scranton will close out the 1990’s as one of the premier teams in the Middle Atlantic Conference. The Royals tied their best all-time MAC performance with a second place in fall-97.

WINTER SPORTS OVERVIEW

Women’s Basketball:

The Lady Royals proudly wear the mantle as the winningest team in the NCAA Division III National Tournament with 29 victories in 14 playoff appearances. National champion in 1985, and making its fifth Final Four as recently as 1997, Scranton holds the Middle Atlantic Conference record for most MAC titles with an even dozen. Two National Players of the Year, and 13 All-Americans have paced the Lady Royals to national prominence. All-American guard Kelly Halpin is the team’s current marquee player helping to maintain Scranton’s high profile.

Men’s Basketball:

The Scranton Royals have become synonymous with quality NCAA Division III basketball. Holder of the NCAA record for most postseason appearances with 17, along with two national titles (1976, 1983) in four Final Four berths, Scranton revisited the NCAA tournament in 1998. The Royals have dominated the Middle Atlantic Conference with 14 championships, and have featured 13 All-Americans in their lineups.

Wrestling:

Ambitious scheduling against some of the best wrestling programs in the country challenges the Royals each season, including annual treks to the Citrus Duals in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Two NCAA East Regional champions have highlighted the recent past (1995, 1996), and productive recruiting has improved the team’s prospects for the future.

Women’s Swimming:

Scranton quickly reached the 100-win mark of its illustrious program in 1998, raising the tide of success to 104 wins against just 25 losses in 12 years. MAC team champions and unbeaten in 1995 and 1996, the Lady Royals have featured three MAC Most Outstanding Swimmers, Erin Kenney (‘96), Christine Lubrano (‘97), and Sarah Gazdalski (‘01). Scranton has earned National All-Academic Team honors in each of the last seven years.

Men’s Swimming:

The Royals’ team history counts a 12-year record of 59-61, plus three MAC individual titles and two medley relay championships. Scranton is a six-time National All-Academic squad.

Ice Hockey:

Playing a schedule replete with the most celebrated colleges and universities in the region, the Royals set a new school record for most wins in a season in 1998. Housed in the new Icebox arena in nearby Pittston, PA, Scranton regularly hosts, West Point, Navy, Syracuse, Drexel and St. Bonaventure.

SPRING SPORTS OVERVIEW

Baseball:

Since the Royals inaugural team comprised of WW II veterans in 1946, Scranton has retained a competitive edge. Most recently, Scranton won three MAC league titles from 1989 to ‘91, and climbed to the top once again in 1997 winning the MAC Freedom League championship. The team’s schedule regularly features the top powers in the East, and its home field, the 10,000 seat Lackawanna County Stadium, home of the Triple A Philadelphia minor league squad, has served host to two NCAA Regional Tournaments.

Softball:

The Lady Royals lead the Middle Atlantic Conference in number of championships with six. Efforts are underway to reacquire that high water mark, which included four trips to the national championship tournament.

Lacrosse:

Lacrosse is a fan favorite in the spring, played on the team’s new Astroturf surface at Fitzpatrick Field. A Middle Atlantic Conference championship in 1995 demonstrated the upward mobility of the program and created an appetite for achievement.

Men’s Tennis:

Winning seasons in four of the last five years has established the Royals tennis team as one of the powers in the Middle Atlantic Conference. Regular southern training trips over spring break and a challenging list of opponents keeps the team serving up winners. The Scranton program recently featured the play of Clay Yeager, a two-time MAC Champion and three-time Academic All-American.

Golf:

The Royal golfers have kept it in the fairway during their bannered history which includes several MAC championships and berths in the NCAA championship tournament. Scranton’s home course, the Glenmaura National Golf Club, is the most celebrated venue in the conference. Led by All-American, Will Carey III, the Royals carded their all-time record in 1988 at 24-0.