America East ...

America East is currently in its 13th year of all-sports championship competition, with a reputation as one of the most competitive and comprehensive conferences in the nation.

The conference’s recent athletic success complements the academic integrity of the nine member institutions who will comprise America East in 2001-02: University at Albany, Binghamton University, Boston University, University of Hartford, University of Maine, University of New Hampshire, Northeastern University, Stony Brook University, and University of Vermont.

America East’s proven record of success in its 21 sports enables the conference to earn automatic qualification into the following NCAA Championships: baseball, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, field hockey, men’s golf, men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, women’s soccer, softball, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and volleyball. In addition, several America East student-athletes compete as individuals in NCAA Championships such as cross country, swimming and diving, and track and field.

Recent Success ...

America East’s success in each of its 21 championship sports has been a benchmark for the conference since its inception in 1988.

Over the past five-year period, approximately 16,500 America East student-athletes have participated in sports sponsored by the Conference.

Already this year, America East earned two of the 16 berths to the NCAA Field Hockey Championship for the second time in three years. America East also had two schools participate in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship.

In 1999-2000, America East sent two teams to the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship for the second-straight year. The University of Hartford advanced to the final eight in the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. America East earned two of the 12 berths to the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Championship. America East had a first-round draft choice in the NBA as well as a WNBA draft choice. Three America East alums are on NBA rosters while two America East alums are playing in the WNBA. In addition, four America East alums are on Major League Baseball Rosters, while another alum will play in the inaugural season in the WUSA (women’s soccer).

In 1998-99, America East placed five of its 10 institutions into post-season basketball tournaments. Of the 20 Division I-AA and I-AAA conferences, only two others had as many teams play in the NCAA Championships and National Invitation Tournaments. Two America East teams won first-round games in the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship and advanced to the round of eight.

America East has placed teams in both the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and the National Invitation Tournament in two of the last three years and three of the past five.

Academic Success ...

The America East Conference annually recognizes it’s student-athletes’ success in the classroom. All varsity team members who compile a grade point average of between 3.0 - 3.49 during their playing season receive America East recognition by being named to the Academic Honor Roll. Those outstanding student-athletes who compile a grade point average of 3.5 or higher are named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll. In 1999-2000, over 1,500 student-athletes received honor roll recognition.

Additionally, the Conference annually determines the top scholar-athlete in each of its 21 championship sports. The scholar-athlete must maintain a minimum 3.2 cumulative grade point average and be a starter or prominent reserve on the team for the entire duration of the playing season. Several America East scholar-athletes have gone on to receive national recognition from the GTE/CoSIDA Academic All-American program. From the pool of 21 outstanding scholar-athletes, one male and one female America East student-athlete are further honored as the conference’s Outstanding Student-Athletes for that academic year.

America East honors the member institution whose student-athletes compile the highest overall team grade point average in each of its conference-sponsored sports with the America East Academic Cup.