Marist Red Foxes

Marist Red Foxes
University	Marist College
Conference(s)	Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Pioneer Football League
NCAA	Division I, FCS Football
Athletics director	Tim Murray
Location	Poughkeepsie (town), NY
Varsity teams	23
Football stadium	Tenney Stadium
Basketball arena	McCann Arena
Baseball stadium	James J. McCann Baseball Field
Other arenas	Garland Athletic Field, Tennis Pavilion, Longview Park
Mascot	Shooter
Nickname	Red Foxes
Fight song	Marist Fight Song
Colors	Red and White
Homepage	Marist Athletics

The Red Foxes are the athletic teams of Marist College. The Marist Red Foxes compete in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) the only exception being football, a member of the Pioneer Football League (PFL).

The Red Foxes make up 23 varsity teams. Separate men's and women's teams are sponsored for basketball, tennis, crew, lacrosse, soccer, cross country, track, swimming and diving. Sponsored women's teams are volleyball, and water polo. While sponsored men's teams are baseball and football. These varsity programs involve more than 550 Marist student-athletes. The crew programs are among the few in the nation that claim on-campus facilities.

Marist has been recognized by Sports Illustrated as having one of the top 200 college athletic programs in the U.S.^[1]

The red fox or reynard is indigenous to the Hudson Valley where Marist is located and is regarded as highly intelligent and cunning. It is the red fox from which Marist's school colors of red and white are derived.

Rivalries

Men's basketball – Siena College, Iona College

Women's basketball – Fairfield University, Iona College, Siena College, Ohio State University,

Men's rowing – United States Military Academy, Trinity College, Hartford, Hobart College, Ithaca College, University of Delaware,

Women's rowing - Loyola University Maryland

Football – University of San Diego, Georgetown University, Bucknell University

Baseball – Manhattan College, United States Military Academy, Siena College

Swimming – Rider University, Loyola University Maryland

Softball – Canisius College

Track – Manhattan College, Iona College

Men's Soccer - Fairfield University

Women's soccer – Siena College

Men's tennis – Fairfield University

Women's tennis – Fairfield University

Men's lacrosse - Siena College

Women's lacrosse - Siena College

Annual Competitions

President's Cup Regatta

Marist has a rich rowing history against Army. West Point's proximity (30 miles south, on the opposite shore of the Hudson) and its being the only other Division I crew team in the Hudson Valley has led to an intense rivalry developing over the years. Each year Marist hosts Army to compete for the President's Cup Trophy. The President's Cup Regatta, named in honor of former Marist College President Linus Richard Foy has been an annual event for over four decades.^[2]

Poughkeepsie Regatta

As well as the President's Cup Regatta in October 2009 Marist hosted the Quadricentennial Poughkeepsie Regatta at Longview Park on the Hudson River. The race reenacted the Intercollegiate Rowing Association national championship race held in Poughkeepsie from 1895 to 1949. Competitors included Marist, Columbia, Cornell, Navy, Pennsylvania, Syracuse, Army, and Vassar College.^[3] The Poughkeepsie Regatta was cancelled in October 2011 when high water levels and excessive debris on the Hudson from recent storms made the river unsafe for competition.^[4]

Hudson Valley Baseball Classic

Since 2006 the Marist and Army baseball teams also play each spring in the Hudson Valley Baseball Classic at Dutchess Stadium in Fishkill, NY. The game is usually highlighted by Cadets parachuting onto the field and presenting the game ball and an impressive fireworks show.

Battle of I-87

Siena College located in Albany, New York is Marist's fiercest rival, most notably in men's basketball. Siena has ended Marist's season in the MAAC tournament 5 times between 1999 and 2007. Many fans and sportswriters dubbed this match-up as "The Battle of I-87" because of the two hour proximity of each school on Interstate 87 (Coincidentally, the approximate distance between the two is 87.4 miles). Although this rivalry exists in all sports, it is most heated during the basketball season. Both school's fans travel well and during the 1983–1984 season a brawl between the two basketball teams, their fans and coaches at McCann put the series on hiatus for three years. The animosity goes all the way back to when both schools competed at the Division II level, then the old NEC conference and continues today in the MAAC.

Achievements

Rik Smits visits Marist on Alumni Day

Marist captured its unprecedented 10th Commissioners Cup in 2011, sharing the title with Iona College.^[5] This was the first time in league history that the Cup was co-awarded. Marist earned its share in large part due to four MAAC championships, with women's swimming and diving, women's basketball, men's tennis and women's tennis all winning titles. The schools with the next highest Cup totals, La Salle and Loyola have each won four overall titles. The Commissioners Cup is awarded annually to the most successful MAAC athletic department over the course of the year.

In the summer of 2002 the Marist men's varsity eight boat advanced all the way to the semifinals of the Temple Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta.^[6]

In March 2007, Marist's Women's Basketball team surprised a nation of NCAA fans under the leadership of co-captains Alisa Kresge and Nikki Flores, carried by Rachele Fitz. They became the third 13th seed to make it to the Sweet 16 since the women's tournament expanded to 64 teams. They defeated 4th-seeded Ohio State and 5th-seeded Middle Tennessee to make it to the Sweet 16.^[7] The Men's Basketball team defeated Oklahoma State in the first round of the NIT 67-64.^[8]

On June 28, 2007, Jared Jordan became the second Marist College basketball player to be selected in the NBA draft, as the 45th overall pick, 15th pick in the second round by the Los Angeles Clippers.^[9] Rik Smits was the first Marist player to play in the NBA, and had a long successful career with the Indiana Pacers.^[10]

In February 2008, Marist joined the Pioneer Football League as its tenth member effective for the 2009 season, ending the MAAC Football League.^[11]

In March 2008, the women's basketball team was seeded 7th in the New Orleans Regional of the NCAA Basketball Tournament where they defeated the 10th seeded Depaul Blue Demons 76–57.^[12] They were then defeated by the 2nd seeded LSU Lady Tigers 68–49 on March 24, 2008, ending Marist's 22 game winning streak.^[13]

The 2009 and 2010 Women's NCAA Basketball Tournaments saw Marist lose in the first rounds to Virginia and Georgetown respectively.^[14][15]

In the 2011 NCAA tournament the women's basketball team defeated Iowa State in the first round and were thoroughly defeating Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium in the 2nd round until Marist's best player Erica Allenspach was injured. Duke took the lead late in the 2nd half and prevailed 71-66.^[16][17]

During the 2011-2012 season the Marist women's basketball team won their seventh straight MAAC championship by crushing Fairfield in the MAAC Final 61-35.^[18] They would go on to the NCAA Tournament as a 13 seed and beat 4th seed Georgia 76-70.^[19] Marist would then lose a tough game in the second round 66-63 to the 5th seed St. Bonaventure^[20] ending another successful season for a team that was viewed as Marist's most vulnerable in years.^[21]

Since joining the MAAC in 1997:

• The Baseball team has made the NCAA Tournament a total of 6 times in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, and 2009.

• The Men's Tennis Team has advanced to the NCAA Tournament 8 times 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 while the Women's Team appeared in 2007, 2008 and 2011.

• The Men's Crew Team Has won the MAAC Title 13 times and the Women's Crew Team 9 times.

• The Swimming and Diving Programs have combined for 24 MAAC Titles.

• The Women's Basketball Team has won 8 MAAC Conference Championships (2004, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012).

• Marist has won 10 Commissioners Cups (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011).

Fight Song

Marist, College, Let the bells ring.
Honor, Glory, Your Praises We Sing.

We're here with banners fly-ing!
Our shouts of victory cry-ing! Rah! – Rah! – Rah!
Alma, Mater, We love you dear.
Conquering, Heroes, We're here to cheer.

We have no fear for Marist College,
We'll fight on to victory.

Marist, Foxes, We're on the run.
Up hill, downhill, having much fun.

We lure our every foe,
Into the Red Fox hole. Rah! – Rah! – Rah!

Scratch them, tear them, rip them a part.
Offense, Defense – right from the start,

We have no fear for our Red Foxes,
They'll fight on to Victory.

Facilities

James J. McCann Recreation Center

Inside of McCann Field House during a basketball game

The James J. McCann Recreation Center consists of three major areas and dozens of minor ones. The three major areas are the McCann Field House, the Natatorium, and the Strength and Conditioning Center.^[22]

Mcann Arena is a 3,200-seat multi-purpose arena home to the men's and women's basketball and women's volleyball teams. It also hosts special events such as concerts for the student population.^[23]

The natatorium is a 265,000 US gallons (1,000 m³) facility, ranging in depth from 4 feet (1.2 m) to 13 feet (4.0 m). It provides six 25-yard (23 m) lanes and an independent diving well. The well contains two 1-meter and one 3-meter diving board.^[24]

The Strength and Conditioning Center is two floors. The lower floor consists of weight training equipment, the upper floor consists of cardiovascular training equipment. All told, the facility can easily accommodate 100 students simultaneously.^[22]

Minor areas include two racquetball courts, a 2,200-square-foot (200 m²) dance studio, five locker rooms, a classroom, the Pepsi Hall of Fame multi-media meeting room, the 2,100-square-foot (200 m²) Dr. Maynard Center for Sports Medicine, the Academic Enhancement Center, the 4,200-square-foot (390 m²) Coach's Complex, an 11,000-square-foot (1,000 m²) Mondo-surfaced auxiliary gymnasium, used heavily by intramurals and club sports, and a student lounge.^[22]

Tenney Stadium at Leonidoff Field

McCann Baseball Field

Tennis pavilion

In 2006, a tennis pavilion opened to support the men's and women's tennis programs. It features eight lighted, regulation-sized courts, a center walkway, and a pergola-covered spectator area. Along with Marist the United States Military Academy and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York, host site of the U.S. Open, are the only tennis venues in the area that can boast a Deco II playing surface. Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill the pavilion is located on the east campus.^[25][26]

Boathouse Row and Long View Park

The athletic facilities with the greatest amount of history in the Marist College Athletic Department are the boathouses located on campus, which sit on the banks of the Hudson River. It is rare in collegiate rowing to have on-campus rowing facilities.

Two houses exist: the original Cornell University boathouse once occupied by Cornell's crew teams during their annual training and racing at the Poughkeepsie Regatta, which was held in Poughkeepsie from the late 19th century until 1949, and the newer adjacent Marist boathouse, which stands on the former site of the University of California and University of Washington boathouses. The Marist boathouse features a boat bay, which contains a fleet of 16 top-of-the-line Vespoli shells. Additionally, on the second floor are 30 Concept II ergs, free weights, a video viewing lounge and a coaching office. The Cornell boathouse was remodeled in 2008, and currently is used by the school President for administrative functions, as well as housing a few racing shells for the women's team.^[27]

The 12 acre Longview Park is home of the champion Marist men's and women's rowing teams. It is where Marist hosts intercollegiate and interscholastic rowing regattas. It has a bike/walk path along the Hudson River's east shore, a fishing pier, the boathouses, and a gazebo with scenic vistas on a promontory in the center of the park.

Gartland Athletic Field & Softball Field

Also known as North Field, the Gartland Athletic Field now serves as a core practice facility for Marist intercollegiate sports, including soccer, lacrosse, and rugby. It is also a playing field for club sports and general recreation. At almost 10 acres (40,000 m²) in size, the field is large enough to accommodate three team practices simultaneously. The turf is composed of a Kentucky bluegrass, rye and fescue mix situated on a sand and organic material base. An irrigation system provides 85 sprinkler heads to help maintain this practice location.

The intercollegiate Softball field, equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic score board and newly renovated dugouts, resides in the far corner of North field. A practice softball field at the opposite end of the field is used during tournament play, intramural games, and sole club sports.^[28]

Mens Basketball

2011-2012 roster

Coaches

• Chuck Martin, Head Coach (4th Season)
• Paul Lee, Assistant Coach (4th Season)
• Tyrone Weeks, Assistant Coach (4th Season)
• Ron Johnson, Assistant Coach (1st Season)
• Will Lanier, Director of Men's Basketball Operations

Womens Basketball

2011–2012 roster

Coaches

• Brian Giorgis, Head Coach 10th Season
• Megan Gebbia, Associate Head Coach
• Alisa Kresge, Assistant Coach
• Erin Leger, Assistant Coach
• Fifi Camara, Director of Basketball Operations

Football

Football started at Marist as a club sport in 1965 and became a varsity sport in 1978 as a Division III independent. In 1993 football moved up to Division I-AA and in 1994 became the first Marist athletic team to become a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. In 2008 after the MAAC football conference disbanded the team joined the Pioneer Football League.

In 2010 the Red Foxes set a single-season program record with 2,950 yards through the air. Quarterback Tommy Reilly set the program's single-game and single-season records for completions, attempts and passing yards.

In their first season as a member of the Pioneer Football League (2008), Marist tied a program record with seven victories, and set a program record with a six-game winning streak. They finished the season 7-4.

The Red Foxes broke into the national spotlight in 1997 by setting national records. The Marist defense set a pair of I-AA records in the fall of 1997, breaking the opponent rushing yards per game and fewest yards allowed per rush marks, that had been held by Florida A&M University. The Red Foxes allowed just 39.8 rush yards a game, eclipsing the 1978 record of 45.4 yards per game. The stingy Marist defense also allowed just 1.2 yards per rush, which snapped the Rattlers 1984 national record of 1.3 yards a carry.

Since 1970 Marist's record is 147-175-3.

Individual Records

Coaches

• Jim Parady, Head Coach (20th Season)
• Scott Rumsey, Assoc. Head Coach / Defensive Coordinator / Linebackers Coach (14th Season)
• Nate Fields, Special Teams / Wide Receivers Coach
• Tunde Agboke, Defensive Line Coach / Video Coordinator
• Pete Mahoney, Running Backs Coach, Director of Football Operations
• Tom Kelly, Kickers Coach(26th Season)
• Larry Riley, Cornerbacks Coach (25th Season)
• Bill Roos, Offensive Line Coach (10th Season)
• Clarence Johnson, Safeties Coach, Recruiting Coordinator
• Rory Foley, Tight Ends Coach

Bowl Games

Men's Soccer

Crew

Lacrosse

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See also

• List of college athletic programs in New York

References