Special events/announcements
Former administrator and Hall of Fame member Godfrey passes away
Longtime teacher and athletics administratorJessie A. Godfrey passed away at age 88 on July 23 in Marquette, Michigan. Godfrey was a pioneer in physical education and athletics whose leadership spanned five decades, including 32 years at Binghamton (1958-91).
A native of Washington, D.C., Godfrey received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Wellesley College. She arrived at Binghamton in 1958, where she began a noteworthy five-decade career grounded in the principles of equal opportunity for women in intercollegiate athletics.
Hall of Fame induction class announced
Binghamton athletics has releaved its Hall of Fame Class of 2016: men’s diver Avi Shaprut (1991-94), women’s soccer goalkeeper Tara DeFlippo (1994-96) and women’s basketball guard Rachel Laws (2002-06). The trio will be unducted on December 10 in a ceremony at the Events Center.
Top Moments from 2015-16 year
We are counting down the top moments of the 2015-16 academic year. This week, we conclude with moments 5-1
No. 5: Reed Gamache is named first-team all-region and signs a free agent contract with the New York Mets.
Gorgos named to sports medicine staff
Binghamton athletics has hired Kara Gorgos (prononounced GORE-giss) to its sports medicine staff, the University announced Friday.
Gorgos, a board certified athletic trainer and Binghamton native, has previously worked at Division I programs at Old Dominion University and University at Buffalo.
Savidge-Morris promoted to senior associate AD
Binghamton University Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott announced Tuesday that Leigh Ann Savidge-Morris has been promoted to senior associate athletics director. A 13-year member of the athletics department, Savidge-Morris has been an associate AD for the last six years. She is also entering her fifth year as Senior Woman Administrator.
Men’s lacrosse welcomes new head coach
Binghamton University Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott has announced the hiring ofKevin McKeown as men’s lacrosse coach. McKeown (Mc-CUE-en) is a 2006 graduate of Binghamton and a member of the University’s Athletics Hall of Fame.
“We are excited to welcome Kevin home, and have him lead our men’s lacrosse program,” said Elliott. “Kevin has demonstrated a keen ability to recruit and develop quality student-athletes, with an emphasis on athletic and academic excellence.”
Bump returns to campus as assistant softball coach
One of the top softball players during Binghamton’s NCAA Division I era is coming back to campus.
Jessica Bump, a 2014 graduate, has been named the Bearcats’ top assistant coach. She arrives back at Binghamton following a standout playing career as well as a pair of seasons in the college coaching ranks.
Local talent Folli named to baseball coaching staff
On the heels of another America East title and NCAA appearance, Binghamton head baseball coach Tim Sinicki has bolstered his coaching staff with the addition of former Triple-A player and local product Mike Folli.
Folli, who starred at nearby Union-Endicott High and University at Buffalo, joins a staff that includes 25-year mentor Sinicki, and assistant coaches Ryan Hurba and Ed Folli, Mike’s father.
Truncale promoted to associate women’s basketball coach
Binghamton women’s basketball assistant coach Leah Truncale has been promoted to associate head coach, head coach Linda Cimino announced on Tuesday.
“Leah is an incredibly valuable piece of our coaching staff,” said Cimino. “She is committed to our vision, extremely loyal and and has an enormous amount of pride in Binghamton athletics,” Cimino said. “Leah has played an instrumental role in rebuilding our program and has used her great knowledge of the game in teaching and developing our players. This promotion is much deserved.”
Athletics hosts annual Welcome Back BBQ
Student-athletes from all 21 Binghamton athletic teams gathered in the Event Center for the annual Welcome Back BBQ on Wednesday. The event serves as a way for everyone to meet up again and to formally kick off the academic year.
The Binghamton Athletic Department is coming off one of its most successful years since elevating to the NCAA Division I level in 2001. The athletic department as a whole placed third in the America East Commissioner’s Cup standings (out of the nine member institutions) – its best finish in seven years. In addition, Binghamton tied for second in the America East Academic Cup standings – its best placement since the 2008-09 academic year.
Cross country names new assistant coach
The Binghamton University cross country program has announced the hiring of Patrick Murray as its assistant coach. He will also serve as an assistant coach with the Bearcats’ track & field program.
Murray comes directly from Florida State, where he was an assistant coach with the Seminole track and cross country programs the past three years. During that time, the Florida State women’s cross country team finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championship meet twice while the men’s squad won the South Regional title once.
Men’s basketball finalizes coaching staff
Binghamton men’s basketball head coach Tommy Dempsey has solidified his staff for the 2016-17 season.
Entering his fourth season with the program, Bryan Goodman has been elevated to associate head coach. Former two-year coordinator of player development Chretien Lukusa has been promoted to assistant coach, joining fifth-year assistant Herb Courtney. Newcomer Pete Corasaniti has been hired in the player development role, rounding out Dempsey’s staff.
Men’s lacrosse adds assistant coach
Binghamton men’s lacrosse has announced the hiring of Kyle Turri as an assistant coach on Kevin McKeown’s staff for the 2016-17 year.
“We are very fortunate to be able to add Kyle to our staff here at Binghamton,” said McKeown. “Kyle’s experiences as a player and coach will be a great asset to our program. As the son of a coach, he has a great mind for the game and has already begun making a huge impact for our student-athletes.”
Turri, a 2015 graduate of Duke, joins McKeown’s staff following a season at Ohio State. At Duke, Turri was a member of two NCAA Championship teams, starting in goal as the Blue Devils won the title in 2013. He also played on the gold medal-winning Under-19 U.S.A. Team in 2012.
At Ohio State, Turri was the Buckeyes’ man-down coordinator and goalie coach. He helped OSU to a 65 percent success rate in man-down situations last season.
McKeown was hired in July. He graduated from Binghamton in 2006 before serving as a coach of the Bearcats for four seasons.
Women’s basketball finalizes coaching staff
Binghamton women’s basketball head coach Linda Cimino has finalized her staff for the 2016-17 season. Torey Northup-Jones and Kirsty Leedham have been promoted while Nicole Angelohas been added to the staff. Northup-Jones, who enters her third year at Binghamton as an assistant coach, has also been named the program’s Recruiting Coordinator. Since joining the Bearcat coaching staff, she has worked with the development of the guards, which includes three all-conference selections. In addition, Northup-Jones has assisted with all facets of scouting and recruiting, as well as the team’s academics and community service projects. In addition, she oversees the team’s student managers.
Athletics Giving Challenge completed
Thanks to the generosity of William H. Groner ‘77, Binghamton University launched an Athletics Alumni Giving Challenge Sept. 12 that ran until Sept. 30, 2016. The goal of the challenge was to increase participation among former Binghamton student-athletes who contribute to the Athletics Department.
This challenge provided Binghamton University Athletics Alumni with the opportunity to be involved by responding to the financial needs of Binghamton student-athletes, coaches and Athletics Department, showing Colonial/Bearcat spirit and loyalty and helping to strengthen the tradition of Binghamton Athletics by paying it forward for a more competitive future.