Athletics news, winter 2022
Longtime administrator labels Bearcats ’sleeping giants
Incoming Director of Athletics Eugene Marshall, Jr. was introduced at a press conference Tuesday afternoon in the Events Center. University President Harvey Stenger welcomed Marshall in front of a packed TAU Bearcat Clubroom and video streaming audience. Marshall, a 38-year college athletics administrator, begins his role Jan. 5.
“Binghamton is fortunate to be able to hire someone of Gene’s caliber as Athletics Director,” Stenger said in his remarks. “He brings a great deal of experience to the table with 38 years in every level of collegiate athletics administration. Gene knows what it means to be an NCAA Division I student-athlete and coach. He comes highly regarded for his commitment to building successful athletics programs and just as important for a campus like Binghamton, for helping student-athletes succeed academically and centering athletics as part of the student experience on campus. I look forward to working with him to strengthen our athletics program.”
“I want to thank the search committee, faculty, staff and most of all, the student-athletes who were part of the process,” Marshall said. “I think in my appointment, your voices were heard and taken into account. I also want to thank everyone in the Binghamton community because this is a great opportunity. I believe this is a ’sleeping giant’ here. Right now the Bearcats are rising. We’re coming.”
Marshall becomes the 11th director of athletics in Binghamton’s history and fifth during its 22-year Division I era. He succeeds Dennis Kalina, who served as interim AD for 18 months. Marshall takes over a Binghamton program that sits second in the America East Commissioner’s Cup standings (overall success) after the fall season. It’s the highest position the Bearcats have held after the fall season in the school’s two-decade conference membership.
Binghamton athletics sits in second place in Cup standings
After an outstanding fall season competitively, Binghamton athletics is in second place in the 2022-23 America East Commissioner’s Cup standings. The Bearcats have 128 points, ahead of Albany (125), UMass Lowell (104), Maine (94) and others and behind only New Hampshire (150).
The Commissioner’s Cup annually recognizes the strongest athletic program in America East as determined by a scoring system which rewards a school for success both during the regular season and championship competition in the conference’s 18 sports.
Dottie Pepper named speaker for Celebrating Women’s Athletics Luncheon
The Binghamton Bearcats Athletic Association (BBAA) will host its 18th Annual Celebrating Women’s Athletics Luncheon presented by M&T Bank on Monday, Feb. 27. The event begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Events Center.
Former LPGA star and current CBS golf broadcaster Dottie Pepper will be the featured speaker this year. Dottie’s golf career started right here in New York, as she won the 1981 New York State amateur title and the 1981 & 1983 New York state junior amateur titles. From there, she attended Furman University, where she earned five collegiate victories and was named All-American three times.
Tennis facility renamed
Binghamton University announced on Friday that its newly purchased tennis complex on Mill Street will be renamed the Lane - Starke Tennis Center. Formerly the Binghamton Tennis Center, the Lane - Starke Tennis Center honors valuable and longstanding contributors Michael Lane ’89 and Michael Starke.
Athletics welcomes mental health presentation
Continuing its mental health programming, Binghamton athletics and the America East sponsored a day of education on October 5 at the campus Anderson Center. Non-profit agency MindWise Innovations came to campus and provided extensive training to BU student-athletes, coaches and staff.
Hall of Fame Class of ’22 inducted
Binghamton Athletics elected its Hall of Fame Class of 2022 in the 26th annual ceremony Saturday afternoon at the Events Center. Joining the elite group of Hall of Fame members are women’s basketball great Andrea Holmes ’12, wrestling All-American Donnie Vinson ’12, tennis champion Sven Vloedgraven ’11, longtime broadcaster and master of ceremonies Roger Neel and the record-setting 1994-95 men’s tennis team.
Student-athletes collect good for local food pantry
The #AEFoodFrenzy initiative is an America East conference-wide community service initiative organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) at each of the 9-member institutions. Each school affiliated with America East takes part in the competition by collecting as many canned food and pantry items as possible. Through the America East Conference, which promotes community involvement and leadership, student-athletes are encouraged to gather these items in order to give back to the community.