ATHLETICS PROGRAM FACT SHEET
ATHLETICS PROGRAM FACT SHEET A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE 79 NCAA Division II Individual Championships 10 NCAA Division II Team Championships Nearly 1,200 All-America selections
First-Class Athletics Facilities
Dedicated in November of 1988, Jess Dow Field is a multimillion dollar stadium facility which can accommodate football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and track and field. The AstroPlay artificially-surfaced playing field is surrounded by an eight-lane, state-of-the-art 400-meter track surface. The artificial field was replaced in 2011, while the track surface was updated in 2013. Directly adjacent to Moore Field House, Dow Field is lighted and has a capacity for some 6,000. James W. Moore Field House is Southern’s primary indoor athletic complex. The main arena, with a permanent seating capacity of 2,800, has a six-lane, artificially-surfaced track (200 meters), which was completely renovated in the summer of 1997. The fieldhouse is utilized for all major indoor events and can accommodate multiple practice sessions simultaneously. Drop curtains and netting allow the main arena to accommodate a complete baseball or softball infield for practice as well as the traditional indoor programs. Moore Field House also has complete weight-training facilities, locker rooms and equipment rooms. Located in Moore Field House, Hutchinson Natatorium has an eight-lane swimming pool with both one- and threemeter diving boards and a Colorado timing system. The recently renovated Pelz Gymnasium is the oldest of the Southern athletic facilities and is utilized primarily for physical education classes, recreation & intramurals, women’s gymnastics, and volleyball. The facility has a six-lane pool and an independent, auxiliary gymnasium for gymnastics. The Owls also host softball action at their facility behind Pelz Gym and opened The Ballpark at Southern Connecticut in the fall of 2001. All of the Southern facilities have played host to collegiate and scholastic championship events.
Soaring Above The Competition
Southern Connecticut State University’s outstanding athletic program continually ranks among the top NCAA Division II programs in the nation, and also boasts a long record of dominance in the Northeast for both team and individual championships. The Owls rank among the NCAA leaders with 79 individual titles and team championships with 10 titles. Most recently, the 4x400 relay of Crystle Hill, Sarah Hill, Georgette Nixon and Shatajah Wattely of the women’s indoor track and field program won the 2015 NCAA title in that event. SCSU had NCAA c h a m p i o n s h i p s representation in eight sports in 2016-17 and also ranked among the top-30 percent of all Division II programs in the Learfield Sports Cup for the 11th straight year.
Head Coach Phone Directory
Men’s Soccer: (203) 392-6018 Men’s Basketball: (203) 392-6017 Women’s Lacrosse: (203) 392-6940 Women’s Soccer: (203) 392-5759 Football: (203) 392-6010 Field Hockey: (203) 392-5981 Baseball: (203) 392-6021 Men’s Track/Cross Country: (203) 392-6023 Softball: (203) 392-6153 Women’s Track/Cross Country: (203) 392-6019 Volleyball: (203) 392-6022 Women’s Gymnastics: (203) 392-8874 Women’s Basketball: (203) 392-6002 Men’s/Women’s Swimming: (203) 392-6026 Complete staff directory and email addresses available at www.southernctowls.com
ACHIEVEMENTS IN ATHLETICS Southern Connecticut State University produces student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Among the University’s notable athletic alumni are numerous individuals who have made an indelible impact in society, both inside and outside of the athletic realms. Donna Lopiano – former executive director of the Women’s Sports Foundation; inducted into the Verizon Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 2003 and former recipient of an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award and the Gerald Ford Award Mike Katz - former Mr. Universe Dan Lauria - decorated actor in television, film and theater Men’s Gymnastics Peter Kormann - bronze medalist in floor exercise at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal (first medal in men’s gymnastics for US in 44 years); head coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 1996 and 2000 John Crosby - 13 championships in NCAA men’s gymnastics; member, 1972 U.S. Olympic team (Munich) Women’s Basketball Mary Anne O’Connor - silver medalist in women’s basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal Sue Rojcewicz - silver medalist in women’s basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal Joan Bonvicini - former head women’s basketball coach - University of Arizona, Long Beach State and Seattle University Cathy Inglese - former head women’s basketball coach - Boston College, University of Rhode Island, University of Vermont Marnie Dacko – former head women’s basketball coach – University of Massachusetts and Cornell University Don Perrelli – coached three different teams in NCAA Division I Top 20 (Southern Connecticut, St. John’s, Northwestern) Women’s Soccer Beba Stratakis - played for Greece in the 2004 Olympic Games
Swimming Ben Michaelson - 10-time NCAA Division II swim champion and three-time Division II swimmer of the year; won two gold medals and set two Pan American Games records in 2003 (100m butterfly and 400m medley relay member); third fastest time in U.S. history in 100-yard butterfly; U.S. short course record in 100-meter butterfly Rich Corso – head coach of 1996 U.S. Olympic Water Polo team Men’s Soccer Brian Bliss - 1990 U.S. World Cup men’s soccer team; 1988 U.S. Olympic team; played in Major League Soccer with Columbus, New York/New Jersey and Kansas City; former Technical Director for the Chicago Fire; current Director of Player Personnel for Sporting Kansas City Bo Oshoniyi - winner of Golden Boot Award as top goalkeeper in collegiate soccer in 1993; played with Kansas City of Major League Soccer (MLS); 1993 U.S. World University Games team and 1995 U.S. Cup team; current head coach at East Tennessee State Mike Petke - currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake; former head coach New York Red Bulls; two-time Major League Soccer all-star with New York/New Jersey MetroStars Juan Carlos Osorio - current head coach of Mexico National Team, former head coach of Red Bull New York Other Owls in Major League Soccer Shawn Boney (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chris Houser (Tampa Bay Mutiny), Alejandro Rincon (Chicago Fire), Kevin Anderson (Colorado Rapids/ Tampa Bay Mutiny), John Ball (Chicago Fire), John Debrito (MetroStars/ New England Revolution/Kansas City Wizards/Columbus Crew), Christian daSilva (MetroStars), Carlos Rocha (New England Revolution)
SCSU AND THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Active Coaches Jeff Stoutland: in his fifth season as offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles Tim Holt: in his third season as assistant offensive line coach with the Oakland Raiders; coached on the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ staffs Former Coaches Kevin Gilbride: former head coach of the San Diego Chargers, offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII and XLVI Champions; also served as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills Chris Palmer: former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, former quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII Champions Nick Nicolau: spent 19 seasons as an assistant with the Saints, Broncos, Raiders, Bills, Colts, Jaguars, and Chargers Kevin Lempa: coached with the San Diego Chargers’ staff Mike Cavanaugh: coached with the San Diego Chargers’ staff Steve Bush: coached with the Miami Dolphins’ staff Former Players Joe Andruzzi: three-time Super Bowl champion (2002, 2004, 2005) with the New England Patriots
Jacques Cesaire: played nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers Jerome Cunningham: played two seasons with the New York Giants and two with the Tennessee Titans Nick DeFelice: played for two seasons with the New York Jets Ike Igbinosun: played with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers Scott Mersereau: played eight seasons with the New York Jets and was a fifth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams Carlif Taylor: played with the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys Travis Tucker: played tight end for three seasons with the Cleveland Browns Frank Biancamano: played with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Gilbride was the offensive coordinator of two Super Bowl winning teams for the New York Giants.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JAY MORAN A veteran athletic administrator with nearly 25 years in higher education, Jay Moran was named as the fifth Director of Athletics in the history of Southern Connecticut State University on July 17, 2014. Moran joined the Owls after 10 years at the helm of the University of Bridgeport athletic program. He is no stranger to the Elm City, as he also previously served as the Athletic Director at Albertus Magnus College from 2002-04. An active member in his community, Moran has been the mayor of Manchester since April, 2014 after several months as deputy mayor. During his time as an athletic administrator, Moran has served in a leadership capacity among his peers – including as president of the East Coast Conference Athletic Directors’ Council from 2007 to 2011, and is the president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies degree, with a concentration in sport and leisure studies, from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science degree in management from Albertus Magnus.
First-Class Athletics Facilities
Dedicated in November of 1988, Jess Dow Field is a multimillion dollar stadium facility which can accommodate football, soccer, field hockey, lacrosse and track and field. The AstroPlay artificially-surfaced playing field is surrounded by an eight-lane, state-of-the-art 400-meter track surface. The artificial field was replaced in 2011, while the track surface was updated in 2013. Directly adjacent to Moore Field House, Dow Field is lighted and has a capacity for some 6,000. James W. Moore Field House is Southern’s primary indoor athletic complex. The main arena, with a permanent seating capacity of 2,800, has a six-lane, artificially-surfaced track (200 meters), which was completely renovated in the summer of 1997. The fieldhouse is utilized for all major indoor events and can accommodate multiple practice sessions simultaneously. Drop curtains and netting allow the main arena to accommodate a complete baseball or softball infield for practice as well as the traditional indoor programs. Moore Field House also has complete weight-training facilities, locker rooms and equipment rooms. Located in Moore Field House, Hutchinson Natatorium has an eight-lane swimming pool with both one- and threemeter diving boards and a Colorado timing system. The recently renovated Pelz Gymnasium is the oldest of the Southern athletic facilities and is utilized primarily for physical education classes, recreation & intramurals, women’s gymnastics, and volleyball. The facility has a six-lane pool and an independent, auxiliary gymnasium for gymnastics. The Owls also host softball action at their facility behind Pelz Gym and opened The Ballpark at Southern Connecticut in the fall of 2001. All of the Southern facilities have played host to collegiate and scholastic championship events.
Soaring Above The Competition
Southern Connecticut State University’s outstanding athletic program continually ranks among the top NCAA Division II programs in the nation, and also boasts a long record of dominance in the Northeast for both team and individual championships. The Owls rank among the NCAA leaders with 79 individual titles and team championships with 10 titles. Most recently, the 4x400 relay of Crystle Hill, Sarah Hill, Georgette Nixon and Shatajah Wattely of the women’s indoor track and field program won the 2015 NCAA title in that event. SCSU had NCAA c h a m p i o n s h i p s representation in eight sports in 2016-17 and also ranked among the top-30 percent of all Division II programs in the Learfield Sports Cup for the 11th straight year.
Head Coach Phone Directory
Men’s Soccer: (203) 392-6018 Men’s Basketball: (203) 392-6017 Women’s Lacrosse: (203) 392-6940 Women’s Soccer: (203) 392-5759 Football: (203) 392-6010 Field Hockey: (203) 392-5981 Baseball: (203) 392-6021 Men’s Track/Cross Country: (203) 392-6023 Softball: (203) 392-6153 Women’s Track/Cross Country: (203) 392-6019 Volleyball: (203) 392-6022 Women’s Gymnastics: (203) 392-8874 Women’s Basketball: (203) 392-6002 Men’s/Women’s Swimming: (203) 392-6026 Complete staff directory and email addresses available at www.southernctowls.com
ACHIEVEMENTS IN ATHLETICS Southern Connecticut State University produces student-athletes who excel both on the field and in the classroom. Among the University’s notable athletic alumni are numerous individuals who have made an indelible impact in society, both inside and outside of the athletic realms. Donna Lopiano – former executive director of the Women’s Sports Foundation; inducted into the Verizon Academic All-America Hall of Fame in 2003 and former recipient of an NCAA Silver Anniversary Award and the Gerald Ford Award Mike Katz - former Mr. Universe Dan Lauria - decorated actor in television, film and theater Men’s Gymnastics Peter Kormann - bronze medalist in floor exercise at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal (first medal in men’s gymnastics for US in 44 years); head coach of the U.S. men’s Olympic team in 1996 and 2000 John Crosby - 13 championships in NCAA men’s gymnastics; member, 1972 U.S. Olympic team (Munich) Women’s Basketball Mary Anne O’Connor - silver medalist in women’s basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal Sue Rojcewicz - silver medalist in women’s basketball at the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal Joan Bonvicini - former head women’s basketball coach - University of Arizona, Long Beach State and Seattle University Cathy Inglese - former head women’s basketball coach - Boston College, University of Rhode Island, University of Vermont Marnie Dacko – former head women’s basketball coach – University of Massachusetts and Cornell University Don Perrelli – coached three different teams in NCAA Division I Top 20 (Southern Connecticut, St. John’s, Northwestern) Women’s Soccer Beba Stratakis - played for Greece in the 2004 Olympic Games
Swimming Ben Michaelson - 10-time NCAA Division II swim champion and three-time Division II swimmer of the year; won two gold medals and set two Pan American Games records in 2003 (100m butterfly and 400m medley relay member); third fastest time in U.S. history in 100-yard butterfly; U.S. short course record in 100-meter butterfly Rich Corso – head coach of 1996 U.S. Olympic Water Polo team Men’s Soccer Brian Bliss - 1990 U.S. World Cup men’s soccer team; 1988 U.S. Olympic team; played in Major League Soccer with Columbus, New York/New Jersey and Kansas City; former Technical Director for the Chicago Fire; current Director of Player Personnel for Sporting Kansas City Bo Oshoniyi - winner of Golden Boot Award as top goalkeeper in collegiate soccer in 1993; played with Kansas City of Major League Soccer (MLS); 1993 U.S. World University Games team and 1995 U.S. Cup team; current head coach at East Tennessee State Mike Petke - currently the head coach of Real Salt Lake; former head coach New York Red Bulls; two-time Major League Soccer all-star with New York/New Jersey MetroStars Juan Carlos Osorio - current head coach of Mexico National Team, former head coach of Red Bull New York Other Owls in Major League Soccer Shawn Boney (Los Angeles Galaxy), Chris Houser (Tampa Bay Mutiny), Alejandro Rincon (Chicago Fire), Kevin Anderson (Colorado Rapids/ Tampa Bay Mutiny), John Ball (Chicago Fire), John Debrito (MetroStars/ New England Revolution/Kansas City Wizards/Columbus Crew), Christian daSilva (MetroStars), Carlos Rocha (New England Revolution)
SCSU AND THE NATIONAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE Active Coaches Jeff Stoutland: in his fifth season as offensive line coach for the Philadelphia Eagles Tim Holt: in his third season as assistant offensive line coach with the Oakland Raiders; coached on the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ staffs Former Coaches Kevin Gilbride: former head coach of the San Diego Chargers, offensive coordinator for the New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII and XLVI Champions; also served as an assistant coach with Pittsburgh Steelers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills Chris Palmer: former head coach of the Cleveland Browns, former quarterbacks coach for the New York Giants, Super Bowl XLII Champions Nick Nicolau: spent 19 seasons as an assistant with the Saints, Broncos, Raiders, Bills, Colts, Jaguars, and Chargers Kevin Lempa: coached with the San Diego Chargers’ staff Mike Cavanaugh: coached with the San Diego Chargers’ staff Steve Bush: coached with the Miami Dolphins’ staff Former Players Joe Andruzzi: three-time Super Bowl champion (2002, 2004, 2005) with the New England Patriots
Jacques Cesaire: played nine seasons with the San Diego Chargers Jerome Cunningham: played two seasons with the New York Giants and two with the Tennessee Titans Nick DeFelice: played for two seasons with the New York Jets Ike Igbinosun: played with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers Scott Mersereau: played eight seasons with the New York Jets and was a fifth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams Carlif Taylor: played with the New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys Travis Tucker: played tight end for three seasons with the Cleveland Browns Frank Biancamano: played with the Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys
Kevin Gilbride was the offensive coordinator of two Super Bowl winning teams for the New York Giants.
DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS JAY MORAN A veteran athletic administrator with nearly 25 years in higher education, Jay Moran was named as the fifth Director of Athletics in the history of Southern Connecticut State University on July 17, 2014. Moran joined the Owls after 10 years at the helm of the University of Bridgeport athletic program. He is no stranger to the Elm City, as he also previously served as the Athletic Director at Albertus Magnus College from 2002-04. An active member in his community, Moran has been the mayor of Manchester since April, 2014 after several months as deputy mayor. During his time as an athletic administrator, Moran has served in a leadership capacity among his peers – including as president of the East Coast Conference Athletic Directors’ Council from 2007 to 2011, and is the president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference. He holds a Bachelor of General Studies degree, with a concentration in sport and leisure studies, from the University of Connecticut, and a Master of Science degree in management from Albertus Magnus.
