Brandeis Judges

Last updated

Brandeis Judges
Brandeis logo from NCAA.svg
University Brandeis University
Conference UAA, ECAC
NCAA Division III
Athletic directorLauren Haynie
Location Waltham, Massachusetts
Basketball arenaRed Auerbach Arena at Gosman Sports and Convocation Center [1]
Baseball stadiumStein Diamond
Softball stadiumMarcus Field
Soccer stadiumGordon Field and Outdoor Track
Aquatics centerLinsey Pool
Tennis venueCordish Tennis Center
Outdoor track and field venueGordon Field and Outdoor Track
Volleyball arenaRed Auerbach Arena
MascotThe Judge and Ollie the Owl
NicknameJudges
ColorsWhite and Blue
   
Website brandeisjudges.com

The Brandeis Judges are 17 intercollegiate sports teams that represent Brandeis University. They compete in the NCAA's Division III in the University Athletic Association conference, which they joined in May 1987. [2] The team colors are blue and white, and their mascots are The Judge and Ollie the Owl. [3]

Contents

The centerpiece of Brandeis athletics is the Joseph P. and Clara Ford Athletic and Recreation Complex, one of the largest and best-equipped, multipurpose, indoor athletic facilities in the Northeast.

Benny Friedman, who was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2005, served as Athletic Director from 1949 to 1963 and as head football coach from 1951 to 1960, when the football team was disbanded due to high costs. [4] Bud Collins coached the men's tennis team from 1959 to 1963. Chris Ford (2001–03) was the third former Boston Celtics player to become head coach at Brandeis, following Bob Brannum (1970–86) and K.C. Jones (1967–70). The basketball and volleyball teams play in the Red Auerbach Arena at the Gosman Sports and Convocation Center. The arena is named after the legendary Boston Celtics coach. [5] [6]

Athletics

Men's sportsWomen's sports
BaseballBasketball
BasketballCross country
Cross countryFencing
FencingSoccer
SoccerSoftball
Swimming and divingSwimming and diving
TennisTennis
Track and field [n 1] Track and field [n 1]
Volleyball
Notes
  1. 1 2 indoor and outdoor.

Baseball

Brandeis' baseball team advanced to the Division III championship game in 1977, although they lost to Stanislaus State. [7]

Former head coach Pete Varney, who played Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox and Atlanta Braves, retired after 34 years of coaching. Derek Carlson, former player and assistant coach under Pete Varney, is the current head coach of the Brandeis Varsity Baseball program. Pitcher Nelson Figueroa is the first Brandeis graduate to play in Major League Baseball.

Basketball (men's)

The men's basketball team is routinely one of the most competitive Division III teams in the country. The Judges reached four-straight NCAA Tournaments between 2006 and 2010, including Elite 8 teams in 2008 and 2010. Several former players have gone on to play professionally. Three former NBA Boston Celtics players have coached basketball at Brandeis – KC Jones (67–70), Bob Brannum (70–86) and Chris Ford (2001–2003).

Cross country

The cross country team is one of two teams in Brandeis history to win a Division III National Championship, taking home the crown in 1983. [8] The squad is currently coached by Sinead Evans, who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics in the 1500-meter. The 2009 men's cross country team saw junior Paul Norton earn All-American status at the NCAA Division III National Cross Country Meet, the best performance by a male cross country athlete in over a decade.

Fencing

Tim Morehouse ('00) won a silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Men's team saber in Beijing, China. Brandeis consistently sends several fencers to the NCAA National Championships. Brandeis hosted the NCAA Fencing Championships in 1999, 2004, and 2016. [9]

In 2024, saber athlete Maggie Shealy M'25 became "the first woman in school history to win a National Championship in a Division I field, the school’s first individual champion in any sport since 2019, the highest placing fencer in school history, and the second woman in NCAA history to win a fencing championship for a Division III school." [10]

Soccer (men's)

The men's soccer team won the 1976 NCAA Division III National Championship [11] and has reached the NCAA Division III Tournament 15 times.

In 2012, the team won a share of the UAA title, its first in history, and returned to NCAAs after a 27-year absence, advancing to the Sweet 16 before losing to Williams College. The team ended that year ranked third in New England (behind Williams and Amherst College) and No. 13 in Division III.

In 2013, the Judges again qualified for NCAAs, ending the year ranked No. 15 in Division III, again losing to Williams in the Sweet 16.

In 2014, Brandeis was selected to participate in NCAAs for the third year in a row. The Judges had their best season in recent memory, finishing No. 6 in Division III after advancing to the Elite Eight. Along the way, the Judges defeated eventual NCAA Division III National Champion Tufts University of the NESCAC, 2–0, in the regular season, as well as NESCAC teams Bowdoin College, 1–0, and Amherst, on penalty kick s, in the NCAA Tournament. [12]

The 2015 Brandeis squad won the University Athletic Association title, its second in history and first outright triumph. [13] In the NCAA Tournament, the team then defeated Thomas College [14] 2–1 in the 1st Round and then downed Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in double-overtime by the same scoreline in the 2nd Round [15] before falling to Trinity University (Texas) in the Sweet 16 by a score of 2–0. [16]

In 2016, Brandeis advanced to its first Final 4 since 1976, downing Amherst on PKs once again [17] in the Sweet 16 after a 1–1 draw, and Rutgers-Newark, [18] 4–2, in the Elite 8. The team fell 1–0 to Calvin [19] in the Final 4. Following the loss, veteran head coach Michael Coven, who was with the team for 44 seasons, announced his retirement, and was replaced by Gabe Margolis.

After losing its opening game in 2017, the Judges won 12 of their next 16 to finish the regular season 14–4, second in the UAA. After defeating Western Connecticut in the 1st Round, 3–0, and Rutgers-Newark in the 2nd Round, 1–0, the squad moved on to the Sweet 16, where it beat previously undefeated Drew University, 1–0, setting up an Elite 8 match with defending national champion Tufts University, a team that the Judges had lost to in the regular season. In this match-up, however, Brandeis beat host Tufts, 1–0, in double-overtime, enabling the Judges to move on to their second Final 4 in as many years, and their first Final 4 under Margolis. [20] In the national semifinal, the Judges fell to eventual champion Messiah College, 3–2, in double-overtime, bringing the program's season to a close at 17–5. [21]

The squad also won the ECAC Championship in the 2006, 2010, and 2011 seasons.

Soccer (women's)

The women's soccer team won its first Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship in 2008. Since then, the squad qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament three times, in 2010, 2012, and 2016. In 2012, the team advanced to the Elite Eight and finished the season ranked the top Division III program in New England and No. 8 in Division III. In 2016, the team advanced to the Division III final four. [22]

Softball

The softball team has qualified for eight-straight postseason tournaments, including its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2010.

Track and Field

At the Division III championship, Eleena Zhelezov became the first person in NCAA history to win four consecutive triple jump titles. [23]

Football

Brandeis' football team played its first game on September 30, 1950, a road win against Maine Maritime Academy. [24] Their first varsity game was on September 29, 1951, with a home loss against the University of New Hampshire. [25] Its first varsity win was a score of 24–13, an away game at Hofstra University on October 6, 1951. [26] The team won four of nine games during its first season. [27] Brandeis Stadium opened in time for a home win against American International College on October 13, 1951. [28]

On May 16, 1960, Brandeis announced it would discontinue its varsity football team. [29] President Abram Sachar pointed to the cost of the team as one reason for the decision. [29] Brandeis' football coach Benny Friedman said it was difficult to recruit football players who were also excellent students with so much competition in the Boston metropolitan area. [27] Brandeis said the discontinuation of varsity football would allow it to expand intercollegiate activity in other sports. [27]

During its nine years of varsity play, Brandeis' football team recorded 34 wins, 33 losses, and four ties. [27]

Facilities

The Gosman Sports and Recreation Center is the main athletic center on campus and includes indoor and outdoor facilities for the sports offered at the university. Since the building opened in 1991, the university has hosted four NCAA championships. The Gosman Center also served as the pre-season training home and practice facility of the Boston Celtics between 1991 and 1999.

Club and intramural sports

Brandeis also has 19 club sports and numerous intramural sports. The club sports include sailing which used to be a varsity sport, rugby union, ultimate, crew, lacrosse, field hockey, squash, men's volleyball, skiing and martial arts. [30] The Brandeis archery team hosts the annual Shamrock Shoot, which routinely draws Olympians. [31]

Students, staff, and faculty are allowed to play on intramural teams. Intramural sports include soccer, volleyball, basketball, innertube water polo, dodgeball, softball, and more [32]

Notable Brandeis alumni in sports

Numerous Brandeis alumni have played major roles in the world of sports.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.
Tim Morehouse Tim Morehouse.jpg
Tim Morehouse

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">University Athletic Association</span> Athletic conference of US private university sports teams

The University Athletic Association (UAA) is an intercollegiate athletic conference that competes in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III. Member schools are highly selective universities located in Georgia, Illinois, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. The eight members are Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, Emory University, New York University, The University of Chicago, University of Rochester, and Washington University in St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Florida Gators</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of the University of Florida

The Florida Gators are the intercollegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Florida, located in Gainesville. The University of Florida, its athletic program, its alumni and its sports fans are often collectively referred to as the "Gator Nation." The Gators compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Southeastern Conference (SEC) and are consistently ranked among the top college sports programs in the United States. The University of Florida currently fields teams in nine men's sports and twelve women's sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pittsburgh Panthers</span> Athletic teams of the University of Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams representing the University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, faculty, and students. Pitt fields 19 university-sponsored varsity teams at the highest level of competitive collegiate athletics in the United States: the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) for American football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michigan State Spartans</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Michigan State University

The Michigan State Spartans are the athletic teams that represent Michigan State University. The school's athletic program includes 23 varsity sports teams. Their mascot is a Spartan warrior named Sparty, and the school colors are green and white. The university participates in the NCAA's Division I and the Football Bowl Subdivision for football. The Spartans participate as members of the Big Ten Conference in all varsity sports. Michigan State offers 11 varsity sports for men and 12 for women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drexel Dragons</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Drexel University

The Drexel Dragons are the athletic teams of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UAB Blazers</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of University of Alabama at Birmingham

The UAB Blazers are the varsity intercollegiate athletic programs that represent the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The school is one of the fourteen member institutions of the American Athletic Conference and participates in Division I of the NCAA. The school's men's basketball team plays in 8,508-seat Bartow Arena. The Blazers' colors are green and gold. The men's basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Northeastern Huskies</span> Intercollegiate sports teams of Northeastern University

The Northeastern Huskies are the athletic teams representing Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts. They compete in thirteen varsity team sports: men's and women's hockey ; men's baseball, men's and women's basketball, women's field hockey and volleyball, swimming, and men's and women's soccer, and men's and women's rowing, track and cross-country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NYU Violets</span> Sports teams that represent New York University

NYU Violets is the nickname of the sports teams and other competitive teams at New York University. The school colors are purple and white. Although officially known as the Violets, the school mascot is a bobcat. The Violets compete as a member of NCAA Division III in the University Athletic Association conference. The university sponsors 23 varsity sports, as well as club teams and intramural sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VCU Rams</span> University athletic teams in Virginia, US

The VCU Rams are the athletic teams of Virginia Commonwealth University of Richmond, Virginia, United States. The Rams compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association as members of the Atlantic 10 Conference. The most successful teams have been the men's tennis and basketball teams, which have had success in their conference and on the regional and national stages. The school's colors are black and gold. The athletic director is Ed McLaughlin. The official student supporter group is known as the Rowdy Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grand Valley State Lakers</span> Athletic teams representing Grand Valley State University

The Grand Valley State Lakers are the intercollegiate athletic teams of Grand Valley State University, located in Allendale, Michigan, United States. The GVSU Lakers compete at the NCAA Division II level and are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denver Pioneers</span> Sports teams representing the University of Denver

The Denver Pioneers are the sports teams of the University of Denver (DU). They play in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I, and have amassed 35 NCAA titles as of 2024, which is in the top 15 among all schools. Denver is a member of The Summit League for men's and women's basketball, swimming and diving, men's and women's soccer, tennis and golf for both men and women, plus women's volleyball. Other DU teams play in various conferences in the sports that are not sponsored by The Summit. The men's ice hockey team is a charter member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC), which formed in 2011 with play beginning in 2013. The lacrosse teams for men and women are members of the Big East Conference; the men began Big East play in the 2013–14 school year, while the women left the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (MPSF) after the 2016 lacrosse season. Men's and women's skiing compete in the Rocky Mountain Intercollegiate Ski Association, while the women's gymnastics team became an affiliate of the Big 12 Conference starting with the 2015–16 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Davidson Wildcats</span> Sports teams of Davidson College, North Carolina, U.S.

The Davidson Wildcats are the NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics teams representing Davidson College of Davidson, North Carolina, United States. A member of the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10), Davidson College sponsors teams in ten men's and nine women's NCAA sanctioned sports. The Wildcats previously competed in the Southern Conference, and the wrestling team retains associate membership in that league since the sport is not sponsored by the A-10. The football team is a member of the Pioneer Football League, a Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) conference of schools that do not offer athletic scholarships for football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">DePauw Tigers</span> Athletic teams that represent DePauw University

The DePauw Tigers are the athletic teams that represent DePauw University, a small liberal arts school in Greencastle, Indiana. The university's teams play in the NCAA Division III and currently belong to the North Coast Athletic Conference.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Washington University Bears</span> Athletic teams representing Washington University in St. Louis

The Washington University Bears are the athletic teams of Washington University in St. Louis, located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Washington University is currently a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the NCAA Division III level. The Bears compete in the University Athletic Association (UAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Case Western Reserve Spartans</span> Varsity intercollegiate athletic team

The Case Western Reserve Spartans are the varsity intercollegiate athletic teams of Case Western Reserve University, located in Cleveland, Ohio, United States. Case Western Reserve University competes at the NCAA Division III level. The Spartans compete in the University Athletic Association (UAA), except in football where the team competes as an associate member of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC). The university offers 19 sports—10 men's sports and 9 women's sports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Newport Captains</span> Athletic teams representing Christopher Newport University

The Christopher Newport Captains are the athletic teams that represent Christopher Newport University, located in Newport News, Virginia, in NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports. The Captains compete as members of the Coast to Coast Athletic Conference (C2C) for the majority of varsity sports except for football, which plays in the New Jersey Athletic Conference and men's lacrosse, which plays in the Coastal Lacrosse Conference. The football team remains a NJAC associate member because C2C does not sponsor football.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets</span> Athletic teams representing Baldwin Wallace University

The Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets are the athletic teams for Baldwin Wallace University. The Yellow Jackets participate in Division III of the NCAA in the Ohio Athletic Conference. BW's rivalries include John Carroll University and University of Mount Union. BW's most successful athletic programs include cross country and swimming and diving. Among BW's most famous alumni related to athletics include Harrison Dillard, Lee Tressel, and Jim Tressel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgewater State Bears</span> Athletic teams representing Bridgewater State University

The Bridgewater State Bears are composed of 22 varsity teams representing Bridgewater State University in intercollegiate athletics. All teams compete at the NCAA Division III level and all teams compete in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC), except for field hockey, tennis and swimming & diving which plays in the Little East Conference (LEC).

Jeffrey Cohen is an American sports executive who served as general manager of the Kansas City Kings from 1981 to 1982 and athletic director at Brandeis University from 1986 to 2004. Before joining the Kings, Cohen spent 16 years with the Boston Celtics, rising to the position of assistant general manager.

Nicholas Rodis was an American athlete, coach, and administrator.

References

  1. ↑ "A tour of Brandeis Athletics Facilities".
  2. ↑ "Brandeis Joins WU's Conference". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. May 27, 1987. p. 6D.
  3. ↑ "Brandeis University Athletics sports new look". BrandeisNOW. Brandeis University. September 2009.
  4. ↑ "Football Dropped at Brandeis U". Associated Press. May 17, 1960.
  5. ↑ "Directions to Brandeis Athletic Venues".{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  6. ↑ "A tour of Brandeis Athletics Facilities". Brandeis. Retrieved October 10, 2021.
  7. ↑ "Stanislaus State captures NCAA title". The Modesto Bee (Modesto, California). June 6, 1977. p. 13.
  8. ↑ "Profs run 2nd to Brandeis". Courier-Post (Camden, New Jersey). p. 2C.
  9. ↑ 2014–18 NCAA Championship Sites | NCAA.com
  10. ↑ "Maggie Shealy M'25: A true Brandeis national champion".
  11. ↑ "Brandeis U. Wins Soccer Championship: Jays Third". The Sunday News (Lancaster, Pennsylvania). p. 47.
  12. ↑ 2014 Brandeis Men's Soccer Schedule – Brandeis
  13. ↑ MSoccer clinches UAA title with 2–1 win at Rochester – Brandeis
  14. ↑ Ocel scores dramatic goal to send MSoccer past Thomas to 2nd round, 2–1 – Brandeis
  15. ↑ Still dancing! Jastremski scores in 2 OT to lead men to NCAA Tourney Sweet 16 – Brandeis
  16. ↑ #3 men's soccer can't solve #2 Trinity (Texas) in 2–0 loss in NCAA tourney third round – Brandeis
  17. ↑ Judges advance to Elite Eight, 3–1, on PKs after 1–1 draw with Amherst – Brandeis
  18. ↑ Finally! Men get back to Final Four thanks to 4–2 win over Rutgers Newark – Brandeis
  19. ↑ Woodhouse shines, but men fall in national semifinal to Calvin, 1–0 – Brandeis
  20. ↑ "Final Four Bound Again! Flahive goal in double OT lifts Judges past Jumbos, 1–0, in Quarterfinals". Brandeis. November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 20, 2017.
  21. ↑ "Men's soccer season ends in heartbreak with 3–2 OT loss to Messiah in semifinals". Brandeis. December 1, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2017.
  22. ↑ "Campus Angle: Jessica Morana". The Boston Globe. November 27, 2016. p. Globe West 7.
  23. ↑ "Track". The Boston Globe. May 28, 1995. p. 52.
  24. ↑ "Brandeis Freshmen on Top". The New York Times. October 1, 1950. p. 162. ProQuest   111395437.
  25. ↑ "Brandeis Loses Opener, 33–20". The New York Times. September 30, 1951. p. 128. ProQuest   112140418.
  26. ↑ Zellner, Bob (October 6, 1951). "Much-Penalized Brandeis Downs Hofstra by 24-13". Newsday (Long Island, New York). p. 18.
  27. 1 2 3 4 Lipsyte, Robert M. (May 17, 1960). "Team Also Cited: Brandeis Athletic Director Says Football Expenses Outweighed Returns". The New York Times. p. 47. ProQuest   114978291.
  28. ↑ "Brandeis Wins, 25–7". The Washington Post. October 14, 1951. p. C5. ProQuest   152355750.
  29. 1 2 "Brandeis Quits College Gridiron". The Baltimore Sun. May 17, 1960. p. S23. ProQuest   542277219.
  30. ↑ http://www.brandeisjudges.com/recreation/clubsports/index Brandeis Club Sports. Retrieved 25 January 2010.
  31. ↑ Archery club to host second Shamrock Shoot – Brandeis
  32. ↑ "Recreation management software".
  33. ↑ Nelson Figueroa Stats | Baseball-Reference.com
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.