The Bryant Bulldogs are the athletic teams representing Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island. The Bulldogs participate in NCAA Division I competition as a member of the Northeast Conference. Bryant's largest rivalry during its Division II years was Bentley College, both founders of the Northeast-10 and both have prominent business programs. As they transition into Division I, they have no hardline rivalries, but with three other Division I schools located in Rhode Island there are a lot of close institutions that can foster a rivalry. Bryant has a long history with both Providence College and Brown University allowing these two to be the most likely local rivals. Bryant University athletics started out as a NAIA team and transitioned into Division II. From there they helped form the Northeast-10 where they have been a founding member since 1980. In 2008, they began their move into Division I athletics. They will be a full Division I member by 2010, and a core member by 2012. They previously were classified as a Division I team in theory, because before NCAA classifications the school competed against many other prominent Division I teams. They also had success during their earlier years winning national championships in sports such as men's crew.

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History

The Beginning: The Providence Years

thumb Bryant University originally competed as an independent before the NCAA had classifications. They competed with schools nationally and locally in many sports. The first teams were Men's Basketball and Rowing which started in 1896 and the first women's team was women's basketball. The oldest archived picture goes back to 1915, but the origin is unsure. When the NCAA began more strict classifications Bryant moved to the NAIA. They Competed in the NAIA from 1963 until 1976. They then become a Division II member entering the 1977 season. From there they became a charter member of the Northeast-10 Conference. During Bryant's tenure in the NAIA, they competed as an independent, but had success on the basketball court. The most famous sport in the schools history, basketball, has seen success about during the 1966 national championship, and the current success the team has seen. During the 1966 season the team went undefeated on their way to a championship. During their NAIA years, the university did not sponsor that many sports, but was successful in the ones that they did offer. The move to Division II was partly because of the new campus, and future goals they had on and off the playing fields.

During their NAIA playing years, they were known as the Indians, and were located in Providence, Rhode Island, near Brown University. The school's largest rivalry at the time was Salem State College. The school was still a small business school, who was still only known on a local level.

The Charter Years: Move to Division II

thumb From the 1977-1978 until 2007-2008 academic year Bryant has been one of the best athletic programs in the northeast. In 1980 Bryant was one of the Charter members of the Northeast-10, which comprises all Division II institutions in the Northeast except for one Connecticut university which currently competes in the ECC. The Northeast-10 as a conference has won 28 national championships and is considered to be one of the top Division II conferences in the country. Bryant along with other New England schools helped create a Division II conference that could succeed on and off the playing field and create great rivalries at the same time. With the conference affiliation Bryant was able to keep its closest current day rival Bentley College Falcons close both academically and athletically. The Northeast-10 has helped both Bentley College and Bryant University succeed on and off the fields. Entering the 2000s the university began to have its name recognized on a national level. Since 2000 Bryant has won 40 conference championships and the President's Cup 3 times. They won the President's Cup in 2004, 2005, and 2007 and in their last season as a Division II member in 2008; They lost in 2006 by 1 point to Stonehill College. In their last year of competition in Division II and in the Northeast-10 they were more dominate than any other year. They won the President's Cup by over 30 points, and sent 19 out of the 22 teams into the NCAA playoffs. They also amassed a record of 292-65-6 throughout the entire year.

Another note during the 2000s is the rise of the coaches at the university. Before the move to Division I they had signed four former Division I coaches. The coaches had come from Duke University, Iowa State University, Wagner College, and UNLV. These moves have been noted as being one of the reasons that Bryant athletics have had such a successful run. This run has also brought on the exploratory commission to explore the move to Division I.

The Rise of the Dogs: Move to Division I

On October 18, 2007 Bryant announced they would join the Northeast Conference. ^[1]

The move had Bryant participating as a Division I institution starting in 2008. They will become a core member in 2012. A core member allows a Division I member to be invited to NCAA Playoff Tournaments as well as has voting rights for its conference. The move for Bryant was said to move both its academic and athletic profiles up to the next level. The acceptance to the Northeast Conference also broadened its market value and its presence both academically and athletically. Bryant quickly assimilated into the Division I landscape in their first year as they scheduled 380 out of 388 games against Division I teams.

Facilities

Bulldog Stadium

• See: Bulldog Stadium

thumb The centerpiece of Bryant University's athletic facilities, Bulldog Stadium was completed in 1999 to coincide with the varsity debut of Bryant football.

With a seating capacity of 5,500, Bulldog Stadium utilizes a design that is usually reserved for larger stadiums, ensuring excellent sight lines and maximum comfort for spectators. A 4,200-seat permanent bleacher comprises the backdrop for the home side of the field, while 1,300 additional seats are available on the visitor's side. Three hundred seats in the stadium are equipped with backs and arm rests.

The Bulldog locker room is a modern, spacious facility designed to give Bryant players a comfortable and accommodating team room. The stadium also has its own athletic training center, office space and public rest rooms.

The Bulldog Stadium press box contains booths for both home and visiting coaches as well as ample work space for game personnel and visiting media. A number of telephone lines are connected to the press box, allowing members of the media to file stories from the site and track out-of-town scores. The press box also has a fax machine and Internet access available to members of the media.

Bulldog Stadium's playing surface was laser-graded, and special turf was installed in time for the 1999 varsity football season.

This past season the Bulldogs hosted their first ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament for football versus West Chester. Over 5,000 people came to see this historic moment in Bulldogs athletics history.

In addition to serving as the home of Bryant Football, Bulldog Stadium also plays host to the school's men's and women's lacrosse and men's and women's soccer teams and also has been the host of Rhode Island's high school state championship games.

Chace Center

The Chace Center is a Wellness Center, augments the current gymnasium and Multipurpose Activity Center (MAC). The center provides high-quality workout facilities similar to those found in private-sector health clubs, and has dramatically increased the opportunities for students and other members of the Bryant community to stay physically fit. The Center also includes the Fitness Center: an center equipped with state-of-the-art exercise and conditioning equipment, as well as an extensive array of free weights. The last part of the Chance Center is the Aerobic and Martial Arts Studio: this space features specialized flooring, mirrors, a sound system, video equipment and soundproofing.

Sutton Field

Sutton Field is located in the far northwest corner of the university, it has been a host to many athletic endeavors. It was once the summer practice facility for the New England Patriots, and home of all the Bryant soccer games, Sutton Field is now used as the primary practice facility for the lacrosse and soccer teams, as well the competing field area for the track and field teams. Located just outside of the Bryant Baseball complex, Sutton Field is large enough to host two soccer or lacrosse games. Numerous Rhode Island State tournament games as well as youth and AAU tournaments have been hosted on this field. Sutton Field is also currently used by the universities Rugby team for all intercollegiate matches.

Track & Turf Complex

The recently completed Track and Turf Complex is considered to be one of the finest in the New England and Northeast Region. The University completely repaved the track to a much softer and smoother running material. This has proven to beneficial to all athletes, but espeically Bryant runners.

The state of the art turf field is the new crowning jewel to the University's athletic department. This new field allows a new type of flexibility for all of the programs that the school did not have before. The turf field hosts soccer, field hockey and lacrosse games. The Current capacity of the facility is suitable for 1,000 fans. It also serves as a valuable tool to the football, baseball, and softball teams as a practice field.

Another valuable addition was the lights surrounding the track. These lights allow for practices at night as well as allowing the University to have games be played under the lights that help bring in fans and family to see games they might not have been able to see before. Also, these new primetime starts allow the University to attract a broader crowd to once again "Pack the Pound" , which has been valuable to the extended interest in the universities athletic programs.

Elizabeth & Malcolm Natatorium

thumb This olympic-size pool had only recreational use until the winter of 2005 when Bryant welcomed the addition of its men's and women's swim teams as a varsity sport. The Elizabeth & Malcolm Natatorium pool features six lanes equipped with a scoreboard, seating area, and sound system. Men's and women's locker rooms lead directly into the pool area along with ample storage facilities.

The Natatorium was originally constructed with the additions to the current Wellness and Athletic Center. The expansion was part of a campus wide expansion to upgrade all of Bryant's facilities. The Pool as stated above was only going to be used for recreational purposes, and there was speculation that it was not regulation to the NCAA's regulations. With the reinstatement of Men's and Women's Swimming the rumors were shown to be false and the pool has hosted numerous meets.

Tennis Complex

The new Bryant Tennis Complex was finished in the fall of 2005 when the university reconstructed the parking near the athletic complex. The old tennis courts which had become over ran by weeds and cracks were torn down and this state of the art complex was completed. The Complex has been host to many NCAA Regionals, and has hosted the conference championships many times as well.

In the shadows of Bulldog Stadium and the Bryant Track & Turf Complex, there are now three courts compared to two, with benches in between and against all sides of the fencing that encloses the courts. The fence is over high, preventing balls from going over the fence and delays in the game. There are also stands in the middle and behind the fencing closest to the parking lot so family and fans can take part in the athletic experience. The stands capacity is 250 guests, which is a large improvement over the previous facility where fans did not have much room to watch the matches.

Baseball Complex

left The Bryant University Baseball Complex is home to the Division I Bulldogs throughout the year fall and spring sports seasons. Located in the northwest section of the university the Baseball Complex is located between the Bryant Softball Complex and Sutton Field, formerly the summer home of the New England Patriots.

The fields dimensions go 330' down the left and right field lines, 385' to the right and left center field gaps and 400' to straight away center field. It is equipped with step down dug outs, connected to the dug outs are two small clubhouses. It also has bullpens down each line with two mounds and a hitting cage down the left field line just out side of the fence next to the bullpen.

In addition to hosting several Northeast-10 Conference tournament games, the Bryant Baseball Complex hosted the 2004 NCAA Division II Baseball Northeast Regional Championship, won by the Bulldogs. 2004 was a year of first for the Bulldogs that included their first time hosting the Regional Championship, as well as winning their first Regional Championship, advancing them further than any other Bryant baseball team up until that point.

?Located just past the left field fence is Bryant's well-maintained golf practice area, complete with sand bunker, chipping area, and practice putting green.

Championships

National Recognition

Bryant has been successful on the national level. They have made a presence in many sports; ranging from Men's Golf to Women's Soccer. The most successful team in Bryant history is its Golf team. The Golf team has won five national championships. Other teams to win national championships include men's basketball, men's lacrosse, racquetball, field hockey, women's rugby, men's rugby, and men's crew and men's ice hockey. In total Bryant has accumulated sixteen national titles. nine national titles were at the Division II level and seven are at the Division I level. They include:

Division I

Sport	# of Championships	Most Recent
Men's Crew	4	1932
Racquetball	1	2008
Men's Rugby	1	2009
Women's Rugby	1	2009

Division II

Sport	# of Championships	Most Recent
Men's Golf	5	2007
Field Hockey	2	2003
Men's Basketball	1	1966
Men's Ice Hockey	1	2006

Northeast Conference History

Bryant is not eligible to win conference championships as well as participate for national championships until 2012. The five year transition prepares them to become a core member of the NCAA Division I and play and host playoff competition. In 2012 the school will be eligible for three distinct awards; National Championships, Conference Championships and the Commissioner's Cup (awarded to the best overall athletic team in the NEC).

Northeast-10 History

While competing as a charter member of the Northeast-10 conference from 1980 until 2008 they won the President's Cup, awarded to the best overall athletic team in the NE-10, eight times. They also finished in second five times and third three times. Considered to be one of the most successful teams in Northeast-10 History they have also accumulated nine national championships at the Division II level. Lastly, the have won 93 conference championships. In their best year 2007-2008 they won 9 conference championships during that academic year. The school sponsored 22 of 23 sports that the Northeast-10 Conference offered.

Bryant's most successful teams

Sport	Conference Championships	Last Championship
Golf	21	2007
Softball	10	2007
Volleyball	10	2007
Tennis (w)	9	2008
Baseball	7	2008
Basketball (w)	6	2005
Baskbetball (m)	6	2005
Tennis (m)	4	2008
Soccer (m)	4	2006
Cross Country	4	1996
Field Hockey	3	2003
Lacrosse (m)	3	2008
Football	2	2007
Soccer (w)	2	2007
Lacrosse (w)	1	1999
Track and Field	1	1993
Swimming & Diving	0	----

Sports

Since the 2001 season, the turn around of Bryant Athletics, each of the teams have been successful. The university has expanded its sports sponsorship and has seen the benefit of all twenty two athletic teams working at their potential. 280px The university's motto is:

Bryant University's 22 varsity athletics are broken down into 11 athletic sports for men, and 11 for women. The Men's teams include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, lacrosse, indoor & outdoor track & field, tennis, soccer, and swimming & diving. The Women's teams consist of basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, indoor & outdoor track & field, soccer, softball, swimming & diving, tennis, and volleyball.

Mascots

Indians

With over 7 well recognized Indian villages, tribes and nations in Rhode Island there has always been a large connection to Indian and Native American heritage. The University who started its athletic programs in 1896 found that the natural choice would be Indians. The perception of bravery and heritage connected to the university who prided its self in history. The university used the Indian nickname and mascot until 1995, when the school reassessed its campus and found that the school who relocated no longer connected to the Indian mascot and the its meaning.

During the tenure of 1896 until 1995 they used only 2 Indian logos. Both expressed a chief and showed a sign of power. The university as well as the state looked at heritage in Indians and tried to express the logos and images in a positive and non demonstrative way. ^[2]

Bulldogs

The Bulldog logo became the official new logo and mascot of the university after a 1995 campus wide vote. The university went through many options and the bulldog won the campus wide vote. The school now has a living mascot and a costumed mascot to represent the bulldogs mascot and university athletics.

Bryant has also used two bulldog logos as they did during the Indian years. Bryant originally used a realistic bulldog's head inside a diamond design. The university used this design until the 2004-2005 academic school year. The change came when Bryant went from being a college to a university. The new logo matches most common athletic logos and also shows the change in the schools name.

References

1. Northeast Conference - Bryant University Accepts Invitation to Join Northeast Conference
2. Four-Year Schools - B