Top 10 Moments – #2 We Did It! Brooklyn Joins NCAA Ranks

After a long six-year journey, September 1, 2011 began a new era in St. Joseph’s College athletics as the Brooklyn Campus celebrated their first day as full NCAA Division III members.

The athletic department received notice mid-summer that they had successfully completed the provisional process. The certification made all teams eligible to compete in the NCAA Championships, statistics fully recognized in the NCAA record books, and granted the campus the ability to vote on legislation at the annual NCAA Convention.    

The Bears and Lady Bears wasted no time taking advantage of their membership, sending several student-athletes and staff to a regional NCAA Symposium, the women’s basketball team qualifying for the campus’ first NCAA Tournament berth, and Alyson Chiaramonte, Paul Piccirillo, David Louison, Michael Miner and Muhammad Ali Bhatti ranked among the statistical leaders in their respective sports throughout the season.

When the athletic department began the process to pursue NCAA membership in 2005, there were only five intercollegiate varsity sports.  After a successful inaugural season for men’s soccer in 2011-12, women’s soccer will be added to the slate in this fall increasing the count to 13 varsity sports on the in addition to four club teams and a vibrant intramural program.  

Thanks to the athletic department staff, coaches, the student-athletes and the SJC community as a whole for their years of dedication and committment in making the NCAA dream a reality.

A summer feature on www.SJCBears.com, we look back at the highlights from the 2011-2012 season in St. Joseph’s College Brooklyn Athletics. We will reveal a new moment on the list every Wednesday throughout the summer ending in August right before the start of the new season. 

#10 – Diamonds Sparkle on National Stage at Disney
#9 – 2011-12, One For The Record Books...
#8 – Multi-Purpose Facility Construction Commences
#7 – Louison's Outstanding Rookie Campaign Nets Rookie of the Year Honors
#6 – Softball Dominates HVWAC, Returns to USCAA Nationals
#5 – Piccirillo’s Perfect Campaign Leads Baseball to First Winning Season
#4 – Men's Soccer Makes Headlines in First Win
#3 – Perfection… Repeated
#2 – We Did It! Brooklyn Joins NCAA Ranks
#1 – Check back on August 22nd!