Bethune-Cookman Wildcats
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| Bethune-Cookman Wildcats | |
| University | Bethune-Cookman University |
|---|---|
| Conference | MEAC |
| NCAA | Division I |
| Athletics director | Lynn W. Thompson |
| Location | Daytona Beach, Florida |
| Varsity teams | 7 |
| Football stadium | Municipal Stadium |
| Basketball arena | Moore Gymnasium |
| Baseball stadium | Jackie Robinson Park |
| Mascot | Wild E Cat |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
| Fight song | Let's Go Wildcats |
| Colors | Maroon and Gold
|
| Homepage | Official Athletic Website |
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats, are the names of the college sports teams at Bethune-Cookman University in Daytona Beach, Florida. Lynn W. Thompson is the current Athletic Director.[1]
Bethune-Cookman currently fields varsity teams in ten different sports. These sports are basketball (men's and women's), bowling, baseball, cross country running, football, golf (men's and women's), softball, tennis, track and field and volleyball.[2] The Wildcats currently have 25 MEAC titles; 10 in baseball, 1 in bowling, 1 in men's cross country, 2 in women's cross country, 3 in football, 2 in women's indoor track and field, 5 in softball and 2 in women's tennis.
[edit] Baseball
The Wildcats are coached by Mervyl Melendez, who became head coach in 1999. Under Melendez, the baseball team has achieved recent success, including six consecutive MEAC championships from 1999-2004, and two more in 2006-2007. In 2006, one of his players was credited with Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Pitcher of the Year accolades. Melendez was voted MEAC Coach of the year 2000 and 2001. The Wildcats under Melendez have made regional apperances in every year from 2000-2004.
[edit] Football
Perhaps Bethune-Cookman's best known alumnus is Larry Little, a Hall of Fame tackle formerly of the NFL. Alvin Wyatt is the current head man for the Wildcats, who lead the team to an 11-2 mark in 2002, the best in school history. Wyatt, after playing football at Bethune-Cookman, played prefessionally for the Buffalo Bills, Oakland Raiders, and Houston Oilers as a defensive back.[3]
Historically, the Wildcats have had an intense rivalry with Florida A&M. The series has been mostly lopsided, including a 97-0 romp of the Wildcats in 1960, a 19 straight year win streak, a 43-11-1 series lead for the Rattlers, but the Wildcats have made the series more competitive in recent years.
[edit] References
- ^ Athletic Director. Bethune Cookman Official Athletic site. Retrieved on 4-25-2008.
- ^ "Bethune-Cookman University Athletic Department Directory."Staff Directory. Retrieved on 4-25-2008.
- ^ "Alvin B. Wyatt, Sr." Profile: Alvin Wyatt. Bethune Cookman Official Athletic site. Retrieved on 4-25-2008
