Washington University Bears

Washington University Bears
University	Washington University in St. Louis
Conference(s)	University Athletic Association Southern Athletic Association
NCAA	Division III
Athletic director	John Schael
Location	St. Louis, MO
Varsity teams	17
Football stadium	Francis Field
Basketball arena	Field House
Baseball stadium	Kelly Field
Other arenas	Francis Gymnasium
Nickname	Bears
Fight song	Fight for Washington
Colors	Red, Green, and tan
Homepage	Wash U Bears

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).

The Bears have won 18 NCAA Division III Championships—one in men's tennis (2008), two in men's basketball (2008, 2009), five in women's basketball (1998–2001, 2010),^[1] and ten in women's volleyball (1989, 1991–1996, 2003, 2007, 2009)^[2] – and 139 UAA titles in 15 different sports.^[3]

The Athletic Department is headed by John Schael who has served as director of athletics since 1978. The 2000 Division III Central Region winner of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics/Continental Airlines Athletics Director of the Year award,^[4] Schael has helped orchestrate the Bears athletics transformation into one of the top departments in Division III.^[4]

Sports

Basketball

In 2009 and 2007 both the men's and women's basketball teams made the Final Four.

Men's Basketball

In Men's Basketball, WUSTL repeated as national champions in 2009, defeating Richard Stockton College 61–52. In 2008, WashU defeated Amherst 90–68 to win the university's first men's basketball national championship. WUSTL lost to Virginia Wesleyan College in the 2007 NCAA Final Four, but defeated Wooster in the third place game. In 2009, Junior guard Aaron Thompson, senior forward Tyler Nading, and senior point guard Sean Wallis (also Jewish Sports Review All-American)^[5] of the 2009 NCAA Division III National Champion men’s basketball team were named to the DIII News All-America Team, as announced by the publication.^[1] In 2007, Junior forward Troy Ruths earned first-team All-America honors by DIII News, third-team accolades by the NABC, and honorable-mention honors by D3hoops.com.^[1]

Women's Basketball

Women's basketball is the holder of several NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championships, including 2010, and won four consecutive national titles from 1998–2001, during which time they established what was then the longest winning streak in NCAA women's basketball history, at 81 games. On March 20, 2010, WUSTL defeated Hope College 65–59 in the 2010 national championship game.^[6] Women's basketball has made the championship game three out of the past four years, losing to DePauw University in 2007 55-52 and in 2009 losing to George Fox University 65-53.^[1] Women's basketball won the DIII championship four straight seasons from 1999-2001.^[7] The team is coached by Nancy Fahey, who has been at Wash U since 1986. In addition to the 5 National Championships under Fahey, the Bears have appeared in the NCAA DIII National Tournament 21 straight seasons from 1989-2010.^[8]

Cross Country

The cross country teams are managed by head coach Jeff Stiles. The women placed third at the 2007 NCAA Division III Championship meet. The Bears also ran to third-place finishes at the 2005 and 2004 NCAA Division III Championships. Washington U. came in fourth place at the 2006 NCAA Championships. The women also won their third-straight Midwest Region title in 2007. In 2009, after going unranked all year, the men qualified for the National Championship and finished seventh place at the National meet. All told, the men's and women's cross country teams have won 13 UAA titles (nine women, four men), qualified as a team for the NCAA Championships 12 times (seven women, five men) and sent 32 individual qualifiers to the Championships. Since 1997, the Bears have also produced 12 All-Americans; seven individuals have combined to total All-America 11 honors^{[citation needed]}.

Football

Roller Hockey

The men's roller hockey team began intercollegiate play in 1997-1998. The Washington University team finished 4th in the 1998 NCRHA tournament losing the consolation game to UC-Santa Barbara. The men's roller hockey team has made the National Collegiate Roller Hockey Association (NCRHA) national tournament in consecutive years from 2005–2008, finishing as high as 3rd in the nation for Division II in 2005.^[9]

Men's Soccer

Having made 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, the WUSTL's men's soccer program is one of the nation's most storied. Since the inception of the Division III tournament in 1974, the Bears have finished as national runners-up three times (1978, 1985, 1987). The Bears have also posted a 22–16–4 NCAA Tournament record (.585). The Bears have endured just three losing seasons out of the last 18, and none since 1994. Washington University has a 193–91–26 (.665) record over that span, including five NCAA Tournament appearances, two University Athletic Association (UAA) titles and a Division III Final Four appearance in 1997.^[10]

Cricket

There has been an on again off again cricket team.

Women's Soccer

The women's soccer team has made seven NCAA appearances and captured five UAA Championships. They were the runner up at the NCAA Division III Championship

Softball

Since the inception of the Washington University softball program in 2000, the team has captured five UAA championships and has made six consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament, including its 2007 College World Series runner-up finish.^[11]

Swimming and Diving

The Swimming and Diving teams are led by eight year head coach Brad Shively. In 2009, the Washington University men's and women's swimming teams combined to break four school records on the final day of the 2009 NCAA Division III Swimming and Diving Championships as the WU men placed seventh overall and the women came in 14th place. In 2005–2006, Shively led the Red and Green to their top finishes in program history. The women placed fifth at the NCAA Championships, while the men took sixth. Additionally, Seniors Michael Slavik (24-time All-American) and Eric Triebe (26-time All-American) won the first (50 free – 20.46 Michael Slavik) and second (200 free – 1:39.12 Eric Triebe) individual national titles in Washington University history.^[12] Since 1979, 56 Bears student-athletes have earned 304 All-America citations. Additionally, the women's team has produced a composite dual meet record of 165–57, while the men's team has compiled a 144–90 mark.^[13] From 1924 through 1928 they were Missouri Valley Conference men's swimming champions.^[14]

Volleyball

WUSTL women's volleyball team has enjoyed the most success in the sport's history earning national championships in 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2003, 2007, and 2009. In 2009, the Bears defeated Juniata College 3–1 in the Championship game.^[2]

Championships

i. National Championships:

Facilities

Francis Field

Gates at Francis Field

Washington University in St. Louis is home of Francis Field, site of the 1904 Summer Olympics. Francis Field is also home of the Washington University in St. Louis Football, Soccer, and Track and Field teams.^[15]

Washington University Field House

The Washington University Field House is a 3,000-seat, 17,250 square feet (1,603 m²), multi-purpose arena located on the Wash U. campus. The Field House serves as the home for Bears men's and women's basketball teams and the volleyball team.^[16]

Kelly Field

Kelly Field serves as the home for Washington University Bears baseball.^[17]

Francis Gymnasium

Francis Gymnasium was built for the 1904 World's Fair and 1904 Summer Olympics and is currently part of the Athletic Complex. It now houses Millstone pool, an Olympic sized pool constructed in 1985.^[18]

References

External links

• Official website

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