A Championship Season:
2006-07 NYU Athletics Year in Review

NYU Athletics made 2006-2007 one of the most successful years in history, with highlights that included a national runner-up finish, two NCAA Final Four appearances, and eleven teams competing at their respective NCAA Championships. NYU finished 14th nationally in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup standings, which rates the best overall athletic programs at the NCAA Division III level, making this year a record best for NYU.

The Violets’ fall teams set the pace, as men’s soccer recorded its most successful season in school history, making the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III tournament. The Violets seized the opportunity, advancing to the Final Four, before falling to the eventual champion Messiah College in the national semifinal match. Junior midfielder Jeritt Thayer (CAS ’09) became NYU’s first Division III All-American honoree and was named University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Year, and its first in men’s soccer.

The men’s cross country team also made a splash on the national scene, finishing as the national runner-up at the NCAA Division III Championships in November. Four NYU Violets—Jon Phillips (Steinhardt ’08), Hany Abdallah (GSP ’06, CAS ’08), Jesse Schneider (CAS ’09), and Ryan Williams (GSP ’06, CAS ’08) earned All-American honors as a result of their amazing performances at Nationals. The squad also captured NYU’s first UAA and NCAA Atlantic Regional titles to complete the most successful season in program history.

The women’s volleyball team made its fifth consecutive NCAA postseason appearance and finished 33-7 on the season. Elena Drinka (CAS ’07) was named AVCA First Team All-American, while Natasha Boysaw (GSP ’05, CAS ’07) and Caitlin Grundman (SCPS ’09) earned Honorable Mention All-American accolades.

The Violets’ success continued into the winter season, as the women’s basketball team claimed a share of the UAA championship and advanced to the NCAA Final Four for the third time in school history, before falling in the national semifinal. The 2006-07 team finished 27-4, which tied for the second finest season in program history (NYU captured the NCAA Championship in 1997). The Violets were led by forward Jessica McEntee (GSP ’07), who earned All-American honors and was named UAA Player of the Year. She became the 7th women’s basketball All-American in NYU history.

Last spring, the men’s basketball team captured the ECAC Metro Championship after a 22-6 campaign. Jason Boone (Steinhardt ’07) became the University’s 19th men’s basketball All-American, and the first player to earn the honor in 40 years, when he was named to the Third Team by D3hoops.com. Mal Graham (STERN ’67) was the last NYU player named to the All-American team, having earned the honor as a Division I player in 1967.

The men’s indoor track & field team finished 10th at the NCAA Championships behind a strong showing in the distance events. Jon Phillips (Steinhardt ’08) and Hany Abdallah (GSP ’06, CAS ’08) each earned All-American honors in the 5,000-meter run. The quartet of James McCarthy (CAS ’08), Dan Napiecek (SCPS ’07), Bernier Lauredan, Jr. (Steinhardt ’09), and Ryan Williams (GSP ’06, CAS ’08) also earned All-American honors in the distance medley relay.

The men’s swimming & diving team was 15th at the NCAA Championships, its best finish ever, behind All-American performances by Brad Thornton (SCPS ’08) and Christopher Wolff (CAS ’08), Paul Hogan (STERN ’09) and Andrew Lardiere (SCPS ’09), and Eric Pcholinski (GSP ’08). On the women’s side, diver Abigail Penn (Steinhardt ’07) earned All-American honors and led NYU women’s swimming & diving to a 51st place finish nationally.

Men’s & women’s fencing finished 19th in combined scoring at the NCAAs. Wrestler Nick Coleman (SCPS ’09) earned All-American honors to lead NYU to a 33rd place team finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

The Violets hope to continue the success as they gear up for 2007-2008. NYU currently sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports with nearly 400 participating student-athletes, and competes at the NCAA Division III level. This year will also mark the debut of women’s golf, the University’s 21st varsity sport. The team will begin competing during the Fall 2007 season, with plans to fill a complete roster in 2008-09. To keep up with NYU Athletics and all the action, or to find rosters, schedules, and results for your favorite team, be sure to visit www.nyu.edu/athletics.

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