Nichols College Athletics

DUDLEY, Mass.- Nichols College was awarded the 2007-08 Worcester College Cup in a ceremony held on campus on Monday afternoon. The Cup is awarded annually to the most successful varsity athletics program by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. The Bison had the highest combined varsity winning percentage among the eight other participating colleges in Worcester County. On hand for the ceremony was Nichols’ President Debra M. Townsley, Vice President and Dean of Student Services Brian McCoy, Director of Athletics Charlyn Robert as well as several coaches and staff members. Presenting the Worcester College Cup was Telegram & Gazette columnist Jen Toland.

Nichols posted a .473 winning percentage on the year with a combined overall record of 137-153-1 among 13 sports (the men’s golf team’s head-to-head record is not included). The Bison held the lead throughout much of the year with record-breaking seasons by the field hockey, women’s tennis, men’s ice hockey, women’s basketball and softball teams.

Four teams advanced to conference semifinals with three advancing on to conference finals. Three teams were also selected to play in ECAC Championship Tournaments. The men’s golf team captured the College’s first conference title since 2002 in the fall.

The field hockey team set or tied a total of 13 school records, including capturing the most wins in the program’s history. The Bison, led by second-year Head Coach Kristan Mallet, finished the year 16-7 overall and advanced to The Commonwealth Coast Conference Finals for the first time in over a decade and to the ECAC Semifinals.

The women’s tennis team set a school record with its nine wins this season as the Bison finished 9-7 overall and 5-5 in TCCC action. The team advanced to the post-season tournament for the second straight year under the direction of Head Coach Paul Brower. The Bison captured wins in eight of their first nine matches of the season, including an 8-1 home victory against Eastern Nazarene on Sept. 22 which broke the program record of for wins.

The men’s ice hockey team made its first-ever appearance in the ECAC Northeast Championship game and finished the year with a 20-7-1 overall record, the best record in the conference and the best record in the program’s long history. Fourth-year Head Coach Lou Izzi was named the New England Hockey Writers Association’s ECAC Northeast Coach of the Year.

First-year Head Coach Natalie Lavin led the women’s basketball team to The Commonwealth Coast Conference Semifinals and the ECAC Tournament for the third straight season. The Bison closed out the season with a 21-8 overall record and an 11-2 mark in conference play, which was tied for second. Their 21-8 record was the best overall mark in the conference and tied the school record for wins.

Fourth-year Head Coach Steve Ross led the softball team to The Commonwealth Coast Conference championship game. The Bison finished the year 26-17 overall and 18-6 in the conference, earning the second seed in the tourney. Nichols also was selected to play in the ECAC Championship Tournament. The team’s 26 wins were the second most in the program’s history.

The eight other participating schools in the Worcester College Cup include: Fitchburg State, WPI, Worcester State, Anna Maria, Clark, Holy Cross, Becker and Assumption.