BY WILL BRADLEY
Stonehill’s athletic roots date back to the early 1970s, marking the introduction of some of the first major sports teams for the school. With Football and Basketball both experiencing an increase in competitiveness that caught the attention of faculty and students alike.
Before Stonehill’s football team was known as the Skyhawks and held at the Division 1 level of play, there was a frontrunner that jump started this sport for the school. Originally, a club named the “Stonehill Knights” was the first football team to bring in an audience for the school. This team would lead to the formation of what we know today and is a crucial part to the history of the sport on campus.
However, the first athletics team inducted into Stonehill sports would be the men’s basketball team. The men’s basketball team is also celebrating their 75th year. This team would be the first Stonehill team inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame in 1970-1971. The basketball team’s history holds an impressive stat line, appearing in the NCAA Division II tournament fifteen times, before transitioning to Division 1 athletics in 2022, as well as winning the NE-10 tournament four times.
Tony Felder Jr, a current player on the men’s basketball roster, reflected on how the sports scene has changed and his experience. “I feel like the competitiveness level is good at Stonehill, while the school is transitioning, I feel the motivation.” – Tony Felder Jr, Men’s Basketball Player
Trisha Brown, the head coach of the Women’s Basketball team, weighed in on her experience not only as a coach seeing the competitiveness vary in the years, but also as a member of the Stonehill community seeing the sports landscape expand, “Paula Sullivan, who was the women’s basketball coach and then athletic director, founded the women’s basketball program and brought it to national prominence in Division 2. Our move to Division 1 certainty comes with some growing pains, but we feel confident about our ability to compete at this level.” Also pointing out a beautiful feat for the athletics department, “Our Women’s Hockey team is a prime example, as they made the first NCAA tournament appearance last week.” – Trisha Brown, Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Sports have always been an essential aspect to the lively environment on campus, but it was never always at a level we know and love. Today, Stonehill has evolved into 23 NCAA Division 1 teams, with a collective of almost 50 intramural sports clubs and activities. After 75 years of Stonehill College’s existence, the formation of the athletics industry has evolved to areas never seen. This is only the beginning for Stonehill College’s athletic department, as they continue to move forward at a larger level in Division 1 competition.
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