chool spirit and pride are at an all time high at Western New England College. The College has entered a new era—an era of academic and athletic excellence. We provide a high quality student-athlete experience for every one of our participants and believe that athletics plays an important part in students' education and overall development.

Our athletics family represents the best qualities of Western New England College. The leadership training and community service projects that all of our athletes are involved in provide invaluable experiences.

Western New England College is a Division III member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). The College supports the Division III philosophy of participation by offering 19 NCAA-sponsored varsity teams.

There are men's teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, and wrestling. Women's squads include basketball, cross country, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

2001-02 Recap

Western New England College's athletics program enjoyed the best season in its 36-year history during the 2001-02 school year by compiling an overall record of 220-143-3 for a 60.5 winning percentage.

In the spring of 2002, five WNEC squads posted a 100-33-1 mark for a 75.0 winning percentage.

The Golden Bears had four teams participate in NCAA Division III Championships (men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, women's soccer, softball) and three squads in ECAC Division III Tournaments (baseball, women's basketball, men's soccer).

In Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition, the baseball team won the regular season conference title while the men's basketball squad captured the GNAC North Division crown. The women's soccer, softball and men's tennis team each captured GNAC Tournament titles. WNEC's men's lacrosse team won the Pilgrim League Tournament title while the women's lacrosse squad captured the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament crown.

Western New England College received seven Coach-of-the-Year honors. Erin Sullivan (men's soccer), Ron Dias (women's soccer), Lori Mayhew (softball), and Jennifer Kolins (men's tennis, women's tennis) were selected GNAC Coaches-of-the-Year. John Klepacki (men's lacrosse) and his wife Aimee Klepacki (women's lacrosse) were the Pilgrim League and NEWLA Coaches-of-the-Year, respectively.

Numerous students received athletic and academic awards for their performances on the playing fields and in the classroom. Senior Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT) became the first men's lacrosse player in school history to receive All-America honors while junior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) was named the GNAC Softball Pitcher-of-the-Year and selected to the Verizon Academic All-America Team.

Athletics Gains Respect

"We are fast gaining respect in the region and on the national stage," said Western New England College athletics director Dr. Michael D. Theulen. "Most important to us, however, is how athletics is viewed on campus. A recent focus study group identified our athletics program as the third most important activity on campus making a positive contribution to the success of the College.

"Our record this year is indicative of the growing sense of pride and family among our teams. Our coaches are second to none in terms of their commitment to their student-athletes. Fifty-three per cent of our student-athletes earned over a 3.0 grade-point-average during the spring semester," noted Theulen.

2000-01 Recap

During the 2000-01 school year, the Golden Bears posted an overall record of 173-157-2 for a 52.4 winning percentage. Four teams (baseball, men's basketball, women's cross country, and men's golf) captured Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles.

Western New England College's baseball and men's basketball squads participated in NCAA Division III Championships.

Non-NCAA sports

In addition, there are non-NCAA sports teams for men and women in bowling and martial arts. Both programs have enjoyed considerable success over the years and are a welcome addition to the athletics program.

For further information contact the Athletics Department at 413-782-1202