Spring 2007
Greetings from the Hynes Athletics Center!
With the spring athletic season coming into full swing, there is much to report about the ongoings of Iona College athletics this past winter.
Athletic Achievements
I would like to take a look back over the successes of our winter season. The women's basketball team enjoyed one of its most celebrated years of competition. Head coach Anthony Bozzella's squad made its first-ever appearance in the post season, beating Long Island University at the Hynes Center and advancing to play Indiana University in the second round of the women's National Invitation Tournament. Despite a loss, it was a very proud moment for our program. Along with winning a record 21 games, the Gaels finished second in the MAAC, a program best, and senior Martina Weber was named 2007 MAAC Player of the Year.
The indoor track team wrapped up another impressive run under the tutelage of legendary head coach Mick Byrne. Tim Bayley and Salome Kosgei represented both the men's and women's side as they competed for National Championships. The men's and women's swimming and diving teams each placed fourth at the MAAC Championships, while the men went on to a tenth place finish at the ECAC Championships.
In the Classroom
Iona College Athletics continues to stress the importance of academics in the lives of its student athletes. I am very pleased to report that the men's cross country team was named the 2006 NCAA Division I All-Academic Men's Cross Country Team of the Year for their performance on and off the trails. Women's basketball led all schools with nine members being named to the 2006 MAAC All-Academic team, and women's swimming and diving finished seventh in the nation of Division I schools academically as announced by the College Swim Coaches Association of America. As a whole, Iona's student-athletes produced their best fall semester academic performance thus far.
In the Community
In addition to athletic and academic achievement, we strive to enhance the well-rounded nature of our student-athletes through dedication to community service, as included in the Iona College mission. This winter, the department was named to the National Consortium for Academics and Sports' Community Service Honor Roll for the second consecutive year. Events included the Sound Shore Toy Drive and MAAC Gives Back. I invite you all to take a look at some of the wonderful things Iona's student-athletes are doing at http://www.iona.edu/gaels/saac/service/.
The Spring Season
As the winter athletic season becomes past, we look forward to spring competition. Baseball head coach Pat Carey has guided his team to an encouraging start in his second season at Iona. Softball will face some tough opponents as it faces the challenge of climbing back to the top of the MAAC rankings. The women's lacrosse team continues to improve, already off to a great third year and boasting the 2007 MAAC Preseason Player of the Year. Men's and women's rowing will surely capitalize on its mix of youth and experience, while men's and women's outdoor track picks back up with anticipation after the indoor season. The golf team will once again be traveling the east coast for several spring events.
Athletic Department Update
All of us here at Iona are very excited about the hiring of our new men's basketball head coach, Kevin Willard. Coach Willard joins our program from the University of Louisville, where he served for six seasons as an assistant and associate head coach. I am confident that his knowledge and integrity will lead our program toward a very bright future.
Upon his introduction into the Iona College community, Kevin shared his thoughts, stating "This is truly an honor, not only because I'm becoming a head basketball coach, but I'm becoming a head coach at a college with such great tradition and history." I hope you will all please join me in welcoming Kevin Willard as a member of our staff.
In closing, I would like to extend my thanks to you and your family for your ongoing support of Iona athletics, and look forward to you joining us in cheering on the Gaels.
Go Gaels!
If you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please click here to email Athletics Director Patrick Lyons.
