The Basics
Location: Baltimore, Md.
Colors: Black and Gold
Nickname: Retrievers
Nickname conjures up: Loyal, hard-working, good-swimming dogs, like Air Bud.
Mascots: True Grit, a really tough-looking retriever.
Mascot conjures up: A dog that even Mike Vick wouldn’t mess with.
Reputation: Maryland’s honors university; always playing second fiddle to its big brother University of Maryland; having an abbreviation that no one knows the meaning of; having an awesome pep band, dance team and mascot.
Notable alumni: Former Yankee reliever Jay Witasick, actress Kathleen Turner, CNN anchor Tony Harris.
The dirt
We hate them because: Well, we don’t really. They won the America East women’s basketball championship on our court last season, but that was a nice story. They’re a thorn in our side in swimming and diving, lacrosse and volleyball, but for the most part, the Retrievers are just there.
They rule in: Swimming and diving, men’s lacrosse, tennis.
When can you root for them: Any time they play Boston or Albany, and when they’re a feel-good story like the 2007 women’s basketball team.
Professional comparison: New York Mets ‘ they’ve won a few times and they’re a nice thing to pay attention to when they’re relevant. But let’s face it ‘ in Maryland, the University of Maryland is the New York Yankees, and they are what matters. That alumni list might be impressive until you compare it to College Park’s (Jim Henson, Shawne Merriman, David O’Brian).
The history
Brag about: 2006 men’s basketball Senior Day victory (probably the loudest the Events Center has ever been), 2006 America East men’s tennis tournament victory, swimmer David Holmes beating all their swimmers at the AE championship last season.
Cringe when they mention: Ending the men’s tennis team’s season in last year’s AEs, always being one step ahead in men’s swimming and diving, knocking defending champions volleyball out of the AE tournament last season, crushing last second men’s lacrosse victory in last season’s matchup ending a furious Bearcats rally.
Names to remember for 2007-2008: Brian Hodges and a bunch of transfers (including Darryl Proctor, brother of former Bearcat Steve) ‘ men’s basketball; head coach Chad Cradock and senior Scott Auchter ‘ swimming and diving; head coach Phil Stern and Morgan Hatten ‘ women’s basketball.
Next chance to see them on campus: Tonight vs. volleyball at the West Gym.
Bottom line: The newest member of the conference has actually had a lot of success. Their upset AE tournament victory in women’s basketball was a great victory for a great coach (ignoring first round thrashing in the NCAA tournament), lacrosse is probably the school’s best chance to be a national power and any lacrosse victory over them is big. Aside from that, we really should beat them in every revenue sport.