Let's face it - Tufts University has not typically been known for its outstanding athletic program, or its jaw-dropping display of school spirit. Throughout the 1990s, Tufts fought fiercely to hold its own when it came to hanging with other Division III schools on the athletic fields, with varying degrees of success. In recent years, however, the scale has begun to tilt heavily in Jumbo's favor.
Over the past few years, Tufts' sports teams have stampeded over competition that once dominated on the fields, track, court, and rink. They have climbed the ladder of success and seeded themselves among top division three athletic teams across the nation. In past years, the stands and sidelines of games and matches have been pathetically empty, but now students have started to fill the bleachers, hoping to catch a glimpse of small college athletics at its best. The impressive success of the 1999-2000 teams has only further paved the way for the future of Tufts athletics, and the school has found its way onto the radar screens of both critics and fellow athletes.
The highlight of the 1999 fall semester was the opening of the Gantcher Family Sports and Convocation Center. This $20 million, two-year project is one of the largest recent additions to the Tufts campus, and the 70,000-square-foot building now serves as a home to new indoor track and tennis courts.
In September, recent graduates Jon Troy and Matt Adler rewrote the Tufts record books in their respective sports. On the gridiron, Troy was named to the 1999 All-New England Division II-III All-Star team after setting the school's single season and career records in both receptions and receiving yards. Troy had 70 receptions for 855 yards and five touchdowns in eight games, shattering the 30-year-old marks of 56 and 648. A tri-captain of the men's soccer team, Adler became the program's all-time leader in goals and points. Adler notched his 40th career goal on September 28, breaking current Athletic Director Bill Gelhing's 39-goal record. The forward went on to finish his prolific career with 44 goals and 18 assists, for 106 total points in 58 career games.
After finishing the regular season at 8-6 and barely qualifying for the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) playoffs, the women's field hockey team pulled together for a sensational playoff run that brought it all the way to the championship match. In the last six seasons, the team has compiled a 66-29 record, made two NCAA Tournament appearances and four ECAC Tournament berths. Led by veteran coach Carol Rappoli, the squad returns 18 of its players and is expected to be ranked among the best in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) division this fall.
Both the women's and men's cross-country teams found national success last fall. The women's harriers team rode the wings of two astounding All-America finishes by senior Cindy Manning and Caitlin Murphy to an 11th-place finish in the Division III National Championships. Making success all the sweeter, coach Branwen Smith-King was named the New England Region Coach of the Year. The men saw even greater success, capping off a stellar season with a ninth-place finish at Division IIIs. Seniors Steve Kaye and Matt Lyons led the way, as the top five runners all finished in the top 78, in a field of over 200 runners.
As the weather around Boston grew colder, Tufts athletics heated up. The hockey squad skated to one of its most successful seasons in over a decade, making its first postseason appearance in 12 years, only to finally bow out in a dramatic overtime semi-final match. In recognition of the stellar season, two of the six hockey players named to the 1999-2000 All-ECAC Northeast Division First Team were Jumbos. Senior captain Drew Carleton and junior alternate captain Dan Mahoney were both lauded for their outstanding play in a vote by the league's 14 coaches. Carleton finished his career with 84 goals and 148 total points.
The men's basketball team won its first ECAC championship since 1982, with a thrilling overtime victory against conference rival Colby. The Jumbos started the season at a disappointing 5-4, but rebounded for several big mid-season victories to finish the season with a 21-6 record. The squad returns all but two players this winter, and is gearing up for another championship season.
Two players each from the men's and women's basketball teams were honored when the NESCAC All-Star teams and Rookies of the Year were announced. On the men's side, junior forward Fred Pedroletti was named to the All-NESCAC Second Team and freshman phenom Brian Shapiro was selected as Rookie of the Year. For the women, senior forward Molly Baker was named to the All-NESCAC Second Team and freshman center Emily Goodman was picked to the Second Team as well as earning Rookie of the Year honors.
Both the baseball and softball teams prospered in the spring. As the curtain came down on the academic year, the baseball team set a new team record last season with 22 total victories and fell just short of the 2000 ECAC New England Division III Baseball Championship Title. The softball squad capped off its season by clinching the NCAA New England Regional Championship, and went on to participate in the College World Series.
The men's and women's track and field teams repeated the success that it experienced earlier in the year, sending a number of athletes to the national championships in May. The women's team placed seventh in a pool of 43 teams nationally, while the men held their own among the nation's best.
