The Baruch College varsity teams, known as the Bearcats, have high hopes for the 2012–13 sports year, with 13 teams expected to battle for CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) championships.
Last year, the Bearcats won eight championships and finished in second place in three other sports as part of a dominating year that culminated with winning the Commissioner Cup Trophy, given annually to the most successful athletics program among the CUNY senior colleges.
With a majority of teams returning their top student-athletes for the 2012–13 year, the Bearcats are seeking to tie or better their eight championships earned last year.
This fall, women’s volleyball will seek to repeat as champions. Five team starters return, including CUNYAC Tournament MVP Melinda Santiago (’13), CUNYAC First Team All-Star Lauren Hayden (’13), and CUNYAC Rookie of the Year Jessica Wu (’15).
Men’s soccer, which finished in second place, also returns a majority of its starters. Vincent Cruz (’13), who earned CUNYAC All-Star honors last year, joins midfielder Kyle Keague (’14) and Akil George (’13) to help the Bearcats avenge last year’s disappointing championship loss.
Off the field, the Bearcats continue their academic success, with over 55 student-athletes achieving a GPA of 3.2 or higher.
Steven Coniglio (’14), a sophomore on the nationally ranked men’s volleyball team, earned top honors by winning the prestigious NCAA Elite 89 Academic Award. Coniglio, majoring in actuarial science, carries a 3.897 GPA, which is the highest GPA of any student-athlete who competed at the 2012 NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball National Championship Tournament.
“We had a spectacular season last year, and we are just as excited about our chances of winning more championships during the 2012–13 athletics season,” says Baruch Athletics Director Ray Rankis. “I am also especially proud of our scholar-athletes, who show that Baruch students work just as hard in the classroom as they do on the field.”
—John Neves
For more information or team schedules, please visit BaruchAthletics.com.