Bryant programs reel in NEC honors

SMITHFIELD, R.I. -  The Northeast Conference announced its winter and spring Team Sportsmanship Award honorees this afternoon, as Bryant University claimed three of those distinctions in just its third year in Division I competition.

Instituted by league Presidents in 2008, the awards are designed to acknowledge the team in each conference sport that, in the opinion of its peers, most closely demonstrates good sportsmanship based on the NEC Principles of Sportsmanship and Standards of Conduct.  Voting is conducted at the conclusion of each season by each team captain and head coach, who rank teams within the conference based on a predetermined set of criteria.

The Bulldogs were honored in men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and men’s lacrosse, while Mount St. Mary’s claimed the men’s tennis, women’s lacrosse and women’s indoor track and field awards.  Monmouth earned accolades in baseball and women’s outdoor track and field.  Central Connecticut State was the softball recipient, Long Island took home the women’s tennis award and Sacred Heart was recognized in men’s golf.

Saint Francis (PA) finished the 2010-11 academic year with a league-high eight sportsmanship awards.  Bryant, Monmouth and Mount St. Mary’s were each honored on three occasions.  There were eight different NEC institutions or associate members with at least one team honored for their commitment to sportsmanship.

Institution             No. of Awards
Saint Francis (PA)            8
Bryant                        3
Monmouth                      3
Mount St. Mary’s              3
Long Island                   2
Sacred Heart                  2
Central Connecticut State     1
Rider                         1