Intercollegiate Athletics
Bloomsburg’s Department of Athletics serves more than 570 student-athletes and 23 teams annually who perform at the top of the conference academically, athletically, and within their community. Bloomsburg’s student-athletes are perineal leaders in community service within the Mid-Atlantic Region as each team is involved in department-wide and team-led community service initiatives.
As a department, Bloomsburg competes primarily in the NCAA Division II Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) with 12 other PASSHE institutions and five private universities. The wrestling team competes at the NCAA Division I level in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). As a member of the NCAA Division II program, Bloomsburg operates in a partial scholarship model, which means the NCAA restricts the total financial aid that Bloomsburg can offer in a given sport to the equivalent of a set number of full scholarships. For Bloomsburg, that means many of our student-athletes are not receiving significant athletic financial aid and are competing at a high level without the benefit of financial assistance outside of academic scholarships they may have earned.
The student-athlete population has a higher retention rate than that of the BU general student body while performing at the top of the PSAC and the MAC academically. For the past three years, the Huskies have had a record-setting number of student-athletes recognized by the PSAC as Scholar-Athletes. Bloomsburg's 276 student-athletes recognized following the 2020-21 academic year easily surpasses the school's previous high of 208 established in 2019-20 and was the sixth-highest among the 18 league institutions - third among schools in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
On the field, the Bloomsburg student-athletes excel year in and year out. Since the inception of the BU athletic department, the Huskies have won 20 team national championships and 123 PSAC titles. Individually, Bloomsburg has won 21 championships in the sports of wrestling, swimming, and track and field.
Based on their excellence in the classroom and on the field, overall, 47 Huskies have been named a College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-American (since 1952). The CoSIDA Academic All-American awards are national honors voted on by Sports Information Directors across the country. Student-athletes who carry a cumulative 3.30 grade point average or better and are significant contributors to their teams are eligible for nomination each season. There have been 17 Academic All-Americans since 2011.
The Huskies make a difference in the university and local community, as well. The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) is a student-athlete led group featuring two student-athletes per sport representing all student-athletes. SAAC also offers a voice for student-athletes on rules, regulations, and policies that affect student-athletes’ lives on the campus and to provide input on PSAC and NCAA proposed legislation. As members of SAAC, Bloomsburg student-athletes participate in different outreach programs and raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation each year. The Bloomsburg athletic department sponsors a group of student-athletes known as Protect Our Pack, who work together to bring a more inclusive environment to the athletic department and university community. Protect Our Pack is a student-led initiative that was formed in response to student-athletes identifying issues of bullying, racism, LGBTQA, gender, and social issues. The Husky student-athletes have partnered with coaches and administrators to address these important topics facing everyone today and lead the PSAC in this initiative.
Home of the Huskies
On October 9, 1933, the student body of then Bloomsburg State Teachers College voted nearly unanimously in favor of adopting the husky as the school's first official mascot. Proposed by art professor and avid husky trainer George J. Keller as the ideal mascot because of his noble qualities, an actual husky donated by Keller made his first appearance at a pep rally on October 13. Named Roongo after a combination of maroon and gold, the first mascot proudly served in his role, sporting a blanket adorned in the school's colors.
School Colors
Bloomsburg’s official school colors are Maroon and Gold.
Learn more about Huskies Athletics at: www.BUHuskies.com
This is Lock Haven University Athletics
The Lock Haven University Athletic Department provides a holistic experience and serves more than 486 student-athletes who make up more than 20% of LHU’s full time undergraduate degree-seeking student enrollment and participate on one of our 21 teams. All teams have membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) with 19 teams competing in Division II and two in Division I (men’s wrestling and field hockey). Wrestling is an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) and field hockey is an affiliate member of the Atlantic-10 (A-10), while all other sports compete in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC). Holding membership on two different levels of the NCAA and three different conference affiliations places LHU in a very unique and exclusive position because there are less than a handful of institutions nationally that share this distinction.
Lock Haven student-athletes excel in the classroom. Their federal graduation rate, NCAA Academic Success Rates (ASR) (Division II sports), and Academic Performance Rates (APR) (Division I sports) all illustrate our student-athletes regularly obtain their bachelor’s degrees at a much higher rate (approximately 15-20% higher) than the general student population. Similarly, our annual athletic department grade point average, is well above the national average. Over 150 of our student-athletes annually earn national and conference individual scholar athlete honors.
In competition, our teams have won 17 National Championships, 113 Conference Championships, and our student-athletes won 38 individual National Titles and numerous student-athletes annually earn All-Conference, All-Region, and All-American honors and/or PSAC, A-10, and MAC weekly allocates. Our student-athletes also made it possible for the athletic department to win the Dixon Cup Trophy three times. The Dixon Cup symbolizes the best overall finish in PSAC standings.
The Bald Eagles also make a difference by contributing in over 7,000 community service/engagement service hours annually, which ensures their holistic development, while learning lifelong qualities and values such as perseverance, teamwork, and honor as well as other values that reflect the mission of the University.
Vision
Lock Haven University Athletics is committed to providing a safe, balanced, inclusive, educational experience that inspires extraordinary student-athlete accomplishments in academic achievement, athletic competition, and civic engagement, which develops success in life after college.
Mission
Consistent with the student-centered educational mission of Lock Haven University, intercollegiate athletics is committed to offering student-athletes, through sports participation, learning opportunities and outcomes that complement those received in the University classroom.
Philosophy
Our athletic philosophy is to build teams that compete at the highest levels; to encourage individual and team excellence; to achieve high graduation and academic performance rates; to aid in the academic, social, and career preparation of our students; to provide quality facilities and services that meet the needs of our students; to entertain students, staff, alumni, and fans with a high level of competition; and to offer a departmental climate for students and staff that values diversity, inclusiveness, compliance, and equal opportunity.
Core Values: Bald Eagles
B Balance - The daily life of the student-athlete is extremely busy and routine orientated. We are devoted to fostering an environment that optimizes the pursuits of mind and body and ensures maintenance of a healthy and balanced life.
A Academics - Our student-athletes understand the importance of achieving academic excellence in their chosen academic areas. We support student-athletes in achieving their academic and career aspirations. Athletics strives to challenge students with a comprehensive education and the development of multi-disciplinary skills.
L Leadership - We are committed to expanding opportunities and experiences to create and prepare our student-athletes as leaders.
D Diversity - We believe in the integrity of each individual. We recognize, embrace, and celebrate our differences and similarities and how we contribute to the overall diversity on campus.
E Excellence - We are dedicated to maintaining a competitive spirit and sportsmanship in order to excel at the highest levels in such a way that reflects our core values.
A Accountability - We maintain a true commitment to the letter and spirit of regulations set forth by the NCAA, PSAC, A-10, MAC, and Lock Haven University.
G Growth - We pledge to recruit, develop, and retain quality, gifted student-athletes, coaches, and administrators to best represent Lock Haven University. These individuals are committed to the development of all facets of the student-athlete experience, and allow Lock Haven teams to compete at the highest level in the classroom and athletic competition.
L Legacy - We are beneficiaries of the rich tradition created by efforts of those who have come before us. The opportunities and accomplishments earned during a student-athlete’s time at Lock Haven University add to the growing pride we share with the LHU community.
E Equity - We demonstrate an unwavering commitment of support for Gender
Equity and Title IX.
S Service - As athletics is the front porch of the university, we are pleased to contribute to our campus and surrounding communities, while leaving a positive and lasting impression within our local and regional footprint.
Why the Bald Eagles?
Lock Haven University Athletics adopted the Bald Eagle as its nickname and mascot in October of 1937 after a vote by the student body. It does make sense as well given the proximity to the Bald Eagle Mountain, Bald Eagle Valley, and Bald Eagle State Park. The area is also home to a number of wild and native Bald Eagles.
School Colors
Lock Haven’s official school colors are Crimson and White.
Learn more about Haven Athletics at www.GoLHU.com
The mission of Mansfield’s Intercollegiate Athletics Program is that of the University: “We are committed to the promoting of leadership development through character, scholarship, cultural awareness, and service to others.”
We will provide an environment conducive to reaching a high level of athletic and academic achievement that will further translate into strong lifetime core values and character traits for future success.
To create this environment, we will strive to furnish the needed/required resources. These include operating budgets; scholarship funds and financial aid; equipment and supplies; full time coaching staff; support staff; facilities (indoor and outdoor); public relations staff; and other related resources.
Mansfield University Athletics is a member of NCAA DII Pennsylvania Athletic Conference (PSAC), sponsoring 12 sports. The Mounties also sponsor a sprint football program which competes in the Collegiate Sprint Football League (CSFL).
The Mansfield Creed
CHARACTER
We believe in integrity. We act with honesty and respect toward others. We take responsibility for our actions and reflect on their impact on ourselves and others.
SCHOLARSHIP
We believe in learning. We use rigorous, responsible, and critical inquiry to understand existing knowledge, acquire and share new knowledge, and apply what we learn. Each of us is both student and teacher.
CULTURE
We believe in celebrating humanity. We enrich ourselves and others by sharing and exploring our similarities and differences. We honor the past as we invent the future.
SERVICE
We believe in helping others. We work with others to improve the communities in which we now live and will touch in the future. Knowledge invests us with the power to improve our world and the responsibility to act.
Home of the Mountaineers
One of the most recognizable symbols of Mansfield is the Mountaineers mascot. He is often portrayed as an independent and self-reliant individual clad in furs and carrying a musket. He is ready and able to take on any foe, man or beast.
The story of the Mountaineer, however, comes from the battlefield, rather than the sporting arena. While the early settlers of Mann’s Field certainly were mountaineers, the origins of the Mountaineer lie with the Ladies’ Aid Society, which operated during the American Civil War.
Most of the information in this article was provided by the book Tioga Mountaineers by Chester Bailey, Mansfield historian and former owner of the Mansfield Advertiser. Additional information came from the 101st Pa. Historical Society. The society credits Bailey’s book, along with several other sources. These sources, as well as Tri-Counties Genealogy and History by Joyce M. Tice, provide additional histories of the unit.
Over the years, the Mansfield sports teams, known as the Mounties, have known their share of success. Several Mounties have even gone on to professional sports careers.
School Colors
Mansfield’s official school colors are Red and Black.
Learn more about Mountaineers Athletics at www.gomounties.com