We are Retriever Believers!

The UMBC community can look back on the men’s basketball team’s historic ride to the NCAA tournament with pride. The team’s achievement was a first in their 22-year history in NCAA Division I. Coach Randy Monroe was named America East Men’s Basketball Coach of the Year, and players Jay Greene, Ray Barbosa and Daryl Proctor were named to the America East Conference’s All-Tournament Team. Greene was named the tournament’s most outstanding player for his continued excellence at the point guard position.

And it was a season we won’t forget for other important reasons:

The nation learned that we are an honors university in Maryland where it’s cool to be smart AND have spirit. Our students showed that they can support their team with class, even signing a Fan Code of Conduct to prove their commitment.

Our alumni joined in the excitement, supporting their alma mater on the home court, at out-of-state games and at viewing parties in Baltimore and beyond.  

We celebrated the competitive and academic success of our entire athletics program. Our men’s teams in soccer, lacrosse, tennis and baseball and its women’s basketball team have been to their respective dances. Men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are perennial powerhouses and conference leaders, and male and female members of our track and field teams have given stand out performances in premier meets. In fall 2007, nine UMBC athletic and support teams posted GPAs of 3.00 or higher. Forty-nine percent of all students in the program had GPAs of 3.00 or higher, while 29 percent were over 3.50.

“We want the nation to know we are a class act,” said President Freeman A. Hrabowski, III. “We have great basketball players who are excellent students. We have exciting alumni who are doing well in their careers. We have parents and family members who are part of our community. People will see us as a village and know that we are working together to make these young people the best that they can be.”

To our men’s basketball team:

We’re so proud of your exceptional performance. Thank you for a season we’ll never forget.

UM – BC! Go big Dawgs!