UMBC Retrievers
Encyclopedia
The UMBC Retrievers represent the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in NCAA Division I athletics. The official colors of the Retrievers are black
and gold
(PMS 123) with red
(PMS 032). The Retrievers field 17 varsity sports; eight men and nine women. UMBC competes in the America East
athletic conference. UMBC is notable for recently establishing a dynasty in chess.
, the state dog of Maryland
. There is a statue of a retriever known as True Grit that stands in front of the Retriever Activities Center
(RAC). UMBC's costumed mascot has been known both as True Grit
and Fever. UMBC also once had a live mascot named Campus Sam. Today, there is a live mascot named Gritty. In 2007, True revealed he had a sister, Trudy Grit, at the volleyball pep rally. She is now used as a mascot, as well.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of UMBC in 2006, the University held the "March of the Retrievers," a procession of 40 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers from the True Grit statue to the University Commons and then on to the UMBC Soccer Stadium, site of the Homecoming soccer match.
The UMBC Dance Team, cheerleading squad, mascot and "Down and Dirty Dawg" Pep Band are also supported through UMBC Athletics.
Stand up and cheer, UMBC
Forward we go, to another victory.
Retrievers, be bold,
We back you as we stand,
Black and gold, the best in Maryland.
Rise up and sing!
Stand up and roar!
Make echoes ring from the mountains to the shore.
Baltimore's pride, our alma mater grand,
UMBC, the best in any land!
, and the lyrics and arrangement are by Jari Villanueva, former director of UMBC's pep band.http://www.umbc.edu/40th/story1.html
Hail alma mater! OUR UMBC,
Boldly bearing your colors, the whole world to see,
Striving together in true unity,
Black, gold forever we're reminded of thee,
Proudly we hail to thee, OUR UMBC!
Throughout the ages, OUR UMBC,
Songs and memories still echo with true clarity,
Knowledge and wisdom and truth we found here,
Friendships we treasure that will last through the years,
Proudly we hail to thee, OUR UMBC!
Black
Black is the color of objects that do not emit or reflect light in any part of the visible spectrum; they absorb all such frequencies of light...
and gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
(PMS 123) with red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
(PMS 032). The Retrievers field 17 varsity sports; eight men and nine women. UMBC competes in the America East
America East Conference
The America East Conference is a NCAA Division I college athletic conference whose members are located mainly in the northeastern United States. The conference was known as the ECAC North from 1979 to 1988 and the North Atlantic Conference from the fall semester of 1988 to the end of the spring...
athletic conference. UMBC is notable for recently establishing a dynasty in chess.
Mascot
The retriever mascot is a Chesapeake Bay RetrieverChesapeake Bay Retriever
The Chesapeake Bay Retriever is a breed of dog belonging to the Retriever, Gundog, and Sporting breed groups. Members of the breed may also be referred to as a Chessie, CBR, or Chesapeake. The breed was developed in the United States Chesapeake Bay area during the 19th century...
, the state dog of Maryland
Maryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. There is a statue of a retriever known as True Grit that stands in front of the Retriever Activities Center
Retriever Activities Center
Retriever Activities Center is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Catonsville, Maryland. The arena opened in 1973. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers basketball and volleyball teams. It hosted the 2008 America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals....
(RAC). UMBC's costumed mascot has been known both as True Grit
True Grit (mascot)
True Grit is the name of the mascot at UMBC. True Grit appears in two forms: Both as a statue in front of the Retriever Activities Center of a Chesapeake Bay retriever and as a costumed mascot, an anthropomorphized Chesapeake Bay retriever...
and Fever. UMBC also once had a live mascot named Campus Sam. Today, there is a live mascot named Gritty. In 2007, True revealed he had a sister, Trudy Grit, at the volleyball pep rally. She is now used as a mascot, as well.
To commemorate the 40th anniversary of UMBC in 2006, the University held the "March of the Retrievers," a procession of 40 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers from the True Grit statue to the University Commons and then on to the UMBC Soccer Stadium, site of the Homecoming soccer match.
Teams
| Sport | Head Coach | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseball (Men) | John Jancuska | The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC Stadium | 2001 Northeast Champions |
| Basketball (Men) | Randy Monroe Randy Monroe Randy Monroe is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County .He spent his playing career at Philadelphia University and Cheyney University.- College Coaching Record:... |
RAC Arena Retriever Activities Center Retriever Activities Center is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Catonsville, Maryland. The arena opened in 1973. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers basketball and volleyball teams. It hosted the 2008 America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals.... |
2008 America East Champions, 2008 America East Regular Season Champions |
| Basketball (Women) | Phil Stern | RAC Arena Retriever Activities Center Retriever Activities Center is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Catonsville, Maryland. The arena opened in 1973. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers basketball and volleyball teams. It hosted the 2008 America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals.... |
2007 America East Champions, 2011 America East Regular Season Champions, 2011 WNIT |
| Cross Country (Men & Women) | Matt Gittermann | UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium is a 4,500 seat stadium on the campus of UMBC in Catonsville, Maryland. The stadium opened in 1976. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey, and track and field programs, as well as an alternate venue for soccer... |
2005 America East Champions |
| Lacrosse (Men) UMBC Retrievers men's lacrosse The UMBC Retrievers men's lacrosse team represents the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's college lacrosse competition. The Retrievers play their home games at UMBC Stadium, located in Baltimore, Maryland with a capacity of 4,500... |
Don Zimmerman | UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium is a 4,500 seat stadium on the campus of UMBC in Catonsville, Maryland. The stadium opened in 1976. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey, and track and field programs, as well as an alternate venue for soccer... |
America East Champions 2006, 2008, 2009; America East Regular Season Champions 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009; 2007 NCAA Tournament Quarterfinalist, 1980 Division II National Champion |
| Lacrosse (Women) | Courtney Martinez Connor | UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium is a 4,500 seat stadium on the campus of UMBC in Catonsville, Maryland. The stadium opened in 1976. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey, and track and field programs, as well as an alternate venue for soccer... |
2006 America East Regular Season Champions |
| Soccer (Men) | Pete Caringi | UMBC Soccer Stadium | 2003 America East Regular Season Champions; 2010 America East Champions |
| Soccer (Women) | Alyssa Radu | UMBC Soccer Stadium | |
| Softball (Women) | Joe French | The Baseball Factory Field at UMBC Stadium | |
| Swimming & Diving (Men & Women) | Chad Cradock | UMBC Natatorium | Men: America East Champions 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011; Northeast Conference Champions 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 Women: America East Champions 2007, 2008, 2011; Northeast Conference Champions 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 |
| Tennis (Men & Women) | Rob Hubbard | Tennis Center | 2007 America East Champions (Men) (under former head coach Keith Puryear) |
| Track & Field (Men & Women) | David Bobb | UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium UMBC Stadium is a 4,500 seat stadium on the campus of UMBC in Catonsville, Maryland. The stadium opened in 1976. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey, and track and field programs, as well as an alternate venue for soccer... |
|
| Volleyball (Women) | Ian Blanchard | RAC Arena Retriever Activities Center Retriever Activities Center is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Catonsville, Maryland. The arena opened in 1973. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers basketball and volleyball teams. It hosted the 2008 America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals.... |
1995 Big South Champions; 1998 Northeast Conference Champions |
The UMBC Dance Team, cheerleading squad, mascot and "Down and Dirty Dawg" Pep Band are also supported through UMBC Athletics.
Non-Varsity Programs
| Sport | Head Coach | Venue | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrestling (Men) | Luke Broadwater | RAC Arena | NCWA National Championship- 10th place team: 2010, 9th place team: 2011. Individual National Champions: Alex Broadwater (149 lbs) 2008. Individual All Americans: Alex Broadwater 2007, 2008, 2009; Michael Hornzell 2007; Angelo Ambridge 2010; Zach Coe 2010; Daniel Carr 2011; Kekura Musa 2011 |
| Ice Hockey (Men) | Aaron Voegtli | Piney Orchard Ice Arena | 2010 National Frozen Four; MACHA Champions 2009, 2010, 2011 |
| Rugby (Men) | Rusty Cross | Walker Field | 2009 4th in Region |
Facilities
- Baseball Factory FieldThe Baseball Factory Field at UMBCThe Baseball Factory Field at UMBC is a baseball field located on the campus of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County in Catonsville, Maryland, USA. The field is home to the UMBC Retrievers baseball team of the Division I America East Conference. The field is located adjacent to UMBC Stadium...
- RAC ArenaRetriever Activities CenterRetriever Activities Center is a 4,000-seat multi-purpose arena in Catonsville, Maryland. The arena opened in 1973. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers basketball and volleyball teams. It hosted the 2008 America East Conference men's basketball tournament finals....
- Soccer Pitch
- UMBC Natatorium
- UMBC StadiumUMBC StadiumUMBC Stadium is a 4,500 seat stadium on the campus of UMBC in Catonsville, Maryland. The stadium opened in 1976. It is home to the UMBC Retrievers men's and women's lacrosse, field hockey, and track and field programs, as well as an alternate venue for soccer...
Athletic Alumni
- Jeremy Blevins - recently drafted Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
goalie for the Denver OutlawsDenver OutlawsThe Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The...
. - Giuliano Celenza- Indoor Soccer League forward for the Baltimore Blast.
- Wayne FranklinWayne FranklinGary Wayne Franklin is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the independent Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League. He previously played for the Houston Astros , Milwaukee Brewers , San Francisco Giants , New York Yankees , and Atlanta Braves...
- former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher for the York RevolutionYork RevolutionThe York Revolution is an American professional baseball team based in York, Pennsylvania. It is a member of the Freedom Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent league not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
in the Atlantic League of Professional BaseballAtlantic League of Professional BaseballThe Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. - Alex Hopmann - recently drafted Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
midfielder for the Denver OutlawsDenver OutlawsThe Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The... - Terry Kimener - National Lacrosse LeagueNational Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
forward for the Colorado MammothColorado MammothThe Colorado Mammoth are a member of the National Lacrosse League. They have played at Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado, United States, since the 2003 season....
; Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
midfielder for the Chicago MachineChicago MachineThe Chicago Machine is a mens field lacrosse team that plays in Major League Lacrosse that was based in Chicago, Illinois until the franchise left after the 2009 season to be a travel team in 2010. The team then transferred its roster to the reborn Rochester Rattlers on November 23, 2010 when it...
. - Dan MarohlDan MarohlDan Marohl is an indoor lacrosse player for the Minnesota Swarm in the National Lacrosse League. Marohl attended the University of Maryland, Baltimore County where he was teammates with former Philadelphia Wings teammate Jeff Ratcliffe...
- National Lacrosse LeagueNational Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
forward for the Minnesota SwarmMinnesota SwarmMinnesota Swarm is a box lacrosse team in the National Lacrosse League. The team plays on Treasure Island Field at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minnesota....
. - Steve MarohlSteve MarohlSteve Marohl was an All-American lacrosse player at UMBC from 1988 to 1992. He is presently the all-time Division I leader in single-season scoring with 37 goal and 77 assists for 114 career points in 15 games...
- former National Lacrosse LeagueNational Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
forward for the Baltimore ThunderBaltimore ThunderThe Baltimore Thunder were a member of the National Lacrosse League from 1987 until 1999. They were based in Baltimore, Maryland, and won the first Eagle Pro Box Lacrosse League championship in 1987...
and the Pittsburgh CrossefirePittsburgh CrosseFireThe Pittsburgh CrosseFire were a member of the National Lacrosse League during the 2000 NLL season. They were based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The franchise started out as the Baltimore Thunder before moving to Pittsburgh. After a single season, they moved again to Washington, becoming the...
; Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
attack for the Baltimore Bayhawks. - Brendan MundorfBrendan MundorfBrendan Mundorf is a lacrosse player who plays for the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.-College career:...
- National Lacrosse LeagueNational Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
forward for the New York Titans; Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
attack for the Denver OutlawsDenver OutlawsThe Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The...
. - Peet Poillon - recently drafted Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
midfielder for the Boston CannonsBoston CannonsThe Boston Cannons are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They have played in the MLL since the 2001 season. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Eastern Conference. From the league's inception in 2001 through 2005, they were in the...
. - Jeff RatcliffeJeff RatcliffeJeff Ratcliffe is a former lacrosse player for the New York Titans and the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League...
- National Lacrosse LeagueNational Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
forward for the New York Titans. - Rick Steirer - former Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. - Drew WesterveltDrew WesterveltDrew Westervelt is a lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings in the National Lacrosse League, and the Denver Outlaws in Major League Lacrosse.-College career:...
- National Lacrosse LeagueNational Lacrosse LeagueThe National Lacrosse League is a men's professional indoor lacrosse league in North America. It currently has nine teams; three in Canada and six in the United States. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff...
forward for the Philadelphia WingsPhiladelphia WingsThe Philadelphia Wings are a member of the National Lacrosse League, a professional box lacrosse league in North America. They play at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....
; Major League LacrosseMajor League LacrosseMajor League Lacrosse, or MLL, is a professional men's field lacrosse league that is made up of five teams in the United States and one team in Canada.- History :...
attack for the Denver OutlawsDenver OutlawsThe Denver Outlaws are a Major League Lacrosse professional men's field lacrosse team based in Denver, Colorado. They began playing in the MLL in 2006 as an expansion team. From 2006 to 2008, they were in the Western Conference. With the MLL contraction in the 2009 season from 10 to 6 teams The...
. - Jay WitasickJay WitasickGerald Alphonse "Jay" Witasick, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut on July 7, as a member of the A's versus the California Angels...
- Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher who is currently a free agent.
UMBC Riser
The UMBC Riser is the official fight song of the UMBC Retrievers, and was written by Dr. George LaNoue, a professor of policy sciences http://umbcretrievers.com/info/tradition/Stand up and cheer, UMBC
Forward we go, to another victory.
Retrievers, be bold,
We back you as we stand,
Black and gold, the best in Maryland.
Rise up and sing!
Stand up and roar!
Make echoes ring from the mountains to the shore.
Baltimore's pride, our alma mater grand,
UMBC, the best in any land!
Alma mater
UMBC's alma mater debuted in 2006 in conjunction with the 40th anniversary festivities. The tune is American Hymn by Matthias KellerMatthias Keller (musician)
Matthias Keller is a German composer, music critic, organist, conductor, and radio producer. For many years he has been a juror for the Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik...
, and the lyrics and arrangement are by Jari Villanueva, former director of UMBC's pep band.http://www.umbc.edu/40th/story1.html
Hail alma mater! OUR UMBC,
Boldly bearing your colors, the whole world to see,
Striving together in true unity,
Black, gold forever we're reminded of thee,
Proudly we hail to thee, OUR UMBC!
Throughout the ages, OUR UMBC,
Songs and memories still echo with true clarity,
Knowledge and wisdom and truth we found here,
Friendships we treasure that will last through the years,
Proudly we hail to thee, OUR UMBC!