A Legacy of Excellence: Bentley University's Football and Athletic History
Bentley University stands as a proud member of NCAA Division II since 1973, playing a central role in the Northeast-10 Conference (formerly the Northeast-7 Conference) since its founding in 1980. Bentley's commitment to athletic and academic excellence is evident throughout its history.
Early Affiliations and Leadership
Prior to the formation of the NE-7, Bentley, like many New England-based Division II institutions, held affiliations with the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and the New England College Athletic Conference (NECAC). Al Shields, Bentley's Director of Athletics, played a pivotal role as a founding father of the Northeast-7, also serving as the conference's first commissioner until 1989. Dick Lipe, the longtime Bentley Sports Information Director, further contributed by serving as the NE10 Sports Information Director from 1980 to 1998.
Dominance on the Field: A Tradition of Winning
Bentley's leadership extended beyond administrative roles, setting a high standard through its athletic achievements.
Women's Basketball Dynasty
Bentley women's basketball boasts an impressive record in NCAA Division II, participating in a record-setting 37 regional tournaments, securing 14 regional titles between 1989 and 2018. This period includes the remarkable 2013-14 season, where the team achieved a perfect 35-0 record, culminating in the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship under the guidance of Hall of Fame head coach Barbara Stevens. Their appearance in the 2019 NCAA Division II women’s basketball tournament marked their 35th appearance in team history, having only missed three since the first NCAA women’s tournament, holding the record for the most appearances in the history of the NCAA women’s tournament. Bentley needed a comeback effort to beat West Texas A&M in the 2014 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship, completing its 35-0 perfect season.
Men's Basketball Success
Under the leadership of longtime head coach Jay Lawson, Bentley men's basketball has consistently competed at a high level, reaching the Division II East Regional championship game eight times between 2005 and 2023, earning four trips to the Elite Eight.
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Field Hockey Pioneers
Bentley field hockey made history by participating in the first-ever NCAA Division II women's championship game in 1981, finishing as runner-up to Pfeiffer with a close 5-3 score. The Falcons have since returned to the national championship game six times, with their most recent appearance in 2006. It is important to note that the NCAA did not officially sponsor women's sports until the fall of 1981, making Bentley's early participation even more significant.
Volleyball Ascendancy
The volleyball program has made 15 appearances in the NCAA Division II Championship and reached the Elite Eight for the first time in program history in 2023. Bentley's volleyball program also boasts 13 NE10 regular season championships and 10 NE10 tournament championships.
Football Highlights
Of all the players in college football history, no one has caught more touchdown passes then Bentley's Dallas Mall, who finished his career (2001-04) with an incredible 78 - including 22 in his freshman season alone. Two of Bentley's three NCAA championship appearances came during that era, with the Falcons hosting Brian Kelly (Assumption alum) and Grand Valley State in 2003 and Edinboro University the following year.
A Lasting Legacy
Bob DeFelice, the head coach of Bentley's baseball program for 54 years and the Director of Athletics for nearly 30 years, was with Bentley prior to Division II's inception. He was hired as Bentley's baseball coach in 1968 and led the program until his retirement following the 2022 season.
Bentley University's commitment to its student-athletes extends beyond the playing field. The university prides itself on fostering a balance between academics and athletics, preparing students for success in their future careers. Bentley consistently demonstrates its dedication to excellence. For the last seven years Bentley's student-athletes have achieved the highest graduation rate in Division II in the nation, while their athletic teams have consistently excelled at the Conference, Regional and National levels.
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Bentley University has 23 men's and women's varsity teams. The Bentley Falcons are composed of 24 teams representing Bentley University in intercollegiate athletics, including men and women's basketball, cross country, lacrosse, soccer, swimming & diving, tennis, and track and field. Men's sports include baseball, football, golf, and ice hockey. Women's sports include field hockey, softball, and volleyball. Bentley's mascot is Flex the Falcon. In 2012, the Bentley men's cross country team finished 26th in the nation at Division II XC Nationals. After beating Saint Michael's College by a score of 85-65, the Bentley University men's basketball team set the record for the longest regular season winning streak in Division II history on February 23, 2008.
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