A Legacy Forged in Competition: The History of Towson University Athletics
Towson University, a public institution in Baltimore County, Maryland, boasts a rich athletic history that has evolved alongside the university itself. From its humble beginnings in the early 20th century to its current standing as a competitive NCAA Division I program, Towson has fostered a tradition of athletic excellence across a diverse range of sports.
Early Years and Conference Affiliations
As Towson University's male enrollment increased in the 1920s, collegiate athletic teams began to take shape, scheduling competitions with other schools. The late 1910s saw the organization of men's basketball and soccer teams, marking the beginning of Towson's intercollegiate athletic endeavors in the 1921-22 academic year. The Tigers found their first conference home in the Mason-Dixon Conference, a league of 16 schools where they actively participated in the annual basketball tournament from 1939 until the conference's dissolution in 1978.
A Commitment to Excellence: On and Off the Field
Towson's student-athletes have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence both in the classroom and in their respective sports. This dedication has paved the way for numerous Tigers to pursue successful professional sports careers. Among them are Jordan Dangerfield, who captained the Pittsburgh Steelers' special teams in 2020; Richie Palacios, who debuted in Major League Baseball (MLB) in 2022; NBA shooting guard Gary Neal; and lacrosse standout Zach Goodrich.
National Championship Glory
Towson has proudly claimed two national titles, solidifying its place in collegiate athletic history. The first came in 1969 when the gymnastics team secured the AIAW Division II National Gymnastics Championship. Five years later, in 1974, the men's lacrosse team triumphed, capturing the College Division Men's Lacrosse National Championship.
Men's Basketball: From ECC Champions to CAA Contenders
The men's basketball program experienced a significant milestone in 1986, earning its first NCAA Division I tournament appearance after winning the East Coast Conference (ECC) title. The Tigers repeated this feat in 1990-91, securing their second and only other trip to the "Big Dance." Key players from those championship teams include Towson Hall of Famers Devin Boyd, the program's all-time leading scorer with 2,000 points, and Kurk Lee, who scored 1,541 points and played one year with the New Jersey Nets before a successful overseas professional career.
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The program experienced a turnaround under coach Pat Skerry. When Pat Skerry was announced as the 13th men’s basketball head coach at Towson University on April 5, 2011, he took over a program that had endured 15-straight losing seasons. The gritty Medford, Massachusetts native has revitalized the Towson men's basketball program, leading the Tigers to consistent success in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA). Skerry led Towson to the program's first-ever CAA regular season title and berth into the National Invitation Tournament during the 2021-22 season. The Tigers finished 25-9 and 15-3 in the CAA, with three players earned all-league honors including Cam Holden and Nicolas Timberlake on the First Team. It was the winningest Division I and CAA season in program history.
Skerry has done an outstanding job of mixing in transfers to his recruiting classes. In his first season, Skerry landed Georgetown transfer Jerrelle Benimon. In his two seasons at Towson, Benimon led the conference in scoring and rebounding. He was twice named the CAA Player of the Year, while also earning All-America honors following his junior season. Benimon joined Lee and Neal as the three Towson players who played in the NBA, Neal, who became the fourth player in NCAA history to score more than 1,000 points at two D! programs, spent seven seasons in the NBA with six teams.
Women's Basketball: Growth and NCAA Tournament Debut
Women's basketball gained momentum in the 1950s and 1960s, with Towson teams participating in a limited schedule. The 2007-08 season marked a turning point, as the Tigers achieved their first 20-win season (22-10). Led by all-time leading scorer Shanae Baker-Brice, who amassed 1,806 points in her career, Towson made its first postseason appearance since 1969, defeating former national champion Villanova.
Diane Richardson led the Towson University women's basketball team to its first NCAA Tournament berth in 2019 and being a consistent top four finisher in the CAA. The Tigers set the program record for most wins in the 2021-2022 campaign with a 24-8 overall mark, including 14-4 in the CAA and earned an at-large berth in the WNIT. Richardson coached 17 student-athletes to CAA postseason honors, including Kionna Jeter, who became the first Tiger to earn three consecutive All-CAA First Team selections.
In her first season at the helm for Towson, Harper led the Tigers to the third-most wins and had the most victories in a first season by a head coach in program history with a 21-12 record. The Tigers won a share of the CAA regular season title for the first time in program history. Harper secured the number one seed for the CAA Tournament as the team advanced to the conference title game for the second time in program history.
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Football: From Division III Runner-Up to FCS Competitor
Towson's football program has a history dating back to the 1970s. In just the eighth season, the Tigers were the Division III runner up in the 1976 Stagg Bowl when St. Towson moved its football program to Division II in 1979 where it made three NCAA post-season appearances (1983-84-86). In 1987, the Tigers climbed up to Division I-AA, now the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). Towson existed as a football independent until 1997 when it joined the Patriot League as an associate member for football only.
A number of former Towson players went on to professional careers. Sean Landeta (1979-82) was selected as the NCAA Division II's all-time punter. Landeta enjoyed a lengthy career as an All-Pro punter with the New York Giants, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles. Meggett made his way as an All-Pro return specialist with the New York Giants, New England Patriots and New York Jets. Offensive lineman Stan Eisenhooth spent three seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Indianapolis Colts. Vinson played for the San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Ravens. Offensive tackle Jermon Bushrod was the 125th player taken in the 2007 NFL college draft by the New Orleans Saints. He became a fixture on their offensive line at left tackle, helping them to a Super Bowl championship in 2010, and was a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 and 2012. West became the highest-drafted Tiger football player in 2014 when the Cleveland Browns selected him 94th overall (third round). He led the Browns in rushing as a rookie and played 43 games over four seasons.
Linebacker Joe Vitt, a member of Towson’s 1974 unbeaten team, spent 42 seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL with nine franchises: Baltimore Colts, Seattle Seahawks, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets. Quarterback Dan Crowley made his mark in the Canadian Football League with Baltimore, Montreal, Edmonton and Ottawa. Crowley, along with Towson teammate and wide receiver Mark Orlando, helped the Baltimore Stallions win the CFL Grey Cup championship in 1995.
Towson became the first team in NCAA history to compete in the playoffs at all three levels of competition in football (DI, DII and DIII).
Lacrosse: A Maryland Tradition of Excellence
Lacrosse, a staple among sports in the state of Maryland, has significantly contributed to Towson's athletic success. In its 10th year, Carl Runk assumed command as head coach and directed the program for the next 31 seasons, compiling a 262-161 record that included the 1974 national championship, nine NCAA tournament berths and five conference titles. In 1999, Tony Seaman took over the reins as head coach. In 2000 Towson suffered through a 3-10 season. The following year, the Tigers rebounded with a 14-4 record (the biggest single-season turnaround in men's collegiate lacrosse history) that included post-season wins over Duke and Maryland. Towson's magical run ended in the NCAA Division I semifinals where they lost to Princeton, 12-11, in the final minute of play. That achievement earned Seaman his third USILA Coach of the Year award. Towson's men's lacrosse team is a nationally known program, regularly appearing in the NCAA tournament with two NCAA finals appearances to their credit. In 1974, the Tigers finished with a 14-1 record and won the Division II national title with an 18-17 overtime win over Hobart. The team also reached the finals of the 1991 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship, and reached the semifinals of the 2001 NCAA Division I Men's Lacrosse Championship.
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The reins now belong to Shawn Nadelen, who led the Tigers to the CAA championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament - the team's first since 2007 - in just his second year as head coach. Entering the 2023 season, Nadelen’s teams have won five CAA championships in 11 seasons and made the Championship Weekend in 2017. He has coached 11 USILA All-Americans including Zach Goodrich, who earned First Team honors in 2018 and 2019 at short stick midfield. That same season, for the first time in program history of the Division I era, the Towson University men's lacrosse team was voted first in all-three national polls after defeating then No. Over 40 former Tigers have played professionally in Major League Lacrosse (MLL) or Premier Lacrosse League (PLL). One of the most interesting stories in the Tigers' men's lacrosse history happened to a bench player, Ricky Beecher, who gave up a hard-earned spot on the team to recover from donor surgery that saved the life of an uncle in need of a liver transplant.
Women's lacrosse began in 1970 with Maggie Faulkner as its coach, competing under the umbrella of the AIAW (Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women) and its regional EAIAW and MAIAW conferences, until Towson joined the East Coast Conference in 1983. Missy Doherty's tenure as head coach kicked off the most successful span in program history. In her first year at the helm, the Tigers set a program record for most wins in season with a 14-4 record. The following year, 2005, they won their first CAA championship, earning their first berth in the NCAA Women’s Lacrosse Tournament. Sonia LaMonica succeeded Doherty. In 12 seasons at the helm, the Tigers have won four CAA tournament titles and earned spots in the NCAA Tournament seven times. The Tigers' first All-American on the women's side was Leigh Buck in the early '70s. Hillary Fratzke (2008) is Towson's lone IWLCA/US Lacrosse first team All-American.
Gymnastics: A Legacy of National and Conference Titles
Historically, the Towson gymnastics program has been one of the most consistent programs. In just the second season, the Tigers won the 1969 AIAW Division II National Gymnastics Championship under George McGinty. Over a career that spanned three decades Filbert guided the Tigers to an impressive 491-149-2 record. In only his second season he directed them into post-season competition when they placed second in the NCAA Division II Regionals. The Tigers then moved on to a much larger stage, capturing the first of seven straight ECAC titles. Towson would go on to claim seven more titles over the years before Dick retired after the 2009-10 season. In 15 years, Towson won 14 ECAC championships. Towson earned 13 NCAA Southeast Regional berths under his tutelage. His 1989-90 squad posted a 23-1 record that vaulted them into the 1990 Division I National Championships. The Tigers placed 9th, ahead of Florida, Arizona and Ohio State. He led Towson to three USA Gymnastics NIT championships. He was named Towson University’s Coach of the Year a record nine times and coached two All-Americans.
Jay Ramirez, one of Filbert’s former assistants, took over the program in 2019. In 2023, he led the Tigers to the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL) Championship for the first time in program history after a record-breaking season and was selected as the conference Head Coach of the Year in 2021, 2022 and 2023. Towson recorded a record number of 196s, tallying nine to break the previous benchmark of seven set a year earlier.
Baseball: A History Tracing Back to the 1930s
Baseball can trace its history back into the 1930s. In 1988, Mike Gottlieb took over the program. With future Montreal Expo Chris Nabholz on the mound, the Tigers presented their first-year coach with an East Coast Conference championship and the program's first trip to the NCAA Tournament. Three years later, the Tigers won the ECC title again for a second NCAA berth.
From 1979 to 1987, the Tiger baseball program was coached by Bill Hunter, a former major league manager and player. Hunter, who compiled a 144-166-3 record in his nine seasons as the Tiger baseball coach, had a seven-year career as an infielder with the St. Louis Browns, the Baltimore Orioles, the New York Yankees, the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Athletics.
Although there have only been three former Tigers in the major leagues, Towson has another strong big league connection.
Softball: From Club Status to Championship Contender
Softball moved from club to varsity status in 1976. The Tigers have been runners up 11 times in four different leagues. Jen Weaver rose as one of the program's top players. Lisa Costello has guided the Tigers to seven championship appearances, including five in the CAA and collected her 750th career victory on March 16, 2022 with a win victory over Villanova.
Swimming and Diving: Setting Records and Earning All-American Honors
The arrival of Ray Riordon on campus in 1968 signaled the start of the men's swimming program. Jack Saunderson became first Tiger swimmer to earn CAA Rookie Swimmer of the Year honors in 2016 then won three consecutive CAA Swimmer of the Year awards. He earned All-America honors after finishing seventh in the 200-yard butterfly finals at the NCAA Championship as a senior in 2019 and earned Second Team honors in 2017 and 2018. A three-time Towson Male Athlete of the Year, Jack represented the United States in the 2019 World University Games and was the No.
Brian Benzing earned back-to-back-to-back CAA Swimmer of the Year honors in 2021, 2022 and 2023. As a freshman in 2021, he helped Towson win its first CAA title, setting the Towson, CAA and CAA Championship record in the 100-yard breaststroke. As a sophomore, he earned Honorable Mention All-America in the 100-yard breast after finishing ninth in the prelims after being seeded 22nd. In 2023, Benzing earned honorable mention All-America honors for the second consecutive season after posting a 15th-place finish in the 100 breast (51.48) at the NCAA Championship. He was named the Most Outstanding Swimmer at the CAA Championship after winning three individual events.
Women's swimming debuted in 1972. The Tigers won the East Coast Conference championship in 1983 then won the CAA titles seven times in an eight-year period from 2008-15. This success coincided with the presence of four-year letter winner Meredith Budner, the first female swimmer in school history to earn All-American honors.
Tennis: Conference Titles and Coaching Milestones
Women's tennis was started in 1967. Tom Meinhardt took on the men’s tennis program in 1977. Over the next 26 years he compiled a 378-239 record. In his first year the Tigers won the Mason-Dixon Conference title. In 1988 his squad posted a 24-2 record that included an East Coast Conference title.
Soccer: NCAA Tournament Appearances and Conference Recognition
In 1927, Donald "Doc" Minnegan became the Towson men’s soccer coach. Frank Olszewski took the men’s program to its only two NCAA post-season tournaments in 2001 and 2006. He was named conference coach of the year four times in four different conferences.
Women's soccer began in 1992. The Tigers won the America East Conference championship in 1996 and won a program best 14 games the following season. In 2022, Towson earned its second ever appearance into the CAA Tournament with a 12-3-5 record.
Field Hockey: A Pioneering Sport for Towson Women
Field hockey predates all other competitive outdoor sports for Towson women. Records indicate a five-game schedule was played in 1948. The program's most decorated player is Christina Boarman (2006-09) who holds all the single season and career scoring records. She was named All-CAA three times and the league's Rookie of the Year as a freshman.
Volleyball: A Dominant Force in the CAA
Margo VerKruzen initiated the volleyball program in 1969 and coached the Tigers until 1978. Under Don Metil, Towson has become a dominant force in volleyball earning four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament following the 2019, 2020 (played in spring 2021), 2021 and 2022 seasons. During the 2022 season, he became the Tigers’ winningest coach in school history after a four-set victory over No. 7 Pittsburgh, a team that earned a trip to the Final Four later that season. Towson ended the season 29-2 and earned a No. Marissa Wonders became the first Towson volleyball player to earn Honorable Mention All-America honors by the AVCA in 2019. Victoria Barrett was named AVCA All-America Honorabl…
Facilities and Conference Affiliations
The Towson Tigers compete in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) for most sports, with the women's gymnastics team participating in the East Atlantic Gymnastics League (EAGL). In May 2011, the department broke ground on the TU Arena, a 5,000-seat, state-of-the-art arena for basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. The football team plays at Johnny Unitas Stadium, while the baseball team calls John B. Schuerholz Park home.
Changes and Evolution
Since joining the CAA in 2001-02, the Tigers have won 16 league championships; the Tigers have won titles in football, baseball, men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse, men's soccer, men's golf, women's swimming and diving, and volleyball. Changes since 2000 to the men's programs include the elimination of several varsity sports in the 2003-04 school year: indoor track, outdoor track, cross country, tennis. Changes to the women's programs include the additions of golf in 2007. Men's soccer was shut down in 2013.
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