A Legacy of Excellence: Exploring the History of University of Vermont Athletics
The University of Vermont (UVM) Catamounts boast a rich and storied athletic history, marked by national championships, conference dominance, and the achievements of remarkable athletes. From the slopes to the ice rink, the basketball court to the soccer field, UVM's athletic programs have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
The Catamounts Mascot: A Symbol of Vermont
The University of Vermont has used the catamount as its mascot for nearly a century. The catamount - also known as the eastern cougar - was adopted as UVM's mascot in a vote of all-male students in 1926. The Vermont Cynic reported that the "men students" chose the catamount mascot over the lynx by a vote of 138 to 126. Other options considered were cows, the camel, the tom-cat, and no mascot at all.
For a short time in the late 1960s, the school had a live cat mascot - a puma named Rink that had been adopted by a local couple and that would appear, caged, at athletic events. Today's human-in-a-suit mascot, Rally, can be seen at UVM games. There are four to eight staffers playing the Rally Cat role at any one time.
National Championships: A Tradition of Winning
Vermont has won seven national championships, six in skiing and one in men's soccer in 2024. The UVM ski team has won six national championships (1980, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2012).
Locations of the championships:
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- 1973 - Middlebury, Vt.
- 1974 - Jackson Hole, Wyo.
- 1975 - Fort Lewis, Colo.
- 1978 - Cannon Mountain, N.H.
- 1979 - Steamboat Springs, Colo.
- 1980 - Stowe, Vt.
- 1982 - Lake Placid, N.Y.
- 1983 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 1984 - North Conway, N.H.
- 1985 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 1986 - Stowe, Vt.
- 1988 - Middlebury, Vt.
- 1989 - Jackson Hole, Wyo.
- 1990 - Stowe, Vt.
- 1993 - Steamboat Springs, Colo.
- 1995 - Attitash, N.H.
- 1996 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 1997 - Stowe, Vt.
- 1998 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 2001 - Middlebury, Vt.
- 2003 - Hanover, N.H.
- 2004 - Reno, Nev.
- 2005 - Stowe, Vt.
- 2006 - Steamboat Springs, Colo.
- 2007 - Bartlett, N.H.
- 2008 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 2010 - Steamboat Springs, Colo.
- 2012 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 2013 - Middlebury, Vt.
- 2015 - Lake Placid, N.Y.
- 2016 - Steamboat Springs, Colo.
- 2017 - Franconia, N.H.
- 2019 - Stowe, Vt.
- 2020 - Bozeman, Mont.
- 2021 - Franconia, N.H.
- 2023 - Lake Placid, N.Y.
Men's Basketball: Dominance in the America East
The men's basketball team has consistently been a force in the America East Conference. The men's basketball team won the 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2024 America East Conference Championships, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in each of those seasons.
Memorable NCAA Tournament Appearances
The Catamounts have made several appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including some memorable upsets. In the 2005 NCAA tournament, the team, seeded #13 in the Austin Regional, upset #4 Syracuse 60-57 in overtime.
Here's a list of some NCAA Tournament games:
- 1992 - #9 Vermont at #8 George Washington - Washington, D.C.
- 1993 - #9 Rutgers at #8 Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 1994 - #13 Vermont at #4 Seton Hall - South Orange, N.J.
- 2000 - #11 Vermont vs.
- 2003 - #16 Vermont vs.
- 2004 - #15 Vermont vs. #2 Connecticut - Buffalo, N.Y.
- 2005 - #13 Vermont vs. #4 Syracuse - Worcester, Mass.
- 2005 - #13 Vermont vs. #5 Michigan State - Worcester, Mass.
- 2009 - #16 Vermont at #1 Connecticut - Storrs, Conn.
- 2010 - #10 Vermont vs. #7 Wisconsin - South Bend, Ind.
- 2010 - #10 Vermont at #2 Notre Dame - South Bend, Ind.
- 2010 - #16 Vermont vs. #1 Syracuse - Buffalo, N.Y.
- 2012 - #16 Vermont vs.
- 2012 - #16 Vermont vs. #1 North Carolina - Greensboro, N.C.
- 2017 - #13 Vermont vs. #4 Purdue - Milwaukee, Wis.
- 2019 - #13 Vermont vs. #4 Florida State - Hartford, Conn.
- 2022 - #13 Vermont vs. #4 Arkansas - Buffalo, N.Y.
- 2023 - #15 Vermont vs.
- 2023 - #15 Vermont at #2 UConn - Storrs, Conn.
- 2024 - #13 Vermont vs. #4 Duke - Brooklyn, N.Y.
The Upset Over UConn
Cats drew a first round game against powerhouse UConn. Oddsmakers placed Vermont as a 20-point underdog in the first round alone. The second half, the Cats, lifted by T.J. drew to within ten with 11:22 left.
Men's Ice Hockey: Frozen Four Appearances and NHL Talent
UVM's men's hockey team has a strong tradition. The men's ice hockey team appeared in the NCAA Tournament Frozen Four in 1996 and 2009.
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Notable Alumni in the NHL
UVM's men's hockey team has produced 18 NHL players in its history. UVM alumni currently in the NHL include Viktor Stålberg '09 (New York Rangers), Torrey Mitchell '07 (Montreal Canadiens), Patrick Sharp '02 (Dallas Stars), Kevan Miller '11 (Boston Bruins), Connor Brickley '14 (Florida Panthers) and Michael Paliotta '15 (Chicago Blackhawks). Martin St. Louis '97, Eric Perrin '97, Sharp, Tim Thomas '97, and former NHL All-Star John LeClair '91 won the Stanley Cup in their careers. In 2004, St. Louis was awarded the Hart Memorial Trophy as the NHL's MVP, the Art Ross Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer, and the Lester B.
Here's a list of some NCAA Tournament games:
- 1996 - Vermont vs. Lake Superior State - Albany, N.Y.
- 1996 - Vermont vs.
- 1997 - Vermont vs. Denver - Worcester, Mass.
- 2009 - Vermont vs. Yale - Bridgeport, Conn.
- 2009 - Vermont vs. Air Force - Bridgeport, Conn.
- 2009 - Vermont vs. Boston University - Washington, D.C.
- 2010 - Vermont vs. Wisconsin - St. Paul, Minn.
- 2014 - Vermont vs. Union - Bridgeport, Conn.
- 2021 - Vermont at Maryland - College Park, Md.
- 2022 - Vermont vs. Manhattan - Burlington, Vt.
- 2022 - Vermont vs. Denver - Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Women's Basketball: Consistent Competitors
Vermont's women's basketball team has performed well in the America East tournament. In 2013, it made a conference-record 18th appearance in the semifinals. It has the most wins in tournament play, with 35 (2013 field). Women’s basketball posted a 14-13 record.
Men's Soccer: A National Title
The UVM men's soccer team became 2024 Division I national champions with the nickname "Cardiac Cats," reflecting their propensity for late-game winning goals.
Here's a list of some NCAA Tournament games:
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- 1977 - Vermont at Rhode Island - Kingston, R.I.
- 1978 - Vermont at Brown - Providence, R.I.
- 1981 - Vermont at Connecticut - Storrs, Conn.
- 1989 - Connecticut at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 1989 - Yale at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 1989 - Vermont at Rutgers - Piscataway, N.J.
- 1990 - Vermont at Dartmouth - Hanover, N.H. - First Round - T, 1-1 (Dart. adv.
- 2000 - Vermont at Brown - Providence, R.I.
- 2007 - Vermont at Dartmouth - Hanover, N.H. - First Round - T, 1-1 (UVM adv.
- 2007 - Vermont at Connecticut - Storrs, Conn.
- 2015 - Vermont at Boston College - Newton, Mass.
- 2016 - Rider at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 2016 - Vermont at Virginia - Charlottesville, Va.
- 2021 - Villanova at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 2022 - Quinnipiac at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 2022 - UCLA at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 2022 - Vermont at Syracuse - Syracuse, N.Y.
- 2023 - Rider at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 2023 - Vermont at UCF - Orlando, Fla.
- 2023 - Vermont at West Virginia - Morgantown, W.V.
- 2024 - Rider at Vermont - Burlington, Vt.
- 2024 - Vermont at Hofstra - Hempstead, N.Y.
- 2024 - Vermont at San Diego - San Diego, Calif.
- 2024 - Vermont at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh, Pa.
- 2024 - Vermont vs. Denver - Cary, N.C.
- 2024 - Vermont vs. Marshall - Cary, N.C.
Other Sports: A Diverse Athletic Program
UVM sponsors a variety of other sports, including men’s and women’s tennis, men’s golf, and men’s swimming.
Centennial Field: A Historic Landmark
Centennial Field has a rich history. Of the field, track, and bleachers. Centennial Field's period of historic significance. The baseball's position as our national game. Concrete stadium, also constructed in 1909. Were the most prosperous for Centennial Field. Later played for the Philadelphia Phillies and St. At Centennial was literally a Burlington institution. the University during the summer months.
The University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame
The University of Vermont Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1969 under the direction of former athletic director J.
Former Sports: A Look Back
Vermont had a varsity football team that competed from 1886 until 1974.
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