For Immediate Release
June 10, 2011
From the Springfield Republican, Written by Dick Baker
There's a satisfying sense of accomplishment surrounding the American International College athletic department these days following the release of the final standings of the Northeast-10's President's Cup.
The President's Cup quantifies via a point system the athletic excellence of each of the 16 member schools for the academic year. AIC finished 2010-11 in the top third, jumping to No. 5 in the highly-competitive loop with 149.5 points. It was the highest finish ever for AIC, and two notches ahead of last year's seventh-place showing. Stonehill College finished first for the second straight year, compiling 177 points.
Strong performances by the football and men's golf team as well as huge improvements in women's soccer, field hockey, and women's volleyball were instrumental in the fall. The men's basketball team was second overall with their NCAA tournament berth, and the women's basketball team was sixth overall after a solid season.
Athletic Director Rich Bedard, who has been in the position for five years, says the emphasis on hiring full-time coaches has made a huge difference in athletic program.
"Full-time coaches are good for recruiting, they enrich the program by having a presence on campus, and they're good for dealing with the problems student-athletes inevitably have," Bedard said.
There have been some rags to riches improvements.
"Women's soccer went from zero wins about four years back to the NCAA tournament this year, field hockey also went from zero wins to the NCAA tournament. Volleyball made the NCAA tournament for the first time," he said.
With six teams participating in the school's track and field/cross country programs, AIC sponsors 22 teams overall. The ice hockey and wrestling teams are not members of the Northeast-10, and are not included in the point standings.
The spring was not as strong, but "no program made as much progress as baseball' says Bedard.
The Yellow Jackets were 17-25 this year after going 7-30 in 2009, and 8-34 in 2008. This season, the team was 8-10 at home after losing 14 of 15 home games in 2010. Head coach Nick Callini is full-time now. He took over the program in 2003 after the passing of Chuck Lelas, who had guided the team since 1999.
