Sussex Tech has long been a leader in the field of technology, and this week they not only reached another major milestone, but they also won a championship. The Sussex Tech Sports Teams have earned division I status, which is the highest level of collegiate sports in the United States. Division I athletics refers to athletic programs that are sponsored by universities at the top division of NCAA athletics. This accomplishment is the latest in a long line of success for Sussex Tech, as they continue to set themselves apart as a premiere institution of learning with cutting-edge technology. Congratulations to all the students, faculty, and staff who made this happen!
Sussex Tech Sports Teams Earn Division I Status
Sussex Tech’s Athletic Department has earned Division I status for its men’s and women’s basketball teams. The teams will compete in the Colonial Athletic Association starting with the 2016-17 academic year.
“We are extremely proud of our athletic programs and this news recognizes their hard work and commitment to excellence,” said Sussex Tech Director of Athletics David Green. “This is a significant accomplishment and we are looking forward to competing at the highest level. Our students, staff and coaches have worked tirelessly to get here and we are excited to see what the future holds for our athletes.”
The Bulldogs men’s team finished 21st in Division II last season while the women’s team was 23rd. To earn D1 status, teams must finish in the top 25% of all schools in their respective division as measured by NCAA RPI calculation.
Sussex Tech joins fellow CAA school James Madison as one of only two programs from Virginia to achieve D1 status in men’s or women’s basketball since 1989-90, when Division I began awarding automatic berths for conference champions.
Sussex Tech Athletics Earns DI Recognition
Sussex Tech Athletics Earns DI Recognition
On October 1, 2014, Sussex Tech’s athletics program became a member of the Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association. The recognition is a significant milestone for the program and its athletes, who have worked hard to build a competitive team.
“This is definitely a huge accomplishment for our program,” said associate athletics director Christi Miller. “To be considered among the best in Division I is an amazing honor.”
The athletics department has had success over the years and continues to improve. In 2013-14, Sussex Tech finished 10th in the nation in women’s cross country and made it to the semifinals of the NCAA Division III Men’s Cross Country Championship. The men’s soccer team reached nationals twice, most recently in 2014. The women’s basketball team reached DI status in 2003-2004 and returned as an independent in 2013-14. Combined, these teams have compiled an impressive record of 468-253 (.694).
“Our athletes have worked very hard to get where they are,” Miller said. “We owe a lot of our success to them.”
Sussex Tech Men’s Soccer Team Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
Sussex Tech Men’s Soccer Team Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
The Sussex Tech Men’s Soccer Team has qualified for the NCAA Division I Tournament after finishing in first place in the Southern Athletic Association (SAA) conference. The team will compete against eight other teams in a four-team tournament beginning on November 11th.
Sussex Tech Women’s Soccer Team Qualifies for NCAA Tournament
The Sussex Tech Women’s Soccer team has qualified for the NCAA Division I Men’s Soccer Tournament! The Lady Techsters finished the season with a record of 14-5-1 and will face off against Princeton in the first round. This is an incredible accomplishment for the women’s program, and it is especially exciting to see them achieve this level of success after last year’s heartbreaking loss in the College Cup.
Division I Status Marks a New Level of Quality for Sussex Tech Athletics
In the fall of 2018, Sussex Tech athletics teams attained Division I status. This marks a new level of quality for the programs and reflects the hard work and dedication of our coaches and players.
This accomplishment was not easy to achieve. In order to be eligible for Division I status, a program must meet rigorous standards set by the NCAA. These standards require a program to have a high level of academics, athletic success, and financial stability.
The achievement is also important because it encourages other schools to invest in their athletics programs. By having top-level athletes competing at Sussex Tech, we can inspire others to strive for excellence as well.
Expected Impact on Athletic Programs and Sponsorships
Sussex Tech expects to benefit from newly achieved Division I status in a number of ways. The first is financial. As a full-time member of the NCAA, Sussex Tech will receive an increase in annual revenue from television and other commercial partners. In addition, the equitable split between men’s and women’s athletic programs, which was previously an issue for many Division I schools, should now be corrected. Finally, the increased profile will likely lead to increased recruiting opportunities and increased fan attendance at games.
The impact on the athletic programs and their sponsorships is more difficult to predict. Certainly there will be renewed interest in signing Sussex Tech athletes to amateur or professional contracts, as well as greater investment by apparel companies into team uniforms and facilities. Whether this leads to any long-term changes in the caliber of play on the field or sideline is difficult to say. However, given that Division I sports are typically of much higher calibre than those at lower levels of competition, it is reasonable to expect some improvement in terms of both play and results.
Future Plans for the Athletic Department
Sussex Tech Athletics has made a significant commitment to the future of their sports programs by upgrading and expanding facilities. The Athletic Department has plans to construct a new softball facility that will include batting cages, pitching machines, and an outfield wall. In addition, they are also in the process of renovating the existing tennis courts, renovating the soccer complex, constructing a new multi-purpose field (that can also be used for lacrosse), as well as upgrading and expanding the weight room and training facility. The Athletic Department is also in negotiations with the City of Brighton to lease land adjacent to Sussex Tech for future expansion purposes.
conclusion
Sussex Tech has been a part of Division III athletics for many years. Recently, the school decided to make a push to become a Division I school and compete at the highest level possible. They accomplished this by winning their conference and earning automatic qualification for the NCAA Division I Track and Field Championships. They will now compete in the Mid-Atlantic Regionals on November 12th.
This is an exciting time for Sussex Tech athletics as they have worked hard to achieve this goal and are now looking forward to taking home some hardware at nationals. With hard work and dedication, these athletes can be proud of their accomplishments and look forward to future success.