Edinboro Fighting Scots

Edinboro Fighting Scots
University Edinboro University of Pennsylvania
Conference Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) (wrestling only)
NCAA Division II
Athletic director Dr. Katherine Robbins
Location Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Varsity teams 17
Football stadium Sox Harrison Stadium
Basketball arena McComb Fieldhouse
Natatorium McComb Fieldhouse Natatorium
Other arenas Mike S. Zafirovski Sports and Recreation Dome
Nickname Fighting Scots
Fight song Scotland the Brave
Colors Red and White[1]
         
Website gofightingscots.com

The Edinboro Fighting Scots are the athletic teams that represent the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, located in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, in NCAA Division II intercollegiate sports. The Fighting Scots are members of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) for 15 of 17 varsity sports. The wrestling team competes in the Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) as a member of the NCAA's Division I and the wheelchair basketball team competes in the NWBA Intercollegiate Division. The Fighting Scots have been a member of the PSAC since its foundation in 1951.

History

The men's and women's cross country and track programs are legendary, winning the only national titles in school history by winning the NAIA men's national championship in 1975 and 1976 and winning the NCAA men's national championship in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990. Edinboro added women's lacrosse for the 2008 season. In accordance with Edinboro University's commitment to serving students with physical disabilities, it has one of the nation's best wheelchair basketball teams.[2] The team hosts an annual tournament, the Boro Shootout. Edinboro also has an ACHA-Division III men's ice hockey club and, an NCLL Division II Men's Club Lacrosse Team, as well as a women's equestrian team, and a men's and women's ultimate team.[3]

Conferences

Primary

Single sport

Varsity teams

List of teams

Club teams

List of teams

Individual sports

Cross Country

The cross country teams are the most successful athletic program at Edinboro and among the best in Division II. Formed in 1969 by legendary coach Doug Watts, the team quickly grew into a national powerhouse, winning 2 NAIA titles in 1975 and 1976. The program won 4 more championships for Division II in 1986, 1987, 1988, and 1990. Under Watts, Edinboro would make the national meet for 31 straight years (1979-2009, a division II record). He also coached 4 individual national champions as well. Watts coached the team for 44 years before retiring in 2013. Rick Hammer took over the program for 3 years but left after a controversial firing. From 2016 to 2018, the team was then led by Ryan Foster. On July 19, 2018, former Adams State assistant Clayton Foster (no relation to Ryan) was hired as head coach for the 2018 season.

Wrestling

Edinboro has one of the premier Division I wrestling programs. Prior to moving to the Division I level in 1986, Edinboro was already a national power at the NAIA and NCAA Division II levels. Edinboro has been fortunate to be home of one of the greatest Olympic and amateur wrestlers in the world, Bruce Baumgartner. Baumgartner came to Edinboro in 1984 as an assistant coach, and was promoted to head coach in 1991. He guided the Fighting Scots to three top 15 finishes in the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. The team is currently coached by Tim Flynn and continues to excel as a top program. Baumgartner became the Director of Athletics in 1997. All in all, Edinboro's wrestling program has produced 120 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champions, 59 Eastern Wrestling League champions, 60 NCAA All-Americans, 4 NCAA Division I champions, 9 NCAA Division II and NAIA national champions, 2 USA Olympic team members, 17 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference tournament team championships, and 14 Eastern Wrestling League tournament team championships.

Three former Edinboro wrestlers and former All-Americans have transitioned and found success in mixed martial arts. Former NCAA Division I champion Josh Koscheck is a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) title challenger and current Bellator fighter. Another former NCAA Division I champion Gregor Gillespie is a current UFC fighter. Former NCAA Division I runner-up Chris Honeycutt is a current Bellator fighter.

The current Edinboro University wrestling head coach is Tim Flynn, who has been head coach of the Fighting Scots since the 1998-1999 wrestling season. Tim Flynn was an All-American himself while in the NCAA at Penn State University in 1987, winning the EWL title and finishing seventh at Nationals. Flynn has received numerous awards for his accomplishments with the program such as:

  • Twelve-time PSAC Coach of the Year
  • Seven-time EWL Coach of the Year
  • 2014 NCAA Division I Coach of the Year

References

  1. ↑ EU Graphic Standards Manual: Guidelines For Use of Edinboro University Logos and Branding. January 4, 2017. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  2. ↑ http://www.nwba.org/page/show/2842249-intercollegiate-men
  3. ↑ http://www.edinboro.edu/directory/offices-services/campus-life/recreation/club-sports.html
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