SYRACUSE, N.Y. — American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan once said that “The times, they are a-changing.” The same can be said for sports at Le Moyne College.
As of July 1, the Dolphins will enter Division I status in the next academic year. They are set to become the newest members of the Northeast Conference where they will take on institutions such as Farleigh Dickinson, Sacred Heart and Wagner.
Le Moyne’s current athletic director, Bob Beretta, took over in May 2021. Beretta says their hunt for both academic and athletic success started as soon as he stepped foot in his office.
“We were contacted by a professional in the industry who serves as a consultant on many different fronts and wanted to know if we would consider reclassifying,” Beretta said. “There were some conferences that were interested in Le Moyne.”
Some of the numerous perks that come with Division I status include an increase in both student enrollment and general exposure. Le Moyne has already found success on the field in the form of their Men’s lacrosse program. The six-time national champions, who play their home games at Ted Grant Field, are an integral part the legacy of Dolphins Athletics. Will that success carry over in the search of a new rival? Beretta said this could start a new feud against their crosstown neighbor.
“When I got here, I asked everyone ‘Who is Le Moyne’s rival?’ and no one could answer that question,” Beretta said. “I’m not saying that Syracuse is going to be Le Moyne’s rival, but there’s going to be a heightened level of interest when we play now because it won’t be in an exhibition game, it’ll be for real.”