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Dear Alumni, Parents, Colleagues,
and Friends of UNH:
Last year we were witness to the most successful competitive
campaign in UNH history. I am proud to report that 2008-09
was similarly significant and highly successful as well. Across the
nation everyone in every endeavor has struggled with the economic
downturn, and UNH has been hit equally hard by the economy.
While the institution and intercollegiate athletics has struggled
to overcome a myriad of financial setbacks, our programs have risen
above the fray and exhibited great resiliency. Across the
board every coach and student-athlete has performed at the highest
level regardless of any perceived or real disadvantages.
Everyone is justifiably proud of the effort that was evident
throughout the year.
Academically our students have once again exhibited their
commitment to the classroom. They garnered many academic
distinctions nationally, regionally and institutionally. At
our very core the academic excellence achieved by UNH’s
student-athletes is the foundation from which everything else
emanates.
An additional area of emphasis in 2008-09 was our
“re-commitment” to community service.
This past year our student-athletes accrued over 3100 hours of
service to the surrounding communities. We have had a strong
history of such service, and it will be an even stronger point of
emphasis going forward.
Competitively our programs have duplicated much of last
year’s accomplishments which represented the most successful
year in history. Clearly we are in the midst of a period of
broad-based success on the fields, courts, and ice… Six of
our teams went on to NCAA post-season play repeating last
year’s achievement which represented the most ever in
post-season play. At winter’s end UNH was in 52nd place
in the NACDA Directors’ Cup standings. Once again UNH
finished in the top 100 (78th overall) out of 350 Division I
universities in the NACDA Director’s Cup. The
Directors’ Cup is the NCAA’s “barometer” of
broad-based Division I programmatic success. UNH was one of the
highest-ranking public land grants in the Northeast with about
every institution ahead of us representing a major conference or
having many more resources. This is tangible evidence of the
unwavering commitment, work ethic, and culture of success which
embodies UNH athletics. Even more astounding is
the fact that most every one of the institutions ahead of us
represents the resource rich conferences such as the Big Ten,
PAC-10, Big 12, SEC, Big East, ACC, etc.
Within this report you will find team-by-team results and success
stories…what isn’t so evident in those results is the
“ethos” that runs through every coach, student-athlete,
and staff member. The culture that has been perpetuated at
UNH not only embraces challenge, it welcomes it. Regardless
of the odds or shortcomings, our programs always compete with great
pride, integrity and class. It has become “who we
are.”
During these difficult economic times, where every day presents a
challenge, it is incumbent on all of us in higher education to
produce the leaders of tomorrow. At UNH we take seriously our
role as educators and mentors in the quest to produce individuals
who will serve society well. While the accolades and
accomplishments are many, the most important work is not so
evident. Every day and in many ways more than 500
student-athletes are being developed into tomorrow’s
leaders. That is the most important accomplishment of
all!
Sincerely,
Marty Scarano
Athletics Director
