April 3, 2004
Poughkeepsie, NY -- The Marist College Department of Athletics had two programs and an individual honored at the 57th Annual Night of Champions Dinner, hosted by the Poughkeepsie Elks Club. The 2003 Men's Cross Country Team, the 2002-03 Men's Swimming and Diving Team and Director of Swimming Larry Van Wagner were all honored.
Van Wagner received a special award for Coaching Achievements, for his 27 years at the helm of the Marist College Swimming and Diving teams, as well as his role as Director of the Marist Swim Club. He has led the Red Foxes to 10 men's conference titles, including eight titles as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC), becoming the winningest program in conference history. He has coached over 40 individual conference champions, as well as this season, coaching the school's first-ever individual NCAA qualifier, Lauren Malski. At the helm of the USS Marist Swim Club, Van Wagner has coached 10 Olympic Trial Qualifier, had six athletes who earned rankings in the world standings, and has coached 149 Metropolitan Champions.
The 2003 Men's Cross Country Team enjoyed one of its most successful seasons ever, including a runner-up finish at the MAAC Championship meet, falling to just Iona, who finished among the elite at the NCAA Championships. The Red Foxes also placed second at the Metropolitan Championships, and had a school-best 11th place finish at the IC4A Championship as well. Marist had a conference best 10 student-athletes named to the MAAC All-Academic Team in the fall, and were recognized by the Cross Country Coaches Association with a Team Academic Award.
The Men's Swimming and Diving Team was also recognized on the evening for its accomplishments. The Red Foxes won the 2003 MAAC Championship, the eighth consecutive MAAC crown, since joining the league in 1995. Marist won nine straight titles, dating back to 1994, when the Red Foxes earned the Metropolitan Collegiate Swimming Conference title. Marist also placed third at the 2003 ECAC Championships, which is the largest championship meet outside the NCAA National Championship.
The Poughkeepsie Elks Club holds its Night of Champions Dinner annually, to recognize outstanding contributions to sports by Dutchess County Athletes. This year 21 individuals and 11 teams were honored in a dinner held at the Elks Lodge, with Dutchess County Sheriff Adrian 'Butch' Anderson serving as the Master of Ceremonies and Arlington High School principal Thomas Brooks giving the keynote address.
Marist College is in its eighth season as a member of the 10-team, NCAA Division I MAAC. The Red Foxes became the first school in the conferences 22-year history to earn four consecutive MAAC Commissioners Cups, awarded annually for overall athletic excellence. Marist has led the conference in each of the last two years in selections to the MAAC Academic Honor Roll, with over 100 student-athletes earning the accolade during the 2002-03 academic year, including three student-athletes earning CoSida Academic All-America honors.
