# Mercy University Mavericks

The Mercy University Mavericks are the athletic teams that represents Mercy University located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, United States in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks, primarily competing in the East Coast Conference.

## History

Mercy University Athletics was founded in 1950. In 2018, Mercy University unveiled the renovated Victory Hall Sports Center. The facility was previously owned by Our Lady of Victory Catholic Academy. Built in 1959, the structure is a masonry-clad international style building typical of 60’s era school buildings. Mercy University purchased the existing building and grounds to renovate the facility and become the home of Mercy University Athletics. The project entailed renovations to 9,000 SF of the facility to create a state-of-the-art NCAA indoor athletic basketball facility, inclusive of athletic facility offices, public restrooms, ticketing areas, etc.
A 10,000 SF addition was constructed to create two new public entries to the building, lobby/lounge, hall of fame facility, three locker rooms, training room, and officials dressing area. The design transformed the interior of the athletic performance area to include added spectator seating, enhanced lighting, shading, sound system, and enhanced finishes and branding with university graphics and logos.
The expansion upgraded the playing environment for Mercy's volleyball and basketball teams, giving them the same state-of-the-art resources as the outdoor teams. In addition to empowering the sports teams, the multi-use facility also serves as a space for recreational sports and special events.
In 2024, Mercy University started enhancing its athletic fields on the Dobbs Ferry campus.

### Nickname

In 2007, the university changed its athletic nickname from "Flyers" to "Mavericks" after the administration reviewed suggestions from students and faculty members.

## Varsity teams

Mercy University sponsors an intramural sports program, as well as intercollegiate competition in 10 varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, lacrosse and soccer; while women's sports include basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball and volleyball.

## Facilities

Mercy University's varied athletic facilities include:
* Victory Gym - (volleyball, men's and women's basketball)
* Mercy Field - Turf field (men's and women's soccer, women's field hockey, men's and women's lacrosse, men's baseball)
* Baseball field (connected to Mercy Field)
* Outdoor handball courts
* Smith Field (softball)
* Outdoor basketball courts
* Fitness center (in Hudson Hall)
* Tennis courts

## Achievements

In late 2023, Mercy University Athletics earned the NCAA Division II Presidents’ Award for Academic Excellence for the second year in a row. In 2024, Mercy University women's basketball headed to first NCAA Division II Tournament since 1985.

## Notable coaches

* Rick Wolff
* Frank Rodriguez

## Notable alumni

* Garvin Alston, retired American professional baseball right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB)
* Dewey Bozella, former amateur boxer
* Laura Creavalle, professional female bodybuilder
* Rob DiToma, head baseball coach at Fairleigh Dickinson University.
* Simone Forbes, Jamaican sportswoman, having represented Jamaica in no less than five sports
* Stan Jefferson, former center and left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets among others
* Brian Sweeney, former MLB pitcher
* Wesley Walker, former NFL wide receiver
* Mookie Wilson, former MLB outfielder/ coach.
* Joel Serrano, Puerto Rican footballer
* Michael Collins, an American former professional soccer player who played as a midfielder. Collins played for at least twelve teams in nearly half a dozen leagues over his seventeen-year career. He also earned two caps with the United States national team in 1988. Collins currently serves as president and general manager of California United Strikers FC.
* Jude Flannery, an American triathlete who won six consecutive US national championships between 1991 and 1996. She died after a collision with a car while training in 1997.
* Mary Etchells, First and only woman to win the Star Worlds sailboat racing world championship.