2000-2001 Athletic Team Achievements Men's Soccer NCAA National Champions BIG EAST Regular Season Champions Women's Basketball NCAA Tournament Final Four BIG EAST Tournament Champions BIG EAST Regular Season Champions Field Hockey NCAA Tournament Elite Eight BIG EAST Tournament Champions BIG EAST Regular Season Champions Men's Ice Hockey MAAC Tournament Quarterfinals Women's Soccer NCAA Tournament Elite Eight BIG EAST Northeast Division Champions Softball NCAA Tournament Participants BIG EAST Tournament Champions Men's Track & Field New England Indoor Champions New England Outdoor Champions Women's Track & Field New England Indoor Champions New England Outdoor Champions

Another UConn athletic team was crowned national champion as the men's soccer team took top honors in the 2000 NCAA Division I Tournament. It was UConn's eighth national championship overall, the third in men's soccer history, and the third title in two years following the men's basketball championship in 1999 and the women's basketball championship in 2000.

The UConn men's soccer team finished the championship season with a 20-3-2 record. In addition to securing the national title, three team members achieved All-American status, including Chris Gbandi, who was named the nation's best collegiate soccer player, and Coach Ray Reid, who was named NCAA Division I Coach of the Year.

This year was also memorable for four other Husky teams that earned bids to NCAA championships: women's basketball, women's soccer, field hockey and softball. What's more, the UConn men's and women's track and field teams were victorious at both the New England Indoor and Outdoor Championships (the women had a perfect 20-0 record).

The success of UConn athletics has been another asset for the University, routinely ensuring that UConn excellence is reported on the sports page as well as the science page. Moreover, the visibility and attention generated by championship athletics has had a positive and energizing effect across Connecticut as Husky flags adorn homes statewide and elementary schools celebrate UConn Husky days.

"UConn is recognized nationally for excellence and quality. We're proud to be doing our part to reinforce that assessment," says Lew Perkins, UConn's director of athletics.

For their part, UConn's student-athletes are a testament to that quality in the classroom as well. This year 271 student-athletes were honored as members of the Athletic Director's Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll for achieving a 3.0 or better grade point average. Ten student-athletes attained a perfect 4.0, including four members of the women's swimming and diving team.

"Our student-athletes come to the University of Connecticut with high academic expectations," Perkins notes. "Beyond athletic opportunities, they are looking for academic quality, whether it be chemistry, law or communications. They're savvy about academics and are quite focused on their future beyond athletic competition. Our student-athletes know that with a UConn education, they are positioning themselves for long-term success."