[/media-credit]
- File Photo: Ty Jacobs takes a swing in a game at Auraria fields April 5.
Welcome incoming students to Metro State University of Denver, a place where the Roadrunners run away from the competition.
Now, I will admit that we play at the Division II sports level and that might not be as sexy as Division I. But at Metro, you will see champions on and off the field. Whenever you go to a Metro sporting event remember this: Metro plays in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, also known as the RMAC. There are 14 teams in this conference, spanning the states of Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Metro’s major rival is Regis and admission to home games is free. That’s right, it’s free. So you and your Metro friends can watch great sporting events and not pay a dime. The best part of these free games — you can see winners play.
Did you know the women’s soccer team has won two NCAA Championships and its record in the NCAA Tournament is an outstanding 22-5-4? Plus, Metro has the second most NCAA Tournament all-time wins among D-II schools.
Another reason why you should watch women’s soccer is the dominance in conference play. The Roadrunners have won four RMAC Championships, tying for most in RMAC history. Metro has hosted six consecutive RMAC Tournaments from 2004-2009. Now, you might be wondering why is that important. The team with the best conference record gets to host the tournament each year.
The volleyball team has also had success. Since 2000, Metro is one of seven D-II teams to reach the NCAA Tournament in all 11 years. Only six current D-II schools have had more postseason appearances than Metro’s 18. By the way, conference success is flat out embarrassing for the opponents. Metro’s record in the RMAC Tournament is 24-9. And the Roadrunners have five tournament championships, which is the second most in conference history.
The men’s basketball team has one of the most successful programs in D-II history, entering this year with a winning percentage of .705. No other D-II school has a winning percentage over .700. Since 2000, Metro has gone an outstanding 291-74, which is the second highest winning percentage in D-II. Since 1998, Metro has gone to the NCAA Tournament 13 times. Only one other school has reached the tournament 12 times since 1998. Metro’s all time tournament record is 30-13. The Roadrunners won National Championships in 2000 and 2002. The ’Runners are 32-6 in the RMAC Shootout since 1999. Their nine championships are the most of any RMAC school. In fact, the school with the second most RMAC championships is Fort Hays State, with four.
The success continues on the women’s basketball side. The Lady “Runners have won two RMAC Shootout Championships and have appeared in five NCAA Tournament games.
The tennis teams have had championship banners raised as well. The men have won seven RMAC Championships while the women have won three.
Metro’s cross-country teams have some success in the RMAC with five top-five finishes for the men and two for the women.
Overall, Metro’s sports teams can be defined as winners. Our athletes work hard on and off the field and they need your support. Besides the winners and the free admissions, if you go to a Roadrunner game you will experience an intimate sports venue. Welcome to Metro State, where you can watch winners run to a title.
No comments yet.