Vermont Catamounts

Vermont Catamounts are the intercollegiate athletic teams representing the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. The university sponsors 18 varsity teams that compete at the NCAA Division I level, primarily as members of the America East Conference. The Catamounts have a storied history, particularly in ice hockey and skiing, and their mascot is derived from the catamount, a historic predator once native to the region.

History

The athletic history of the University of Vermont dates to the 19th century, with early competition in baseball and rowing. The school formally adopted the Catamounts nickname in 1926, replacing the "Green and Gold." A significant early milestone was the construction of Gutterson Fieldhouse in the 1960s, which became a cornerstone for the ice hockey program. The Catamounts joined the America East Conference in 1979, then known as the ECAC North Atlantic Conference, solidifying their conference affiliation for most sports. Key historical moments include the men's basketball team's first NCAA tournament appearance in 2003 under coach Tom Brennan and the sustained excellence of the skiing program, which has won multiple national championships.

Athletic programs

The Catamounts field 18 varsity teams, with men's programs in basketball, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, skiing, cross country, and track and field. Women's teams compete in basketball, ice hockey, lacrosse, soccer, field hockey, skiing, cross country, track and field, and volleyball. The men's ice hockey team competes in Hockey East, one of the premier conferences in collegiate hockey, while the skiing program is a member of the Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association. Other teams, including basketball, soccer, and lacrosse, primarily compete within the America East Conference, with the women's ice hockey team being a member of Hockey East as well.

Facilities

Primary athletic facilities are clustered on the university's campus. Patrick Gymnasium, opened in 1963, is the home venue for basketball and volleyball and underwent a major renovation in 2022. Gutterson Fieldhouse, built in 1963, serves as the historic home for ice hockey and is one of the oldest continuously used arenas in college hockey. The Virtue Field complex hosts soccer, lacrosse, and field hockey, while Centennial Field, one of the oldest baseball parks in the United States, is used by the club baseball team. Training and support facilities include the Frank H. Livak Center for athletic performance.

Notable athletes and coaches

Many Catamounts have achieved prominence in professional sports and coaching. In ice hockey, notable alumni include John LeClair, a three-time NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup champion with the Montreal Canadiens, and Martin St. Louis, a Hart Memorial Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Coaching figures include Kevin Sneddon, who led the hockey program for 17 seasons, and men's basketball coach John Becker, who has guided the team to multiple America East titles. Olympians from the skiing program, such as Sophie Caldwell and Liz Stephen, have represented the United States at the Olympics.

Rivalries

The Catamounts maintain several intense rivalries, most notably with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, especially in ice hockey and skiing; this Battle for the Cat's Cup is a historic Hockey East feud. The men's basketball team has a strong conference rivalry with the University of Hartford Hawks, though Hartford has transitioned to Division III. In-state, there is a spirited rivalry with the Middlebury College Panthers, particularly in Division I versus Division III matchups in various sports. Games against the University of Maine Black Bears in Hockey East also generate significant competitive fervor.

Championships and honors

The Vermont Catamounts have secured multiple team and individual national championships. The skiing program is the most decorated, winning six NCAA national championships (2019, 2012, 1994, 1992, 1990, 1989). The men's ice hockey team has won several Hockey East regular season and tournament titles, making numerous appearances in the NCAA tournament, including a Frozen Four berth in 1996. The men's basketball team has won multiple America East tournament championships, earning bids to the NCAA tournament in 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012, 2017, and 2019. Individual athletes have earned numerous All-America honors, Hobey Baker Award finalist nods, and Olympic medals.