Eastern Nazarene College Athletic History
2023-24 - Eastern Nazarene joins the North Atlantic Conference as a full-time member.
March 2020 - Eastern Nazarene cancels remainder of 2020 spring sport seasons due to COVID-19.
November 10, 2019 - The Eastern Nazarene women's volleyball and men's soccer teams both clinched their first-ever NECC Championships. The women's volleyball team defeated New England College 3-1 at home before the men's soccer team topped Lesley 3-1 on the road. Both squads made their NCAA Tournament debuts the following weekend.
May 2019 - ENC men's tennis and softball teams capture conference championships and make NCAA Tournament debuts. The ENC men's tennis team claimed its first-ever GNAC Championship with a 5-0 win over Ramapo. The Lions also earned their first-ever NCAA Tournament win with a 5-1 victory over Yeshiva in the NCAA First Round. The ENC softball team posted a pair of victories over New England College in the NECC championship series to clinch its first-ever league title. The Lions went on to collect their first-ever NCAA Tournament win with a 7-1 victory over Husson.
2018-19 - Eastern Nazarene joins the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) as a full-time member. Eastern Nazarene also joins the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) as an associate member in men's and women's tennis.
April 2017 - The Eastern Nazarene men's and women's track and field teams begin varsity competition. The Lions competed in four meets in their first year.
January 2017 - Eastern Nazarene men's volleyball begins varsity competition. The Lions hosted an NECC Quarterfinal playoff match in their first season of play.
June 2015 - Dr. Brad Zarges named Director of Athletics.
2012-13 - Eastern Nazarene adds golf as the school's 12th varsity sport program. The Lions' golf squad will operate as a club team before rising to varsity status at the start of the 2013-14 academic year.
August 2009 – Athletics moniker changed to “Lions” - Eastern Nazarene College student-athletes competed under the nickname “Crusaders” from 1956 until the conclusion of the 2008-09 academic year.
February 2000 – Women’s Basketball Reaches NCAA Division III Sweet Sixteen- After capturing the Commonwealth Coast Conference title with a 52-48 victory over Colby-Sawyer, the Crusaders received the league’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament and a first-round bye. Eastern Nazarene topped Richard Stockton at home in the second round before falling to Rowan University in Glassboro, N.J. The Crusaders finished the season with an astounding 26-3 overall record.
October 1999 – Soccer Field Lights Installed – Bradley Field was illuminated for the first time by a bank of lights installed on the roof of the Lahue Physical Education Center. This allowed the Crusaders’ men’s and women’s soccer squads to practice into the evening.
November 20-21, 1998 – ENC Hosts the Christian College Invitational Basketball Tournament - Eastern Nazarene College welcomed Eastern Mennonite University, Gordon College and Messiah College to campus for the four-team tournament.
Fall 1998 – The first season of women’s soccer at Eastern Nazarene College.
March 1997 – Men’s Basketball Wins New England ECAC Tournament – Eastern Nazarene men’s basketball defeated UMass-Boston 78-65 to capture the New England Division III Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference title. The Crusaders suffered an 84-73 overtime-loss to Wentworth Institute of Technology in the finals of the Commonwealth Coast Conference playoffs.
Summer 1996 – Training Room Remodeled.
July 1995 – Waterston Avenue Tennis Courts Reconstructed.
Fall 1994 – Men’s Soccer Claims Conference Crown – The Eastern Nazarene College men’s soccer team won the Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament to finish the year with a 15-5 record.
May 28, 1994 – Eastern Nazarene College Athletic Hall of Fame Established – Carroll F. Bradley was the first inductee into the Eastern Nazarene College Athletic Hall of Fame.
1993-1997 – Volleyball Tops Conference Standings – The Eastern Nazarene College volleyball squad placed first in the Commonwealth Coast Conference Invitational in 1993 and 1994. The Crusaders claimed first-place in the CCC Tournament in 1995, 1996 and 1997.
1992-93 – Eastern Nazarene College Joins the Commonwealth Coast Conference as an official member institution.
Feb. 1993 – ENC’s Final Year at King’s College Tournament – Eastern Nazarene College captured its 13th Percy Crawford All Sports Trophy. The Crusaders’ men’s basketball team went 2-1 at the event with wins over Valley Forge and Nyack. The Crusaders’ volleyball squad claimed first-place for the 16th time.
1991-92 – Eastern Nazarene College becomes a provisional member of the Commonwealth Coast Conference -The Crusaders joined the Commonwealth Coast Conference in 1991-92 but were not eligible for postseason play until 1992-93.
1991-92 – NAIA Hall of Fame – Nancy Detwiler is inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kan. Detwiler owned a career coaching record of 505-179.
1990-91 – Final Year of NAIA Membership – Eastern Nazarene formally withdraws from the NAIA on August 20, 1991.
1990 – Women’s Cross Country Begins at Eastern Nazarene College.
Sept. 1, 1989 – Eastern Nazarene College becomes a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
1980 – Women’s Softball reaches varsity status at Eastern Nazarene College after competing as a club team the previous season.
1977 – Men’s tennis hits the courts for the first time at ENC.
1974 – Women’s tennis begins play at Eastern Nazarene College.
1973 – Lahue Physical Education Center is built under the direction of Jim Smith, Athletic Director.
1973 – Waterston Avenue Tennis Courts Built.
1973 – Bradley Field is dedicated to Coach Carroll Bradley at Homecoming by President Leslie Parrot.
1973 – Men’s Cross Country competes as a varsity program for the first time at ENC.
1971 – Women’s Volleyball begins play at Eastern Nazarene College under head coach Nancy Detwiler.
1964 – Physical Education Program Expanded – President Dr. Edward S. Mann announces plans for an expanded sports program to be offered in September 1964. Besides the addition of hockey and soccer, Mann also added four new faculty members.
1964 – Men’s Soccer becomes a varsity sport at ENC.
1963 – Women’s Basketball becomes a varsity sport at ENC and is coached by Nancy Detwiler.
1959 – Men’s Baseball takes to the diamond for the first time at ENC.
April 1958 – Alumni Field is established as the first athletic field for Eastern Nazarene College Athletics.
February 1958 – Eastern Nazarene College’s first year of competition at the King’s College Tournament.
1956 - Men’s Basketball becomes the first varsity sport at Eastern Nazarene College. With the addition of men's basketball, President Dr. Edward S. Mann selected "Crusaders" as the athletic nickname.
1949 – First intercollegiate athletic event in ENC History takes place. The Eastern Nazarene College men’s basketball intramural all-stars defeated Gordon College 43-38 at the Converse Gym in Boston, Mass.
1928 – The Gymnorium is built as the first athletic facility in Eastern Nazarene College history. The building was completed with funds raised by students.