Robert Morris Colonials

University| Robert Morris University
Conference| Horizon League (primary)
Big South (football)
ASUN Conference (men's lacrosse)
Mid-American Conference (women's lacrosse)
College Hockey Mid-America (ACHA)
MAAC (women's rowing)
NCAA| Division I (FCS)
Athletic director| Chris King
Location| Moon Township, Pennsylvania
Varsity teams| 16
Football stadium| Joe Walton Stadium
Basketball arena| UPMC Events Center
Ice hockey arena| Colonials Arena
Softball stadium| North Athletic Complex
Soccer stadium| North Athletic Complex
Lacrosse stadium| Joe Walton Stadium
Mascot| RoMo
Nickname| Colonials
Fight song| Go Colonials
Colors| Blue, white, and red[1]

Website| www.rmucolonials.com

The Robert Morris Colonials are the athletic teams for Robert Morris University, in Moon Township, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. The Colonials compete in NCAA Division I (FCS, formerly Division I-AA, in football). In 2020, the school joined the Horizon League as a full member after leaving the Northeast Conference. Several RMU sports that are not sponsored by the Horizon League play in other conferences. Football plays in the Big South Conference, and men's and women's lacrosse respectively compete in the ASUN Conference and Mid-American Conference. The school colors are RMU Blue, RMU Red, and RMU Gray/Silver.

In December 2013, Robert Morris announced the school was cutting seven sports programs after the 2013–14 season: men's indoor and outdoor track, tennis and cross country and women's golf, tennis and field hockey.[2]

## Contents

* 1 Teams
* 1.1 Men's and women's basketball
* 1.2 Ice hockey
* 1.3 Other athletic teams
* 2 References
* 3 External links

## Teams[edit]

Men's sports  | Women's sports

|

Basketball | Basketball
Football | Cross country
Golf | Lacrosse
Lacrosse | Rowing
Soccer | Soccer
| Softball
| Track and field†
| Volleyball
† – Track and field includes both indoor and outdoor

### Men's and women's basketball[edit]

See also: Robert Morris Colonials men's basketball and Robert Morris Colonials women's basketball

The men's team, which achieved NCAA Division I status starting with the 1976–77 season, has played in eight NCAA Tournaments:

* 1982 Lost to Indiana (first round)
* 1983 Lost to Purdue (first round)
* 1989 Lost to Arizona (first round)
* 1990 Lost to Kansas (first round)
* 1992 Lost to UCLA (first round)
* 2009 Lost to Michigan State (first round)
* 2010 Lost to Villanova (first round)
* 2015 Lost to Duke (second round)

In 1983, they won their first NCAA Tournament game, a "play-in" game against Georgia Southern, which earned them the right to play Purdue in the first round.

The men's team played in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) in 2008, 2013, and 2014. They defeated defending national champion Kentucky in the first round of the 2013 NIT, a game that was played on the Robert Morris campus because Rupp Arena in Lexington, KY, was not available.

In recent years, both the men's and women's teams have had success in their conference. The women's team won the NEC Championship in 2008 and made an appearance in the 2008 NCAA Tournament, only to bow out in the first round to Rutgers. The women's team won the NEC Championship again in 2014, losing to Notre Dame in the first round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament.

The men's team won the 2009 NEC Championship, beating Mount St. Mary's 48–46. With the win, the school qualified for the 2009 NCAA Tournament, their sixth trip to the tournament. Their seventh trip came a year later, when the Colonials became the first team to beat Quinnipiac on the Bobcats' home court all season. The 52–50 win set up a date with Villanova in the 2010 NCAA Tournament. Behind 23 points from freshman guard Karon Abraham, No. 15 Robert Morris nearly pulled off an upset of the No. 2 Wildcats, leading much of the game before falling 73–70 in overtime.

The 2015 men's team followed their NEC Championship with the second NCAA Tournament game victory in school history, an 81–77 "play-in" game triumph over the University of North Florida. The victory earned the team a first round match-up with the eventual national champion, Duke Blue Devils.

### Ice hockey[edit]

See also: Robert Morris Colonials men's ice hockey and Robert Morris Lady Colonials ice hockey

The men's ice hockey team competed in NCAA DI Atlantic Hockey, and the women's team competed in NCAA DI College Hockey America. RMU also fields a men's ACHA DI team that is a member of College Hockey Mid-America.

Since 2006, the ice hockey team has hosted the Three Rivers Classic (previously known as the Pittsburgh Collegiate Hockey Showcase until 2012), currently played at PPG Paints Arena (previously played at the now-demolished Mellon Arena.) The 2010 match-up featured No. 1 ranked Miami (Ohio). The 3–12–3 Colonials upset the RedHawks, 3–1. Two days later the Colonials won again at Miami.[3] The Colonials' biggest previous win since the program was started in 2004 was against No. 2 Notre Dame in 2007.[4] Former professional hockey-player David Hanson (of Slap Shot fame) currently manages RMU's Island Sports Complex.

On May 26, 2021, Robert Morris University terminated both the men's and women's varsity hockey programs.[5] On December 17, 2021, the school announced that, after successful fundraising efforts, the two teams would return for the 2023–24 season.[6] RMU was soon reinstated to its former conference homes of Atlantic Hockey and CHA.[7][8]

### Other athletic teams[edit]

The football and lacrosse teams play in Joe Walton Stadium, named in honor of former football team head coach Joe Walton, formerly the head coach of the NFL's New York Jets in the 1980s, and who started the program at Robert Morris in 1993. Walton led the team to the first Northeast Conference championship in 1996 and guided it to a perfect 10–0 season in 2000. Also, in 2010, Walton coached the Colonials football team to the NEC's inaugural bid to the FCS Playoffs with their league-high sixth regular-season championship.[9] Walton retired after the 2013 program, handing the reigns over to top assistant John Banaszak, who won multiple Super Bowls as a defensive end with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The school's soccer teams both play on the North Athletic Complex, and the hockey teams played their games at the RMU Island Sports Complex, just down the road from the campus on Neville Island.

On February 14, 2009, the men's lacrosse team defeated Penn State 12–11 in double overtime in the program's biggest victory at Joe Walton Stadium.

## References[edit]

1. ^ "RMU Athletics Logo". September 9, 2013. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
2. ^ Robert Morris to cut 7 programs
3. ^ "Archived copy". www.rmucolonials.com. Archived from the original on 2011-07-20.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
4. ^ Sanserino, Michael (January 9, 2010). "Pittsburgh Hockey Showcase: Colonials upset Miami, 3-1". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
5. ^ "RMU Charts Strategic Course Headed into its Centennial Year | Robert Morris University". www.rmu.edu. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
6. ^ "RMU Reinstates Hockey Programs For 2023-24" (Press release). Robert Morris Colonials. December 17, 2021. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
7. ^ "Atlantic Hockey Reinstates Robert Morris" (Press release). Atlantic Hockey Association. April 15, 2022. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
8. ^ "College Hockey America Reinstates RMU" (Press release). Robert Morris Colonials. March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
9. ^ RMU Colonials Head Coach Joe Walton bio at RMU Colonials Athletics website

## External links[edit]

* Official website

* v
* t
* e

Horizon League

Members|

* Cleveland State Vikings
* Detroit Mercy Titans
* Green Bay Phoenix
* IUPUI Jaguars (becoming IUI Jaguars in 2024)
* Milwaukee Panthers
* Northern Kentucky Norse
* Oakland Golden Grizzlies
* Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons
* Robert Morris Colonials
* Wright State Raiders
* Youngstown State Penguins

Men's tennis associates|

* Belmont Bruins
* Chicago State Cougars
* Eastern Illinois Panthers
* Lindenwood Lions
* Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles
* Tennessee State Tigers
* Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles

Women's tennis associate|

* Chicago State Cougars

Championships & awards|

* Conference champions

* v
* t
* e

Big South Conference

Full members|

* Campbell Fighting Camels and Lady Camels (leaving 2023)
* Charleston Southern Buccaneers
* Gardner–Webb Runnin' Bulldogs
* High Point Panthers
* Longwood Lancers
* Presbyterian Blue Hose
* Radford Highlanders
* UNC Asheville Bulldogs
* USC Upstate Spartans
* Winthrop Eagles

Football-only members|

* Bryant Bulldogs
* North Carolina A&T Aggies (leaving 2023)
* Robert Morris Colonials

Women's lacrosse-only members|

* Furman Paladins
* Mercer Bears
* Wofford Terriers

* v
* t
* e

Atlantic Hockey

Teams (arenas)|

* Air Force (Cadet Ice Arena)
* American International (MassMutual Center)
* Army (Tate Rink)
* Bentley (Bentley Arena)
* Canisius (LECOM Harborcenter)
* Holy Cross (Hart Center)
* Mercyhurst (Mercyhurst Ice Center)
* Niagara (Dwyer Arena)
* RIT (Gene Polisseni Center)
* Sacred Heart (Total Mortgage Arena)

Future teams|

* Robert Morris (rejoining in 2023)

Seasons|

* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22
* 2022–23

Awards|

* All-Atlantic Hockey Team
* Player of the Year
* Rookie of the Year
* Coach of the Year
* Best Defensive Forward
* Best Defenseman
* Individual Sportsmanship
* Regular Season Goaltending Award
* Regular Season Scoring Trophy
* Most Valuable Player in Tournament
* All-Tournament Team

* NCAA
* List of champions
* Harborcenter (conference tournament site)

* v
* t
* e

College Hockey America

Teams|

* Lindenwood Lady Lions
* Mercyhurst Lakers
* Penn State Nittany Lions
* RIT Tigers
* Syracuse Orange

Future teams|

* Robert Morris Colonials (rejoining in 2023)

Arenas|

* Lindenwood Ice Arena (Lindenwood)
* Mercyhurst Ice Center (Mercyhurst)
* Pegula Ice Arena (Penn State)
* Gene Polisseni Center (RIT)
* Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion (Syracuse)

Championships & awards|

* List of champions: Men / Women

* v
* t
* e

ASUN Conference

Full members|

* Austin Peay Governors
* Bellarmine Knights
* Central Arkansas Bears/Sugar Bears
* Eastern Kentucky Colonels
* Florida Gulf Coast Eagles
* Jacksonville Dolphins
* Jacksonville State Gamecocks (leaving in 2023)
* Kennesaw State Owls
* Liberty Flames/Lady Flames (leaving in 2023)
* Lipscomb Bisons
* North Alabama Lions
* North Florida Ospreys
* Queens Royals
* Stetson Hatters

Men's lacrosse associates|

* Air Force Falcons
* Cleveland State Vikings
* Detroit Mercy Titans
* Lindenwood Lions
* Mercer Bears
* Robert Morris Colonials
* Utah Utes

Women's lacrosse associates|

* Coastal Carolina Chanticleers
* Delaware State Hornets (leaving in 2023)
* Lindenwood Lions

Beach volleyball associates|

* Charleston Cougars
* Mercer Bears
* Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks
* UNCW Seahawks

* v
* t
* e

Mid-American Conference

East Division|

* Akron Zips
* Bowling Green Falcons
* Buffalo Bulls
* Kent State Golden Flashes
* Miami RedHawks
* Ohio Bobcats

West Division|

* Ball State Cardinals
* Central Michigan Chippewas
* Eastern Michigan Eagles
* Northern Illinois Huskies
* Toledo Rockets
* Western Michigan Broncos

Field hockey affiliates|

* Appalachian State Mountaineers
* Bellarmine Knights
* Longwood Lancers

Women's lacrosse affiliates|

* Detroit Mercy Titans
* Robert Morris Colonials
* Youngstown State Penguins

Men's soccer affiliates|

* Chicago State Cougars

Men's swimming & diving affiliates|

* Evansville Purple Aces
* Missouri State Bears
* Southern Illinois Salukis
* UIC Flames
* Valparaiso Beacons (swimming only)

Men's tennis affiliate|

* Binghamton Bearcats

Wrestling affiliates|

* Bloomsburg Huskies
* Clarion Golden Eagles
* Cleveland State Vikings
* Edinboro Fighting Scots
* George Mason Patriots
* Lock Haven Bald Eagles
* Rider Broncs
* SIU Edwardsville Cougars

Seasons|

* 1946–47
* 1947–48
* 1948–49
* 1949–50
* 1950–51
* 1951–52
* 1952–53
* 1953–54
* 1954–55
* 1955–56
* 1956–57
* 1957–58
* 1958–59
* 1959–60
* 1960–61
* 1961–62
* 1962–63
* 1963–64
* 1964–65
* 1965–66
* 1966–67
* 1967–68
* 1968–69
* 1969–70
* 1970–71
* 1971–72
* 1972–73
* 1973–74
* 1974–75
* 1975–76
* 1976–77
* 1977–78
* 1978–79
* 1979–80
* 1980–81
* 1981–82
* 1982–83
* 1983–84
* 1984–85
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92
* 1992–93
* 1993–94
* 1994–95
* 1995–96
* 1996–97
* 1997–98
* 1998–99
* 1999–00
* 2000–01
* 2001–02
* 2002–03
* 2003–04
* 2004–05
* 2005–06
* 2006–07
* 2007–08
* 2008–09
* 2009–10
* 2010–11
* 2011–12
* 2012–13
* 2013–14
* 2014–15
* 2015–16
* 2016–17
* 2017–18
* 2018–19
* 2019–20
* 2020–21
* 2021–22

Championships|

* Conference champions

* v
* t
* e

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference

Full members|

* Canisius Golden Griffins
* Fairfield Stags
* Iona Gaels
* Manhattan Jaspers and Lady Jaspers
* Marist Red Foxes
* Mount St. Mary's Mountaineers
* Niagara Purple Eagles
* Quinnipiac Bobcats
* Rider Broncs
* Siena Saints
* Saint Peter's Peacocks

Associate members|

* Albany Great Danes (women's golf)
* Dayton Flyers (women's golf)
* Drake Bulldogs (women's rowing)
* Hartford Hawks (women's golf)
* Jacksonville Dolphins (men's and women's rowing)
* La Salle Explorers (women's golf and women's water polo)
* LIU Sharks (women's water polo and men's lacrosse)
* Loyola Chicago Ramblers (women's golf)
* Robert Morris Colonials (women's rowing)
* Sacred Heart Pioneers (women's rowing and men's lacrosse)
* St. Francis Brooklyn Terriers (women's water polo)
* Stetson Hatters (women's rowing)
* Villanova Wildcats (women's water polo)
* VMI Keydets (women's water polo and men's lacrosse)
* Wagner Seahawks (women's water polo)

* v
* t
* e

Sports teams based in Pennsylvania

Australian Rules Football|

USAFL
Philadelphia Hawks

Baseball|

MLB
Philadelphia Phillies
Pittsburgh Pirates

Lehigh Valley IronPigs
Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Altoona Curve
Erie SeaWolves
Harrisburg Senators
Reading Fightin Phils
ALPB
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York Revolution
MLBDL
State College Spikes
Williamsport Crosscutters

Washington Wild Things

Johnstown Mill Rats

Basketball|

NBA
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Cricket|

* Lehigh Valley Cricket Club
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Esports|

OWL
Philadelphia Fusion

Football|

NFL
Philadelphia Eagles
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GDFL
Erie Express
WFA
Philadelphia Phantomz
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Ice hockey|

NHL
Philadelphia Flyers
Pittsburgh Penguins
AHL
Hershey Bears
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ECHL
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OHL
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NAHL
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Inline hockey|

PIHA
Harrisburg Lunatics
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AIHL
Delco Demons
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Scottdale Inferno

Lacrosse|

NLL
Philadelphia Wings
UWLX
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WPLL
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Roller derby|

WFTDA
Black Rose Rollers
Brandywine Roller Derby
Dutchland Derby Rollers
Harrisburg Area Roller Derby
Lehigh Valley Roller Derby
Philly Roller Derby
Steel City Roller Derby
Penn Jersey Roller Derby
MRDA
Penn Jersey Roller Derby
RDCL
Penn Jersey Roller Derby

Rugby league|

USARL
Bucks County Sharks
Philadelphia Fight
Pittsburgh Sledgehammers

Soccer|

MLS
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MLS Next Pro
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USLC
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USL2
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Philadelphia Lone Star FC
Reading United AC
West Chester United SC
NPSL
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Erie Commodores FC
Hershey FC
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Torch FC
WPSL
FC Bucks
Hershey FC
Pennsylvania Classics AC
Pittsburgh Hotspurs
UWS
Lancaster Inferno FC
UWS2
Erie Commodores FC

Indoor soccer|

MASL
Harrisburg Heat

Softball|

Tennis|

WTT
Philadelphia Freedoms

Ultimate|

AUDL
Philadelphia Phoenix
Pittsburgh Thunderbirds

College athletics
(NCAA Division I)|

Bucknell Bison
Drexel Dragons
Duquesne Dukes
La Salle Explorers
Lafayette Leopards
Lehigh Mountain Hawks
Penn Quakers
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Pittsburgh Panthers
Robert Morris Colonials
Saint Francis Red Flash
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* Sports in Pennsylvania

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