History of the Eagles

The Florida Gulf Coast Eagles are one of the most successful college sports teams in recent history. Over the last decade, they have established themselves as a powerhouse in NCAA Division I athletics and have become one of the premier programs in all college sports. From its beginnings as an independent school to becoming part of Conference USA, FGCU has been on a meteoric rise since its inception.

Founded in 1997, FGCU began life as an independent university without athletic affiliations or conference memberships. In 2002 however, it joined up with Sunshine State Conference, which marked its first foray into NCAA competition, and from there, things took off for them athletically speaking. The Eagles quickly became known for having some very competitive teams across multiple sports, including basketball (men's & women's), baseball/softball (men’s & women’s), soccer (women’s only), and volleyball (women’s only).

In the 2012-13 season, everything changed for FGCU, though; this was when they made history by becoming just the seventh team ever to reach both men's and women's Sweet Sixteen rounds at once during March Madness tournament play! This accomplishment helped propel them even further into a national prominence that same year when they officially became part of Conference USA after leaving behind their previous affiliation with SSC shortly prior - thus making them eligible to compete against some much larger schools such as the University Of South Carolina Upstate Spartans who were also members at that time too!

Since then, Florida Gulf Coast Eagles have continued to be among top contenders each year, not just within CUSA but also nationally too - mainly thanks largely due credit going out to head coach Joe Dooley whose leadership style has enabled his players to excel beyond expectations while still maintaining focus on academics before anything else always comes first no matter what situation arises during gameplay itself or otherwise outside it all together! With so much success under their belt already, plus plenty more expected down the road ahead, there truly isn't a limit to what else they can achieve if they continue to strive for excellence like always done before...