College Sports Established
1894
Location
Lowell, Massachusetts
College Name
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Collegiate History
2013 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
2013 - Present / America East Conference
Nickname
River Hawks - Regarding collegiate sports, the UMass Lowell River Hawks have become a powerhouse in recent years. But what’s the origin of their nickname? The story behind this unique moniker dates back to 1972 when UMass Lowell was known as Lowell Technological Institute. At that time, students and faculty were looking for a mascot that embodied strength and power—and they found it in the river hawks of New England.
The river hawk is an impressive bird with distinct characteristics like its sharp talons, hooked beak, and fierce eyesight—all attributes perfectly reflect what being part of Team UML stands for: Strength and power! In addition to these physical traits, which make them stand out from other birds, are their hunting abilities; they can spot prey from far distances thanks to their superior vision capabilities. This same focus can be seen on game day at Tsongas Center, where River Hawk fans come together with one goal in mind: Cheering on our team!
Over 40 years since adopting this nickname, we at UML have built strong traditions around our beloved mascot – including having live mascots during games, which help get everyone excited about cheering on our teams! Whether you’re a new or old fan, there's no denying how particular being part of TeamUML is when you consider all that goes into making up “River Hawks Nation." So next time you are tailgating before a big game or watching one online – take pride in knowing you're supporting something bigger than just athletics but also history itself by embracing all things related #TeamUML & #GoRiverHawks
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1988
- 1989
- 2013
-
NCAA Championship Legacy
The UMass Lowell River Hawks men’s basketball team represents the University of Massachusetts Lowell in Lowell, Massachusetts, United States. Beginning in the 2013–14 season, the River Hawks made the jump to NCAA Division I and joined the America East Conference. As part of their transition from Division II to Division I, they were not eligible for postseason play until the ... -
Collegiate Hockey Legacy
Craig Charron (November 15, 1967 – October 19, 2010) was an American professional ice hockey center from North Easton, Massachusetts. He attended the University of Massachusetts Lowell, where he played for four seasons and served as captain of the 1989-1990 team, finishing his collegiate career as the second-leading scorer in the program’s Division I history with 64 goals in 142 ... -
Hockey East Dominance
The university’s men’s hockey team plays in the Hockey East Association and plays its home games at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell. In 2013, the men’s hockey team won the Hockey East regular-season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA Division I Championship “Frozen Four,” all for the first time in the university’s history. The men’s hockey team ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the River Hawks
The UMass Lowell River Hawks have a storied history of athletic excellence. From their Division I hockey program to the success of their basketball and other sports teams, they have been a consistent presence in collegiate athletics for decades. Founded in 1972, the River Hawks are now part of the America East Conference and compete at the NCAA Division I level and within Hockey East, often facing strong rivalries with teams like the Bryant Bulldogs.
Since joining Hockey East in 1984-85, UMass Lowell has become one of college hockey’s premier programs with five conference titles (1985–86; 1988–89; 1990–91; 1998–99 and 2018-19) along with four trips to Frozen Four appearances (1988, 1995, 2013 & 2018). The team also won back-to-back national championships during its first two seasons in Hockey East (1985 & 1986). In addition to these successes on ice, the River Hawk's men's soccer team captured its first-ever regular season title when it went undefeated during 2017 America East play, while women’s lacrosse reached new heights by capturing consecutive league tournament crowns from 2006 through 2008.
With such an impressive record on and off the field, it is easy to understand why so many fans remain loyal supporters of this proud institution - Go River Hawks!
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