Purple Eagles @ Zippy Invitational Friday

The Niagara University Purple Eagles and their "Purple Parents" will be invading Akron, OH this weekend for the Zippy Invitational.  The events begin Friday morning at 9 AM!  Here's a link to the schedule of events -- a link to the Akron website where you can catch Live Results and a list of all of the schools competing:

Women's Teams

The University of Akron

Bloomsburg University

University at Buffalo

Clarion University

Duquesne University

Illinois State University

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Niagara University

Ohio University

Shippensburg University

St. Bonaventure University

Xavier University

Men's Teams

Bloomsburg University

University at Buffalo

Clarion University

Cleveland State (divers only-TBD)

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Niagara University

Shippensburg University

St. Bonaventure University

Xavier University

LINK:  ZIPPY INVITATIONAL MEET SCHEDULE

LINK:  AKRON ZIPS OFFICIAL WEBSITE

Niagara Athletics -- "Just Did It!"

The brand synonymous with; Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods and "Just Do It" -- NIKE -- can now make the claim they have a relationship with the Purple Eagles of Niagara University.  Niagara Athletic Director, Ed McLaughlin announced yesterday that the Purple Eagles have become an "All NIKE School."  

I'm sure this means our Swimming & Diving Team will be receiving plenty of NIKE gear in the coming months...



 Here's a link to "all that is Purple" on the Official Nike Website:

LINK:  THE ONLY COLOR THERE IS...

Niagara University Receives $1.5 Million Gift!

Niagara University announced yesterday that Dr. John Hughes '67 has given a gift of $1.5 million to his alma mater to establish the first "endowed chair" at the University.  Here's a link to the story:

LINK:  HUGHES "HUGE" GIFT TO NIAGARA

Coach Nigro's -- Waterloo Meet Recap

Men -- Our men swam well this weekend, but lost to a very good Waterloo squad.  As a team we had 21 season best times.  Our breaststrokers, Nate Resila, Scott page and Drew Rossi all dropped time in both the 100 and 200. Alex Siuda continued to improve in the backstrokes. Jake Pisano had a lifetime best in his 200 fly.  Purple props were given to Ethan Mahoney for his continued improvement in the 100 backstroke.

Women -- Even with winning 7 of the 12 individual events our women fell in a close meet to waterloo.  It came down to the last relay and we came up short.  We had for women who swam season best times.  They were; Erica Crane (100 and 200 Breast), Chelsea O’laughlin (50 and 100 free), Renee Parsons (100 and 200 fly), and Sarah Universal (100 and 200 breast).  Sarah received the Purple props for her performances.

The team has Thanksgiving off.  We will return to competition on December 3^rd at the Zippy invitational in Akron Ohio.

Thanks as always to the Fans who support us.

Niagara Men's Team Ranked 31st in the Country!

The CSCAA / CollegeSwimming.com -- Mid-Major Division I Swimming Poll was released today -- and the Niagara University Purple Eagles Men's Swimming & Diving team was ranked 31st in the country!  And, our Women's team was ranked 56th!  Here's a link to the polls:

LINK:  PURPLE EAGLES AMONG THE BEST IN AMERICA!

The Purple Parents -- Official Hotel for MAAC's

The Hyatt Regency Buffalo has been selected as the OFFICIAL HOME of the PURPLE PARENTS during the 2011 MAAC Swimming & Diving Championships.  We have a block of rooms set up for the dates of Wednesday, Feburary 16th to Sunday, February 20th.  YOU CAN BOOK WHATEVER NIGHTS YOU WANT -- NO RESTRICTIONS!  Our room rate is $99 per night (plus tax) and includes free parking for one vehicle per night.  To make your reservation -- please call:   1-888-421-1442 and tell them you're with the "NIAGARA UNIVERSITY PURPLE PARENTS" group.  Please make your reservations ASAP -- we have until January 15th -- however, once the rooms are gone -- they are gone.

Ian O'Rourke Receives Two Honors This Week!

Niagara University senior, Ian O'Rourke had a wonderful Saturday diving against Buffalo winning the 1 meter board and -- qualifying for the NCAA Zone A Meet.  Ian's performance earned him two honors:  Niagara University Student Athlete of the Week and MAAC Diver of the Week!  Congratulations Ian!

LINK:  NIAGARA STUDENT ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

LINK:  MAAC DIVER OF THE WEEK

Coach Nigro's -- University at Buffalo Meet Recap

The team had some very solid performances this weekend at Buffalo.  Our goal for this meet was to have season best performances.  As a team we had 23 season best times and four top performances on the board.  The group did a nice job of responding to the challenge. 

Highlights on the day…

Women

Lindsey Jackson won the 200im and swam a great 100 butterfly.

Sarah Universal swam season bests in both her individual events, the 200im and 100 breast. 

Renee Parsons had on of the best 100 butterflies I have ever seen her swim.  This earned her Purple Props for the week.

Men

Chris Zukas posted his best scores of the season on 1 and 3 meter diving.

Ethan Mahoney had his best 100 back of the season.

Tyler Ferguson had solid swims in the 200 and 100 freestyles.

Jack Pisano dropped one second in his 200 free and seven seconds in his 500 free to earn Purple Props for the week.

The biggest highlight of the week was Ian O’Rourke’s performances on the diving boards.  Ian won the 1 meter with a score of 321.10, and placed 2^ndon the 3meter with a 348.85.   This earned him Purple Props. His Scores have qualified him for the NCAA Zone A championships Zone meets are the selection meets for NCAA Championships.  The best five divers from Zone A will advance to the Nationals.

As always thank you to those of you that were in attendance to support the Purple Eagles.

This weekend the swimmers will be in Canada to swim the Waterloo Warriors.

Saturday's Meet Against Buffalo -- 2 PM Start Time

The Niagara University Purple Eagles make the 17 minute drive to University at Buffalo tomorrow -- to take on the Bulls.  The meet is scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM EST.  Those who live in the Buffalo area can watch the meet on a taped delay basis on LCTV.  Here's a link to the LCTV website and a link to the University at Buffalo athletic site, just in case they have live results of Saturday's meet:  Good Luck Purple Eagles!


LINK:  LCTV 


LINK:  UNIVERSITY AT BUFFALO WEBSITE

The Team BackPack -- No Longer Purple!

Niagara University's recent announcement that they've become an exclusive NIKE school -- has forced the Purple Parents to switch our order from a Purple Speedo BackPack to a Black Nike BackPack.  The reason for the switch is Niagara will not allow our team to use the Speedo BackPack beginning next season -- so it makes no sense to buy a purple Speedo backpack for one season.  Nike doesn't have a purple color option for us -- so, we're stuck with black.  The switch to Nike will add an additional $5 to the "investment" for the Team BackPack.  Please check your email for more information.

"Purple for the People" -- Couln't Pass This Up!

Seven-Eleven is capitalizing on a recent comment made by President Obama concerning a potential "Slurpee Summit" between the Democrat and Republican party's respective leadership.  Seven-Eleven announced today that they're going to try to bring Bipartisanship to Washington D.C. with PURPLE SLURPEES.  Well, since they're PURPLE -- the Purple Parents Blog had to report on this!  Here's a couple of links to what Seven-Eleven is up to!


LINK:  PURPLE FOR THE PEOPLE


LINK:  SLURPEE'S WEBSITE

Coach Nigro's Meet Wrap Up -- Siena Meet

Our women swam tough this past weekend, but came up short against a very good Siena team.  As a team we had 15 season best times. Unfortunately we were out-touched in several close races.   Sophomore, Julia Bulmahn and Junior, Ashley Jones secured victories in the 100 back and 1 m diving.

Purple Props went to junior Kaley Pfohl who swam season best times in the 1000 free and 500 free.

Thank you to those of you that came out to cheer us on.  This weekend we are at the University of Buffalo.  The meet will begin at 2pm and will also be televised locally (tape delay) on LCTV.

Purple Parents Official Hotel -- Akron Meet

The Purple Parents have a block of rooms reserved on a "first come, first served" basis at the Marriott Courtyard Akron Stow -- for the nights of December 3rd and December 4th -- the same hotel the team will be staying at.  The rate is $89 per night and includes breakfast each day. Here's a link for a King Bed and a link for two Queen Beds.  See you there!


LINK:  RESERVATION LINK FOR A KING BED


LINK:  RESERVATION LINK FOR TWO QUEEN BEDS

The Team BackPack -- Still Time to Order!

As we await the receipt of payment for the Purple Eagles Team Speedo Pro BackPack -- if you still want to order a bag - leave a comment (below) by this Friday.  As of right now, twenty-one team members will be sporting the "purple bag" at the Akron meet.  We'll need to know the name you want on the bag; first, last or initials -- only.  The "investment" is $49.50 per bag -- add $10 if you want the bag sent to your home instead of Niagara University.