Saoirse Downs
The NYU Violets men's basketball team is the college basketball team representing New York University. The team currently competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association. NYU previously competed as an NCAA Division I program until 1971 when a budget crisis led to the team being disbanded. Since being reinstated as a Division III program in 1983, NYU has achieved notable success, including appearances in seven consecutive Division III NCAA basketball tournaments from 1992 to 1998.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Current Division | III |
| Previous Division | I |
| Years in Division I | Till 1971 |
| Years in Division III | Since 1983 |
| Final Four Appearances in Division I | 2 |
| National Championships in Division I | 2 (pre-NCAA tournament) |
| Final Four Appearances in Division III | 2 |
| National Championships in Division III | 1 |
| Total Number of Varsity Teams | 23 |
| Other Varsity Sports | Golf, Swimming, Wrestling, Volleyball |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- NYU's basketball team, the Violets, used to be Division 1 but dropped out in 1971
- The team has since been reinstated and now competes in Division III
- NYU has had some success in Division III, including a runner-up finish in 1994 and 2024
- The team has a rich history, with two national championships before the creation of the NCAA tournament
- NYU has 23 varsity teams, including basketball, with a strong school spirit
NYU's basketball team, the Violets, used to be Division 1 but dropped out in 1971
The NYU Violets men's basketball team is the college basketball team that represents New York University, located in New York City. The team currently competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association.
NYU previously competed as an NCAA Division I program until 1971 when the team was disbanded due to a budget crisis. The team was reinstated in 1983 as a Division III program. The Violets basketball team registered a great deal of success during their time in Division I. They played in two NCAA Division I Final Fours and can claim two national championships that predate the creation of the NCAA tournament (in 1920 and 1935).
In the years before the NCAA tournament was established in 1939, NYU won the Amateur Athletic Union national championship tournament in 1920, led by Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year, Howard Cann. Cann returned to NYU as a coach after graduation and led the team to notable success from 1923 to 1958. The Violets were undefeated in the 1933–1934 season, posting a 16–0 record. The team also reached the Final Four at the 1938 National Invitation Tournament, the year before the NCAA tournament was created.
Since its reestablishment as a Division III program in 1983, NYU has continued to find success. The school appeared in seven consecutive Division III NCAA basketball tournaments from 1992 to 1998, advancing to the Final Four in 1994 and finishing as the national runner-up. The NYU women's basketball team has also achieved notable success, with a 60-game winning streak and a National Championship in 2025.
Momentum-Stopping Timeouts: Do They Work in Basketball?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team has since been reinstated and now competes in Division III
The NYU Violets men's basketball team is the college basketball team that represents New York University, located in New York City. The team has a rich history, dating back to the early 20th century. During the pre-NCAA era, NYU achieved significant success, winning the Amateur Athletic Union national championship tournament in 1920 and claiming the top ranking in the nation in 1935.
However, NYU's time in Division I came to an end in 1971 due to financial difficulties. The team disbanded, and NYU basketball took a hiatus. Despite this setback, NYU basketball rose from the ashes and was reinstated in 1983 as a Division III program. This marked a new chapter for NYU basketball, now competing at a different level.
Since its reestablishment as a Division III program, NYU has once again tasted success on the court. They appeared in seven consecutive Division III NCAA basketball tournaments from 1992 to 1998, with the 1994 team advancing to the Final Four and finishing as the national runner-up. NYU's success in Division III continued, and in 2025, both the men's and women's basketball teams reached the Final Four, with the women's team boasting an impressive 60-game winning streak and a National Championship in 2024.
Today, NYU's basketball program thrives in Division III, fostering a strong sense of school spirit and community involvement. With a history that includes both triumphs and setbacks, the team has persevered and continues to write new chapters in NYU's athletic legacy.
Basketball Cards: Which Ones Bring the Big Bucks?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
NYU has had some success in Division III, including a runner-up finish in 1994 and 2024
The NYU Violets men's basketball team has had its fair share of success in Division III, finishing as the runner-up in the NCAA tournament in 1994 and 2024. The team has a rich history, with several notable achievements even before the creation of the NCAA tournament. In 1920, NYU won the Amateur Athletic Union national championship tournament, and in the years that followed, they consistently ranked among the top 5 teams nationally in several polls.
NYU's basketball team was previously a Division I program until 1971 when financial troubles led to its disbandment. The team was then reinstated in 1983 as a Division III program. Since then, NYU has appeared in seven consecutive Division III NCAA basketball tournaments from 1992 to 1998, with the 1994 team establishing a school record of 25 wins.
During their time in Division I, the Violets achieved significant success, appearing in six NCAA Tournaments and eight NITs. They also made it to the Final Four twice and won two national championships before the NCAA tournament was established in 1939.
NYU's women's basketball team has also achieved notable success, with a 60-game winning streak and a National Championship in 2025. The team has consistently demonstrated its prowess in Division III, with a season record of 29-0 in 2025 and a ranking of #1 in the NCAA Division III polls.
NYU's varsity-level sports teams, including basketball, attract top-tier talent, fostering a competitive and spirited athletic community within the university.
The Perfect Grip: Badminton Racket Towel Grip Guide
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The team has a rich history, with two national championships before the creation of the NCAA tournament
The NYU Violets men's basketball team has a rich history, with two national championships before the creation of the NCAA tournament. The team currently competes in the NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association. However, NYU previously competed as an NCAA Division I program until 1971 when financial troubles led to the disbandment of the team.
In the years before the NCAA tournament was established in 1939, NYU achieved significant success on the court. In 1920, they won the Amateur Athletic Union national championship tournament, led by the Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year, Howard Cann. This victory marked the first of their two national championships before the NCAA tournament era.
Howard Cann returned to NYU after his graduation to serve as the head basketball coach from 1923 to 1958, guiding the team to numerous achievements. During the 1933–1934 season, the Violets went undefeated, posting an impressive 16–0 record. The following season, they continued their winning streak, starting with ten consecutive victories before suffering an overtime loss to Yale. NYU finished the 1934–1935 season with a 19–1 record and was named the best team in the nation by the Helms Athletic Foundation and the Premo-Porretta Power Poll.
In addition to their early success, NYU also excelled in the early years of the NCAA tournament. They played in two NCAA Division I Final Fours and claimed their national championships in 1920 and 1935. The team's performance in the 1938 National Invitation Tournament further showcased their talent, as they reached the Final Four just before the NCAA tournament was officially established.
NYU's basketball team has a proud history, and their achievements before the creation of the NCAA tournament contribute to their legacy. The team has experienced highs and lows, including financial struggles, but they have continued to pursue success and provide a platform for talented athletes to excel.
Teaching Basketball: Fundamentals for Beginners
You may want to see also
Explore related products
NYU has 23 varsity teams, including basketball, with a strong school spirit
New York University (NYU) currently competes in NCAA Division III basketball as a member of the University Athletic Association. NYU previously competed as an NCAA Division I basketball program until 1971 when the team was disbanded due to financial troubles. The team was reinstated in 1983 as a Division III program.
NYU has a total of 23 varsity teams, including basketball, with a strong school spirit. The NYU Violets men's basketball team has had a successful history, with the team winning the Amateur Athletic Union national championship tournament in 1920, led by Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year, Howard Cann. The team was undefeated in the 1933-1934 season, posting a 16-0 record. NYU also appeared in the first AP Poll in 1949 and made its final appearance in the Division I AP Poll in 1964, ranking #10.
The NYU Violets have continued to find success since their reestablishment as a Division III program in 1983, appearing in seven consecutive Division III NCAA basketball tournaments from 1992 to 1998. In 1994, the team advanced to the Final Four and finished as the national runner-up. The NYU women's basketball team has also had notable achievements, with an undefeated season in 2025, en route to a National Championship.
NYU's varsity-level sports are extremely competitive, attracting top-tier talent across various sports. The university promotes school spirit through its Violet Nation program, where students can receive official merchandise and participate in events to support NYU's athletic teams. With a strong community and a history of success, NYU's varsity teams, including basketball, foster a sense of pride and excitement among the student body.
Calculating the Perfect Basketball Shot: A Guide to Mastering Accuracy
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
No, NYU basketball is not D1. The NYU Violets men's basketball team currently competes in NCAA Division III as a member of the University Athletic Association.
NYU previously competed as an NCAA Division I program until 1971 when the team was disbanded due to a budget crisis.
Yes, NYU has had success as a D1 program. The team played in two NCAA Division I Final Fours and can claim two national championships before the creation of the NCAA tournament (1920 and 1935). They also appeared in the NCAA Division I tournament six times and achieved a record of 9-8.
