Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball: Which Conference Do They Dominate?

what conference is embry riddle men

The Embry-Riddle Eagles are the athletic teams representing Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. The men's basketball team has been competing in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) since the 2015-16 academic year, with their home games taking place at the ICI Center. Prior to joining the NCAA Division II and the SSC, the Eagles were part of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and The Sun Conference, where they enjoyed great success, winning a national championship in men's basketball in 2000.

Characteristics Values
Name of the team Embry–Riddle Eagles
University Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University
Location Daytona Beach
Current conference Sunshine State Conference (SSC)
Previous conference National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), The Sun Conference
Year of joining the current conference 2015-16
Year of achieving full member status in the current conference 2017-18
Number of intercollegiate varsity sports 22
Men's sports Baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, tennis, and track & field (indoor and outdoor)
Women's sports Basketball, cross country, golf, lacrosse, rowing, soccer, softball, tennis, track & field (indoor and outdoor), and volleyball
Co-ed sports N/A

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The Embry–Riddle Eagles men's basketball team

The Eagles enjoyed great success in the NAIA and The Sun Conference, winning a slew of titles, including the 2000 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. In the 2023-24 season, the Eagles advanced to the Sunshine State Conference semifinals, thanks to a 75-61 victory over Florida Tech. The Eagles' success that season was attributed to their depth, with key players like Malcolm Whitlow, Jon Alessandro, Jerry Bracey, and Milan Skoric contributing to their winning streak.

Prior to joining the NCAA Division II and the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) in the 2015-16 academic year, the Eagles competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a founding member of the Sun Conference. During their time in the NAIA, the Eagles accumulated an impressive list of achievements, including 104 Sun Conference regular-season titles, 32 conference tournament crowns, and 29 individual national titles.

The Eagles' success is not limited to the basketball court, as they have also proven to be academically accomplished. Embry-Riddle has produced 321 NAIA scholar-athletes and 80 CoSIDA Academic All-Americans since 1990, with 59 of those coming since 2010, placing them 11th among NCAA schools across all divisions.

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Sunshine State Conference

The Embry–Riddle Eagles are the athletic teams representing Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach. The Eagles have been competing in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) since the 2015–16 academic year for most of their sports, achieving D-II full member status in 2017–18.

Prior to joining the NCAA and the SSC, the Eagles competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a founding member of the Sun Conference (formerly the Florida Sun Conference) from 1990–91 to 2014–15. During their time in the NAIA, Embry–Riddle won 104 Sun Conference regular-season titles, 32 conference tournament crowns, and 29 individual national titles. They also won team national championships in men's basketball in 2000 and men's tennis in 2013.

The Eagles began their athletics program in the 1988–89 school year with baseball, men's basketball, and men's tennis. Today, they sponsor 22 intercollegiate sports, including men's and women's basketball. The men's basketball team plays in the ICI Center, which has been their home since 1995.

In March 2024, the Embry-Riddle men's basketball team advanced to the Sunshine State Conference semifinals after defeating Florida Tech by a score of 75-61. The Eagles were seeded fourth in the South region behind national powerhouses such as Nova Southeastern and West Georgia. The women's basketball team also advanced to the Sunshine State Conference semifinals in 2024, defeating Lynn and improving their season record to 20-8.

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NAIA and The Sun Conference

The Embry–Riddle Eagles are the athletic teams representing Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach. The university's athletic programme began in the 1988–89 school year with baseball, men's basketball, and men's tennis. Today, Embry–Riddle sponsors 22 intercollegiate varsity sports, including basketball.

Before joining the NCAA and the SSC, the Eagles competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and were a founding member of the Sun Conference (formerly the Florida Sun Conference). They competed in the NAIA and the Sun Conference from 1990–91 to 2014–15. During this time, Embry–Riddle enjoyed great success in the NAIA and The Sun Conference, winning 104 Sun Conference regular-season titles, 32 conference tournament crowns, and 29 individual national titles. They also won team national championships in men's basketball in 2000 and men's tennis in 2013.

The ICI Centre, formerly known as the University Fieldhouse, has been home to the Embry–Riddle men's basketball team since 1995. In addition to basketball, the facility also hosts the university's volleyball team and brings numerous events and assemblies throughout the year. Embry–Riddle has also invested in major upgrades to its soccer complex, which positively impacted the university's ability to host the 2005 men's soccer national tournament.

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NCAA Division II

The Embry–Riddle Eagles are the athletic teams that represent Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, located in Daytona Beach, and compete in intercollegiate sports as a member of the NCAA Division II ranks. The men's basketball team has competed in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) since the 2015–16 academic year, achieving D-II full member status in 2017–18. Prior to joining the NCAA and the SSC, the Eagles competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a founding member of the Sun Conference, winning the men's basketball national championship in 2000.

The Embry–Riddle men's basketball team has enjoyed success in the Sunshine State Conference, advancing to the semi-finals in 2024. The team is based at the ICI Center, formerly known as the University Fieldhouse, which has been their home since 1995. The facility was completed in August 1995 and has hosted numerous events and assemblies throughout the year, in addition to serving as the base for the basketball team.

The Eagles have performed well in recent years, with a strong performance in the 2023-24 season, winning 10 of their last 11 games leading up to the Sunshine State Conference tournament. In the quarterfinal of the tournament, the Eagles defeated the Florida Tech Panthers by a score of 75-61, with Malcolm Whitlow leading the team with 21 points. The Eagles' success has been attributed to their defensive improvements and the depth of their roster, with head coach Steve Ridder praising the contributions of players coming off the bench.

Looking at the bigger picture, the Embry–Riddle men's basketball team has been consistently performing well and has reached the NCAA Division II national tournament for three straight seasons. In the 2023-24 season, they were seeded fourth in the South region behind national powerhouses such as Nova Southeastern and West Georgia. The team's success in both conference play and the national tournament highlights their competitiveness in NCAA Division II basketball.

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ICI Center

The ICI Center, formerly known as the University Fieldhouse, is a multi-purpose sports facility located in Daytona Beach, Florida. Completed in August 1995, the facility has been the home of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's men's basketball and volleyball teams since 1995. With 50,000 to 51,511 gross square feet of space, the ICI Center is the centerpiece for campus recreation, athletics, and university functions such as graduation ceremonies, guest speakers, and concerts.

The facility houses Embry-Riddle's Department of Athletics and the Department of Intramural and Recreational Sports. It is equipped with a multi-purpose gymnasium that features three basketball courts, three volleyball courts, and three badminton courts. The ICI Center is also surrounded by outdoor sports facilities, including baseball and soccer stadiums, tennis courts, a lighted lane running track, and multiple lighted fields for soccer, softball, lacrosse, and more.

In addition to hosting the university's basketball and volleyball teams, the ICI Center is open to students, faculty, and staff for recreational use. Individuals can check out sports and recreational equipment at no charge from the front desk, and the facility is available for open recreation. The ICI Center also brings numerous events and assemblies to the university throughout the year.

The ICI Center is located on Clyde Morris Boulevard, directly across from the main entrance of the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University campus. It serves as a comprehensive sports hub, offering a wide range of athletic programs and events for both the university community and local residents. With state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, the ICI Center contributes to the vibrant athletic culture of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the surrounding area.

Frequently asked questions

The Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's men's basketball team, the Eagles, primarily compete in the Sunshine State Conference (SSC).

Embry-Riddle joined the SSC in the 2015-16 academic year, achieving full member status in 2017-18.

Prior to joining the NCAA Division II and the SSC, the Eagles competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as a founding member of the Sun Conference.

The ICI Center, formerly known as the University Fieldhouse, has been the home of the Embry-Riddle men's basketball team since 1995.

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