Milestones: Lander University men’s soccer coach Van Taylor earned his 300th career victory October 24 when his Bearcats defeated Georgia Southwestern State University, 2-1. Taylor has spent his entire 22-year coaching career at Lander ... St. Joseph’s College (Long Island) men’s soccer coach Gary Smith won his 250th career game this fall. Smith has coached all 21 seasons of the program, which is the winningest in school history. Smith also compiled 240 wins in 16 years as coach of the school’s softball team from 1988-2004.

Miscellaneous: Beginning in fall 2007, athletics teams at Northeastern State University will be known as the RiverHawks, university officials announced November 14. The selection of a new mascot resulted from a seven-month process that solicited input from students, alumni, faculty and staff, along with community members in the region served by the institution’s three campuses. Among the six semifinalists presented for public review in October, RiverHawks was favored by nearly one-third of those who voted for their top preference. War Eagles and Wolves were among other candidates. "Throughout this process, we have been committed to letting individuals who have a vested interest in this institution guide the change," said school President Larry Williams. Last May, Williams formed a 40-member task force charged with guiding the selection and implementation of a new nickname and mascot to replace the Redmen nickname — the official moniker for Northeastern State athletics since 1924. The task force included representatives from the Cherokee Nation and the United Keetoowah Band. Along with the geographic reference, RiverHawks was popular because the name represents a bird that is "swift and courageous," "master of its surroundings," "a formidable bird of prey," and "a fitting symbol of the readiness and strength that NSU affords its graduates." Many also liked the name because it is unique among institutions of higher learning. Currently, the University of Massachusetts at Lowell is the only other college or university in the U.S. that calls itself the River Hawks (spelled as two words). Northeastern State will begin the process of developing the brand identity for a spirit logo that will be unveiled before spring commencement 2007. Northeastern State President Williams noted that the change to a new mascot has been a difficult transition for the university and some of its alumni. "Our teams will remain the Redmen through the end of this school year," he said. "During this time, we as a university community and all of our supporters have the opportunity to unite under a new name. I urge everyone to remember it doesn’t matter what our name or our mascot is. It matters that we get behind and support our student-athletes and our coaches who represent this great university. Our job as fans is to show we support them and appreciate what they represent to us, their hard work, and their dedication to making NSU Oklahoma’s premier regional university."