Work Samples 2009-10 LIU Brooklyn Basketball Media Guide | Seite 92

Blackbirds Spirit
Why The Blackbirds?
According to Dr. Elliott S.M. Gatner, an early historian of Long Island University, the ?rst student-athletes representing the university in intercollegiate competition in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s were known as the Blue Devils. The teams earned the moniker because of the blue color of their uniforms. In LIU’s earliest days, the basketball players were called “Beemen,” after their legendary coach, Clair F. Bee, who is a member of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. However, sometime between February and October of 1935, the uniform color was changed to black and the Blue Devils became the Blackbirds. The story goes that a basketball reporter for the borough’s famed Brooklyn Eagle observed the LIU players in their black uniforms running up and down the court dribbling the basketball, reminded him of blackbirds back home, bobbing up and down as they fed in the corn?elds. In ?ling his story on the outcome of the game, the writer who came to New York from the agrarian Midwest used the nickname “Blackbirds” and it has stuck ever since.

Dance & Cheer Teams

2009-10 Long Island University Basketball

Under the direction of Pia Haynes, the cheer team can be found bringing excitment to every home basketball event. The dance team performs during timeouts and halftime of home games throughout the season.

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Long Island Blackbirds • 2009-10 Basketball • www.liuathletics.com