SMITHFIELD, RI – The Bryant University Department of Athletics would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Fourth of July. The campus will be co-hosting the annual Smithfield Independence Day celebration this Thursday (July 5).  The parking lot at Bulldog Stadium opens at 5 pm with entertainment beginning at 6 pm leading up to the spectacular fireworks show at 9 pm.  

Kickoff for the 2012-13 athletic season, Bryant’s first official as a Division I institution, is nearly a month away when women’s soccer welcomes the Providence College Friars to campus on Monday, August 13 for a 2 p.m. game.

Football opens the season on September 1 when Marty Fine and the Bulldogs welcome Marist College for a non-conference game starting at 3 p.m.  

In the mean time, there’s certainly a lot of good news surrounding the Bulldogs this summer, including 15 members of the 2012 NEC Conference regular season champion Bryant baseball team competing in various summer leagues throughout the region including Kevin Brown and Craig Schlitter competing in the prestigious Cape Cod Baseball League. 

Cross Country and Track & Field coach Stephanie Reilly will represent Ireland at the 2012 Olympic Games in London later this month.  Reilly, who will take part in the opening ceremonies at Olympic Stadium on July 27, will compete in the 3000 meter steeplechase on August 4 and 6.

The U.S. men’s lacrosse National Under-19 team will visit campus July 6-9 for final training before leaving for Finland for the 2012 FIL championships.

And finally, be sure to mark your calendars for the Archie Boulet Golf Tournament on October 15, 2012 at Quidnessett Country Club.  The event, which be one you do not want to miss, will honor the legendary coach who coached the team for 47 years.  Proceeds will go to support the Archie Boulet Endowed Scholarship.

Enjoy the rest of the summer. We look forward to seeing you this upcoming season – Bryant’s first official year of Division I.