Several years ago, UMBC head lacrosse coach Don Zimmerman was asked to describe the virtues of his program, but he quickly praised the university for being the key component in his success.

“What we’re doing in lacrosse runs parallel to what we’re doing as a university,” he said at the time. “We feel we have an outstanding product at UMBC and we want people to know that.”

So the veteran Retriever mentor was not surprised when US News and World Report just ranked UMBC No. 1 in its annual list of up-and-coming national universities.

"Having witnessed the remarkable growth and development that has taken place here and recognizing the tremendous effort and commitment by the UMBC community to achieve this level of distinction, we are justifiably proud of the contribution Retriever athletics has played in gaining this recognition and respect on the national stage," Zimmerman said.

Director of Athletics Dr. Charles Brown, entering his 21^st year at UMBC, is also very proud that his athletic, recreation and physical education mission is one that is shared by university leaders. 

“Success in UMBC Athletics goes hand-in-hand with the success of our university,” Dr. Brown said.  “Athletics plays a large role in developing the spirit of the campus, a can-do winning attitude that is evidenced by the success of our teams and student-athletes.”

UMBC was also ranked fourth (in a tie with Stanford) amongst national universities and the top public institution in the country in undergraduate teaching.