VESTAL, N.Y. -- Student-athletes from all 21 Binghamton athletic teams gathered in the Event Center for the annual Welcome Back BBQ on Wednesday. The event serves as a way for everyone to meet up again and to formally kick off the academic year.

The Binghamton Athletic Department is coming off one of its most successful years since elevating to the NCAA Division I level in 2001. The athletic department as a whole placed third in the America East Commissioner's Cup standings (out of the nine member institutions) – its best finish in seven years. In addition, Binghamton tied for second in the America East Academic Cup standings – its best placement since the 2008-09 academic year.

Both soccer teams and the volleyball squad have been back on campus for the past two weeks for preseason. The rest of the Bearcat teams returned to campus this past weekend.

With the success of last year still fresh, hopes are high for even bigger accomplishments this year. 

"It's exciting to start every year," Binghamton Director of Athletics Patrick Elliott said before the event. "We are very pleased to have done as well as we did in the America East Commissioner's Cup and Academic Cup. We are looking forward to having an even better year ahead.

At the start of the evening, Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger addressed the more than 400 student-athletes.

"You are all role models for our students and the community," he said. "You represent the University 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Lots of people would love to have the opportunity you have. Make the most of it and have fun."

Senior softball player Shelby Donhauser is the current Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC) President. She expressed the sentiments of the rest of her fellow student-athletes had on returning to campus to start the year.

"It's great to see everyone again," she said. "We are ready to start the year, work hard and do great things."