ESPN Radio Host Dave Rothenberg Supports NYIT Lacrosse

Late last year, when former New York Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro playfully teased ESPN radio co-host and former NYIT student Dave Rothenberg on the air about the caliber of athletics at NYIT, Rothenberg proudly came to the defense of his alma mater.

“He was making fun of the athletics and New York Tech, and I was like, ‘They have good athletics,’’ Rothenberg recalled.

On April 30, he had the opportunity to show off the athletics program to DiPietro firsthand at what NYIT Athletics dubbed “Dave Rothenberg Day.”

Rothenberg presided over a ceremonial pregame faceoff, watched the Battle of the Boulevard (between the NYIT men’s lacrosse team and LIU Post) from the sidelines, and met fans.

The Bears did Rothenberg proud as they beat their rival 11-7 at President’s Stadium.

“It’s a sensational day,” said Rothenberg, who studied communications at NYIT in the 1990s.

Being back on the Old Westbury campus brought back fond memories for him, including working for the Campus Slate student newspaper. Before Saturday, he had not been back to the campus in nearly two decades.

Rothenberg, who was joined by his family, particularly enjoyed attending the rivalry game against LIU Post.

“There’s a little animosity between C.W. Post and New York Tech,” said Rothenberg, using the names in which the schools primarily were known during his days as a student. “I’m on the sidelines. It’s very chippy. They do not like each other, these programs. You see the physicality taking place. It’s great. It’s what sports is all about, right?”