MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (Septemer 10^th, 2019) – St. Thomas University Men's Basketball Coach, D.P. Harris, has announced a NCAA Division I match-up with Florida Gulf Coast University, in Ft. Myers, for December 21, 2019.

This will be the first Division I opponent for St. Thomas since the Bobcats took on Florida Atlantic University on November 5, 2015, with STU dropping the contest 58-75.

"We [our players and coaches] are excited to go to Florida Gulf Coast, the opportunity for our program to play an in-state DI opponent enhances our experience as a basketball program for all involved." Harris said.

Harris added "Our hope as a program, is that every season we can play three-to-five DI games. Every kid at every level, wants to play against Division I competition. So this unique opportunity, gives us a chance to compete at a DI-level and will help is in recruiting, while also giving a gauge where we are in December."

Head Coach Harris was announced as the St. Thomas University Head Basketball Coach and Assistant Athletic Director on March 7, 2019. Prior to STU, Harris served on the coaching staff for 22 years, 17 as Head Coach, at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, PA. While coaching for SVC, Harris compiled a 318-126 record, guiding the Bearcats to back-to-back NAIA National Tournament Sweet 16's and four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances (2013 – 2016).

The Bobcats open the 2019-2020 season with the third annual preseason charity game against Maccabi Haifa (Israel) on October 2, with the regular season opener scheduled for November 9, 2019.