Battle of Brooklyn (college rivalry)

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The Battle of Brooklyn is the college sports rivalry between Long Island University (LIU Sharks) and St. Francis College (Terriers). The two Downtown Brooklyn schools are very close to each other, which helps fuel the intensity of their matchups. The rivalry is most famous in basketball and in men’s soccer, and the name “Battle of Brooklyn” is tied to the historic Revolutionary War battle that took place in the same area.

Origins and trophies
- The rivalry in basketball has a long history, with annual games starting in the 1975–76 season, well before both schools joined the Northeast Conference (NEC) in 1981.
- After each game, an MVP is named and the winning team receives the Lai-Lynch Trophy, honoring former athletic directors William Lai and Daniel Lynch.
- Since 2013, the two programs’ annual men’s soccer clash has carried its own trophy, the Ramirez–Tramontozzi Trophy, named for longtime coaches Arnie Ramirez (LIU) and Carlos Tramontozzi (St. Francis).

Conference and format
- Both schools compete in the NEC. Basketball matchups between LIU and St. Francis are usually played twice per regular season, with one game typically designated as the Battle of Brooklyn. The host school alternates each year.

Recent history and venue notes
- In 2019, LIU unified its Brooklyn and Post campuses to form the LIU Sharks, but the rivalry remained a geographic one for basketball. The men’s soccer rivalry moved to LIU’s Post campus in Nassau County for administrative reasons.
- After the 2022–23 academic year, St. Francis Brooklyn ended intercollegiate athletics, bringing an end to the rivalry.
- The Battle of Brooklyn has been staged at various Brooklyn venues, including the Steinberg Wellness Center and the Generoso Pope Athletic Complex. The 39th edition was held at the Barclays Center, with LIU hosting.

Overall, the Battle of Brooklyn brought together two neighboring schools with a shared history in the NEC, creating a spirited regional showdown across multiple sports.