Top 12 of '12

As promised, we're back on AExtra to start counting down the top 12 moments of 2012. We hope you've taken these last few weeks to see loved ones and take some much deserved relaxation time. And as we get ready to look ahead to 2013, why not start by remembering the conference's top moments of the year that was. So here we go, starting with moments 12-10.

No. 12: Vermont Skiing, New Hampshire and Stony Brook Football

While we don't sponsor these sports at the America East, we're still thrilled to see our schools excel outside of the conference and on the national stage. These three teams all had memorable seasons, starting with a national championship in skiing for the Vermont Catamounts. Its first title since 1994, Vermont captured its sixth national championship ever when the alpine team wrapped things up on a Saturday. The Catamounts' earned 832 points en route to the championship, the most ever by an NCAA Champion, and won by a record-breaking 161 over Utah. "It was an incredible effort by the entire team," said Head Alpine Coach Bill Reichelt.

The first of these three highlights took place early in March, but when school started up again in the fall, these two programs put themselves on the national stage. After starting off 2-2, including a loss to FCS Minnesota and a historic shootout loss versus Old Dominion (64-61), the Wildcats ripped off six wins to set up a chance to win the Colonial outright versus Towson. While New Hampshire fell in that game, it was still able to earn a bye and a date versus Wofford in the second round of the FBS Championship. The Wildcats would fall 23-7, but it was another spectacular year for Sean McDonnell and his squad. McDonnell went on to be named the FCS Coach of the Year by the New England Football Writers after a season in which he secured his 100th career win. New Hampshire made the NCAA's for the ninth straight year, the longest active streak in the country.

Rounding things out for our first moment is Stony Brook football. The Seawolves put up 126 points in their first two games and then nearly beat FBS Syracuse. Then, Stony Brook ran off seven straight victories and Miguel Maysonet capulted himself right into the thick of the Walter Payton Award race. Maysonet became the Big South's all-time leader in rushing yards as he led his team to the NCAA Championship and a first-round date with Villanova. The Seawolves were able to get by Villanova 20-10, advancing to the second round matchup with Montana St., where they would eventually fall. Maysonet would go on to finish second in the Walter Payton Award voting, picking up 13 first-place votes in the process.

No. 11: America East Ranks Third in the Nation in APR

Academic Progress Rating (APR) is one of the most important numbers in college athletics, as it measures the progress of each scholarship student-athlete at every school. The America East was at the top of the class in 2012, as our member institutions combined for a score of 984, which made the America East third in the nation. Academics, of course, are point of extreme pride for the conference: "The fact that our conference has the third highest overall APR," said Commissioner Amy Huchthausen, "shows that our schools are incredibly good at recruiting great students who value academics as their first priority".

No. 10: Big Non-Conference Wins for Albany Men, Boston U. Women

Non-conference basketball play brings intriguing matchups with endless implications all around the country. A seemingly meaningless game to most spectators can be the difference between earning a bid to the NCAA's or even the NIT. So getting a signature win so early in the season can really set the tone for the rest of the season. This is exactly what the Albany men did in the Basketball Hall of Fame Tip-Off. In just their third game of the year, the Great Danes made the long trek to Seattle, Wash. to take on the defending regular season Pac-12 champion. Behind 22 points and a last-second layup from senior Mike Black, Albany took down Washington by a score of 63-62 in a game that will surely be remembered as one of the finest non-conference wins in recent memory by an America East squad.

After narrowly missing a victory over a ranked squad in West Virginia early in the season, Boston U. got another shot at its signature win when St. John's game to town ranked No. 17/15. As Chantell Alford continued her incredible early season play, the Terriers used her 22 points to get past the Red Storm easily, 66-49. It was the second year in a row in which Boston U. has down a Big East squad, after beating Providence to open last year's schedule. The Terriers' upset was the largest such victory by an America East squad since Hartfort beat No. 19/23 Louisville in 2009.

Linked Up

The Bangor Daily News recaps Maine's recent victory over Florida Gulf Coast.

The Hartford Courant takes an in-depth look at Jen Rizzotti and how she keeps her options open.

Hartford honored Sandy Hook Elementary School at a recent women's hoops game.

Binghamton was recently named one of the most efficient schools in the country.

If you missed it, check out the great work America East student-athletes have done in the community.