By KYLE ADAMS
Staff Writer
In the late ‘90s, Saint Rose broke onto the collegiate men’s basketball scene in Albany.
U-Albany and Siena had pretty much dominated the headlines about college basketball in Albany. That was, until the winter of 1995, when Saint Rose put together a group that would go down in history.
For three seasons, the men’s basketball team would make the trip to Louisville, Kentucky, where the Elite 8 tournaments were held.
The teams of 1995 – 1996, 1997 – 1998 and 1998 – 1999 all advanced to the NCAA Division 2 Elite 8 Tournaments and the 1997 – 1998 group made it to the Final 4.
The ceremony began with opening introductions from David Alexander, the Assistant Athletics Director for Communications.
Dr. Carolyn Stefanco, the President of the College of Saint Rose, followed Alexander with her remarks.
Stefanco ended with a letter from the Governor of New York, Andrew Cuomo. Cuomo and almost everyone else were amazed at just how good these teams were.
Over these great winning seasons, Saint Rose posted a 81–16 overall record, which is a winning percentage of 83.5.
While the statistics are all very impressive, the ceremony was not about statistics by any means.
Stefanco and head coach Brian Beaury talked a lot about the successes that these players have had since their Saint Rose years have come to an end.
These players are now people who work in what seems like every occupation imaginable, from doctors to firefighters to back on the court as coaches.
“It goes beyond the numbers. It’s about the people,” said Beaury.
Beaury remembers moments of everyone that he’s coached, but the scores of the games, not so much.
Ben Goodwin seemed to echo that sentiment with a story about every player and coach that was a part of their journey in the late ‘90s.
Goodwin was one of only two players to be a part of all three Elite 8 appearances. Goodwin also said that what he learned most from Coach Beaury is to never be satisfied and to always want more.
In sports you can tell a lot about a player or coach by the reaction that they get from the crowd.
That was the case for longtime assistant coach, Don Bassett. When Coach Bassett spoke, everyone was at the edge of their seats, including Bassett himself.
“I can’t wait to see what I’ve got to say,” Bassett began.
It was obvious that Bassett had an instrumental role in the success of these three teams.
When Bassett finished speaking, everyone in the Massry auditorium stood up and gave him an ovation until he was back in his seat.
Coach Beaury said that while he got most of the credit, Bassett and the other coaches did a great deal of the coaching and the work.
The guests at the ceremony included the former players, their families, alumni and current faculty and administration.
The current men’s basketball team was also in attendance. Coach Beaury said, of the current team, that he really hopes they were all listening and watching closely, because he believes that they are capable of adding another banner to the Daniel P. Nolan Gymnasium.
Thursday night capped off the start of the basketball season at Saint Rose when students and fans were introduced to the current men’s and women’s teams at Midknight Madness.
Hopefully, the Hall of Fame ceremony served as more motivation for the current players, as Coach Beaury is hoping as well.
