Saint Michael's College Purple Knights Men's Basketball
Saint Michael's College is a private Catholic liberal arts college located in Colchester, Vermont. The Saint Michael's College Purple Knights Men's Basketball team is one of the most competitive teams in the Northeast-10 Conference. The team represents the college in Division II of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and has a rich history of success and achievement.
The History of Saint Michael's College Basketball
Saint Michael's College basketball began its journey in 1925 with the formation of the men's basketball team. The team's first coach was Richard R. Oakes, who coached the team from 1925 to 1941. During this time, the team played several games and won most of them.
After World War II, basketball at Saint Michael's College saw a revival, and the Purple Knights became a force to be reckoned with. The team won several championships, including the New England Championship in 1955 and the NAIA District 32 Championship in 1963.
In 1973, Saint Michael's College joined the Northeast-10 Conference, marking a new era in the team's history. Since then, the team has continued to compete and has won several championships, including the Northeast-10 Conference Championship in 1988 and the NCAA Division II East Regional Championship in 1995.
The Team's Achievements
Saint Michael's College Purple Knights Men's Basketball has a long list of achievements to its name. The team has won several championships and awards, including:
- NAIA District 32 Championship - 1963
- New England Championship - 1955
- Northeast-10 Conference Championship - 1988
- NCAA Division II East Regional Championship - 1995
- Northeast-10 Conference Regular Season Champions - 2000
- Northeast-10 Conference Tournament Champions - 2000
- Northeast-10 Conference Champions - 2017
In addition to these championships, many players from the team have gone on to become successful basketball players. Some of the notable players include Tom Lacey, Rob Robinson, and Chuck Ardelean, who have all been inducted into the Saint Michael's College Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Current Team
The current Saint Michael's College Purple Knights Men's Basketball team is led by head coach Josh Meyer. Coach Meyer has been with the team since 2019 and has already made a significant impact, leading the team to several wins and championships.
Some of the key players on the current team include:
- Levi Holmes III - Guard
- Jaden Sayles - Guard
- Vlad Cobzaru - Forward
- Max Silverman - Guard
The team has a strong record in recent years, finishing as Northeast-10 Conference Champions in 2017 and reaching the NCAA Division II Tournament in 2018.
The Future of Saint Michael's College Basketball
The future of Saint Michael's College Purple Knights Men's Basketball looks bright. The team has a strong coach and a talented roster of players, and they are likely to continue to compete at a high level and achieve success in the coming years.
In addition, Saint Michael's College has invested heavily in its athletic facilities, including the recent renovation of the Ross Sports Center. These improvements will provide the team with state-of-the-art training and competition facilities and help to attract top talent to the college.
Conclusion
Saint Michael's College Purple Knights Men's Basketball has a long and storied history of success and achievement. The team has won several championships and awards and has produced many successful players over the years. With a strong coach and talented roster, and with continued investment in its athletic facilities, the team is likely to continue to compete at a high level and achieve success in the coming years.
