Le Moyne Dolphins men's basketball

Le Moyne Dolphins
2023–24 Le Moyne Dolphins men's basketball team
University	Le Moyne College
First season	1948–49; 75 years ago
All-time record	1,081–837 (.564) through 2023–24 season
Athletic director	Mike Lindberg (interim)
Head coach	Nate Champion (4th[a] season)
Conference	NEC
Location	DeWitt, New York[b]
Arena	Le Moyne Events Center (Capacity: 2,637[c])
Nickname	Dolphins (official) Unofficial The Green & Gold Heightsmen Nilandmen (1948–1973)
Colors	Green and gold[1]
Uniforms
Home Away
NCAA tournament Elite Eight
Division II: 2018
NCAA tournament Sweet Sixteen
Division II: 1959, 1964, 2018
NCAA tournament round of 32
Division II: 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1988, 2018
NCAA tournament appearances
Division II: 1959, 1960, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1988, 1996, 1997, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019
Conference tournament champions
Middle Eastern College Athletic Association (MECAA): 1960 Mideast Collegiate Conference (MECC): 1988 New England Collegiate Conference (NECC): 1996 Northeast-10 Conference (NE10): 1997, 2018
Conference regular season champions
MECAA: 1959,[d] 1960, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1969,[e] 1973 MECC: 1984, 1988 NE10: 1998, 2017, 2018, 2020
Conference division season champions
NE10 Southwest Division: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020

The Le Moyne Dolphins men's basketball program is the men's college basketball team of Le Moyne College. The Dolphins compete in Division I of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a member of the Northeast Conference and are currently coached by Nate Champion. The Dolphins have played their home games on Ted Grant Court at the Le Moyne Events Center in DeWitt, New York since 1962. The Dolphins are currently transitioning to Division I and are ineligible to participate in the NCAA tournament until the 2027–28 season.

History[edit]

Birth of a program (1948–1950)[edit]

The Dolphins' first varsity basketball game was a home game at the State Fair Coliseum against Siena on December 7, 1948, a 41–39 loss for Le Moyne. Trailing by eight points with seven minutes remaining in the first half, Le Moyne went on a 21–6 run to claim a seven-point lead at the break. The Dolphins came out cold in the second half, scoring just a single basket in the first 16 minutes, and surrendered the lead. Le Moyne bounced back to tie the game in the final minute, but a buzzer-beating set shot by Roy Peters gave the Indians the victory in front of a crowd of 1,929 fans.^[2][3] The opening game against Siena had been treated by Le Moyne's student body as not simply the debut of the Dolphins as a basketball team but as the first game of what was expected to become a heated rivalry. In anticipation of the game, "BEAT SIENA!" was emblazoned across the front page of the school newspaper.^[4] A pep rally was held the night before the Siena game and attended by the team, the head coach, the athletics moderator, Rev. Vincent B. Ryan, S.J., and, of course, the cheerleaders.^[5]

Le Moyne's first head coach and athletic director was Tommy Niland,^[6] who mentored the varsity basketball team for 25 years, until 1973. Niland remained at Le Moyne after his coaching career ended, continuing in his role as the athletic director until his retirement in 1990. Le Moyne's athletics center is named in his honor.

Le Moyne's first victory came on the road at the Geneva Armory against Hobart on December 10, 1948. Dave Lozo scored three early baskets to give Le Moyne a lead they never relinquished. Coach Niland pulled the Dolphins' starters off the floor midway through the second half with a 22-point lead. Lozo finished the game with 13 points, and team captain Don Savage added 11, as Le Moyne cruised to a 50–37 victory.^[7][8]

During the first three years of its varsity basketball program, Le Moyne was led on the court by Don Savage.^[9][10][11] Savage had appeared in Le Moyne College's first ever intercollegiate contest on December 4, 1947, a 62–57 overtime victory for the freshman basketball team at Utica.^[12] More than 400 Le Moyne students made the trip to see the game.^[13] Savage had eight points in that game, while Dave Lozo had a game-high 18 for the Dolphin Cubs.^[14] Joe Boehm served as captain of that freshman team,^[15] which went 16–4 and was coached by Tommy Niland^[6] in an effort to build the basketball program from the ground up. Niland pulled double duty, serving as coach of both the varsity and freshman teams through the end of the 1949–50 season.^[16]

A crowd of 2,500 fans witnessed the Le Moyne freshman team's home debut in the nightcap of a doubleheader at the West Jefferson Street Armory on December 18, 1947, a 49–42 victory over La Salle Military Academy that improved their record to 4–0. Dave Lozo scored 18 points for the Dolphin Cubs. Christian Brothers Academy beat Utica Catholic Academy, 45–33, in the opening game of that night's twin bill.^[17]

The challenge faced by Le Moyne during its inaugural varsity season was unique. The Dolphins were not simply a first-year basketball team; Le Moyne College was a second-year institution. Therefore, the Dolphins were composed entirely of sophomores and faced teams with experienced juniors and seniors in every game.

Le Moyne's first varsity home victory came on January 7, 1949, over King's by a score of 70–59. The Dolphins were led by Don Savage and Dave Lozo, who each scored 21 points. Le Moyne improved to 3–3 with the win.^[18]

Dave Lozo had the highest scoring game by a Le Moyne player during the 1948–49 season, putting up 27 points on January 15, 1949, against Saint Francis (PA) at the Jaffa Mosque in Altoona, Pennsylvania. The Dolphins fell in overtime, 86–80.^[19]

More than halfway through their inaugural season, a 53–31 loss at Siena on January 29, 1949,^[20][21] left the Dolphins with a 5–6 record. A 70–40 home victory over McMaster on February 5,^[22][23] proved to be a turning point, sparking a five-game winning streak.^[24]

The second game of the Dolphins' five-game winning streak was an 86–20 victory at Geneseo State on February 11, 1949. The 66-point margin of victory set a program record that would stand until 2005.^[25] Don Savage led the Dolphins, who built a 41–8 halftime lead, with 23 points, three more points than Geneseo State's entire output.^[26]

After losing on a neutral floor to Brockport State in overtime in Auburn, New York,^[27][28] the Dolphins won their final two games of the season, both on the road,^[29][30] to make it seven wins in their final eight games and finish 12–7, a respectable mark for an all-sophomore team.^[31]

All five of Le Moyne's starters from the previous season, including captain Don Savage,^[32] returned for the 1949–50 campaign. The returnees were joined by sophomores Jim Hand, Mike Scallion and Joe Taylor. The team trained at Grant Junior High School in Syracuse and scrimmaged against both the Syracuse Nationals, featuring future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Dolph Schayes, and Canisius, Tommy Niland's alma mater,^[33] to prepare for the season.^[34]

Don Savage scored 40 points, 20 in each half, on 16-for-29 shooting from the floor on December 16, 1949, in a 78–68 loss to St. Francis (NY). The point total was a new high for a Le Moyne player as well as the most points ever scored by any player in a college or professional game at the State Fair Coliseum. The Terriers used a 10–0 run over the first two minutes of the second half to open up a 13-point lead, and the Dolphins were unable to get closer than five points down the rest of the way. Le Moyne fell to 1–4 on the season with the loss.^[35][36]

The Dolphins entered their February 8, 1950 home-season finale with a 4–11 record (4–10 in collegiate contests, since one loss came at the hands of the New York Athletic Club, which, in 1953, was retroactively erased by the Bevo Francis rule)^[37] and had suffered a heartbreaking overtime loss at home to rival Siena three days earlier in a game that went to an extra session after Le Moyne's Don Miller missed two free throws with six seconds remaining in regulation that could have sealed a Dolphins victory.^[38] The setting was less than ideal for the Dolphins to accomplish something remarkable. Nevertheless, Dave Lozo, the smallest player on the floor at 5'8", exploded for 34 points and led Le Moyne, which overcame a tremendous height disadvantage, to a 78–67 triumph over John Carroll, the Dolphins their first ever win over a major program.^[39]: 48 Miller redeemed himself after the missed free throws in the Siena game; he entered the game midway through the first half and began guarding 6'8" Bob Roper, who already had 13 points. Roper scored only one point the rest of the game. After the teams played to a 37–37 deadlock in the first half, Le Moyne's defense slowed down the Blue Streaks, holding them without a field goal for the first nine minutes of the second half, and the Dolphins built a 64–50 lead. Le Moyne's advantage swelled to 17 points at 77–60, but Carroll cut the deficit, holding Le Moyne to only one point in the final three minutes as four Dolphins fouled out. However, the Blue Streaks got no closer than 10 points down.^[40][41]

Despite a record of 6–11 in collegiate contests, Le Moyne was invited to a four-team post-season tournament sponsored by the Utica Optimist Club staged at the Utica Free Academy gymnasium.^[42] After accepting the tournament bid, the Dolphins played three more road games, winning two of them,^[43][44][45] to finish the regular season 8–12.

In the tournament semifinal, the Dolphins avenged a loss they suffered in January^[46] by beating Brockport State, 67–60, on March 15. Don Savage led Le Moyne with 25 points.^[47] The following night, Le Moyne found themselves in a tight contest, clinging to a 57–55 lead over Utica, who were playing on their home court. Savage was fouled with about a minute remaining and sank both free throws to extend the Dolphins' lead to four points. Utica scored the game's final basket, but the Dolphins held on for a 59–57 victory and took the tournament title. Savage scored 26 points in the final and claimed the tournament's outstanding player award.^[48][49] The win was the Dolphins' sixth in their final eight games, giving them a 10–12 record in collegiate contests.

First national postseason appearances (1950–1952)[edit]

In June 1950, Le Moyne became a charter member of the Eastern Catholic Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (ECIAC).^[50][51] Earlier in 1950, Le Moyne had declined an invitation to join the conference during its initial formation stage. The major concern was the expected difficulty in scheduling home games, since Le Moyne was sharing the State Fair Coliseum with both the Syracuse Nationals and the Syracuse Orangemen.^[52] The ECIAC did not schedule conference games for its members. Instead, teams were expected to schedule at least five conference games in order to be eligible for the league championship, which would be determined by winning percentage in conference games.^[53] The Dolphins scheduled seven conference matchups for the 1950–51 season, five of which were road games.^[54] Shortly before the start of the season, one more home game and one more road game were added to the conference schedule.^[55] Before play began, Scranton and Saint Michael's had left the conference.^[56] This made Le Moyne's scheduled game against Scranton a non-conference tilt. ECIAC members later agreed that only one designated game against each conference opponent would count in the league standings. Since Le Moyne had two games scheduled against each of King's, Siena and Saint Peter's, three more games were removed from their league schedule, reducing the conference slate to five games. After only one season, the ECIAC ceased publicizing itself as a conference and became an association of its member schools with no basketball champion crowned, leaving Le Moyne an independent again for 1951–52.^[57]

The 1950–51 season marked the first time Le Moyne fielded a team that included seniors, and the squad was led by captain Don Savage.^[58] Four sophomores were added to the team: Billy Jenkins, Bill Clancy, Tony Donardo and Fred Sheridan, and Jenkins was expected to start.^[59] Despite efforts to prepare the team, including scheduling preseason scrimmages against Dolph Schayes and the Nationals,^[60] Le Moyne got off to a terrible start, losing their first five games (one of which was against the New York Athletic Club which in 1953, was retroactively erased as a collegiate contest by the Bevo Francis rule)^[37][61] and six of their first seven, all of which were on the road.

The Dolphins opened their season with a 70–68 double overtime loss at Siena on Thanksgiving Day. It was the fifth straight loss to the Indians without a win. Billy Jenkins scored 20 points on 9-for-12 shooting in his varsity debut to lead Le Moyne.^[62]

Don Savage scored 18 points, and the Dolphins opened their home schedule with their first ever win over rival Siena, who entered the game 9–0, 53–47, on December 30. Le Moyne scored the game's first nine points and led, 26–17, at the break. The Indians went on an 11–0 run early in the second half to forge ahead, 30–29. Savage responded with a basket that sparked a 13–6 run that returned both the momentum and the lead to the Dolphins, putting them ahead, 42–36. Sophomore Billy Jenkins, who finished with 16 points, scored eight of Le Moyne's points during that critical run. The Dolphins extended the run to 21–10 and took a 10-point lead at 50–40, when Dave Lozo dribbled the length of the floor and converted a layup. An offensive rebound and putback by Don Miller gave Le Moyne their largest lead at 53–42. Both Savage and Jenkins fouled out in the closing minutes, and the Indians scored the final five points of the game, but their comeback fell short.^[63][64] In addition to his offensive production at the game's most important juncture, Jenkins was outstanding on the defensive end, guarding Siena star Billy Harrell and holding him without a field goal.^[65] This was Le Moyne's second victory over a major program, and the win proved to be a turning point for the Dolphins' fortunes, igniting a seven-game winning streak.^[66][67]

Don Savage scored 28 points to become the first Le Moyne player to score 1,000 points in a career in the Dolphins' 85–68 win over Brockport State on January 6.^[68][69] Dave Lozo followed Savage into the 1,000-point club exactly two weeks later, scoring eight points in a 92–43 home win over Oswego State.^[70][71]

The Dolphins caught an 8:30 a.m. flight for their 2 p.m. Sunday tilt with Saint Francis (PA) on February 11.^[72] The Red Flash had won each of their home games at Doyle Hall by at least 10 points over the previous two years. Saint Francis, with an average height of 6'4", used their size advantage to race to an early 24–10 lead. The Dolphins recovered to tie the game and trailed by only three points at halftime. Billy Jenkins had kept the Dolphins in the game by outrebounding his taller opponents. However, while he was on the bench in foul trouble, the Red Flash built a 77–56 lead. After Jenkins returned, the Dolphins went on a run and cut the deficit to two points. One final Saint Francis run extended their lead back to 12 points with one minute to play. Le Moyne scored the game's final six points but fell, 93–87, ending their seven-game winning streak. Don Savage set a new record for most points scored by a player in Doyle Hall with 32.^[73]

The Dolphins were again invited to participate in the second annual Utica Optimist Club tournament.^[74]

The Dolphins broke the century mark for the first time in program history on February 23, in a 110–80 home win over Saint Peter's. The 110 points was the most ever scored by a college team in a game played in Syracuse. Billy Jenkins had a game-high 33 points for Le Moyne.^[75] The Dolphins improved to 11–6 in collegiate contests with their third straight win and 10th in their last 11 games.

Don Savage scored 19 points leading a balanced Dolphins attack to an 86–69 victory over Utica, which was playing on its home court, in the semifinals of the Utica Optimist Club invitational on February 28.^[76] The following evening, the Dolphins defeated Hartwick, 86–65, in the title game to secure their second straight tournament championship. Don Savage scored 27 points in the clincher^[77] and was named most valuable player for the second straight year.^[78][79] These two wins along with a 20-point home victory over King's in their regular-season finale^[80] gave the Dolphins six straight wins and a run of 13 wins in 14 games, pushing their record in collegiate contests to 14–6.

As one of the hottest teams in college basketball, Le Moyne was awarded an at-large berth in the prestigious National Catholic Invitational Tournament (NCIT), the program's first major postseason appearance.^[12][81] At the time, it was not unusual for a team to participate in more than one postseason tournament.

The 1951 NCIT was played at the Washington Avenue Armory in Albany, New York, the arena in which rival Siena, which also received an invitation and got a bye to the quarterfinals, staged 17 of their 18 home games that season, including their double overtime victory over Le Moyne in the season opener.^[20] In the first round, Don Savage set a new single-game scoring record for an NCIT game with 33 points, and the Dolphins cruised to a 95–67 blowout victory over Saint Michael's on March 13.^[82][83]

The Dolphins faced Siena, ranked no. 18 in the AP major-program poll,^[84] in the quarterfinals in what was essentially a road environment, but Le Moyne came away with a 57–53 victory on March 14. A Dave Lozo layup in the second half gave the Dolphins a 32–31 lead they never relinquished. Le Moyne's lead grew as large as nine points, and the Indians continued to claw their way back into the game, but the Dolphins remained in front. Siena's All-America finalist Billy Harrell was frustrated on the boards by Le Moyne's Joe Endres and guarded ferociously by Billy Jenkins, who had also stifled him in the teams' previous meeting. Harrell finished with only four points. Don Savage led the Dolphins with 20 points.^[85][86] This was Le Moyne's third win over a major program and the first against a team ranked in the AP major-program poll.

Despite 14 points from Don Savage and 12 from Billy Jenkins, the Dolphins fell in the NCIT semifinals, 84–66, to St. Francis (NY) on March 17.^[87] The following day, Le Moyne went on to defeat Mount St. Mary's, 63–61, in the third-place game,^[12][88] the final game in the collegiate career of Don Savage, who went on the play parts of two seasons in the NBA with the Syracuse Nationals.^[89] The Dolphins had a 61–50 lead with four minutes to play, but Mount St. Mary's went on an 11–0 run to tie the game. Jim Hand's one-handed shot 10 feet from the basket with 13 seconds on the clock provided the winning margin for the Dolphins. Savage was named to the all-tournament first team.^[90]

In March 1951, Le Moyne announced they would play home games during the upcoming season in the new Onondaga County War Memorial. Most of the games would be part of doubleheaders that would also feature Syracuse Orangemen home games.^[91] Three home games for which the War Memorial was not available were played at the North High School gymnasium.

In April 1951, the NCAA granted a blanket waiver allowing freshmen at schools with fewer than 1,000 male students to play varsity basketball to address a manpower shortage caused by the Korean War.^[92][93] Le Moyne opted not to field a freshman team for 1951–52, and allowed freshmen to try out for the varsity team instead.^[94] The Dolphins did, however, field a junior varsity team.^[95][96]

The Dolphins elected senior Jim Hand and junior Billy Jenkins co-captains for the 1951–52 season. As they had done the previous year, Le Moyne played several scrimmages against the Syracuse Nationals during training camp.^[97] Le Moyne lost Don Savage, Dave Lozo, Joe Boehm, Don Miller and Joe Endres to graduation. Jenkins was the only returning starter. Juniors George Pandelly and Fred Sheridan were expected to start along with Hand and Jenkins. Sophomore Ray Staerker and freshmen Dick Shea and Jack Haggerty were added to the team. Head coach Tommy Niland had expected to start Shea, but the freshman's foot injury during the preseason clouded the plans. A cast was removed from Shea's foot about a week before the season began, and he was undergoing therapy as the campaign was about to begin.^[98] Shea's status was unclear the day before the opener.^[99]

The Dolphins were blown out in their season opener at the Washington Avenue Armory, 62–41, by Siena on November 22, 1951. Billy Harrell, who had been stifled by the defense of Billy Jenkins in the previous two meetings between the teams, had 11 points for the Indians. Tom Pottenburgh, Siena's 6'9" sophomore newcomer, scored 12 points in his varsity debut. Dick Shea played in the game and scored two points. Fred Byers, Patsy Leo, Bill Feyerabend and John Young were all added to Le Moyne's varsity roster and saw action in the game. Jim Hand was the only Dolphin in double figures with 11 points.^[100]

The Dolphins opened their home schedule and made their debut at North High School on November 28. After Le Moyne trailed Ithaca by one point at halftime, Fred Sheridan, Billy Jenkins and Jim Hand led a dominant second half that saw the Dolphins outscore the Bombers, 47–27, on their way to an easy 69–50 victory. Sheridan scored a game-high 16 points for Le Moyne.^[95]

Le Moyne met Scranton in the first collegiate game at the Onondaga County War Memorial on November 30. The Dolphins led by as many as six points in the first half and still had a one-point lead early in the third quarter, when the Royals began to dominate with their inside game and went on a 12–2 run to close the quarter. The Dolphins could not close the gap, and Scranton won the game, 56–47. Dom De Regis was added to the squad and made his debut. Billy Jenkins led the Dolphins with a game-high 17 points.^[101]

The Dolphins entered their January 18 game against rival Siena at the War Memorial with a 3–8 record in collegiate contests. In contrast, Siena was ranked no. 11 in the AP major-program poll.^[102] Le Moyne turned what appeared to be an impossible situation into one of the biggest upsets in college basketball that season. After the teams were tied at 25 at the half, Siena took a 29–26 lead in the third quarter. Billy Jenkins scored all eight points during an 8–2 run that gave the Dolphins a 34–31 lead. Le Moyne was unable to pull away, but Siena, hampered by poor free-throw shooting, never tied the game after the burst. With six seconds to play and Le Moyne protecting a two-point lead, a jump ball was called at center court. The ball was tipped by a Dolphin and went out of bounds on the baseline, just as the buzzer sounded. Siena head coach Dan Cunha protested vehemently that the clock had started too early, but the officials ruled the game over, giving the Dolphins a 53–51 victory. Jenkins finished with a game-high 24 points.^[103] This was the Dolphins' fourth win over a major program and second over an opponent ranked in the AP major-program poll, both of which came against Siena.

With 10 players available, Le Moyne had seven of them disqualified by personal fouls in their February 24, 1952 game at Gannon. The Dolphins played a four-minute stretch with only four players on the floor and the final minute with just three players. The undermanned Green and Gold fell, 60–58. Billy Jenkins scored 20 points for Le Moyne before fouling out. The Dolphins drew 42 personal fouls in the game.^[104]

Despite a disappointing 5–14 regular-season record, 4–7 against small colleges and 1–7 against major programs, Le Moyne was invited to the 1952 Utica Optimist Club tournament for the third straight year.^[105] Sparked by Jim Hand's 22 points, the Dolphins rushed to a 21–8 lead at the end of the first quarter and were ahead by 37–16 at halftime, cruising to a 72–42 victory over host Utica in the semifinal on March 7.^[106] Billy Jenkins had 16 points, while Fred Sheridan added 14, and Hand had 13 to lead the Dolphins to a 72–61 victory over Hartwick in the tournament title game, avenging a loss earlier in the season.^[107] Jenkins was named the tournament MVP.^[108][109]

Following the victories in Utica, Le Moyne was invited to the NCIT for the second consecutive season.^[110] The 1952 tournament was played in Troy, New York, and Le Moyne's student newspaper and local media speculated that the Dolphins may have been invited, at least in part, because of support shown by their fans the previous year.^[111][112] In their first-round game against Providence, the Dolphins surged ahead in the second quarter after trailing by three points at the end of the first quarter. Dick Shea, who finished with 10 points, fouled out midway through the fourth quarter. A short time later, Jack Young, Billy Jenkins and Fred Sheridan all fouled out, leaving Le Moyne thin on manpower and clinging to a four-point lead. The Dolphins went into a deep freeze for the final three minutes to protect their advantage. Le Moyne waived the free throws on five Friars fouls during this deep freeze in order to maintain possession of the ball. Providence was unable to regain possession, and Le Moyne held on for a 67–63 victory on March 15.^[113][114]

Despite 20 points from Freddy Sheridan, the Dolphins fell in their NCIT quarterfinal game, 75–61, to St. Francis (NY) on March 17.^[113][115] Le Moyne finished the 1951–52 season 8–15 in collegiate contests, 1–8 against major programs and 7–7 against small colleges.

Dolphins become consistent winners (1952–1955)[edit]

Le Moyne moved its home games to the West Jefferson Street Armory in Syracuse for the 1952–53 season.^[116] With the other 1951–52 co-captain, Jim Hand, having graduated, the Dolphins elected senior Billy Jenkins captain for 1952–53.^[117] Aside from Jenkins, six other players who saw significant playing time the previous season returned: Fred Sheridan, George Pandelly, Dick Shea, Jack Young, Fred Byers and Patsy Leo. Three players who primarily played on the junior varsity team the previous season but saw some varsity action also returned: Jack Haggerty, Bill Feyerabend and Dom De Regis. Four freshmen, Bob Dietz, Dick Kenyon, Bill Phillips and Len Mowins, were added to the team.^[118] All 11 of Le Moyne's scheduled home games were to be broadcast on WOLF with the station's sports director, Red Parton, providing the play-by-play.^[119]

After splitting the season's first four games, the Dolphins hosted John Carroll on December 19, 1952. A late second quarter burst gave Le Moyne a 31–29 lead at the break. Led by Billy Jenkins, the Dolphins upped the tempo in the third quarter and found success with the fast break, pushing ahead by 60–48 with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. A furious comeback attempt by the Blue Streaks, fueled by pressure defense and hot shooting, cut Le Moyne's lead to 68–65 with one minute remaining. However, the Dolphins were 4 for 4 from the free-throw line in the final minute and held on for a 72–65 victory. Jenkins led Le Moyne with 20 points, and freshman Dick Kenyon added 17. Dick Shea held Carroll center Fred Adams to three points and no field goals while scoring 13 points of his own.^[120] The win was Le Moyne's fifth over a major program.

Cold shooting in the third quarter doomed Loyola of Los Angeles in their December 30, 1952 game at the West Jefferson Street Armory. The Dolphins outscored the Lions, 20–11, in the quarter and erased a one-point halftime deficit, claiming a 62–54 lead. After Loyola closed the gap to three points, solid free-throw shooting by Patsy Leo, Dick Kenyon and Billy Jenkins kept the Dolphins in front, until a fast-break layup by Fred Byers put away a 79–74 Dolphins victory. Jenkins finished with a game-high 22 points.^[121] The win was the sixth over a major program in Le Moyne's history.

Le Moyne entered their January 30, 1953 home game against Boston College with a record of 7–6 after three straight losses, all to major programs.^{[122][123][124]} After leading by three at intermission, the Dolphins extended their bulge to five points at the end of the third quarter on a pair of Dick Shea free throws. Le Moyne controlled play in the fourth quarter and put the game out of reach, when Fred Sheridan's pass found George Pandelly for an easy basket, giving the Dolphins a 62–53 lead. Le Moyne held on for a 64–59 win. Shea led the Dolphins with 19 points and had a strong rebounding game.^[125] The victory gave Le Moyne seven wins over major programs.

The Dolphins met archrival Siena in their home finale on February 24, 1953. The Dolphins appeared to be in control, holding a 13-point lead with eight minutes to play, when Siena went on a run and cut Le Moyne's lead to 60–56 with 3:20 on the clock. A steal by Billy Jenkins broke up a Siena scoring opportunity, and he hit a free throw after being fouled. Dick Kenyon scored the next four points for Le Moyne on a pair of free throws and a layup, giving the Dolphins a 65–58 lead. Le Moyne hit their free throws down the stretch and held on for a 68–63 victory. Siena center Tom Pottenburgh went to the bench in the second quarter after picking up his third personal foul, and he did not return until the fourth quarter. His scoring keyed Siena's fourth-quarter run that cut Le Moyne's lead to only four points. Pottenburgh finished the game with 10 points. Jenkins scored 16 points for the Dolphins in the final home game for the senior captain.^[126] The victory was Le Moyne's fourth of the season over a major program and the eighth in Dolphins history.

Billy Jenkins became the third Le Moyne player to score 1,000 career points in his varsity career during the 1952–53 season.^[126]

Despite an impressive 12–8 record in collegiate contests that included a 4–7 record against major programs and an 8–1 mark against small colleges, Le Moyne did not participate in the 1953 postseason.

Practices for the 1953–54 season began on November 2, 1953, at Grant Junior High School. The Dolphins lost Billy Jenkins, Freddy Sheridan and George Pandelly to graduation. Senior Dick Shea, juniors Patsy Leo and John Young and sophomores Dick Kenyon, Lenny Mowins and Bob Dietz all returned.^[127] Shea was elected team captain.^[128][129] Le Moyne scrimmaged against the Syracuse Nationals, the Syracuse Orange and Cornell during training camp.^[130]

In addition to carrying Le Moyne home games, as it did during the previous season, WOLF also planned to broadcast select Dolphins road games during the 1953–54 season with Red Parton continuing in his role as the play-by-play man.^[131]

By mid November, practices were moved to the West Jefferson Street Armory, and freshmen Ronnie Mack and Dan Cavellier were expected to make the team.^[132] Two other freshman, Bob Smolinski and Bob Canty, were also impressive in pre-season practices.^[129][133] By the latter part of the pre-season, Mack was expected to start.^[134]

Just before the start of the 1953–54 season, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) passed a regulation barring freshman from playing varsity basketball, unless the institution had fewer than 500 male students. The rule permitted freshmen to play on varsity teams, if the school had fewer then 750 male students and participated in at least two fall, three winter and three spring sports. Le Moyne had 631 male students but only participated in one fall sport: cross country. Although the Dolphins satisfied the NCAA's criteria for allowing freshmen to play, and Le Moyne was not yet a member of the ECAC, it had hopes of joining the conference. The college decided to voluntarily comply with the ECAC rule.^[133] Don Savage was appointed head coach of the hastily formed freshman team.^[135]

After dropping their season opener at home to St. Bonaventure,^[136] the Dolphins fell behind, 20–8, at the end of the first quarter of their December 5 game at Siena. From the start of the second quarter, Le Moyne's defense, led by Patsy Leo and Lenny Mowins, stifled the Indians. After a one-handed shot by Bill Phillips found the basket from 40 feet away, the Dolphins took their first lead, 28-27, with 3:50 to play in the third quarter. Le Moyne scored the next five points to complete a 12–0 run to open the second half and take a 33–27 lead. A basket by Joe McCrudden gave Siena their only points of the third quarter, a period owned by the Dolphins, 14–2. Le Moyne expanded their lead in the fourth quarter and cruised to a 60–40 rout. Dick Kenyon scored 21 points to lead the Dolphins.^[137][138] This was Le Moyne's ninth victory over a major program.

In January, Dolphins reserve John Young had to leave school, because he was called for military duty.^[139]

The Dolphins used their speed and pressure defense to overcome a height disadvantage and defeat Boston College, 77–63, on February 5, 1954. Le Moyne claimed an early 8–2 lead and held a three-point edge at the end of the first quarter. Dick Kenyon and Patsy Leo fueled a second-quarter rally that extended the Dolphins' advantage to 39–27 at intermission. Lenny Mowins and Bob Dietz were the catalysts during a 9–4 Le Moyne run that opened the second half and extended the lead to 17 points at 48–31. The Eagles, led by Jack O'Hara, who finished with 17 points, turned things around from there, finishing the third quarter on an 18–11 run that cut the Dolphins' lead to 10 points. Le Moyne tried to slow down the pace of the game in the fourth quarter by keeping possession, but Boston College cut the Dolphins' lead to six points with four minutes to play. The Eagles began fouling in the final minutes to get the ball back, but their target was Dietz, who had won a free-throw shooting competition as a child. Dietz was 8 for 9 from the charity stripe in the fourth quarter, securing the Dolphins victory, their 10th all-time over a major program, in front of their home crowd.^[140] Tony Donardo returned to school and the team for this game following an absence due to military service.^[139]

The entire Siena squad shook hands with Dolphins' captain Dick Shea, as he was removed from the floor toward the end of his final collegiate game, a 63–55 road victory for the Indians on March 6, 1954.^[141] The Dolphins finished the 1953–54 season 10–6 in collegiate contests. They were 2–5 against major programs and 8–1 against small colleges.

Le Moyne had four of their five regular starters, including leading scorer junior Dick Kenyon, from the previous season return for 1954–55. The addition of Ron Mack, who had an outstanding season on the freshman team in 1953–54, to the varsity team was highly anticipated. However, Mack suffered torn ligaments in his ankle during a pre-season scrimmage, and his status was uncertain as the season opener approached.^[142] Patsy Leo, the only senior on the squad, was named team captain for 1954–55.^[143] The team lost captain Dick Shea to graduation and senior Jack Haggerty, who left to become the head coach of the freshman team. Aside from Kenyon, other returning players were juniors Len Mowins, Bob Dietz, Bill Phillips and Jim Spaulding. Practices started on November 1.^[144] Sophomores making the team included Mack, Bob Canty, Dan Cavellier, Bob Smolinski and Dick Walser.^[145] Head coach Tommy Niland was hopeful that Cavellier could help replace the size lost with the graduation of Shea, last season's starting center. Tony Donardo remained a student at Le Moyne but decided during training camp to end his college basketball career early.^[146][147] Shortly before the season began, Niland announced that Smolinski would be the starting center with Cavellier getting significant playing time.^[148]

For the first time in program history, the Dolphins won their season opener, 71–57, over Saint Peter's in front of 1,700 fans at the West Jefferson Street Armory on December 4, 1954. Bob Dietz scored 21 points, 17 of them coming on free throws, for Le Moyne in the first game the team played under the NCAA's new one-and-one free throw rule. Dietz's 17 free throws broke his own program single-game record. The Dolphins outscored the Peacocks, 35–15, from the charity stripe. Dick Kenyon added 16 points, all coming on field goals, for Le Moyne.^[149][150] Ron Mack did not appear in the game, but he made his varsity debut three days later in a loss at no. 8 Niagara.^[151][152]

On December 11, 1954, the Dolphins returned to the Onondaga County War Memorial for their first home game there since February 9, 1952, in a game organized to benefit the Onondaga County chapter of the Association for the Help of Retarded Children. A crowd of 5,000 spectators, the largest ever for a Le Moyne home game, welcomed no. 20 Western Kentucky.^[153] The Hilltoppers used their significant height advantage to control the game most of the way. However, trailing by 16 points, 68–52, with 10 minutes to play, the Dolphins closed the game on a 25–7 run to earn a 77–75 win, one of the biggest upset victories in program history. Dick Kenyon, who had a game-high 29 points, Bob Dietz and Bob Canty provided the offense down the stretch to fuel the late rally. Kenyon had a steal and scored on a fast-break layup to cut Western Kentucky's lead to 70–69 with less than four minutes to play. Dan Cavellier's basket with 2:09 to play gave the Dolphins a 71–70 lead. A pair of free throws by Kenyon extended the lead to three points. Le Moyne hit their free throws the rest of the way and held on for the victory.^[154] This was Le Moyne's 11th win all-time over a major program and third over an opponent ranked in the AP major-program poll.

The Dolphins traveled to Albany to meet Siena on New Year's Day in 1955. Le Moyne twice pushed their lead to 15 points early in the second half and held a 51–40 edge, when a 9–0 Indians run led by Tom Pottenburgh and Frank Koenig cut the Dolphins lead to two points. After Le Moyne extended their lead back to six points, two free throws followed by a basket by Koenig brought Siena within two points again at 62–60 with 1:30 remaining. After Koenig's basket, the Dolphins turned the ball over and forced a missed shot on the ensuing possession but gave up an offensive rebound. Le Moyne got the ball back on a traveling call, and Bob Dietz scored on a driving layup to layup to put the game away and give the Dolphins a 64–60 victory. Koenig had 20 points for the Indians, while the Dolphins frustrated the 6'9" Pottenburgh, holding him to just seven points. Dietz had 20 points, and Dick Kenyon had a game-high 22 points for Le Moyne, who improved to 4–1 on the season.^[155][156] The win was the 12th in Le Moyne's history over a major program.

Dick Kenyon set a new Le Moyne single-game scoring record with 41 points on January 7, 1955, in a home victory over Saint Joseph's.^[157] The Dolphins used hot shooting to build a 15-point second-half lead, but a late Hawks run cut the margin to four points, 87–83, with two minutes to play. Le Moyne closed the game on a 7–0 run to seal the 94–83 victory.^[158][159] The win gave Le Moyne a 5–1 record on the season and a three-game winning streak in games against major programs. This was the 13th win over a major program in Dolphins history.

The Dolphins lost three players: Bob Canty, Bill Phillips and Dick Walser in February 1955. The players were suspended for academic deficiency. Canty had started several games, and Phillips was a regular member of the rotation off the bench.^[160]

The Dolphins met Boston College at Edgerton Park Arena in Rochester, New York on February 4, 1955, in the second game of a doubleheader that opened with Aquinas Institute, alma mater of Le Moyne's Ronnie Mack, facing Erie Prep. Le Moyne built an early lead that got as large at 18 points at 47–29. However, the Eagles stormed back, and the Dolphins found themselves in a game that was tied at 68 with four minutes to play. After a Le Moyne timeout, the Dolphins responded with an 8–0 run over the next two minutes, getting three baskets from Bob Dietz, who finished with 20 points, during the spurt. Boston College scored the next five points to cut the lead to three points at 76–73, but Len Mowins and Dan Cavellier each hit a pair of free throws, and Le Moyne's defense held. A basket by Ronnie Mack, who finished with 17 points in front of his many supporters in the crowd, in the closing seconds iced an 82–73 Dolphins victory. Dick Kenyon led Le Moyne with a game-high 22 points.^[161] The win improved the Dolphins' record to 9–3 and was the 14th over a major program in Le Moyne's history.

The Dolphins slumped after the win over Boston College, losing seven straight games, two of which were not collegiate contests.^[162] The Dolphins ended the streak with a 113–79 victory at Oswego on March 4. Bob Dietz led Le Moyne with a game-high 30 points. The 113 points scored by the Dolphins was a new high in program history.^[163]

The Dolphins closed their 1954–55 season with a home game against Siena on March 5. Senior captain Patsy Leo, playing his final collegiate game, received an appreciative ovation from the crowd of 2,000 fans. Le Moyne started the game hot and claimed a 39–28 halftime lead. The Indians battled back in the second half and moved ahead by the midway point of the frame. However, Bob Dietz, who finished with 22 points, scored 10 points during the game's final 10 minutes to lead the Dolphins to a 78–62 victory. The game was marred by a fistfight between Le Moyne's Dan Cavellier and Tim Hill, who had a game-high 23 points for Siena, two minutes before the final buzzer. Both players were ejected.^[164] The win was the Dolphins' fifth of the season and 15th all-time over a major program. Le Moyne finished the season 11–8 in collegiate contests, 5–5 against major programs and 6–3 against small colleges.

Joining the MECAA (1955–1958)[edit]

In April 1955, the Dolphins and Syracuse Orange reached an agreement to schedule their home games for the 1955–56 season as doubleheaders at the Onondaga County War Memorial.^[165][166]

In June 1955, Le Moyne became a charter member of the new Middle Eastern College Athletic Association (MECAA).^[167][168] The MECAA included teams that were also members of other conferences, a practice not uncommon at the time. When the NCAA split its members into the College Division and University Division in 1956,^[169] the MECAA included four teams (St. Francis (NY), Iona, St. Bonaventure and Siena) that were placed into the University Division, while Le Moyne and Saint Peter's were placed into the College Division. St. Francis was also a member of the Metropolitan New York Conference, and St. Bonaventure was also a member of the Western New York Little Three Conference. Nevertheless, all six schools initially continued their affiliation with the MECAA after the NCAA split.

Training camp for the 1955–56 season opened on November 1, and was held at Jamesville-DeWitt High School. Seniors Dick Kenyon, Bob Dietz, Jim "Zeke" Spaulding and Lenny Mowins all returned along with juniors Bob Smolinski, Dan Cavellier and Ronnie Mack.^[170] Sophomores Bob Hollembaek and Ed Czajka were under serious consideration for starting roles on the team. Another sophomore, Bob Scarborough, was limited during the preseason by strep throat.^[171] Later in the preseason, sophomores Frank Bergen and Paul Hennessey were also considered candidates for starting roles.^[172] Kenyon and Mowins were elected co-captains.^[173][174] Syracuse University radio station WAER began broadcasting all Dolphins home games, since they were all part of doubleheaders that also included Syracuse Orange home games. Hunter Low, the station's sports director, and John Laudermilch handled the play-by-play.^[175]

The Dolphins opened their 1955–56 season with a 78–71 win at Siena on December 1. Le Moyne seized control of the game in the first half and never led by fewer than seven points in the second half. Dan Cavellier led the Dolphins with 20 points and had a strong rebounding game.^[176] This was Le Moyne's 16th all-time win over a major program.

The Dolphins finished fifth in the second annual Quantico Marines Christmas Invitational tournament, losing to Quantico, 109–86,^[177] in a game that was not a collegiate contest, and then defeating Iona, 93–70,^[178] and Georgia Teachers, 94–90. Dick Kenyon was named to the all-tournament team.^[179] Bob Dietz led the Dolphins with 21 points against Iona.^[178] He had 33 more against Georgia Teachers.^[179] The win over Iona was Le Moyne's third straight in games against major programs and the 17th triumph over a major program in Dolphins history. The Dolphins improved to 7–0 in collegiate contests on the season.

Despite a game-high 24 points for Dick Kenyon, the Dolphins suffered their first collegiate contest and first MECAA loss of the season at St. Bonaventure, 80–70, on January 4. It was the 57th consecutive win for the Brown Indians on their home court.^[180] Le Moyne fell to 2–1 in conference play with the loss.

In late January 1956, Bob Canty and Bill Phillips, who were ruled academically ineligible a year earlier, returned to the team.^[181]

The Dolphins ended a skid of four straight losses in collegiate contests with a 92–76 victory over Boston College at Mount Carmel High School in Auburn, New York on February 3, in a game organized for charity. Dick Kenyon returned to the lineup after missing the previous game with a virus and scored a game-high 31 points to lead Le Moyne.^[182] The victory improved the Dolphins' record in collegiate contests to 8–4 and was Le Moyne's 18th all-time win over a major program.

The Dolphins won their fourth straight game in a home tilt against Iona on February 17. Le Moyne raced to an early 20–5 lead, before the Gaels battled back and pushed ahead, 37–36. The Dolphins controlled the late stages of the first half and claimed a 49–43 edge at intermission. Le Moyne built a 14-point lead at 68–54 with 13 minutes remaining, but Iona came back again, cutting the margin to just two points at 82–80 with less than four minutes to play. Le Moyne's Dan Cavellier scored the game's only basket the rest of the way, and the Dolphins were 6 for 8 from the free-throw line in the closing minutes, as their defense held tight, limiting the Gaels to just a pair of free throws down the stretch. Bob Dietz led Le Moyne with 25 points. Dick Kenyon added 23 points, 19 of them in the second half as Iona was making its run to get back into the game. The Dolphins' 90–82 victory improved their record to 12–5 in collegiate contests and 3–1 in MECAA play, keeping them in the hunt for the conference title.^[183] This was the 19th win over a major program in Le Moyne's history.

St. Bonaventure shot 51% from the floor while holding Le Moyne to a 35% clip and cruised to an 81–61 road win over the Dolphins on February 22, ending Le Moyne's five-game winning streak. Dick Kenyon and Dan Cavellier each had 16 points to lead the Dolphins.^[184] The loss dropped Le Moyne to 13–6 in collegiate contests and 3–2 in MECAA play.

The Dolphins were eliminated from the MECAA title race on February 25, when a 71–70 victory by St. Francis (NY) at Siena^[185] gave the Terriers a 4–1 league record with no conference games remaining.

Dick Kenyon had a game-high 22 points and became Le Moyne's all-time career points leader in the Dolphins' 73–58 home victory over Cortland State on February 29.^[186] Kenyon played four years of varsity basketball, because freshmen were temporarily allowed to play in 1952–53, while Savage was a varsity player for only three seasons.^[187]

The Dolphins closed their season with an 82–59 home victory over Siena on March 2. Le Moyne broke a 10–10 tie in the first half and led the rest of the way. The Indians kept the game close and trailed by only two points at the half, but the Dolphins built a 17-point lead early in the second stanza. Siena cut the lead to eight points at 56–48, but Le Moyne responded with a 10–4 run capped by a Bill Phillips layup to take a 66–52 lead with five minutes remaining. Bob Dietz, the fifth 1,000-point scorer in Dolphins history, led Le Moyne with 29 points and passed Billy Jenkins for third place on the program's all-time career points list.^[188] The win was Le Moyne's fifth of the season and 20th all time over a major program.

Although one of the stated goals of the MECAA's founding institutions was to avoid overemphasis on athletics,^[167] Le Moyne's inaugural MECAA campaign was their best season on the court up to that point, their final year in the pre-division NCAA. The Dolphins finished 15–6 in collegiate contests, including 5–4 against major programs and 10–2 against small colleges. They finished tied for second place out of six MECAA teams, ahead of two major-program league members.

Dick Kenyon was named a 1956 first-team MECAA All-Star, while Bob Dietz was named to the second team.^[189]

Starting in 1956, a new NCAA rule changed the first date on which basketball practices may be held from November 1 to October 15, and Le Moyne took full advantage, opening practices on the earliest date possible. The Dolphins faced the loss of two big scorers, Dick Kenyon and Bob Dietz, to graduation. Dan Cavellier was the only returning starter. Also returning from the previous season's squad were Bob Smolinski, Ronnie Mack, Frank Bergen, Ed Czajka and Bob Hollembaek. Back with the team after fulfilling his military commitment was John Young, who last played during the 1953–54 season. Because Young's junior year was interrupted by military service, he was still classified as a junior for the 1956–57 season. The addition of sophomore Dick Nendza to the team was widely anticipated.^[190] Preseason practices were held at Grant Junior High School.^[191] Mack, a senior, was elected team captain.^[192][193]

In preparation for the December 1 season opener at Siena, a 20-car motorcade from Syracuse to Albany was organized to transport Le Moyne supporters to the game, and plans were made to have a Le Moyne cheerleader dressed as a deceased Siena Indian and carried into the arena in a funeral procession with the pep band playing a dirge.^[194] The Dolphins dominated the game from the opening minutes with Bob Smolinski scoring 14 of his game-high 16 points in the first half and Dan Cavellier controlling the paint on the defensive end while adding 15 points. After Ed Czajka and Frank Bergen got into foul trouble, sophomores John Dobbertin and Dennis Morrissey were pressed into service, and the Dolphins' lead unexpectedly grew, as coach Tommy Niland learned his bench was stronger than he had thought. Dobbertin finished with eight points, and Morrissey had four. Another sophomore, Dick Nendza, also made his collegiate debut. Le Moyne shot 46% from the floor while holding the Indians to a 17% clip. Siena had only three baskets in the first half, the second coming after 14 minutes had elapsed, and trailed 33–14 at intermission. The Dolphins romped to a 74–41 victory.^[195] This was Le Moyne's first game as a member of the NCAA's new College Division and their 21st win over a University Division/major program.

A medical examination revealed that Bob O'Connor, a promising sophomore who coach Tommy Niland described as "the best defensive player on the squad," had a back problem that originated at birth. O'Connor's varsity basketball career ended without playing a single game.^[196]

The Dolphins set a new program record for points scored as well as a new mark for a college team playing at the Onondaga County War Memorial in a 122–65 blowout victory over St. Lawrence on December 8. Nearly all Le Moyne's second-half minutes were played by reserves, and Ed Czajka led the Dolphins with 26 points off the bench, 24 of which came after intermission. Six Le Moyne players scored in double figures.^[197]

The Dolphins lost their leading scorer, Dan Cavellier, when he required an emergency appendectomy on January 1, 1957.^[198] Ten days after the procedure, it was expected that Cavellier would be out of the lineup until at least early February.^[199]

Five Dolphins scored in double figures as Le Moyne earned a home victory over Siena, 68–59, on January 19.^[200] Le Moyne improved to 5–3 on the season with the win, their 22nd over a University Division/major program.

Dan Cavellier returned to the Dolphins' lineup, scoring eight points on four baskets, in Le Moyne's 66–56 win at Plattsburgh State on January 26. John Young, who scored 22 points, led Le Moyne, who took control early in the game. Frank Bergen hit some key free throws down the stretch to secure the victory as the Dolphins improved to 6–3.^[201]

In late January, Bob Hollembaek, who had been a reliable scorer and excellent defender, withdrew from Le Moyne due to scholastic difficulties.^[202] Hollembaek had become the focus of the Dolphins' offense and developed into a floor leader, while Dan Cavellier was recovering from his appendectomy. Cavellier was still playing only limited minutes at the time of Hollembaek's departure.^[203]

The Dolphins turned in a spirited effort in their February 2 home game against Manhattan, but they were unable to overcome their lack of depth. After trailing only 37–34 at the break, Le Moyne surged ahead three times in the second half. Midway through the stanza, John Young fouled out. A minute later, Frank Bergen was carried off the floor after injuring his knee. The Jaspers took over from there, beating the Dolphins, 81–71. Bob Smolinski led Le Moyne, who dropped to 6–5 on the season, with 20 points. Dan Cavellier scored 14 points for the Dolphins, as he continued to improve following his recovery from an appendectomy.^[204] Bergen missed the rest of the season with his ankle injury.^[205]

With Le Moyne short on manpower, Dolphins soccer goalkeeper Dick Reddington made his varsity basketball debut in a home game against Hobart on February 8. Captain Ronnie Mack scored 25 points to lead Le Moyne to a 76–52 victory that improved the Dolphins' record to 7–5. Le Moyne held the Statesmen to 25% shooting from the field while hitting 41% of their owns shots.^[206]

After losing the first five meetings between the teams, the Dolphins upset St. Francis (NY), a team that returned most of its core rotation players who won the 1956 MECAA championship and reached the 1956 NIT semifinals, 77–71, in a February 9 home game. The Terriers struggled to score against Le Moyne's zone defense, and the Dolphins built an eight-point halftime lead, 41–33. St. Francis was held scoreless for the first five minutes of the second half, and Le Moyne's lead swelled to 17 points at 50–33. The Terriers chipped away at the lead, as the Dolphins tied to slow the game down. However, Le Moyne hit their free throws down the stretch and held a comfortable 13-point lead with three minutes to play. Captain Ronnie Mack scored 23 points to lead the Dolphins, who improved to 8–5 on the season and 3–2 in MECAA play, keeping Le Moyne in the conference-title race.^[207] The win gave the Dolphins 23 victories over University Division/major programs.

The Dolphins dropped a 76–72 road decision to Iona on February 16,^[208] ending their hopes for a MECAA title. Le Moyne fell to 8–7 on the season and 3–3 in league play.

The injury and eligibility problems that plagued the Dolphins^[209] made it difficult for them to play consistently, and Le Moyne finished 10–9 in collegiate contests and 3–4 in MECAA play. The Dolphins were a respectable 3–4 against University Division opponents but a disappointing 7–5 versus College Division foes. All four of Le Moyne's University Division losses came against teams that received NIT bids. A fifth loss came at the hands of Saint Michael's, who went to the NCAA College Division tournament.

Dolphins senior Don Cavellier was named to the 1957 All-MECAA second team, and Bob Smolinski earned All-MECAA honorable mention.^[210][211]

Le Moyne ended its agreement with the Syracuse Orangemen to play home games as part of doubleheaders at the Onondaga County War Memorial and moved back to the West Jefferson Street Armory for the 1957–58 season.^[212][213]

The Dolphins began practices on October 16, at Grant Junior High School and moved them to the armory on November 1. The team lost Dan Cavellier, Bob Smolinski and Ronnie Mack to graduation. Returning players included seniors Frank Bergen, Ed Czajka and John Young and juniors John Dobbertin, Dick Nendza and Dennis Morrissey. Le Moyne requested and secured a favorable ruling on Young's eligibility, since he played a few games during the 1953–54 season as a junior, before being called for military service, and then played the full 1956–57 season as a junior.^[214] Bob Scarborough, who played as a sophomore during the 1955–56 season but was ruled academically ineligible for the 1956–57 season,^[215] returned to the team. The Dolphins expected to add sophomores Dick Lynch, George Woyciesjes, Charlie Smith and Jim Burke.^[216] As the preseason progressed, sophomores Bill Young and John Finnegan and John Gieselman, a junior transfer from Niagara,^[215] emerged as candidates for the rotation. Bergen was elected team captain.^[217][218]

The Dolphins lost their fourth straight game in the opener of the Saint Vincent Invitational Tournament in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, falling to Saint Francis (PA), 70–51, on December 27, 1957. The Red Flashes used their height advantage to claim a rebounding edge and take control of the game early. Bob Scarborough scored 10 points to lead Le Moyne.^[219] After taking an early five-point lead in the consolation game the following evening, the Dolphins surrendered a late first-half run to Albright and were unable to recover the rest of the way, dropping a 77–67 verdict. Ed Czajka scored 17 points to lead Le Moyne, who fell to 1–5 on the season.^[220]

Junior transfer John Gieselman, who, during the preseason, had been expected to have a role on the team but had not yet appeared in a game, was not on the roster for the Saint Vincent tournament.^[221] He was unable to play due to shin splints.^[222] Gieselman never appeared in a game for Le Moyne.

In their first home game in four weeks, the Dolphins snapped their five-game losing streak with a 66–56 victory over Scranton on January 4, 1958. Sophomore Dick Lynch led the Le Moyne attack with 27 points.^[223]

On February 1, 6'5" Ed Czajka and 6'4" Charlie Smith were ruled academically ineligible, a serious blow to the already undersized Dolphins. Le Moyne suffered their first home loss of the season that evening, 80–72, to Saint Michael's and fell to 4–7. Captain Frank Bergen led the Dolphins with 16 points.^[224] Four nights later, the Dolphins dropped another decision at home, 65–50, to St. Bonaventure, their 13th loss in as many tries against the Brown Indians.^[225] Dennis Morrissey at 6'1", receiving additional playing time in the absence of Czajka, was the high rebounder in the game and had a front tooth knocked out in a melee under the boards. He was not expected to miss any games.^[226]

John Dobbertin and George Woyciesjes collided during practice on February 7. Dobbertin required three stitches to repair the cut on his head. Woyciesjes suffered a cut inside his mouth.^[226] Dobbertin, Woyciesjes and Dennis Morrissey, who required dental work after the St. Bonaventure game, all played in the Dolphins' next tilt, an 87–76 victory at Hobart the following day. Dobbertin led Le Moyne with 25 points on 11-for-18 shooting from the floor. Dick Lynch had 23 points and also shot 11 for 18. Morrissey, who finished with six points, and John Young had big rebounding games, controlling the boards for Le Moyne. In earning their first road win of the season, the Dolphins ended their three-game losing streak and improved to 5–8.^[227]

The Dolphins overwhelmed Iona, 64–44, at the armory on February 14, for their third straight win, improving to 7–8 on the season and 1–3 in MECAA play. Dick Lynch hit his first eight shots from the floor, displaying an array of jump shots and layups on quick cuts to the basket, as Le Moyne built a big lead early. He had 16 points in the first 12 minutes of the game and finished with 22, after he was guarded closely by Joe Bernardi in the second half. The Gaels made a run early in the second half and cut the Dolphins' big lead to eight points at 46–38. However, Le Moyne responded with an 18–0 run over six minutes to move in front, 64–38, and put the game away.^[228] This was Le Moyne's 24th all-time victory over a University Division/major opponent.

Dick Lynch scored 39 points, a new record for a MECAA game, but it was not enough as NIT-bound Saint Peter's defeated the Dolphins, 81–67, in Jersey City on February 21.^{[229][230][231]}

Early in the Dolphins' February 22 game against St. Francis (NY) in Brooklyn, John Young, Le Moyne's best rebounder, suffered what appeared to be a broken finger in a play under the basket. Al Innis, the Terriers' 6'7" center, dominated the game from that point forward, finishing with 25 points and leading St Francis to an 86–73 victory. John Dobbertin led the Dolphins with 18 points.^[232] The Terriers played a box-and-one defense with a focus on slowing down Dick Lynch, who was held to 12 points.^[233] Le Moyne fell to 8–10 on the season and 1–5 in MECAA play. Young's injury was later determined to be a triple dislocation of the finger.^[234] He played only five minutes in the Dolphins' next game, an 88–76 victory at St. Lawrence on February 25. Dennis Morrissey led Le Moyne with 26 points in that game.^[235]

Le Moyne's home finale against Siena on March 1, got off to a slow start. Three minutes had passed before the Indians scored a basket to claim a 2–0 lead, and 6:35 passed before Frank Bergen tied the score at 2. Siena's efforts to slow the game down were initially successful, as they held a 37–30 lead with 12 minutes to play, when John Young, who was now playing a full complement of minutes following some healing of his finger injury and had a strong game under the boards, fouled out. Just when the situation appeared bleak, the Dolphins' up-tempo offense kicked into gear with a pair of Dick Lynch jump shots sparking a 10–0 run that put Le Moyne ahead, 40–37. After Siena responded to tie the game at 42, the Dolphins scored six straight points to lead, 48–42, with three minutes remaining. After a Siena basket, Lynch's three-point play extended the margin to seven points at 51–44. Le Moyne hit their free throws in the closing minutes to repel a desperate comeback attempt and held on for a 58–50 victory. Lynch had a game-high 17 points for the Dolphins. Le Moyne improved to 11–10, the first time they were above the .500 mark since they were 1–0. They closed their conference slate with a 2–5 record.^[236][237] This was Le Moyne's 25th win over a University Division/major program.

The Dolphins came within a whisker of upsetting NIT-bound Saint Joseph's at the Palestra in Philadelphia in their season finale on March 5. Le Moyne led the Hawks, 68–64, with a minute to play. However, Saint Joseph's tied the game with two quick baskets. The Dolphins were holding for a final shot on the ensuing possession, but the Hawks forced a turnover and called time-out with 11 seconds to play. Bob McNeill was fouled with four seconds on the clock. After missing his first free throw, he hit the second, giving Saint Joseph's a 69–68 lead. The Dolphins were unable to get off a final shot. Dick Lynch led Le Moyne with 28 points. It was the final collegiate game for John Young and captain Frank Bergen. Young had a strong rebounding game against his much taller opponents, which included 6'9" Bob Clarke, and finished with 16 points on 7-for-9 shooting. Bergen scored 10 points in his coda.^[238]

Despite the season-ending loss to Saint Joseph's, the Dolphins won seven of their final 10 games to rebound from a 4–8 start and finish 11–11. Five of their losses came against teams that received NIT bids:^[239] St. Bonaventure twice, Saint Francis (PA), Saint Peter's and Saint Joseph's. Le Moyne was 2–6 against University Division opponents and 9–5 versus College Division foes.

Le Moyne sophomore Dick Lynch was named to the All-MECAA first team, and senior John Young earned honorable mention.^[240][241] A printer's error that affected Le Moyne's 1957–58 media guide was presumed to be the reason the MECAA identified Dick Lynch as John Lynch in its press releases.^[242]

Glory era (1958–1969)[edit]

First two NCAA tournament berths (1958–1960)[edit]

The 1958–59 season marked the start of a golden era for Le Moyne Dolphins basketball. They appeared in seven of the 11 NCAA College Division tournaments between 1959 and 1969, reaching the Sweet 16 in 1959 and 1964.

During the preseason in the fall of 1958, the outlook was less than rosy. Although Le Moyne's leading scorer, Dick Lynch, was returning for his junior season, the team was thought to be undersized and lacking enough rebounding and depth to be competitive.^[243][244] Captain Frank Bergen, top rebounder John Young and Ed Czajka all graduated. John Dobbertin, Dick Nendza and Dennis Morrissey returned for their senior seasons, and Bob Scarborough, who missed a season due to academic ineligibility, returned as a redshirt senior. In addition to Lynch, other returning juniors were George Woyciesjes, Bill Young and John Finnegan. Bob Hollembaek, who withdrew from Le Moyne in January 1957, because of academic difficulties, re-enrolled and returned for his senior season. Chuck Sammons and Bob Bostick, who would become Le Moyne's first black varsity player,^[245] competed for a starting role during the preseason,^[246] but Bostick was hampered by injuries.^[247] Practices started at Grant Junior High School in October and moved to the armory in November.^[248] The team scrimmaged against Albany State (NY), Cornell and Ithaca.^[246] Morrissey was named captain.^[249] Tommy Burns, a sophomore transfer from Georgetown, was not eligible to play until the January 24 game at Saint Michael's because of NCAA transfer rules.^[244]

Turnovers and rebounding doomed the Dolphins in their December 1 season opener against Villanova at the Palestra, an 83–67 loss. After trailing by seven points at halftime, the Dolphins got within six points at 39–33 with a minute and a half gone by in the second half. The Wildcats extended the lead to 11 points, but two straight baskets by Dick Nendza, who finished with 12 points off the bench, brought Le Moyne back within seven points at 49–42 with 13:42 to play. Led by their captain, Joe Ryan, who scored four baskets in a 68-second stretch at one point, Villanova cashed in their fast-break opportunities created by a string of errant Le Moyne passes and had a 20-point bulge five minutes later, putting the game out of reach. The size-challenged Dolphins were outrebounded, 67–28. Dick Lynch scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds^[250] to lead Le Moyne, but he shot only 8 for 21 from the floor. Sophomore Bob Bostick made his varsity debut, becoming the program's first black player; he scored one point in limited action.^[251]

Sophomores Dave Rose, Frank Graziadei and Ron Januszka were added to Le Moyne's list of available players following the Villanova game.^[250][252]

After watching his team fall behind Oswego State, 44–34, in the Dolphins' home opener on December 6, coach Tommy Niland sent 5'11" sophomore Bob Bostick into the game at center to substitute for fellow sophomore Chuck Sammons. Bostick, who finished with six points, provided the spark Le Moyne needed, inspiring the Dolphins with his rebounding and defense. A spectacular out-of-bounds save and pass by Bostick to Dennis Morrissey led to a layup that brought Le Moyne within a point at 54–53. After the Lakers turned the ball over on the ensuing possession, Bostick's jump shot gave the Dolphins their first lead of the second half with 2:55 to play. John Dobbertin's free throw made it a 22–10 run. After Oswego State tied the game at 56, Dick Lynch's free throws gave Le Moyne the lead with 45 seconds left. Ron Davis, who had a game-high 18 points, missed a jump shot on the Lakers' next possession, and Dobbertin hit another pair of free throws to put the game out of reach, as the Dolphins held on for a 62–57 victory. Dick Lynch scored 15 points to lead Le Moyne. The game was interrupted by a brief scrap between Davis and Bob Hollembaek that led to both benches clearing and fans spilling onto the floor, before order was restored by the officials. No one was ejected. In a separate incident at halftime, groups of Le Moyne and Oswego State fans got involved in a scuffle on the court, which was broken up by armory staff.^[253][254]

Just two games into the season, Le Moyne lost starting senior playmaker John Dobbertin, who suffered torn knee ligaments in a tobogganing accident.^[255] He was expected to miss at least a month.^[256]

Hours before the Dolphins' December 13 home game against Saint Peter's, Bob Bostick left the team, citing financial reasons. Left without a backup at center, Chuck Sammons responded with a double-double, playing all 40 minutes while scoring a team-high 17 points, grabbing 10 rebounds and hitting the deciding jump shot with two seconds to play in a 70–68 Le Moyne victory over the Peacocks, a team that had played in the NIT each of the previous two seasons. Sammons scored nine of Le Moyne's final 11 points of the game.^[257] Saint Peter's built an eight-point lead in the first half, but the Dolphins, fueled by the aggressive defense of Dennis Morrissey and the strong rebounding of Dick Lynch, went on an 18–9 run over the final seven minutes to claim a one-point lead at the break. Dick Nendza had six points during the run, and Morrisey and Lynch each added four. After the Peacocks switched to a frustrating zone defense and took a five-point lead early in the second half, Le Moyne regained their composure. The game was tied five times over the final six minutes, but the Dolphins appeared to have the edge when they took a 67–63 lead with 2:10 remaining. However, Saint Peter's tied the game with 1:17 to play. Le Moyne froze the ball for 1:15 and began looking for Lynch for the final shot in the closing seconds. However, Lynch was well covered, and he passed the ball to Bob Hollembaek, who found Sammons open on the left side for the game winner. The Dolphins improved to 2–1 on the season and 1–0 in MECAA play.^[258]

The Dolphins traveled to Burlington, Vermont for the Saint Michael's Invitational Tournament on December 18, and drew the host in the opening round. Saint Michael's had been the runner-up in the 1958 College Division tournament and was ranked no. 9 in the small college poll. Four of the six players in their rotation from the previous season were still with the team.^[259] Dick Lynch scored 18 first-half points to power Le Moyne to a 37–35 lead at the break. Hank Gretkowski, who was the Knights' top rebounder and led them with 24 points, was charged with the task of guarding Lynch in the second half and slowed him down a bit. With the Dolphins leading, 41–39, early in the second half, Saint Michael's embarked on a 9–0 run and seized control of the game. Le Moyne made a run and got within two points at 59–57 with five minutes to play, but the Knights scored the next four points, and the Dolphins succumbed, 71–63. Lynch scored 12 points in the second half to finish with a game-high 30. Lynch had 14 field goals in the game, all coming on jump shots.^[260]

The following night, the Dolphins took control of the consolation game against Assumption early and romped to a 75–61 victory. The easy win took Dick Lynch out of consideration for the tournament's most valuable player award, as he played just over half the game and finished with 14 points, doing more passing than shooting. Dick Nendza scored a game-high 22 points for Le Moyne, who led by 21 points at halftime and by as many as 25 points in the second half. Bill Young started at center in place of Chuck Sammons, who missed the game with a cold,^[261] and scored 21 points.^[262]

Playing on the third straight night and in their fifth game in eight days, the Dolphins came out strong, sparked by Dick Lynch's 15 first-half points, in their December 20 game at Siena, building a 15-point lead^[263] and holding a nine-point edge at intermission. The Indians used a full-court press in the second half to get back into the game and sent it to overtime with the score tied at 53. The tired Dolphins appeared to be on the verge of a loss, playing without Chuck Sammons, who missed his second straight game with a cold, and losing the services of Bob Hollembaek, Dennis Morrissey and Dick Nendza, all of whom fouled out during the overtime period. With Le Moyne trailing, 65–62, in the final minute, sophomore Dave Rose, finding himself in a crucial spot with the Dolphins short on manpower, hit a jump shot, his first basket of the season, to cut the deficit to one point. On Siena's next possession, the Dolphins forced a turnover, and Lynch grabbed the loose ball and was fouled with three seconds on the clock. Lynch, who finished with a game-high 25 points, hit both ends of the one-and-one to give Le Moyne a 66–65 victory, improving their record to 5–2 overall and 2–0 in MECAA play.^[261] This was Le Moyne's 26th all-time win over a University Division/major program.

John Dobbertin had the cast removed from his injured knee in late December, but he was not expected to be available to play until early February.^[264] John Finnegan suffered a knee injury in practice in early January and was expected to miss two weeks.^[265]

John Dobbertin returned to action with his right knee heavily bandaged on January 31, and sparked a rally that pushed the Dolphins to a 74–61 home victory over St. Francis (NY). Dobbertin, usually a playmaking point guard, entered the game with 11 minutes to play and Le Moyne leading, 50–48. He exploded for 13 points during an 18–7 run over seven minutes that gave the Dolphins a 13-point bulge. Dick Nendza and Chuck Sammons joined Dobbertin with a team-high 13 points for Le Moyne. The Terriers played a box-and-one defense with Fred Schneider closely guarding Dick Lynch and holding him to just seven points on 3-for-6 shooting. Two of Lynch's baskets were on tip-ins following offensive rebounds. Senior Bob Scarborough made his season debut but played only briefly; it was his only appearance of the season and the final game of his collegiate career. Sophomore transfer Tommy Burns, who had played the previous two games after satisfying the NCAA waiting period, missed the game with the flu. The Dolphins improved to 9–3 overall and 3–0 in MECAA play.^[266] This was Le Moyne's 27th all-time victory over a University Division/major program.

The flu bug swept through the Dolphins following the St. Francis game. In addition to Tommy Burns, Dick Nendza, Chuck Sammons and Ron Januszka were unable to attend classes or practice. A doctor advised John Dobbertin to rest his right knee three days after his seven-minute appearance. Bob Hollembaek jammed his finger in the St. Francis game.^[267] The day before the team's next game, a February 7 home tilt against Gannon, only the status of Sammons remained doubtful,^[268] but coach Tommy Niland was hopeful he would be able to play.^[269] Sammons, Burns, Nendza and Dobbertin all played in the Gannon game with Sammons topping the wounded warriors, scoring 12 points. Dick Lynch had a team-high 16 points, leading the Dolphins to a 58–52 win.^[270] Lynch was also Le Moyne's top rebounder with 11 boards and the primary defender on Gannon's top scorer, Pete Russo, holding him to eight points on 4-for-24 shooting.^[271]

With a record of 10–4, the Dolphins were listed as one of five upstate New York teams under consideration for a berth in the NCAA College Division tournament. Le Moyne's February 13 home contest against King's, also 10–4, was thought to be a must-win game to preserve the Dolphins' chances.^[272] The Dolphins trailed by six points at halftime but used a 9–0 run to open the second half and take the lead. The game was tight the rest of the way with multiple lead changes and neither team able to pull away from the other. King's was up by three points with four minutes to play, but a free throw by Dick Lynch and a driving layup by John Dobbertin tied the game at 68. After two Monarchs free throws restored their lead, Lynch's basket tied the game at 70 with a minute and a half to go. King's planned to hold the ball for a final shot, but Clarence Brown misread the armory clock, which was notoriously difficult to decipher, and put up a shot, which was rebounded by Tommy Burns with a minute remaining. The Dolphins called timeout to set up a play, which resulted in a Lynch jumper that missed to the left but was rebounded and put back by Burns with five seconds to go. King's got off a final desperation shot that fell short at the buzzer, and Le Moyne had a 72–70 victory. Lynch scored a game-high 30 points for the Dolphins. Burns led Le Moyne with seven rebounds.^[273][274]

After a 58–54 loss at Iona on February 15, 1959, the Dolphins' overall record stood at 11–5, and they were knocked from the MECAA's first-place perch, which they had occupied all season, falling to 3–1 in the league, while Iona stood at 3–0.^[275] The Gaels had three players taller than Dick Lynch, Le Moyne's tallest player at 6'4", and used their size to their advantage in avenging a 20-point loss to the Dolphins the previous season that may have cost Iona an NIT bid. Bob Hollembaek, who was only 5'9", scored 17 points to lead Le Moyne.^[276]

It was thought by Dolphins followers that impressive wins in the next two games against Hartwick and highly ranked Steubenville, who went undefeated in the 1957–58 season, would be enough to secure a berth in the NCAA tournament. However, after Le Moyne beat Hartwick, 82–62, on February 18, and Steubenville, 74–56, on February 20,^[277] the tournament selection committee remained silent. Dick Lynch and Chuck Sammons each had a double-double in the Hartwick game. Lynch scored 16 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, while Sammons had 10 points and pulled down a team-high 16 boards, leading Le Moyne to a 46–23 rebounding advantage over the smaller Warriors. Dick Nendza topped the Dolphins' scoring list with 17 points against Hartwick.^[278][279] Two nights before Steubenville's trip to Syracuse, they suffered their first home loss in five years.^[280] Chuck Sammons scored 17 points to lead the Dolphins in their stunning wire-to-wire win over the Barons.^[281]

After the Steubenville game, regional selectors indicated that they had not yet reached a decision on tournament bids and were waiting to see the results a key games involving teams under serious consideration. Le Moyne was now listed as the top team among upstate New York contenders.^[282] The Dolphins hit the road for back-to-back games, beating Scranton, 79–67, on February 22,^[283] and King's, 67–66, in overtime the following night.^[284] Dick Nendza scored 24 points on 9-for-13 shooting to lead Le Moyne against Scranton.^[285] Bob Hollembaek, who had supplanted John Dobbertin as the starting point guard following the latter's knee injury, saw only limited action in the King's game, as he battled a cold. Dobbertin filled in admirably, leading a 16–2 late first-half run that put the Dolphins up by nine points. The Monarchs stormed back in the second half and had a 60–58 lead, until Dick Lynch's basket tied the game with two and a half minutes to play. King's decided to hold for the last shot of regulation. John Kapioski's 10-foot jump shot with five seconds to go missed short and to the right. Clarence Brown grabbed the offensive rebound, but his potential game-winning layup was blocked by Chuck Sammons. Lynch's long shot at the buzzer missed. The Dolphins scored the first four points of overtime, three of them coming from Dobbertin, and led the rest of the way. Dennis Morrissey's pair of free throws with seven seconds remaining gave Le Moyne a three-point lead. Paul Nicelli hit a layup at the buzzer and drew contact, but no foul was called despite protests from King's, giving Le Moyne the one-point victory. Nendza missed the King's game with knee and ankle injuries suffered against Scranton. Lynch scored 21 points to lead the Dolphins against the Monarchs.^[286]

The two road victories in Pennsylvania improved the Dolphins' record to 15–5 and were enough for Le Moyne to get the call from the Middle Atlantic States regional selectors, earning their first berth in the NCAA College Division tournament.^[287][288]

Before the NCAA tournament, there remained unfinished business in the MECAA, specifically a home game against archrival Siena. Iona had beaten St. Francis (NY) at Madison Square Garden on February 26,^[289] to improve their league record to 4–0 with one conference game remaining at Saint Peter's. The Siena-Le Moyne game and the Iona-Saint Peter's game were both scheduled for February 28. A Le Moyne win and an Iona loss would give both teams a 4–1 MECAA record and a share of the conference title, even though Le Moyne had lost its head-to-head matchup with Iona, since no tiebreaker was in place. Aside from their desire to go undefeated in the league and win the MECAA crown outright, Iona was thought to be on the bubble for a bid to the NCAA tournament and desperately needed a win.

The Peacocks gained a 73–60 victory over the Gaels^[290] to finish 3–1 in MECAA play and drop Iona to 4–1. Le Moyne had an eight-point lead with four minutes to play against Siena, but the Indians stormed back and cut the Dolphins' lead to one point with two minutes to play. Le Moyne tried to freeze the ball for the remainder of the game to protect the lead, but a steal by Jerry Brehm, who had 25 points, gave Siena possession with a minute and a half on the clock. Siena went into a deep freeze to hold for the final shot, which came from Jack Weaver and fell short with two seconds to go. The rebound was grabbed by both Le Moyne's Dick Lynch and Howie Huntington of Siena. With one second remaining, Siena controlled the ensuing jump ball but was unable to get off a shot, giving the Dolphins a 60–59 victory and a share of the MECAA title,^{[291][292][293]} the first conference championship in the program's history. The Dolphins had built a 10-point first half lead, despite the taller Indians controlling the boards. After Le Moyne center Chuck Sammons fouled out on the first play of the second half, Siena's rebounding advantage strengthened. Lynch scored 15 points to lead the Dolphins. Dick Nendza, slowed by knee and ankle injuries, played sparingly. The win closed the Dolphins home schedule with a perfect 10–0 record.^[294] This was Le Moyne's 28th all-time victory over a University Division/major program. Iona's loss to Saint Peter's may have cost the Gaels an NCAA tournament bid.^[295] St. Bonaventure had withdrawn from the MECAA just as the 1958–59 season was beginning.^[296] The Brown Indians only had four games scheduled against MECAA opponents. St. Bonaventure ultimately won all four of those contests, including a victory over Iona,^[297] which did not count as a loss on the Gaels' league record.

Le Moyne entered the postseason 17–5 and ranked no. 20 nationally (tied with Stetson) in the small college coaches poll.^[298] The Dolphins won their first ever NCAA tournament game, 72–66, over Williams in Burlington, Vermont.^[299]: 26 Dick Lynch led Le Moyne with 33 points, shooting 14 for 22 from the floor.^[300][301]

In the Regional Final Sweet 16 game, Le Moyne fell short, 71–70, against Saint Michael's, who was ranked no. 15 in the small college coaches poll^[298] and playing on their home court.^[299]: 26 Saint Michael's had led by as many as nine points and was on top, 71–64, with 1:16 on the clock. Le Moyne used a full-court press to get back into the game, and Dick Lynch, who had 20 points, was fouled with 23 seconds to play and the Dolphins down, 71–68, but he missed both free throws. After Ralph St. Peter missed the front end of a one-and-one for the Purple Knights, the Dolphins collected the rebound and called timeout with four seconds remaining. Denny Morrissey drove to the basket, hoping to draw a foul. He scored at the buzzer, but there was no foul, and the Dolphins lost by a point. Three of Le Moyne's six losses during the 1958–59 season came at the hands of Saint Michael's, all in Burlington. Lynch was unanimously named to the All-Regional team.^{[301][302][303]} The Dolphins finished the season 18–6 overall and co-champions of the MECAA. Le Moyne was 3–2 against University Division opponents and 15–4 against College Division foes with three of their losses coming at the hands of Saint Michael's on the Purple Knights' home court.

Le Moyne junior Dick Lynch was named to the All-MECAA first team for the second straight year. Senior Bob Hollembaek made the second team, and sophomore Chuck Sammons earned honorable mention. Dolphins head coach Tommy Niland was unanimously selected as 1959 MECAA coach of the year.^[304][305] Lynch also earned honorable mention on the Catholic All-America team.^[306]

Dick Lynch, the Dolphins' leading scorer the previous two years, returned for his senior season in 1959–60. Graduation cost Le Moyne four rotation players: captain Dennis Morrisey, Dick Nendza and a pair of point guards who shared the starting role during different stretches of the previous season, John Dobbertin and Bob Hollembaek. Starting center Chuck Sammons returned for his junior season, while junior Tommy Burns was expected to move into a starting role. Reserves Bill Young, a senior, and juniors Frank Graziadei and Dave Rose returned. The team expected to add sophomores John Caveny, Bill Stanley and Bill Ray, an armed forces veteran, while Joe Costello, Gerry Giocondo, Larry Page and Don Britschgi were candidates for roster spots.^[306][307] Practices started on October 15, at Grant Junior High School and moved to the armory in November.^[308] Lynch was named team captain.^[309][310] The Dolphins scrimmaged against Canisius, Albany State (NY) and Cornell.^[311][312]

Dolphins star Dick Lynch engaged in some cross training during the offseason. He drove a cement truck over the summer to toughen himself up. He also shot a 76 to lead the Dolphins golf team to a victory at the MECCA fall sports carnival.^[313]

Captain Dick Lynch scored 21 points to lead the Dolphins to a 60–46 victory at Siena on December 7, 1959. In winning their MECAA opener, Le Moyne improved to 2–0 overall on the young season.^[314] This was Le Moyne's 29th all-time win over a University Division/major program.

Dick Lynch scored 30 points to lead the Dolphins to their 17th straight home victory on February 2, 1960, an 83–69 triumph over Saint Michael's. The Dolphins relied on 57% shooting from the floor to over come the height advantage of the Purple Knights, who won the rebounding battle but shot field goals at only a 40% clip. Senior Bill Young, who was ruled academically ineligible for the spring semester, came off the bench and played in his final collegiate game, after Chuck Sammons fouled out with 15 minutes to play. Young finished with 10 points. Sophomore Joe Costello took the point guard reins from Tommy Burns, after Burns fouled out with five minutes remaining, and Costello's ball handling skills dazzled the crowd. Le Moyne opened the game with a 17–2 run over the first seven and one-half minutes, and Saint Michael's never got closer than three points down the rest of the way.^[315][316] The win improved the Dolphins' record to 7–2.

The Dolphins took over first place in the MECAA with a 77–66 win at St. Francis (NY) on February 5. Le Moyne overcame the foul trouble of their captain and leading scorer, Dick Lynch, who drew four fouls in the game's first 13 minutes. Lynch sat out the final seven minutes of the first half and played cautiously in the second half, looking to pass rather than create shots. He attempted only four field goals in the game and finished with six points. Sophomore John Caveny paced the Dolphins with 19 points. Sophomore Bill Stanley, recovering from a thigh muscle injury, had a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Chuck Sammons also had a double-double with 13 points and a team-high 13 boards collected against taller opponents. Sophomore Bill Ray, who had impressed in an exhibition game, after getting additional minutes due to Caveny's injury, had another strong game with 12 points on 5-for-6 shooting and grabbed sex rebounds. The Dolphins, who shot 50% from the floor, improved to 8–2 in collegiate contests and 2–0 in MECAA play. The Terriers fell to 3–1 in league games.^[317][318] The win gave the Dolphins 30 victories all-time against University Division/major programs.

The Dolphins scored a major upset on February 13, a home triumph over NIT hopeful Iona. Le Moyne returned to first place in the MECAA with the win, tied with St. Francis (NY) at 3–1 in league play. Followers of both teams thought the outcome greatly improved the Dolphins' chances of receiving a second straight NCAA tournament berth while seriously damaging Iona's aspirations of a trip to the NIT. After the Gaels took their biggest lead of the night at 13–8, Le Moyne responded with a 13–0 run to seize control of the game, and the Dolphins led the rest of the way. After claiming a nine-point halftime lead, Le Moyne opened the second half by making their first four shots from the floor, three of them by captain Dick Lynch, who had a game-high 20 points, and the Dolphins' advantage expanded to 15 points at 35–20. Le Moyne's lead grew as large as 18 points, 42–24, with seven minutes to play. Iona went on an 18–7 run, using their size advantage to tip in offensive rebounds, and cut their deficit to seven points, 49–42, with four and one-half minutes remaining. The Dolphins responded with a 10–0 run and secured a 59–44 victory. Le Moyne froze the ball for stretches during this game to allow their starters to catch a breath, because they were missing two key reserves. Joe Costello missed the game with the flu, and Bill Ray tore ligaments in his ankle in Le Moyne's previous game, a 73–56 victory over Cortland State.^[319] Sophomore Bill Stanley had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Sophomore John Caveny scored 16 points and thrilled the crowd of 1,500 with his ball handling. The Dolphins extended their home winning streak to 19 games with the victory.^[320][321] This was Le Moyne's 31st all-time win over a University Division/major program.

On February 18, the Northeast Region selection committee for the NCAA tournament confirmed that Le Moyne, 11–3 in collegiate contests plus an exhibition win over Stewart Air Force Base, was a strong contender for an at-large berth and a candidate for hosting regional games.^[322] The Dolphins were offered a berth in the 1960 NCAA tournament on February 23. The team was on the road at the time and recorded another victory over St. Lawrence that night, before accepting the bid the following day.^[323][324]

Before moving on to the NCAA tournament, Le Moyne had a home game with archrival Siena, and a win would clinch at least a tie for the MECAA title. An Iona home loss against Saint Peter's that same night coupled with a Dolphins victory would give Le Moyne the MECAA championship outright. The Peacocks did their part, beating the Gaels, 67–57.^[325] Although the Dolphins were less efficient on offense than they had been in recent home games, they recorded their 20th consecutive home victory, 61–48, over the Indians^[326] to win the MECAA crown outright.^[327] However, the win came at a great cost. Early in the game, Dolphins captain and leading scorer, Dick Lynch, collided with Jim Mannix of Siena and twisted his ankle. Lynch was removed from the game but returned and played until only 30 seconds remained, leaving to a thunderous ovation that lasted several minutes.^[326] Siena coach Dan Cunha walked over to the Le Moyne bench to congratulate Lynch on a fine collegiate career. Later, it was learned that the ankle injury would impair Lynch's ability to participate in the NCAA tournament.^[328] Despite playing through the injury, Lynch had a game-high 18 points on 8-for-12 shooting in the final home game of his collegiate career. Bill Ray returned to action after missing three games with an ankle injury. The Dolphins shot 44% from the field, while holding the Indians to a 32% clip.^[329][330] The win gave Le Moyne 32 all-time victories over University Division/major programs.

The 1960 NCAA tournament's Northeast Regional was hosted by St. Michael's in Burlington, Vermont, as it had been the previous year. It was there that the Dolphins met Saint Anselm in the regional semifinals on March 3. Le Moyne and Saint Anselm had coincidentally been scheduled to play each other in Syracuse on March 1, but the teams cancelled the game when they were matched up in the tournament.^[331] Playing without Dick Lynch, the Dolphins missed their first nine shots from the field and fell behind early, 10–1. The Hawks stretched the lead to 24–13, and junior Chuck Sammons was called for his fourth personal foul with eight minutes to play in the first half. The Burlington Memorial Auditorium erupted in cheers from all sides, when coach Tommy Niland replaced Sammons with Lynch, who was clearly hobbled and in obvious pain. Two minutes later, Lynch was taken out of the game. A Dolphins flurry led by Bill Stanley, who had 22 points and 14 rebounds in the game, in the final minute of the first half cut the Saint Anselm lead to seven points. Sammons, who finished with 10 points, finally fouled out with eight minutes to play, and John Caveny was disqualified three minutes later with the Dolphins trailing, 76–69. Stanley drew his fifth foul with two minutes to go. Saint Anselm controlled the final five minutes of the game to put away an 88–75 victory.^[328][332] The Dolphins and their fans were left to wonder what could have been had Lynch been healthy.

The following night, the Dolphins lost the regional third-place game to Assumption, 94–68,^[328] to finish fourth in the region.^[299]: 26 Bill Stanley had 20 points in the consolation game and was named to the All-Regional second team.^[328] Injured Dolphins captain Dick Lynch did not dress for the game. Junior Frank Graziadei scored his first points of the season in the consolation game. Junior Dave Rose got more playing time than he had in any previous game of the season and scored eight points to the delight of his parents, who made the trip. Adding insult to injury, head coach Tommy Niland's overcoat was stolen during the loss to Assumption.^[333] The Dolphins finished the season 13–5 in collegiate contests. Le Moyne was 4–1 against University Division opponents and 9–4 versus College Division foes.

Le Moyne's head coach, Tommy Niland, was unanimously chosen as 1960 MECAA coach of the year. Niland was also named Catholic small college coach of the year. Dick Lynch was named a MECAA All-Star, a first-team ECAC small college All-Star and a second-team Catholic small college All-Star. John Caveny and Bill Stanley were both named All-MECAA second team.^{[334][335][336]} The 1959–60 Dolphins were inducted into the Le Moyne College Athletic Hall of Fame as a team in 2011.^[337]

A conference tournament title and an on-campus home (1960–1963)[edit]

The 1960–61 Dolphins lost only one player from the previous season's starting lineup, but that player was captain Dick Lynch, among the best players in the program's history.^[338] Seniors Tommy Burns, Chuck Sammons, Frank Graziadei and Dave Rose and juniors John Caveny, Bill Stanley, Bill Ray and Joe Costello returned. Stars from the previous season's freshman team expected to contribute to the varsity squad included Mickey Flynn, Jim Downey, Chris Pitman, Bob Yahn and Mike Skinner. Practices opened on October 17, at Grant Junior High School and moved to the armory in November.^[339] Burns and Sammons were elected co-captains.^[340][341]

After the Dolphins won their December 3 season opener, 77–63, at home over St. Lawrence,^[342] the Green and Gold hosted Cortland State on December 7. John Caveny had a double-double, scoring a game-high 23 points while collecting 11 rebounds, to lead Le Moyne to a 73–57 victory, the 22nd consecutive home triumph for the Dolphins. Caveny shot 8 for 14 from the field and compiled his numbers despite sitting out about 10 minutes of the second half in foul trouble. With the game tied at 18, Le Moyne went on a 7–0 run, getting points from Caveny, Tommy Burns and Chuck Sammons, who was playing through the effects of a virus, and controlled the game the rest of the way. Bill Stanley also had a double-double for the Dolphins with 11 points and 12 rebounds despite fouling out in the second half. Le Moyne shot 45% from the floor while holding the Red Dragons to a 33% success rate.^[343]

Le Moyne's archrival, Siena, reclassified to the College Division for the 1960–61 season,^[39]: 49 and the rivalry was renewed on December 10, in Loudonville in the MECAA season opener for both clubs. Bill Stanley's double-double, scoring a game-high 15 points on 4-for-7 shooting and grabbing a team-high 13 rebounds led the Dolphins to a 49–45 road victory. Le Moyne had an eight-point edge at halftime and never surrendered the lead in the second half. However, the Indians pulled within one point with 1:28 to play. Stanley responded with a basket on the Dolphins' next possession. After Le Moyne got a defensive stop, Chuck Sammons hit a pair of free throws to put the game away.^[344]

Bill Stanley set a new program record, when he snared 20 rebounds in the Dolphins' 82–68 win at King's on December 16. Stanley also had a game-high 32 points to complete a double-double.^[345]

Up until the 1959–60 season, some MECAA teams had not played full round-robin conference schedules, and others played each conference opponent with home-and-home series versus some but not all league members. The uneven scheduling created controversy about which team deserved the championship in cases where it had been decided in favor of a team that had scheduled one extra or one fewer game,^[346] since the conference title was awarded based on winning percentage against conference opponents.^[347] St. Francis (NY) had won the 1955–56 conference championship with a 4–1 record, while both Le Moyne and St. Bonaventure finished 4–2. In both 1959 and 1960, Saint Peter's had a conference record of 3–1, one-half game behind the MECAA champions each year. In part to address this perceived inequity, the MECAA staged an invitational tournament in December 1960, which was originally planned to be held annually to determine a champion with all conference teams on equal footing. The MECAA had six members at the time: Le Moyne, St. Francis (NY), Iona, King's, Saint Peter's and Siena. King's was not eligible for the 1960–61 regular-season MECAA championship, since the Monarchs joined the conference in June 1960,^[348] and were able to schedule only three games against MECAA members for their initial season in the league; King's did not participate in the 1960 MECAA tournament. In order to create an eight-team bracket and ensure the tournament champion would need to win three games, three other teams (Fairleigh Dickinson, Long Island and Wagner) were invited.^[349] Siena's reclassification to the College Division left the MECAA with two University Division teams (St. Francis (NY) and Iona) and four College Division teams (Le Moyne, Siena, Saint Peter's and King's).

The Dolphins drew host Saint Peter's in the MECAA tournament quarterfinal at the Jersey City Armory. Le Moyne entered the game 5–0 on the season, and the Peacocks were riding a six-game winning steak. In a game that was tight throughout, Saint Peter's took a 62–61 lead with 1:06 to play. A put-back of an offensive rebound by sophomore reserve Chris Pitman, who replaced Chuck Sammons after the latter fouled out early in the second half, with 20 seconds to go gave the Dolphins a 63–62 lead. After an empty possession for the Peacocks, Bill Stanley, who had a game-high 22 points and added 13 rebounds, stretched Le Moyne's lead to two points with a free throw with four seconds on the clock. Saint Peter's got off a long shot at the buzzer, but it missed, and Le Moyne held on for a 64–62 victory.^[350][351] The Peacocks' loss, which sent them to the consolation bracket in their on-campus gym, spoiled the chances for the MECAA tournament to be a financial success.^[352]

The second-half rebounding work of John Caveney and Chuck Sammons allowed Le Moyne to pull away from Iona, after leading by just four points at the break, and cruise to a 90–60 victory. Caveney led the Dolphins with 25 points on 10-for-22 shooting. Tom Burns had 15 points, and Bill Stanley added 14 for Le Moyne, who outscored the Gaels 54–28 in the second half.^[353][354] This was Le Moyne's fourth straight win in games against University Division opponents and their 33rd all-time victory over a University Division/major program.

Le Moyne earned a wire-to-wire 66–57 win over Long Island to claim the MECAA tournament title on December 29, 1960.^[355] After trailing by 13 points at intermission, the Blackbirds were unable to trim the deficit to any fewer than six points in the second half. John Caveny scored a game-high 20 points for the Dolphins. Bill Stanley had 18 points and 17 rebounds and was named the tournament most valuable player. Each player on Le Moyne's roster received a watch to commemorate the tournament triumph.^[356] Le Moyne fans greeted the victorious Dolphins when they arrived at the New York Central Railroad Passenger Station in Syracuse.^[357][358]

Despite the initial plans, the 1960 MECAA tournament was the only tournament the league ever held.^[359] The tournament was unique, since it could be differentiated from a conference tournament, because it was not held at the end of the season and included non-member teams. It also does not resemble an in-season multiple-team event, since five of the six MECAA teams participated rather than limiting tournament entries to one team per conference.

Off to an undefeated 8–0 start and riding a 22-game home winning streak, Le Moyne was stunned at home, 83–68, by Saint Anselm, the team that eliminated the Dolphins from the 1960 NCAA tournament, on January 6, 1961. The Dolphins' previous home loss had been a 65–50 drubbing at the hands of St. Bonaventure on February 5, 1958. After a spurt early in the second half gave Le Moyne a 37–35 lead, Saint Anselm broke the game open with red hot shooting. The Hawks hit 52% of their shots from the floor for the game, while Le Moyne shot 47%. Tom Burns scored 20 points, and Chuck Sammons had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds for the Dolphins. Bill Stanley scored nine points and grabbed 12 rebounds for Le Moyne, but he fell hard to the floor, landing on he base of his spine, trying to block a shot and was unable to play the final four minutes.^{[360][361][362]}

In early January, Le Moyne was ranked no. 13 in the country among all Catholic schools. This ranking included both University Division and College Division institutions.^[363] However, the Dolphins fell out of the rankings after the loss to Saint Anselm. Bill Stanley was still suffering from a bad bruise on his lower back the day before the Dolphins' next game at Cortland State, and his status was uncertain. Mickey Flynn also suffered an injury against Saint Anselm, and his knee was too swollen to play against Cortland State.^[364] Stanley played most of the game against the Red Dragons on January 10, and put up a double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds in a 67–55 Dolphins victory. John Caveny scored 23 points to lead the Dolphins. Bill Ray also had a double-double for Le Moyne, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 boards.^[365]

Mickey Flynn, still nursing a knee injury, was the only one of the 13 players on Le Moyne's roster who did not make the trip for the Dolphins' January 14 game at Clarkson. All twelve players who travelled with the team scored in an 80–46 romp over the Golden Knights. The Dolphins broke open a game that was close midway through the first half and claimed a 43–21 lead at intermission. Tom Burns scored 16 points to lead Le Moyne. Bill Stanley, still bothered by a bruised lower back and blisters on his feet, played only 15 minutes and scored six points while collecting a team-high nine rebounds. John Caveny scored 10 points in the first half and did not re-enter the game after the break. The win improved the Dolphins' record to 10–1 on the season.^[366]

Bill Stanley grabbed 22 rebounds to break his own program record and scored a game-high 24 points, but it was not enough for the Dolphins as they fell, 73–69, at Buffalo State on February 2. The game was tight, until Le Moyne's offense sputtered after point guard Tom Burns fouled out with five minutes to play.^[367] Le Moyne's second straight loss dropped their record to 10–3 in collegiate contests.

Bill Stanley had a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Dolphins to an 86–65 win at Ithaca on February 8. Le Moyne used a zone press defense to frustrate the Bombers and build a 10-point halftime lead. Ithaca tried a press of their own in the second half, but it was broken repeatedly under the floor leadership of point guard Tom Burns, who scored 17 points to pace the Dolphins' balanced attack. Le Moyne capitalized on Ithaca's defensive gamble and converted fast-break opportunities into baskets that swelled their lead. Sophomore Bob Hunt made his varsity debut and scored four points.^[368] The Dolphins improved to 11–3 in collegiate contests.

John Caveny scored 16 points to lead the Dolphins to a 60–48 home victory over Hobart on February 18. Le Moyne had a 12–0 run early in the game to take a 15–3 lead before slowing down the tempo. It took Hobart's Jim Upper, who entered the game with a scoring average of over 25 points per game, 15 minutes to score his first basket, his only field goal of the first half. Upper finished with 14 points. Although the Dolphins shot only 32% from the floor, the Statesmen were unable to capitalize against Le Moyne's defense. The Dolphins' leading scorer, Bill Stanley was held without a field goal and finished with only five points. He was bothered by blisters on his feet and did not play the final 15 minutes of the game. None of Le Moyne's starters played during the final 10 minutes. Le Moyne's Chris Pitman was stricken with pleurisy and did not dress for the game. The win improved the Dolphins' record to 14–3 in collegiate contests, and they also had an exhibition victory over Stewart Air Force Base.^[369]

The Dolphins needed a home win over Saint Peter's on February 20, to remain in the MECAA regular-season title race^[370] and improve their chances at getting an NCAA tournament bid. The Peacocks used hot shooting to get an early jump on the Dolphins and took an early 23–14 lead. However, Le Moyne closed the half on a 22–13 run, capped by Bill Stanley's buzzer-beating jump shot, to tie the game at 36 at intermission. The Dolphins took their only lead of the game at 40–38 early in the second half, on a Tom Burns jumper. Saint Peter's embarked on an 11–1 run that gave them a 49–41 lead with 12 minutes to play. The Dolphins battled back, but Pete Norton's basket, the final field goal of the game for Saint Peter's, gave the Peacocks a six-point lead with six minutes on the clock. One more furious push from the Dolphins, led by Burns, Chuck Sammons and John Caveny, as Saint Peter's was trying to freeze the ball, got Le Moyne within striking distance. A pair of free throws by Bill Ray cut the deficit to 62–61 with 1:10 remaining. Burns had asked the referee for a timeout, if the second free throw was good. The referee appeared to blow his whistle, but he was quoted by Le Moyne head coach Tommy Niland as having said, "Nobody heard it but me and the kid." Saint Peter's inbounded the ball, and Le Moyne, not yet in the penalty, fouled to stop the clock. Burns argued with the official and was called for a technical foul. Bill Smith, who finished with a game-high 26 points, hit both free throws with 45 seconds to play to increase the Peacock's lead to three points. Le Moyne then fouled Smith, and he hit two more free throws to extend the lead to five. After an empty possession for Le Moyne, two more free throws secured a 69–61 win for Saint Peter's. Sammons scored 18 points to lead the Dolphins. Stanley, who finished with 11 points, was bothered by both blisters on his feet and the flu, and Mickey Flynn substituted for him for a few stretches. The other four Le Moyne starters, Burns, Sammons, Caveny and Ray, each played the entire 40 minutes. The loss dropped the Dolphins to 14–4 in collegiate contests and 1–2 in MECAA play, eliminating them from conference title contention.^[371][372]

Bill Stanley's battle with blisters on his feet evolved into an infection that kept him out of the Dolphins' 80–50 loss at NIT-bound Providence on February 23. Tom Burns scored 15 points to lead Le Moyne in the losing effort. Bob Yahn replaced Stanley in the starting lineup and scored six points. Yahn was effective on the defensive end of the floor, holding Friars star Jim Hadnot to just eight points.^[373] Head coach Tommy Niland announced that Providence had agreed to be Le Moyne's first opponent when its new on-campus fieldhouse opens in February 1962. Upon making the announcement, Niland said, "Syracusans are sure to see a tremendous team. They've got a freshman there named John Thompson from Washington, D.C., who is the greatest frosh player I've seen. He stands 6-8 and is so smooth and graceful for his size that he looks like another Elgin Baylor or Oscar Robertson. They'll have Jim Hadnot back, and he's 6-10, and they've got plenty of other good players besides."^[374]

The Dolphins overcame a sluggish start to win their home finale, 72–69, over King's on February 28. The Monarchs controlled the boards and took an early 23–13 lead, before the hot shooting of John Caveny and Tom Burns cut the deficit to seven points, 33–26, at halftime. Less than five minutes into the second half, a 13–4 run sparked by Mickey Flynn, who finished with 14 points, gave the Dolphins the lead. Le Moyne's lead grew as large as seven points, but King's continued battling and trailed by only three points in the final minute, when Caveny's basket created some breathing room. After the Monarchs scored another basket, Caveny hit a pair of free throws to put the game away. Seniors Frank Graziadei and Dave Rose entered the game with 12 seconds remaining, substituting for seniors Burns and Chuck Sammons, who received an ovation from the crowd. All four were playing the final home game of their collegiate careers. Caveny scored 19 points to lead the Dolphins. Bill Stanley missed his third straight game with an infected foot, and Chris Pitman was out for the fifth game in a row with pleurisy. The win improved the Dolphins to 16–5 in collegiate contests and kept them in contention for a berth in the NCAA tournament.^[375]

Le Moyne suffered a crushing 103–58 defeat at Gannon on March 2, that likely ended their hopes for an NCAA tournament berth. The Golden Knights took control of the game from the start and built a 32–16 lead. The Dolphins got no closer than 10 points down the rest of the way. Bill Ray scored 14 points to lead Le Moyne. Senior Dave Rose got more playing time than usual and finished with eight points. Bill Stanley and Chris Pitman were still sidelined with injury and illness and did not make the trip.^[376]

The Dolphins ended their season with an 82–62 loss at Steubenville on March 3. Two quick baskets by Bob Yahn and another by Chuck Sammons helped Le Moyne build a 6–1 lead in the opening minutes. After the Barons went on a 7–0 run to take the lead, Tommy Burns scored a basket to tie the game at 8. Steubenville responded with a 17–6 run and dominated the fatigued Dolphins the rest of the way.^[377] Tommy Burns scored 18 points on 8-for-14 shooting to lead Le Moyne.^[378]

The MECAA awarded its regular-season championship for the 1960–61 season to the team with the best winning percentage against conference opponents, excluding games played during the Christmas tournament. The title was again decided by the result of an extra game. The final game of the season on the league slate matched Iona and Siena on March 4. Iona and Saint Peter's were tied for first place at 3–1, and Saint Peter's had already completed their MECAA schedule. Siena's upset victory over Iona, who had given Saint Peter's their only conference loss, dropped the Gaels' record to 3–2 and gave the Peacocks the MECAA championship.^[379] Had Le Moyne defeated Saint Peter's on February 21, the Dolphins would have won their third straight MECAA crown. Instead, Le Moyne finished in third place at 2–2.

The losses of Bill Stanley, the team's leading scorer and rebounder at the time of his injury, and Chris Pitman, a key rotation player off the bench, was too much for the Dolphin to overcome down the stretch,^[380] and they lost four of their final six games, finishing 16–7 in collegiate contests.

Le Moyne's Bill Stanley was unanimously named a 1961 MECAA All-Star. John Caveny and Tom Burns were named second-team MECAA All-Stars.^[347]

Bill Stanley and John Caveny returned to the Dolphins for their senior seasons in 1961–62, and were named co-captains.^[381] The previous season's co-captains, Tommy Burns and Chuck Sammons, were lost to graduation as were reserves Dave Rose and Frank Graziadei. Juniors Bob Yahn, Jim Downey, Bob Hunt and Mickey Flynn all returned to the team. Senior Bill Ray and junior Chris Pitman were academically ineligible for at least the fall semester.^[382] New sophomores added to the Dolphins' roster were Ralph Yahn, younger brother of Bob, Tom Cooney, Dick Myers, John McGrath, Frank Shortt, Jim Kennedy, Tom Galton and Jim Martin.^{[383][384][385]} Senior Joe Costello ended his collegiate playing career to become head coach of Le Moyne's freshman basketball team.^[386] The Dolphins had anticipated moving into their newly constructed fieldhouse during the 1961–62 season, with their February 5 game against Providence the target for the opening of the venue.^[387] However, by November 1961, construction delays made it apparent that this would not happen,^[388] and Le Moyne played all their home games at the West Jefferson Street Armory.

During the offseason, Dolphins head coach Tommy Niland was elected president of the MECAA.^[389]

Starting with the 1961–62 season, the MECAA began to play a round-robin schedule with each team playing one conference game against each other member. If conference members scheduled more than one game against each other, one game was designated in advance as the game that would count in the conference standings. This system continued for the remainder of the MECAA's existence, except for a few instances in which conference games could not be scheduled or needed to be cancelled.

John Caveny, Bill Stanley, Mickey Flynn, Ralph Yahn and Tom Cooney were named as the Dolphins' starters prior to the season opener.^[385]

A fiercely contested 61–58 overtime win at home against Iona on January 27, 1962, gave the Dolphins an 8–2 record and put them in first place in the MECAA with a 2–0 league mark. The Gaels had control of the game until the middle stage of the second half, when Le Moyne went on a run sparked by the pressure defense applied by Tom Cooney and the scoring of Bill Stanley. With the score tied at 54 late in regulation, the Dolphins went into a deep freeze, holding the ball for the final shot. John Caveny's layup was blocked by Jim O'Donnell, sending the game to overtime. A Stanley jump shot, after retrieving a jump ball, with a minute and a half to play in the extra session put Le Moyne in front, 60–58. After a missed jump shot by Iona, the Dolphins collected the rebound with one minute on the clock and froze the ball. The Gaels fouled with five seconds to go, and Stanley hit a free throw to complete the scoring. Stanley and Mickey Flynn each had 18 points to lead the Dolphins.^{[390][391][392]} Le Moyne reserve John McGrath missed the game with strep throat.^[393] This was Le Moyne's 34th all-time victory over a University Division/major program.

A week later, the Dolphins suffered their first home loss of the season, a 59–52 defeat at the hands of Gannon, despite 18 points from Bill Stanley and 16 from John Caveny. Le Moyne trailed most of the second half but cut the Golden Knights' lead to 50–48 inside the final two minutes. Al Lawson's tip-in extended Gannon's lead and put the game out of reach.^[394] Bill Stanley scored 18 points to lead the Dolphins. Chris Pitman made his season debut after overcoming academic ineligibility and scored seven points.^[395]

Two days later, the Dolphins hosted reigning NIT champion Providence in a game that was originally planned to celebrate the grand opening of Le Moyne's new fieldhouse. Bob Yahn, starting for the first time this season, did an admirable job rebounding with Providence stars 6'10" Jim Hadnot and 6'10+1⁄2" John Thompson, and Le Moyne's defense swarmed around the Friars' big men. Tom Cooney's ball hawking on Providence point guard Vinny Ernst, the 1961 NIT MVP,^[396] was disruptive and kept the Dolphins in the game. After Le Moyne started hot and raced to an early 10–0 lead, Providence did not find themselves in front until 17 minutes into the game and held a slim two-point edge at the break. The Friars used a pressing defense to open the second half with an 8–0 run and extend their lead to 10 points. The Dolphins were unable to get back into the game the rest of the way, falling 53–46. Despite their defensive efforts, Le Moyne was unable to stop Ray Flynn, who had 22 points on 10-for-16 shooting from the floor for Providence. Bill Stanley scored 19 points to lead the Dolphins.^{[397][398][399]}

Sophomore Ralph Yahn missed Le Moyne's 75–69 win at St. Lawrence on February 7, with an infected heel. John Caveny scored 21 points to lead the Dolphins, who improved to 9–4.^[400]

After being held scoreless in the first half, which ended with the teams tied at 32, John Caveny exploded for 17 second-half points to lead the Dolphins to a 73–69 victory at St. Francis (NY) on February 10. Dick Myers had a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds. John Caveny had a game-high 25 points for Le Moyne. The Dolphins improved to 10–5 overall and moved into first place in the MECAA with a 3–1 record in league play.^[401] This was Le Moyne's 35th all-time win over a University Division/major program.

By the time Le Moyne dropped a 64–62 overtime decision at home to Saint Michael's on February 17,^[402] which left the Dolphins with an 11–6 record, hopes for an NCAA tournament berth had faded.^[403] Mickey Flynn had a chance to win the game for the Dolphins at the end of regulation, but he was closely guarded by Al Baldini, and his shot at the buzzer missed. With the score tied at 62 in the closing seconds of overtime, John Caveny drove to the basket and was called for a charging foul. Ed McDonnell hit a pair of free throws, and the Dolphins could not get off a final shot. Bill Stanley scored 22 points to lead Le Moyne.^[404]

Despite their late-season struggles, the Dolphins continued to play well in MECAA games and had an opportunity to clinch at least share of the league title, if they could get a home victory over King's on March 2.^[403][405] Bill Stanley and John Caveny exploded for 30 and 27 points, respectively, to lead Le Moyne to an 83–51 romp over King's and guarantee the Dolphins no worse than a tie for the MECAA championship with a 4–1 league record. Leading by seven points at the break, Le Moyne started the second half with a 14–6 run to push their bulge to 15 points. By the midpoint of the second half, the Dolphins held a 66–38 lead over the Monarchs. With no doubt remaining about the outcome, Stanley, playing his final collegiate game, reached a career total of 999 points. The crowd of 1,100 fans was breathless as Stanley went to the line and missed both free throws with 7:30 to play. Two minutes later, Stanley was fouled again; this time, he hit both free throws to become the seventh player in program history to break through the 1,000-point barrier. Earlier in the season, Caveny had also topped 1,000 points in the Dolphins' 70–59 loss at Catholic on February 22,^[406] and he finished his career with 1,069.^[407] Ralph Yahn had a strong game, finishing with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Stanley had 11 rebounds to go with his point total.^[408][409]

After completing their season with a 13–9 overall record, the Dolphins became spectators, and the team to watch was archrival Siena. The Indians won their ninth straight game, a streak which included a March 6 non-conference victory at Le Moyne, when they routed Saint Peter's, 77–54, in their home finale.^[410] The loss eliminated the Peacocks from contention for the MECAA title.^[411] Siena was the last remaining MECAA team with only one loss and could claim a share of the MECAA championship with a win at Iona on March 10. Coincidentally, Iona had been denied the MECAA title the previous season, when the Gaels were upset at Siena in their season finale. Iona got its revenge, beating the Indians, 73–59, to give Le Moyne the outright MECAA championship.^[412]

The MECAA named Bill Stanley 1962 most valuable player and Tommy Niland coach of the year. It was the first time a Le Moyne player had earned a conference MVP award and the third MECAA coach of the year honor for Niland. It was Stanley's second straight MECAA All-Star selection. John Caveny was named to the MECAA All-Star second team.^[413]

By September 1962, the construction of Le Moyne's new fieldhouse was completed. Initially, the building was referred to as the Le Moyne Athletic Center.^[414][415]

Seniors Mickey Flynn and Chris Pitman were named co-captains of the 1962–63 team.^[416] The Dolphins lost their previous season's co-captains, John Caveny, who was second-team all-conference, and MECAA MVP Bill Stanley to graduation, but several rotation players returned, including senior Bob Yahn and juniors Ralph Yahn, Dick Myers, Tom Cooney and John McGrath.^[417] Seniors Jim Downey and Bob Hunt were impressive in preseason practices and were expected to get significant playing time. Sophomores Dick Reece, Dick Martyns, Dan Frawley and Mike Downey, younger brother of Jim, were added to the team with Reece and Martyns competing for starting roles.^[418][419]

The first intercollegiate contest in the new Le Moyne Athletic Center was the Dolphins' season opener against their archrival and MECAA opponent, Siena, on December 1, 1962. A crowd of 2,100 witnessed the return of former Le Moyne moderator of athletics, Rev. Vincent B. Ryan, S.J., who was on hand to throw out the first ball in a pre-game ceremony. John McGrath, who finished with a game-high 19 points, hit a jump shot to give Le Moyne a 2–0 lead and score the first points in a varsity game in the new arena. The Dolphins' pressure defense, led by Tom Cooney, forced Siena into turnovers and fueled the offense, putting Le Moyne in front, 23–15 at the half.^[420][421]

During the intermission, Rev. John J. O'Brien, S.J., who was the current moderator of athletics, introduced Le Moyne's first team, which played Siena in the program's inaugural game in 1948, former team captains and members of the Dolphins' 1,000 career points club. Former players on hand for the festivities included Don Savage, Lou Donahue, Joe Boehm, Bob Hurley, Dave Lozo, Dick Riley, Patsy Leo, Len Mowins, Dick Kenyon, Ron Mack, Denny Morissey, Dick Lynch, John Caveney and Bill Stanley. Syracuse mayor William Walsh was also present.^[420][421]

When the action resumed, the Indians came out flying, opening the second half with a 10–2 run to erase Le Moyne's lead and tie the game at 25 in only five minutes. Siena extended the run to 18–5 to push ahead, 33–28. Midway through the second half, Dick Myers fouled out, the Dolphins trailed 37–33, and Siena appeared to have the momentum. The Indians answered each of Le Moyne's next two baskets with one of their own and led, 41–37, with 3:14 to play. John McGrath drew a foul and hit both free throws to cut Siena's lead to two points. After an empty Indians possession, Chris Pitman was fouled and knocked down both shots to tie the game at 41 with just over two minutes to play. Siena's Paul Thorpe missed a layup inside the 1:50 mark, and Pitman grabbed the rebound. The Dolphins froze the ball, holding for the final shot, until Mickey Flynn's 12-footer from the left side fell through the hoop with five seconds left, giving Le Moyne a 6–0 run and a 43–41 lead. The Indians' final desperation shot was blocked by the Dolphins, sealing the Le Moyne victory. Flynn finished the game with nine points.^[420][421]

The Dolphins' first four games of the 1962–63 season were at home, and Le Moyne won all four.^[422] The Dolphins opened the road portion of their schedule with another victory, 74–66, over MECAA rival King's on December 14, to improve to 5–0 overall and 2–0 in conference games. Mickey Flynn scored 25 points on 9-for-17 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Dolphins to the road win.^[423] The Dolphins' first loss of the season came the following evening at Scranton, 74–50. The Dolphins were outrebounded, 43–30, and spent much of the game with three starters in foul trouble. Tom Cooney scored 11 points to lead Le Moyne.^[424] Jim Downey, who had been starting at guard for the Dolphins, missed the game with an ankle injury.^[425]

After a holiday break of more than two weeks, the Dolphins returned to action on their home floor on January 5, 1963, and defeated Hartwick, 54–50, in overtime, keeping their record on their new court unblemished at 5–0. Trailing by four points with 3:12 to play in regulation, the Dolphins scored the game's next two baskets, both on offensive rebounds Chris Pitman converted to layups. Le Moyne got possession with the score tied and 46 seconds left and held for the last shot, but Mickey Flynn's attempt bounced off the rim. A three-point play by Pitman gave the Dolphins a 53–50 lead in overtime, and they held the Statesmen without a basket on only two attempts the rest of the way. Le Moyne outrebounded Hartwick, 56–47, despite the Statesmen having an edge on the boards in the first half. Flynn scored 15 points to lead the Dolphins despite sitting out much of the second half in foul trouble. Sophomore Dick Martyns grabbed nine rebounds and scored the first four points of his varsity career.^[426]

In a battle for first place in the MECAA, the Dolphins, sparked by the hot shooting of Dick Myers, hit 10 of their first 15 shots to build a nine-point lead over Saint Peter's on January 12. However, after Myers was called for his third personal foul midway through the first half, the Peacocks immediately responded with a 9–0 run to tie the game at 25, and trailed by only two points at intermission. After Chris Pitman drew his fourth personal foul early in the second half, Saint Peter's took control of the game and cruised to a 66–59 victory, handing the Dolphins their first loss on their new home court. Myers had 19 points to lead Le Moyne. The Dolphins suffered their second straight loss and fell to 6–3 overall and 2–1 in MECAA play.^[427]

The Dolphins' mid-season losing streak reached five games and dropped their record to 6–6. In the final game of the streak on January 27, the Dolphins fell behind, 49–33, early in the second half at Saint Michael's before going on a 12–0 run, which they extended to 18–3, to cut the lead to 52–51. However, the Knights outscored Le Moyne, 22–5, over the final 10 minutes to secure a 74–56 win.^[428][429] Mickey Flynn and Ralph Yahn each scored 14 points to lead Le Moyne.^[430]

Le Moyne broke their losing streak with an impressive home win over St. Francis (NY), a team that would end up playing in the NIT, on February 2, 1963. Although the Terriers never led in the game, the Dolphins were unable to hold the 10-point halftime lead they built with pressure defense, transition baskets and outside shooting. St. Francis applied pressure defense of their own in the second half and forced turnovers. The Dolphins began to shoot poorly from the free-throw line. Suddenly, a game that seemed well in hand for Le Moyne was tied at 50 with five minutes to play. In the closing moments of regulation, with the score tied at 56, Mickey Flynn, who finished with a game-high 20 points, missed a potential game winner, sending the game to overtime. Flynn redeemed himself with two straight jump shots early in the extra session to give the Dolphins a four-point lead. The Terriers fouled to regain possession, and Le Moyne recovered their free-throw shooting touch, scoring their final five points from the charity stripe, the final two scored by Ralph Yahn, who had a strong rebounding game despite playing with four fouls in the late stages. Two late Terriers baskets came after the game was out of reach, and the Dolphins earned a 65–64 victory.^{[431][432][433][434]} The Dolphins played without Dick Myers, who missed his second straight game with a back injury.^[435] Le Moyne improved to 7–6 overall and 3–1 in MECAA play with the win, the 36th in their history over a University Division/major program.

The opportunity to win a second straight MECAA title slipped away, when the Dolphins lost, 57–51, at Iona on February 9. The Gaels raced to an early 12–0 lead and never looked back. Mickey Flynn scored 15 points to lead Le Moyne, who fell to 9–7 in collegiate contests and 3–2 in MECAA play.^[436]

The Dolphins finished the 1962–63 season with a 12–10 record in collegiate contests. Mickey Flynn was named All-MECAA first team.^[437]

Three straight NCAA tournament bids (1963–1966)[edit]

Seniors Ralph Yahn and 5'8" Tom Cooney were named co-captains for the 1963–64 season. The Dolphins' leading scorer Mickey Flynn and Chris Pittman, who were Le Moyne's co-captains the previous season, graduated along with Bob Yahn, Jim Downey and Bob Hunt. Senior Dick Myers and juniors Dan Frawley, Dick Martyns, Dick Reece and Mike Downey returned to the team. Sophomores Tom Mullen, Gary DeYulia, Gerry Glose and Jon Cook were added to the varsity roster. Junior Mike Lawler, a transfer from Buffalo, became eligible to play after sitting out a year.^[438][439]

After a convincing 72–44 win in their December 1, 1963 opener over Scranton,^[440] the Dolphins sputtered to a 3–4 record in their first seven games.^[441] Things started to turn around, when Le Moyne visited a pair of MECAA foes in the New York metropolitan area. In Jersey City, Le Moyne dominated Saint Peter's, 86–71, on January 10, 1964, to even their overall record at 4–4 and their MECAA mark at 1–1. Dan Frawley had a game-high 21 points for the Dolphins, who had four players in double figures. After the Peacocks had an early 15–14 lead, Le Moyne pushed ahead for good and never looked back.^[442][443]

The following day, the Dolphins met St. Francis (NY) at the 69th Regiment Armory in Manhattan. After falling behind, 3–0, Le Moyne went on a 13–0 run to move ahead and held the lead the rest of the way. The Dolphins again had four players in double figures in the scoring column, led by sophomore Gary DeYulia, who posted 14 points. Tom Cooney's fabulous playmaking and pressing defense keyed Le Moyne's victory. Cooney finished with 12 points and shot 5 for 9 from the floor. The Dolphins improved to 5–4 overall and 2–1 in MECAA play.^{[443][444][445]} The win was Le Moyne's 37th all-time over a University Division/major program.

The Dolphins rallied late to take control of their January 18 game at Alfred and went on to a 70–66 victory. Gary DeYulia had 22 points for Le Moyne, and Tom Cooney added 20. Dan Frawley had a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds for Le Moyne.^[446][447]

On January 25, Saint Michael's switched to a zone defense, which seemed to confuse the Dolphins, and a furious rally by the Purple Knights erased the home team's 40–26 halftime lead and tied the game at 69 with less than two minutes to play. The Dolphins maintained their composure and outscored Saint Michael's, 6–2, in the closing minutes to secure a 75–71 victory, their fourth straight. Gary DeYulia's free throw gave Le Moyne a 70–69 lead. After Richie Tarrant, who finished with 30 points for Saint Michael's, turned the ball over under the basket, Tom Cooney drove to the basket and completed a three-point play, giving the Dolphins a 73–69 lead with 33 seconds remaining. A pair of free throws by Tarrant cut Le Moyne's lead to two points. On the Dolphins' next possession, the Purple Knights forced a jump ball with eight seconds on the clock. Ralph Yahn tipped the ball to Cooney, who passed it to Dick Myers for a layup at the final buzzer. All five Dolphins starters scored in double figures, led by DeYulia's 18 points.^[448][449]

The Dolphins took over first-place in the MECAA, improving their league record to 3–1, with a dominant home win over Iona on February 1. Le Moyne scored the first five points of the second half to extend their six-point halftime lead. The Gaels never got closer than seven points behind the rest of the way, and the Dolphins cruised to a 74–56 victory. Gary DeYulia led Le Moyne with 28 points. Tom Cooney and Dick Myers had 19 points each. Dick Myers had a double-double, scoring 16 points and collecting 12 rebounds against the Iona boardsmen, who entered the game leading the University Division in rebounding. The Dolphins had a 50–38 rebounding edge for the game. The loss dropped Iona to 10–3 overall and 1–1 in MECAA play and clouded their hopes for an NIT bid.^[450][451] Le Moyne's fifth straight win improved their overall record to 8–4 and was their 38th all-time victory over a University Division/major program.

Following an 87–56 home win over Clarkson,^[452] the Dolphins clinched at least a share of the MECAA title with a 54–46 win at Siena, their seventh straight victory. Le Moyne pulled away from the Indians with a 6–0 run late in the first half to extend their lead to eight points, and Siena never got closer than four points behind the rest of the way. Gary DeYulia led the Dolphins with a game-high 15 points.^[453][454]

After pulling away from St. Lawrence late on the road and cruising to an 85–69 win,^[455] the Dolphins journeyed to Massachusetts for a pair of road games with their eight-game winning streak inspiring talk of a possible bid to the NCAA tournament, provided their trip was successful.^[456]

The Dolphins fell behind early at Stonehill on February 14, but recovered on the strength of Gary DeYulia's scoring to get back into the game. The teams battled back and forth until Dick Munson's jump shot in the closing seconds broke a tie and gave the Chieftains a 53–51 lead. Le Moyne called timeout with just three seconds to play. The ensuing inbounds pass went to DeYulia, who drained a 35-footer at the buzzer to send the game to overtime. The Chieftains suffocated DeYulia during the extra session, but an offensive rebound put-back by Dick Myers put the Dolphins in front. Tom Cooney hit a jump shot and followed that with a steal and a layup. Le Moyne held on for a 61–58 triumph, their ninth straight victory. DeYulia finished with 31 points.^{[457][458][459]}

The following night, the Dolphins visited Assumption, who were ranked no. 6 in the College Division media poll at the time.^[460]: 8 After Le Moyne had a one-point lead at halftime, Assumption opened the second half with an 18–4 run over the first seven minutes and later extended their lead to 16 points. The Dolphins chipped away at the lead during the later stages of the second half and cut the deficit to four points with 10 seconds to go. However, Assumption hit their free throws and scored a basket in the closing moments to secure a 74–66 victory. Dick Myers had a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 12 rebounds for Le Moyne.^{[458][461][462]} The loss ended Le Moyne's winning streak at nine games, the longest in program history, and dropped the Dolphins' record to 12–5.

Iona had a 13-point lead with seven minutes to play, when they hosted Saint Peter's on February 22. The Gaels, facing the pressure of a possible NIT bid, fell apart down the stretch and suffered a home loss, 68–66, on Tim Kehoe's buzzer-beater.^[463] The Iona loss dropped them to 3–2 in MECAA play and gave Le Moyne the 1964 MECAA championship outright.

Followers of the Dolphins thought the loss to Assumption might keep Le Moyne out of the NCAA tournament.^{[456][464][465]} However, the Dolphins' 65–63 late-season victory at Buffalo ended the Bulls' 45-game home winning streak.^[466][467] With Buffalo leading, 59–56, with five minutes remaining, Tom Cooney scored five straight points followed by a Gary DeYulia basket to give Le Moyne a 63–59 lead. After the Bulls cut the Dolphins' lead to two points, Ralph Yahn scored his only basket of the game to extend Le Moyne's lead to four points with a minute remaining and put the game away. DeYulia had a double-double, scoring a game-high 24 points on 10-for-18 shooting and pulling down 14 rebounds. Cooney finished with 17 points.^[468] It was the Dolphins fourth straight win and 13th in their previous 14 games. That was enough to capture the selection committee's attention and secure an invitation to the NCAA tournament.^{[469][470][471][472]}

The Dolphins concluded the regular season with a home game against Ithaca, which had already received an NCAA tournament bid,^[465] on March 3. After Le Moyne claimed a 30–18 halftime lead, which they extended to 37–21, the Bombers' defense got them back into the game, and the Dolphins' lead stood at 62–56 with two minutes to play. A three-point play by Tom Cooney and a fast-break basket scored by Gary DeYulia off a Cooney pass sandwiched around two Ithaca points extended Le Moyne's lead back to nine points and put the game out of reach. The Dolphins held on for a 69–64 victory. Dan Frawley had a double-double, scoring 13 points and grabbing 15 rebounds. Ralph Yahn, playing the final home game of his collegiate career, also had 15 rebounds and added nine points. Cooney, in his home-court swan song, excelled at running the fast-break offense and contributed 15 points. Senior Dick Myers spent much of the game in foul trouble but managed 11 points. Sophomore Gary DeYulia led the Dolphins with 20 points.^[473] During warm-up drills before the game, reserve sophomore Jon Cook collided with a teammate and tore ligaments in his knee. Despite being unable to play, Cook traveled with the team to the NCAA tournament.^[474]

Le Moyne entered to the NCAA tournament with a 17–5 regular-season record and winners of five straight and 14 of their previous 15 games. The Dolphins were matched with Youngstown State, ranked no. 6 nationally in the Associated Press College Division poll at the time,^[460]: 8 in the regional semifinals. Le Moyne's stifling defense, fierce rebounding and hot shooting by Gary DeYulia led to a six-point burst in just a minute and a half that put them ahead, 54–44, with 4:08 to play, and the Dolphins were not challenged the rest of the way. DeYulia shot 10 for 15 and had a game-high 20 points. As a team, the Dolphins shot 57% from the floor, while their zone defense limited the Penguins to 39% shooting.^{[299]: 26 [475][476][477]}

The Dolphins met Akron, the region's host in the Mideast Regional Final Sweet 16 game. The Zips scored early and often. Meanwhile, it took six and a half minutes for the Dolphins to put their first points on the board. Akron dominated the game wire to wire, winning by a score of 62–38. Akron's defense frustrated Le Moyne's top scorer Gary DeYulia, who finished with six points on 2-for-15 shooting. Le Moyne's Tom Cooney was named to the All-Regional team. Cooney had 24 points in the two tournament games.^{[299]: 26 [476][478][479]}

Tommy Niland was named 1964 MECAA coach of the year, the fourth time he was so honored.^[480] Gary DeYulia was named All-MECAA first team, and Tom Cooney was selected for the second team.^[481] DeYulia was also named an ECAC All-Star.^[482]

In April 1964, Le Moyne College announced that it would sponsor and participate in a four-team Christmas invitational basketball tournament to take place on December 29 and 30. Buffalo had already committed to participate. Le Moyne athletic director and men's basketball coach would serve as the tournament director.^[483][484]

Preseason practices opened on October 15, 1964. The Dolphins lost point guard Tom Cooney, Ralph Yahn and Dick Lynch, both strong inside players, and Dick Myers to graduation, but leading scorer junior Gary DeYula returned along with senior Dan Frawley, the team's second leading rebounder. Senior Dick Martyns and junior Jerry Glose, both of whom played well in limited action the previous season, also returned. Junior Tom Mullen lost weight during the offseason and was expected to compete for the starting center role. Seniors Mike Lawler, Dick Reece and Mike Downey and junior Jon Cook all returned. The leading scorer of the previous season's freshman team, Eric Pitman, two other players who each averaged 16 points per game as freshmen, Jerry Ballone and Leo Miller, and Mike Cavotta were expected to be contributors to the varsity team as sophomores.^{[485][486][487]} Frawley and Lawler were named co-captains.^[488][489] Sophomore Michael Donegan and junior Bob McCann were added to the roster prior to the start of the season, bringing the total number of new sophomores to five.^[490] McCann did not play during the previous season as a sophomore.

The Dolphins were coming off a home loss to Hartwick, having allowed a 13-point lead to slip away, and were 2–2 on the young season^[491] as their Christmas invitational tournament got under way. In the opening game, Saint Michael's outscored Buffalo, 93–86, setting a new venue record for most combined points by two teams in the brief history of the Le Moyne Athletic Center. The Dolphins took an early 21–8 lead, which they increased to 40–24 by halftime, against Oswego State on their way to an 81–64 victory. Gary DeYulia led Le Moyne with 18 points. Tom Mullen and Dan Frawley both had double-doubles with each player collecting 10 rebounds to go with 17 points for Mullen and 15 for Frawley.^[492][493]

The following evening, Buffalo defeated Oswego State, 88–59, in the tournament consolation game. Tom Mullen's solid guarding held Purple Knight Richie Tarrant, who entered the contest averaging more than 32 points per game, to just 19 points. Gary DeYulia was exceptionally efficient on offense, scoring a game-high 22 points on 11-for-12 shooting from the floor. Dan Frawley had a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Despite how well the Dolphins performed, the lead changed hands several times, and Le Moyne found themselves with a one-point advantage at 64–63 with 1:09 to play. A Frawley layup extended the lead to three points. Tarrant hit a free throw to cut the Dolphins' lead to two. Dick Reece scored just four points in the game for the Dolphins, but two of them came on both ends of a one-and-one with 45 seconds to play to give Le Moyne a four-point lead. Tarrant fouled out on the play. Saint Michael's got a pair of free throws with 30 seconds left, but the Dolphins were able to run out the clock and secure a 68–66 victory and the tournament championship. DeYulia was named the tournament's most valuable player and presented a trophy by the Very Rev. William Reilly, S.J., president of Le Moyne College. Coach Tommy Niland accepted the tournament championship trophy from the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce on behalf of the team.^[493][494]

The Christmas tournament turned out to be the launching point of a record-breaking Dolphins winning streak, which reached five games, when Le Moyne won, 67–64, at Iona on January 9, 1965. With the Gaels leading, 62–60, late in the game, a three-point play by Dick Martyns, who finished with eight points, gave the Dolphins a one-point lead. After Iona went back in front, Gary DeYulia's jumper from the top of the key with 12 seconds to play put Le Moyne ahead, 65–64. The Dolphins got a stop on the defensive end, and Dan Frawley, who had eight points, hit a pair of free throws with one second remaining to put the game out of reach. DeYulia scored 21 points, 17 in the second half, on 8-for-13 shooting to lead the Dolphins.^[495] The win improved the Dolphins to 7–2 overall and 1–1 in MECAA play and was Le Moyne's 39th all-time over a University Division/major program.

Before the start of the 1964–65 season, Saint Peter's moved up from the NCAA's College Division to the University Division,^[39]: 49 giving the MECAA three University Division teams (St. Francis (NY), Iona and Saint Peter's) and three College Division teams (Le Moyne, Siena and King's). The Peacocks became Le Moyne's eighth straight victim, as the Dolphins defeated Saint Peter's, 75–55, on January 27. After leading by one point at halftime, Le Moyne went on an 18–6 second-half run that separated the teams, and the Peacocks were unable to close the deficit. Tom Mullen had a double-double for the Dolphins with 22 points on 9-for13 shooting and 13 rebounds. Le Moyne dominated the boards by a 48–35 margin. The Dolphins' aggressive defense held the Peacocks well below their 82 points per game scoring average.^[496] Le Moyne improved to 10–2 overall and 2–1 in MECAA play with the win, their 40th all-time over a University Division/major program opponent.

The Dolphins' winning streak reached 10 games, the longest in program history, when Le Moyne defeated St. Francis (NY), 53–46, on February 6. Three straight baskets by Dick Martyns broke open a close game and gave the Dolphins a 48–38 lead with four minutes to go. Le Moyne used a pressing defense to frustrate the Terriers, who had a three-inch average height advantage. St. Francis shot just 29% from the floor, despite the Terriers coming into the game with the second highest shooting accuracy in the University Division at over 50%.^[497] Gary DeYulia led the Dolphins with 17 points. Tom Mullen had a double-double with 12 points and 11 rebounds. Gerry Glose had two key rebounds in the final minutes, as the Terriers tried to get back into the game, and also contributed seven points. A crowd of 2,200 was heard chanting "N-C-A-A" as the game drew to a conclusion. The win improved Le Moyne's overall record to 12–2 and moved them into first place in the MECAA with a 3–1 mark in league play.^[498][499] The victory was Le Moyne's 41st all time over a University Division/major program.

After the Dolphins won their 11th straight game, 63–44, at Ithaca on February 10,^[500] an NCAA tournament selection committee member indicated that Le Moyne was being considered for an at-large berth in the tournament.^[501] Le Moyne's February 13 home game against Assumption, also a tournament bid contender, was considered a key matchup for both teams in their quests for tournament invitations and, possibly, opportunities to host regional games.^[502] A strong advantage on the boards helped the Dolphins build a 34–25 halftime lead, which ballooned to 17 points at 42–25. Le Moyne outrebounded Assumption, 44–31. The Dolphins appeared comfortably in front, 70–55, with four minutes to play. After Gerry Glose, who had 13 rebounds, fouled out, the Greyhounds had more success on the boards and used their pressing defense to make a late charge, and a 13–3 run cut Le Moyne's lead to five points. Dick Reece found Tom Mullen under the basket for a layup, and Mullen sank a free throw to complete a three-point play to extend the Dolphins' lead to eight points with 38 seconds remaining. The Greyhounds scored the game's final five points, but Le Moyne held on for a 76–73 victory. Mullen scored 24 points, shot 11 for 13 from the floor and 2 for 2 from the free-throw line and grabbed 16 rebounds for the Dolphins, who won their 12th straight game and improved to 14–2.^[503]

The Dolphins' winning streak hit 13 on February 17, when they drubbed Hobart, 85–43, despite the absence of their top two scorers, Gary DeYulia and Tom Mullen, who were both nursing colds.^[504] Dick Reece led Le Moyne with 16 points.^[505][506]

Gary DeYulia and Tom Mullen returned to the lineup for the Dolphins' 91–68 blowout victory over Alfred, who came into the game 14–5, on February 20. Mullen had a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds but appeared to suffer an ankle injury during the game. DeYulia led Le Moyne with 17 points. Ed Mandell had 31 points for the Saxons, who came into the game averaging 85 points per contest, but were held to 31% shooting from the floor by the Dolphins' defense. Le Moyne's 14th straight win improved their record to 16–2 and inspired the crowd of 2,000 spectators to yell "N-C-A-A" throughout the game in anticipation of a bid to the tournament.^[507][508]

On February 23, Le Moyne received and accepted a bid to host the Northeast Regionals of the 1965 NCAA College Division tournament. Aside from the Dolphins' 16–2 record, the selection committee cited the outstanding support shown by both students and area residents for the Dolphins at recent games as well as during the Christmas tournament. Le Moyne head coach Tommy Niland was named tournament director for the regional. Le Moyne announced that tickets could be reserved by phone starting at 9 a.m. on February 24, and would be available for pick-up on February 27. Student passes would not be honored for the tournament games; however, students could purchase tickets at a discounted price of $1.50 for each doubleheader session. Reserved tickets were priced at $2 per doubleheader session or $3.50 for all four games. General admission bleacher tickets were available for $1.50 per night. Le Moyne rented portable bleachers from the West Jefferson Street Armory to expand seating capacity for the tournament by about 500. Since the tournament bid created a conflict, the Dolphins rescheduled their home game against Siena from March 6 to February 28. Coach Niland appointed Manlius Military Academy athletic director and basketball coach Whitey Anderson as official scorer for the tournament games. Incredibly, all these arrangements were announced by Le Moyne the same day the selection committee announced it had been chosen to host the regional. Le Moyne also announced that the foot injury Tom Mullen suffered in the game against Alfred would keep him out of the February 24 game against Clarkson. Coach Niland hoped that Mullen would be available for the February 27 game at Buffalo.^{[509][510][511]}

Gerry Glose came off the bench to score 18 points on 7-for-11 shooting to lead the Dolphins to a 61–51 victory at Clarkson on February 24. Gary DeYulia, slowed by a calf injury, had 18 points for Le Moyne, who won their 15th straight game and improved to 17–2 on the season.^[512]

Norb Baschnagel's basket with three minutes to play gave Buffalo a 58–57 lead over Le Moyne at the Buffalo Memorial Auditorium on February 27. After an empty possession for the Dolphins, two free throws put the Bulls ahead by three points, and they held on to win, 62–59, ending Le Moyne's program-record 15-game winning streak. Buffalo improved to 16–2 with the win, as they prepared for the NCAA tournament. Gary DeYulia had 26 points for the Dolphins, who dropped to 17–3 on the season.^[513]

The Dolphins struggled at the start of their regular-season finale against Siena on February 28, failing to score a basket until 9:35 had elapsed on the clock. Le Moyne recovered to take a five-point halftime lead. The Indians got within two points at 42–40 midway through the second half, but baskets by Mike Lawler and Tom Mullen extended the lead. Moments later, Dan Cunha was hit with a technical foul for arguing a call. The ensuing free throw and another charity toss on the personal foul extended the Dolphins' lead to 49–42, and Le Moyne went on to a 58–48 victory. After Gary DeYulia felt he was unnecessarily shoved out of bounds, a brief melee ensued between the rival teams, and a Siena player was promptly slammed to the floor by a Dolphin. It appeared it might spread into the stands where the Siena fans were sitting, but cooler heads quickly prevailed. DeYulia finished the game with just six points on 2-for-20 shooting from the floor. Eric Pitman led the Dolphins with 10 points. The win improved Le Moyne to 4–1 in MECAA play, assuring them of at least a share of the conference title.^[514] The behavior of the Le Moyne players and fans in connection with the melee was criticized in Siena's school newspaper.^[515]

Before the Siena game, Saint Michael's, Hartwick and Assumption were announced as the other three teams participating in the Northeast Regionals.^[516] A few hours after the regional field was announced, all tickets were sold out.^[514] The Dolphins defeated Saint Michael's, 68–66, at home in the Christmas tournament^[494] and on the road, 65–64, on January 23.^[517] Le Moyne earned a home victory over Assumption, 76–73, on February 13.^[503] Hartwick handed Le Moyne their only home loss of the regular season, 60–53, on December 16.^[491]

Mark Palinski scored 28 points to lead Siena to an 80–72 victory over Saint Peter's on March 2.^[518] The University Division Peacocks fell to 2–2 in MECAA play with the loss to the College Division Indians and were eliminated from the league title race, giving Le Moyne its second consecutive outright conference championship.^[519]

Assumption executed a suffocating defensive effort, frustrating the Dolphins and earning a 76–58 victory.^[299]: 26 Le Moyne trailed by 16 at halftime and spent most of the game in foul trouble. The Dolphins' leading scorer, Gary DeYulia, scored Le Moyne's first four points on a layup and a jump shot but was shut down by the Greyhounds the rest of the way, finishing with just four points. Trailing 48–27 in the second half, Tom Mullen, who had 18 points in the game, scored six points during a 10–0 Dolphins run, but Le Moyne never got closer than 11 points behind the Greyhounds. Le Moyne shot 26 for 67 (39&) from the field. Dan Frawley had a double-double with 10 points and 11 boards, leading the Dolphins to a 44–38 rebounding edge for the game.^[520][521]

In the regional third-place game, Gary DeYulia's steal and transition basket capped a run that gave the Dolphins a 53–51 lead and thrilled the crowd in the Le Moyne Athletic Center. Hartwick responded immediately with a run of their own to go ahead by 64–56. Le Moyne fought back, led by Eric Pitman and Dick Martyns and had the ball down by two points with 31 seconds to play. However, DeYulia's shot at the buzzer fell short, and the Warriors held on for a 70–68 victory.^[299]: 26 DeYulia and Tom Mullen led the Dolphins with 17 points each. Mullen aso grabbed nine rebounds. Gerry Glose scored 10 points and had nine rebounds for the Dolphins.^{[522][523][524]}

Gary DeYulia was named a 1965 ECAC first-team All-Star.^[525] He also received honorable mention for the 1965 Little All-America team.^[526] DeYulia was also honored as first-team All-MECAA, and Tom Mullen was named to the second team. Tommy Niland won his fifth MECAA coach of the year award.^[527]

In September 1965, the NCAA granted the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) an automatic berth in the NCAA College Division tournament. Dolphins head coach Tommy Niland said that he was generally in favor of automatic qualification for the tournament, but, with one less at-large bid available, and the NCAA limiting how many teams from each area of the country enter the tournament, it would now be more difficult for teams in the northeast, including Le Moyne, to be selected. Niland pointed out that none of the schools in the SUNYAC had ever been selected in the past and that the conference might not be strong enough to merit an automatic bid.^[528] The SUNYAC joined the Middle Atlantic States Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) and the Tri-State Collegiate Basketball League as conferences with automatic tournament bids. This left five at-large bids available for the nearly 200 teams in the northeast, designated by the NCAA as District 1, since teams from this area generally participated in either the Northeast or East Regionals, each of which comprised four teams.^[529] Since the MASCAC was very large, with more than 20 teams, it split into two divisions: the Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) North Division and the MAC South Division, and each division applied for and received an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. This left only four at-large bids available for teams from the northeast. After considering the large number of teams in District 1, particularly high-quality teams without access to an automatic bid,^[530] the NCAA decided that instead of two regions of four teams each as had previously been the case, District 1 would have 12 bids with regional games played at three sites. The winner emerging from one of these sites would go directly to the national quarterfinals, while the other two winners would play each other for a quarterfinal berth.^[531] One site would feature the two MAC teams and two at-large teams. The second site would have the Tri-State League champion and three at-large teams. The SUNYAC champion and three at-large teams would play at the third site.^[532]

Practices for the 1965–66 season opened on October 15, 1965. Returning players included seniors Gary DeYulia, the Dolphins' leading scorer the previous two seasons, Tom Mullen, second in scoring in 1964–65, Gerry Glose, Jon Cook and Bob McCann and juniors Jerry Ballone, Mike Donegan, Eric Pitman and Leo Miller.^[533] Dan Frawley, Dick Martyns, Mike Lawler, Dick Reece and Mike Downey were all lost to graduation. Sophomores expected to play roles on the team were Gerry McDermott, Tom Devins, Dave Cary, Greg Bonk, Pat Gregory and Jim Mariotte. DeYulia was named team captain.^[534] Glose and Eric Pitman, both of whom were part of the previous season's rotation, were expected to play significant roles. During the pre-season, coach Tommy Niland expected the Dolphins to have more speed and be less physical than the previous season's team. He planned to have the team increase its pace on offense to take advantage of its strengths.^[535]

The Dolphins' 1965–66 schedule released prior to the season indicated they would host a second annual Christmas invitational tournament in December 1965. Teams committed to participate were Hartwick, Kenyon and Southwest Texas State.^[536] Le Moyne entered the tournament with a 3–0 record.^[537] In their semifinal game against Kenyon on December 29, 1965, Eric Pitman, who finished with 17 points, scored all the Dolphins' points during a 7–2 run that extended a 61–56 lead to 68–58. Pitman got the run started by cashing in a free throw, after he was fouled while hitting a layup. After Kenyon scored on a put-back, Pitman took a pass from Gary DeYulia and drove the lane for another layup. DeYulia, who led the Dolphins with 24 points, then blocked a Kenyon shot. Pitman picked up the loose ball and raced down the floor for a basket, and Le Moyne was on its way to an 84–73 victory.^[538][539]

In the tournament final the following evening, the Dolphins met Hartwick, a team that had beaten them twice during the previous season, including a game at the Le Moyne Athletic Center in the NCAA tournament. Neither team had a lead larger than six points, and the game went down to the wire. Eric Pitman scored to tie the game at 51 with 2:12 to play. After the Warriors turned the ball over on a three-second violation, Pitman missed a driving layup, and Hartwick grabbed the rebound. With just 24 seconds to play, Dan Parham, who had a game-high 19 points and was named tournament MVP, was fouled. Parham missed the first free throw but made the second to give Hartwick a 52–51 lead. DeYulia's shot from the left of the key was off the mark, but he snatched his own rebound near the foul line and hit a jump shot with one second on the clock to give the Dolphins a 53–52 victory. Tom Mullen led Le Moyne with 15 points, and DeYulia added 13.^[539][540]

Gary DeYulia scored 26 points, shooting 12 for 15 from the floor, and Tom Mullen had a double-double with 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Dolphins to an 83–71 home victory over Iona on January 29, 1966. Le Moyne dominated the board by a 44–30 margin.^[541] The win was Le Moyne's sixth straight and 42nd all time in games against University Division opponents. The Dolphins improved to 8–1 overall and 2–0 in MECAA play.

The only blemish on Le Moyne's 1965–66 conference slate was a February 4 loss at Saint Peter's, 92–72. Tom Mullen and Gerry Glose each scored 17 points to lead the Dolphins.^[542] However, the Peacocks went 5–0 in MECAA play to take the league title.^[543]

Gary DeYulia's basket in the final minute of regulation tied the Dolphins February 5 game at St. Francis (NY) and sent it to overtime. DeYulia finished the game with 24 points, including 14 in the second half and four more in overtime, and Le Moyne completed their comeback from a 10-point deficit, overcoming the Terriers for a 75–71 victory.^[544][545] The win improved the Dolphins to 9–2 overall and 3–1 in MECAA play and was their 43rd all-time over a University Division/major program.

With the expansion of the 1966 NCAA tournament to provide more at-large bids for schools in the northeast, the Northeast Region had eight teams divided into two divisions. Le Moyne was selected to host the four games in Division B of the Northeast Region. However, as of the time Le Moyne was chosen as host, the Dolphins had not yet been extended a bid to play in the tournament. Le Moyne agreed to host regardless of whether it was participating.^[546] After impressive wins over King's^[547][548] and Saint Michael's,^[549][550] Le Moyne, with a record of 12–4, accepted an invitation to the NCAA tournament.^[551][552]

Le Moyne lost their first-round game to Philadelphia Textile, 83–61.^[299]: 26 Gary DeYulia led the Dolphins with 26 points.^[553][554]

Le Moyne salvaged their consolation game against Potsdam State, 86–63.^[299]: 26 Paul Zajac of Philadelphia Textile was named most valuable player of the Northeast Region Division B. Gary DeYulia had 25 points in the consolation game, giving him 51 for the two tournament games, and was named a Northeast Region Division B All-Star.^[555][556]

After the tournament, the Dolphins closed the regular-season with an 88–72 home victory over Siena to finish 16–6. Gary DeYulia had a game-high 23 points in his final collegiate contest.^[557][558] DeYulia finished his career with 1,212 points, second on Le Moyne' all-time scoring list.^[559]

Gary DeYulia was named MECAA player of the year. Tom Mullen was selected second-team all-MECAA.^[560] DeYulia was also named the the first-team small Catholic college all-America squad and to the small college all-America team^[561] and received honorable mention on the Little All-America squad.^[562]

A rebuilding year and two more NCAA tournament berths (1966–1969)[edit]

By 1966, Le Moyne's athletic scholarship budget was $2,500 per annum. Of this total, $2,000 was allotted for four basketball players and did not need to be allocated among those students in equal amounts. The remaining $500 was awarded to a cross-county athlete. Factors taken into account in awarding a scholarship were athletic aptitude, general attitude and financial need. Once a scholarship was awarded, it remained in effect as long as the student continued attending Le Moyne, even if the student decided not to participate in athletics. Coach Niland reported that Le Moyne typically received between 60 and 70 requests for athletic scholarships each year.^[563] As of the fall 1965 semester, tuition at Le Moyne was $1,200 per academic year.^[564] In late 1966, the ECAC amended its rules, allowing scholarships based solely on athletic ability. Previously, ECAC member schools were permitted to grant athletic scholarships only based on financial need and academic achievement.^[565]

The Dolphins returned only one starter, Eric Pitman, for the 1966–67 season with Gary DeYulia, Tom Mullen, Gerry Glose and Jon Cook all having graduated. Dave Cary was the only player other than Pitman who was part of the previous season's rotation. Only six of the 14 players on the team had previously played varsity basketball. Earl Eichelberger joined the team as a transfer from Bronx Community College. The outlook for a fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance was not promising.^{[566][567][568][569][570]} Pitman was elected captain by his teammates.^[571]

In a meeting with the local press less than two weeks before the 1966–67 season opener, Coach Niland expressed concern that the Dolphins would have trouble scoring but praised the ball-handling ability of freshman Tom Downey, saying Downey would start for the varsity team if he were eligible.^[572]

Le Moyne reached an agreement to have all Dolphins games, home and away, broadcast on WFBL with Jerry Sanders handling the play-by-play and Ted Downes and Cornelius O'Leary providing color commentary.^[573][574] This was the first season all Dolphins games were broadcast on radio.^[575]

In late 1966, Margaret Dwyer, Le Moyne's dean of women, gave permission to female students to begin wearing slacks rather than a skirt or a dress while attending Dolphins basketball games.^[576]

A standing room only crowd of more than 2,200 spectators saw the Dolphins open their season with a 72–56 victory over Cortland State on December 3. It was the first time a Le Moyne home opener was a sellout. Dave Cary led the Dolphins with 19 points, and Eric Pitman added 17. Tom Devins and Jerry Ballone each had 14 points and nine rebounds. Le Moyne held the Red Dragons to 34% shooting while hitting 43% of their own shots.^[577]

After suffering road losses at King's^[578] and Scranton,^[579] the Dolphins faced Maine in the third annual Le Moyne Christmas invitational tournament on December 28. Despite a 34-point effort from Terry Carr, the Dolphins broke open a close game over the final 11 minutes, as four Maine players fouled out. Gerry McDermott led Le Moyne with 23 points and pulled down seven rebounds as the Dolphins evened their record at 2–2 with an 85–74 victory.^[580]

The following night, Bob La Russo scored 24 points, and Bob McMahon added 14 for Iona in a 59–45 win for the Gaels, the first visiting team to win the tournament. Kurt Dorif and Tom Burke gave Iona a dominant rebounding edge, which the Dolphins could not overcome. Gerry McDermott was Le Moyne's only player in double figures with 12 points and was named to the All-Tournament team.^[581]

After a home loss to Saint Peter's dropped the Dolphins' record to 2–4,^[582] Le Moyne won three straight on the road, the last two of which came via dramatic last-second shots. Eric Pitman's offensive rebound and buzzer-beating 12-foot jump shot gave the Dolphins a 58–56 win at Cortland State on January 11,^[583] and Gerry McDermott's driving basket with seven seconds to play was the decider in Le Moyne's 65–63 victory at Siena three nights later.^[584] After the team went on a two-week exam break, the Dolphins lost their next game at Iona, 65–45. However, the loss paled in comparison to the news the team received. Starters Dave Cary and Jim Mariotte, both juniors, and reserves junior Greg Bonk and sophomore Gary Luke were all ruled academically ineligible starting in February and through the end of the season.^[585]

The Dolphins won their final game before the academic suspensions went into effect, 84–62, at Marist to improve to 6–5.^[586] Coach Tom Niland said he expected the academic suspensions would result in starting roles for Matt Fallis and Earl Eichelberger and more playing time for Tom Devins and Chuck Brady.^[587] The undermanned Dolphins hosted Assumption, who came into the game 11–1, with their only loss coming at the hands of nationally ranked Providence of the University Division, and on a 10-game winning streak, on February 4. Behind 24 points from Gerry McDermott and 18 points and some outstanding rebounding and defensive work from Jerry Ballone, Le Moyne scored a 79–64 upset victory over the Greyhounds.^{[588][589][590]}

The Dolphins won their next two games, both at home, over St. Lawrence^[591][592] and St. Francis (NY). Mike Kawa replaced leading scorer Gerry McDermott, who was being evaluated by doctors for mononucleosis, in the starting lineup for the St. Francis game and scored 19 points.^[593] Doctors cleared McDermott to play in the next game against Hartwick,^[594] and he scored 14 points in a 74–69 home loss. Kawa started and had 16 points.^[595][596] The loss to Hartwick was the start of a three-game losing streak, and the Dolphins dropped five of their final seven games of the season to finish 11–10. Captain Eric Pitman was presented the first annual Cy Reynolds Memorial Trophy as the season's most outstanding Le Moyne player selected by members of the media.^[597][598]

In the spring of 1967, a change in ECAC rules allowed freshmen to compete on varsity teams at schools with fewer than 1,000 male students. Previously, in 1966, the NCAA had relaxed its freshman eligibility restrictions, allowing participation at schools with fewer than 1,250 male students enrolled.^[599] Since Le Moyne had less than 900 male students at the time, the Dolphins were covered by the new rule. Coach Tom Niland stated that he expected Le Moyne to continue fielding a freshman team to allow players new to college basketball to gain experience, but freshmen judged ready to compete would be permitted to play on the varsity squad.^[600]

Coach Tom Niland said he expected to employ a more up-tempo offense in 1967–68 than he had in the previous season. Senior Gerry McDermott was elected captain by his teammates. Eric Pitman and Gerry Ballone were lost to graduation. The Dolphins had seven returning players and five sophomores on the roster. McDermott, Tom Devins and Earl Eichelberger were the three seniors on the team. Junior Gary Luke returned from academic ineligibility.^[601] Sophomore Tom Downey and junior Mike Kawa were expected to compete for a starting guard role.^[602] No freshmen were selected to play on the varsity squad.

Prior to the opening of training camp, the players went through a new exercise program designed by Niland and Le Moyne's new cross country coach and physical education instructor Dick Rockwell that included weightlifting with the goal of adding two inches to each player's leaping ability.^[603]

On November 2, the Dolphins had a home scrimmage against Niagara featuring their star player, future Naismith Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy.^[604] The Purple Eagles were in town as co-presenters alongside the Dolphins, the Syracuse Orange and former Syracuse Nationals player and then Detroit Pistons assistant coach Paul Seymour at Le Moyne's annual basketball clinic for coaches.^[605][606]

The Dolphins opened their 1967–68 season with an 88–76 victory at St. Lawrence on December 2. Senior captain Gerry McDermott led the way with 28 points. Sophomores John Zych and Tom Downey, who were high school teammates at St. John the Evangelist had fine showings in their first varsity game. Downey started and scored seven points and displayed impressive ball handling and playmaking skills. Zych came off the bench and used his excellent shooting and driving skills to score 20 points. Junior Matt "Butch" Fallis had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Earl Eichelberger contributed 12 points.^[607][608] Coach Tom Niland said that the starting lineup would vary from game to game this season and be based on the opponent. The lineup of McDermott, Downey, Fallis, Eichelberger and Chuck Brady was chosen to maximize the Dolphins' rebounding ability and slow down the high-octane offense of St Lawrence.^[609]

Cold shooting doomed Le Moyne in their home opener, as they fell to Iona, 58–57, in a game they trailed all night but made close in the final minute. Mike Kawa led the Dolphins with 16 points.^[610][611] However, following the loss, the Dolphins embarked on a five-game winning streak, capped by a 78–74 overtime victory over Bucknell in the final of the Le Moyne Christmas invitational on December 29. Tom Downey and Tom Devins scored baskets for the first four points of overtime to give the Dolphins a 69–65 lead, and the Bison were unable to pull even the rest of the way. Downey hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds put the game away. Gerry McDermott scored 19 points for Le Moyne and was voted the tournament's most valuable player. Chuck Brady led the Dolphins with 9 rebounds and had 18 points, including a pivotal three-point play on a putback of an offensive rebound in overtime that gave Le Moyne a 74–68 lead.^[612] The previous night, the Dolphins defeated Vermont, 95–72, behind Brady's 20 points and nine rebounds.^[613]

After an 80–77 loss at Assumption on February 10, dropped the Dolphins' record to 8–6,^[614] it appeared a foregone conclusion that Le Moyne would not be invited to the NCAA tournament.^[615][616]

After a third straight win improved the Dolphins record to 11–6, talk of an NCAA tournament bid was revived. Gerry McDermott scored 22 points in the 79–70 home win over Ithaca, considered a contender for a tournament bid, on February 20. Chuck Brady added 10 points and 13 rebounds. John Zych and Tom Downey scored 21 and 17 points, respectively.^[617] Four days later, another victory, this time over St. Michael's, who were also widely regarded a contender for a tournament berth, convinced Dolphin's followers that a trip to the NCAA tournament was imminent.

The wins over two highly touted teams led to a revelation from a selection committee member that the Dolphins were "very much in the running for a berth." Tom Downey had 15 points and 10 rebounds in the 83–73 win over St. Michael's. Mike Kawa had 10 points off the bench having been pressed into duty, after Gerry McDermott turned his left ankle.^[618]

At 4 p.m. on February 28, the selection committee announced that Le Moyne had been invited to the 1968 NCAA tournament and would open against Buffalo State in Rochester, New York on March 5. The other game in Rochester pitted the host, Rochester, against Northeastern. The two winners would meet in the regional semifinals on March 6.^[619][620]

Le Moyne had a game scheduled at Alfred on March 5. This game was moved to March 9, if the Dolphins did not advance to the regional final. If Le Moyne won two games in Rochester, the Alfred game would be cancelled.^[621]

In a final tune-up before the NCAA tournament, the Dolphins posted an 82–70 home win over Siena on March 2. Mike Kawa filled in admirably for Dolphins' captain and leading scorer, Gerry McDermott, who was out with a pulled tendon in his left leg. Matt Fallis led Le Moyne with 22 points and 13 rebounds. The win improved the Dolphins' record to 13–6 with four of their losses coming at the hands of University Division opponents. At halftime, McDermott was presented the Cy Reynolds Memorial Trophy as the most valuable player of the team selected by members of the media. McDermott's status for the NCAA tournament was doubtful.^[621]

About 500 Dolphins fans made the journey to Rochester, but Le Moyne's senior captain and leading scorer, Gerry McDermott, could only play limited minutes due to injury, and Buffalo State used their size advantage to control the boards on their way to an 83–66 victory. Charles Davis led the Orangemen with 20 points and 27 rebounds. Le Moyne struggled throughout the game to get good looks at the basket against taller defenders. Tom Downey managed to score 13 points. John Zych was the only other Dolphin to reach double figures with 10 points. McDermott finished with eight points.^{[622][299]: 27}

Northeastern hit 23 of 34 free-throw attempts compared with only 6 for 11 from the line for the Dolphins, and the Huskies won the consolation game of the Northeast Region's Section B, 67–54. Each team had 44 rebounds, and Le Moyne had 24 field goals, while Northeastern had only 22. However, the Dolphins were unable to defend the larger Huskies without fouling. Dave Cary came off the bench to score a season-high 21 points for Le Moyne. Earl Eichelberger had 10 rebounds. Tom Downey was held to four points. Gerry McDermott exacerbated his left heel injury in the Buffalo State game and did not play.^{[299]: 27 [623]}

The Dolphins closed their season with an 83–80 win at Alfred on March 9, to finish 14–8.^[624]

The Dolphins lost captain Gerry McDermott, Tom Devins and Earl Eichelberger to graduation in 1968. Seniors Chuck Brady, Matt Fallis and Mike Kawa were elected tri-captains. Juniors Tom Downey and John Zych, key players on the 1968 tournament team, returned for the 1968–69 season. The team featured five sophomores, including stars from the previous season's freshman team John Kutzuba, Don Guido and Cleveland McCurty. Junior transfer Bob Bradley became eligible after sitting out the previous season.^[625]

Le Moyne opened the 1968–69 season with a December 3 home game against Saint Peter's who were coming off a run to the NIT semifinals. Leading scorer Elnardo Webster, who had 51 points in the Run Baby Run Peacocks' first-round double overtime NIT win at Madison Square Garden,^[626] was returning for his second season. Behind the hot shooting of John Zych and Mike Kawa, the ball-denial defense of Matt "Butch" Fallis, the rebounding of Chuck Brady and the ball handling a floor leadership of Tom Downey, the Dolphins jumped all over the Peacocks early and built a 45–37 halftime lead. The Saint Peter's defense was able to slow down Le Moyne in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Dolphins found their bearings, and Downey consistently broke the Peacocks' press. Le Moyne had an 18-point lead with 5:21 to play. Webster, who had been contained up to that point, suddenly got hot, and the Dolphins appeared weary. Kawa and Brady both fouled out with about three minutes remaining, and a furious run by the Peacocks cut the lead to 77–74 with 1:24 on the clock. A basket by Fallis was answered by Webster, and Saint Peter's fouled Zych, who hit both ends of a one-and-one. After another Saint Peter's basket cut the lead to three points, Downey attempted to dribble out the clock. The Peacocks got a steal with eight seconds to play and a Webster layup on which Le Moyne wisely avoided fouling four seconds later. Saint Peter's came up just short, and the Dolphins held on for an 81–80 victory. Zych finished with a game-high 27 points, while Webster was held to 21. Brady had 10 rebounds, and Le Moyne held a 29–22 edge on the boards over the taller Peacocks.^[627][628]

The Dolphins topped the century mark for the first time at the Le Moyne Athletic Center in the semifinal of their fifth annual Christmas invitational tournament against Steubenville on December 27. Le Moyne's previous home game with 100 or more points scored was a 122–65 victory over St. Lawrence at the Onondaga County War Memorial on December 8, 1956. John Zych had a game-high 21 points to lead the Dolphins, who had six players in double figures, to a 101–81 win.^[629] The following evening, tournament most valuable player Ray Hodge had 25 points to lead Wagner to a 91–81 victory over Le Moyne in the championship game of the invitational. The loss dropped the Dolphins' record to 5–3 on the season. Chuck Brady was named to the all-tournament team.^[630]

Le Moyne's 80–75 home victory over St. Francis (NY) on January 4, gave the Dolphins a 4–0 record in MECAA games and their second win of the season over a University Division opponent. After Saint Peter's secured a 70–68 home win over Iona on January 11, every MECAA team other than Le Moyne had a conference loss, and Le Moyne had only one league game remaining, at Iona on January 30. As a result, the Dolphins clinched at least a share of the MECAA championship, their sixth league title.

The Dolphins followed their win over St. Francis with three straight road wins to improve to 9–3. The streak was capped by a 67–59 win at Ithaca on January 21. After scoring the game's first six points, Le Moyne stretched their first-half lead to 11 points, only to see the Bombers mount a comeback and cut the lead to 31–29 at halftime. A pair of baskets by Rich Miller and Keith Shields midway through the second half gave Ithaca their first lead of the game at 44–43. With six minutes to play and the Dolphins nursing a 51–50 lead, Le Moyne embarked on a 10–0 run fueled by baskets from Chuck Brady, John Zych and Dick Hojnacki to put the game out of reach. After Ithaca star Greg Albano scored 14 points in the first half, Brady began guarding him in the second half and held him to only three more points. Mike Kawa had a game-high 18 points on 8-for-9 shooting from the floor for the Dolphins.^[631]

The Dolphins had an opportunity to complete a perfect 5–0 conference season and clinch the MECAA title outright, when they traveled to face Iona on January 30. However, Le Moyne would have to move forward without sharpshooter John Zych, who was ruled academically ineligible for the remainder of the season.^[632] Also academically ineligible were sophomore John Kutzuba, junior Chuck Eggleston, Mike Collier and sophomore Cleveland McCurty, who left the school. The sudden severe manpower shortage forced the Dolphins to call up John Zagata from the freshman team.^[633][634]

Led by Al Kindlemann, the tallest player on the floor, Iona used their height advantage to gain a 49–37 rebounding advantage for the game and build a 20-point halftime lead. Le Moyne's starting point guard, Tom Downey, fouled out late in the first half. The Dolphins were more effective defensively after the intermission and started the second half on a 25–9 extended run to pull within four points at 54–50. However, the Gaels were effective from the free-throw line during the final three minutes and held on for a 68–59 win. Chuck Brady led the Dolphins with a game-high 21 points. John Zagata made his varsity debut but did not score. Le Moyne fell to 4–1 in MECAA play and 9–4 overall.^[633][635] St. Francis (NY) and Saint Peter's were the only two remaining MECAA teams with just one conference loss, and the two were scheduled to play on February 12, in Jersey City. Either team could tie Le Moyne for the conference championship by winning their remaining league games.

Bob Bradley got his first start for the Dolphins and responded with a game-high 33 points in Le Moyne's 99–64 home victory over St. Lawrence on February 1.^[636]

Saint Peter's defeated St. Francis (NY), 90–59, on February 12, leaving the Peacocks and the Dolphins as the only MECAA teams with just one loss in league play.

After Le Moyne's fourth straight win and eighth in its previous nine games, a 68–62 home decision on February 15, over Buffalo, improved the Dolphins' record to 13–4, they were considered serious contenders for a berth in the NCAA tournament and offered the Le Moyne Athletic Center as a site for the regionals.^[637] A second-half run that got started when Buffalo switched to a 1–3–1 zone defense erased Le Moyne's eight-point lead and tied the game at 57 with 2:20 remaining. Baskets by Mike Kawa and Bob Bradley put the Dolphins ahead, 61–57, but a three-point play by John Vaughn cut the lead to one point. Le Moyne's effective ball movement in the closing minutes allowed them to solve the Bulls' zone and end the game on a 7–2 run. Bradley's pass to Matt Fallis set up the basket that put the game out of reach. Kawa had 16 points for the Dolphins. Fallis, playing center at 6'4", grabbed 11 rebounds and held the 6'9" Vaughn to just 13 points on the defensive end.^[638][639]

Playing without their star senior co-captain, Pete Arnold,^[640] Hartwick shot 52% from the floor to avenge a January home loss and defeat Le Moyne, 80–70, on February 19. A beat reporter commented that the Dolphins appeared unusually tense and speculated it might be related to the uncertainty surrounding their NCAA tournament berth. The game was tied at 34 at halftime, and the Warriors used hot shooting to open the second half with an 18–4 run, while Le Moyne's shooting went cold. Tom Downey had four fouls in the first half and sat out much of the second half before fouling out with five minutes remaining. Mike Kawa and Bob Bradley each had 16 points to lead the Dolphins.^[641]

Despite the loss to Hartwick, the following day, the Dolphins were invited to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season and fifth time in six years and selected to host the East Regional tournament games. Wagner, who won Le Moyne's 1968 Christmas invitational, was named as the second of four teams in the East Region.^[642][643] Tickets for the regionals went on sale on February 28, priced at $2.50 per doubleheader or $4 for both nights.^[644]

Following two straight losses, the Dolphins won their home finale, 95–75, over Cortland State on February 25. Mike Kawa led the way with 20 points for Le Moyne. Chuck Brady scored 17 points and grabbed 20 rebounds, as the Dolphins outrebounded the Red Dragons, 55–37. With 11 minutes to play, Mat Fallis, who finished with 15 points, scored off an offensive rebound and fell to the floor. He had to be helped off the court. After his ankle was packed in ice, Fallis was taken to the hospital for observation. In a halftime ceremony, Tom Downey was presented the Cy Reynolds Memorial Trophy as the team's most valuable player.^[645]

To celebrate the Dolphins' invitation to the NCAA tournament, a group of Le Moyne students started a 100-hour basketball game at 8 a.m. on March 2, to conclude at noon on March 6.^[646]

The Dolphins closed their regular season with an 85–74 win at Siena. Matt Fallis sat out with the ankle injury he suffered against Cortland State. He was replaced in the starting lineup by Dick Hojnacki, who responded with 19 points and a strong inside game.^[647]

Saint Peter's earned a 113–67 road win at Siena on March 4, to finish 4–1 in MECAA play and tie Le Moyne for the conference championship.^[648]

Two days before Le Moyne's NCAA tournament opener against Montclair State, Matt Fallis's ankle had shown improvement, but his status remained uncertain.^[649] Fallis was able to play and finished with 12 points. Chuck Brady had 14 points in the first half, and the Dolphins had a 43–40 lead at intermission after a back and forth opening stanza which saw each team lead by as many as seven points. The Indians opened the second half with a three-point play by Luther Bowen, who finished with 24 points, to tie the game at 43. With the game tied at 58, Montclair State went on a 12–2 run to take a 10-point lead as the Dolphins' shooting went cold. Le Moyne got no closer than six points down until Brady's midcourt shot went through the hoop at the final buzzer. Brady matched Bowen with a game-high 24 points.^[650]

The Dolphins jumped all over Albany State (NY) in the regional third-place game, building a 44–30 haltime lead and stretching it 220 a 20-point advantage early in the second half. However, the Great Danes fought back, led by Rich Margison, who scored 24 second-half points on 10-for-13 shooting. Le Moyne had a 70–66 lead in the final minute, but two baskets by Margison, the second with 20 seconds to play, tied the game at 70. A Margison free throw with three seconds left gave Albany State the win, 71–70. Margison finished with a game-high 28 points. Bob Bradley scored 24 points for the Dolphins and was named to the East Region all-tournament team.^[651][652] The Dolphins finished the season 15–8. Tom Downey was named to the small college all-East Region first team.^[652]

Coach Niland's final years (1969–1973)[edit]

The Dolphins lost tri-captains Chuck Brady, Matt Fallis and Mike Kawa to graduation in 1969. Backcourt stars Tom Downey and John Zych, key players on the 1968 and 1969 tournament teams, returned for their senior season, and Downey, the starting point guard, was elected team captain for the 1969–70 season.^[653] Also returning were seniors Bob Bradley and Dick Hojnacki, juniors John Kutzuba and Bob Boedicker and sophomore John Zagata, who played on the varsity team as a freshman. The team added five sophomores: Dan Brandt, Chuck Hale, Brian Legg, Dick Seymour and Henry Nirsberger. Three freshmen, Phil Harlow, Mike Dennis and Dick Canty, made the team. Harlow was tabbed as a starter prior to the season opener.^[654][655]

Trailing, 66–53, in their December 3 season opener with five minutes to play, the Dolphins closed the game on a 16–4 run, but their frantic comeback attempt came up short, and they fell to Rochester, 70–69. After a pair of Dick Seymour free throws cut the Yellowjackets' lead to a single point with 15 seconds to play, the Dolphins forced a turnover and regained possession with 11 seconds left. However, the ball was knocked out of bounds with one second on the clock, before Le Moyne could get a shot off. Tom Downey's inbounds pass was stolen by Rochester, ending the Dolphins' threat. The Yellowjackets used their height advantage to outrebound the Dolphins, 46–27. Bob Bradley led Le Moyne with a game-high 21 points. Freshman Phil Harlow scored 15 points and drew rave reviews with his ball handling in his much anticipated Dolphins debut.^[656]

After 14 consecutive victories for the Dolphins, St. Lawrence earned their first ever victory over Le Moyne, 73–62, in Canton, New York. The Dolphins shot only 33% from the floor and were plagued by fouls with Bob Bradley, Tom Downey and Phil Harlow all fouling out in the final six minutes. Harlow had 17 points to lead Le Moyne. Head coach Tommy Niland was suffering from the flu and unable to make the road trip. Niland's former player, Tom Cooney (class of 1964) took the reins on the sidelines.^[657]

The Dolphins faced Albany State (GA) in a semifinal of their sixth annual Christmas invitational tournament on December 29, in front of a sellout crowd. The game featured a matchup of Phil Harlow and his brother Howie, who played for Albany State. After a close first half, which ended with the Golden Rams leading 41–37, Albany State used their significant height advantage and the slick guard play of Joe Reddick, who finished with a game-high 26 points, and Howie Harlow, former teammates at Corcoran High School, to break the game open in the second half, building a lead that swelled to as many as 17 points. Adding to the local flavor were three former Central Tech players, Gene Bynum, Ken Lewis and Alex Bullock, in the Albany State lineup. At 6'11", Caldwell Jones was, by far, the tallest player on the floor. While he scored only seven points, Jones was a force under the basket on the defensive end, prompting Le Moyne head coach Tommy Niland to say, "That big guy really hurt us. He took away our offense by batting back plenty of shots." Dan Brandt, the tallest player on Le Moyne's roster at 6'6", got significant minutes for the first time this season, after being injured during training camp, missing the first four games and seeing only limited action in the fifth game against Boston College. Brandt finished with seven points. Phil Harlow scored a team-high 19 points for Le Moyne, besting his brother Howie, who had 17, but the Golden Rams won the game, 82–69.^[658]

The following evening, the Dolphins used hot shooting to take control of their consolation game against Hartwick in the later stages of the first half, building a 49–34 lead at the break. Le Moyne shot 52% from the floor, led by senior John Zych, who finished with 32 points. Dick Hojnacki scored nine points and grabbed a team-high 12 rebounds for the Dolphins. Freshman Phil Harlow had 25 points and was named to the tournament All-Star team. Le Moyne improved to 3–4 on the season with the win.^[659]

The Dolphins traveled to Siena on January 21, for a game with the Indians and Mike Seymour, brother of Le Moyne's Dick Seymour. The Dolphins used hot outside shooting to gain an early advantage and remained in control of the game all night. John Zych had 20 points to pace the Dolphins and set a new program record with 23 rebounds.^[660] Freshman sensation Phil Harlow scored 16 points but did not play in the second half after drawing four first-half fouls. With Le Moyne comfortably in the lead, head coach Tommy Niland elected to give his reserves some playing time and leave Harlow on the bench. Mike Seymour had 17 points for Siena, and Dick Seymour scored two points in limited action for Le Moyne. The Dolphins improved to 4–6 with the win.^[661]

Phil Harlow scored a career-high 32 points on 11-for-24 shooting in an 87–83 Dolphins road win at Central Connecticut on February 6. Harlow scored 18 of his points in the second half to help Le Moyne overcome a five-point deficit at the break. Bob Bradley scored 11 of his 17 points in the closing stanza. The Dolphins improved to 6–7 on the season.^[662]

After a 68–62 loss at Buffalo on February 21, dropped the Dolphins to 7–10 on the season, the team was determined to win the final four games on its schedule and finish with a winning record.^[663] Victories over Ithaca,^[664] Saint Michael's, Cortland State,^[665] and Siena gave the Dolphins a four-game winning streak to close the season at 11–10. The Dolphins needed a comeback to earn the overtime victory over Saint Michael's.^[666] Senior Dick Hojnacki led the Dolphins with 26 points on Senior Night against Siena in an 84–77 victory on March 7. Captain Tom Downey had 20 points in his final collegiate game. In a halftime ceremony, Phil Harlow was presented the Cy Reynolds Memorial Trophy as the team's most valuable player. He was the first freshman to win the award.^[667] It was the 12th consecutive winning season and 15th straight non-losing season for the Dolphins.

In 1972–73, Tommy Niland's 25th and final season as head coach, Le Moyne went 5–0 in MECAA play to win their seventh conference championship. Niland closed his coaching career with a 65–61 loss at archrival Siena on March 3, 1973. The Dolphins were 13–9 in his final season,^[668] and his 326 wins and seven NCAA tournament appearances both remain the most ever by a Le Moyne head coach.

Thomas Cooney, Michael Lee and John Beilein[edit]

Le Moyne remained a member of the MECAA throughout the conference's entire existence, until it was dissolved following the 1975–76 season. The Dolphins took the MECAA title seven times during their 21 seasons of membership, the most championships of any member. Since conference membership crossed NCAA divisions, the MECAA champion was not awarded an automatic bid to any NCAA tournament.

Le Moyne became a Division II institution, when the College Division was split in 1973. Following the dissolution of the MECAA in 1976, the Dolphins played as an independent until joining the Mideast Collegiate Conference (MECC) in 1983, and remained a member of that conference, until it dissolved in 1991. Le Moyne won two MECC regular-season titles and one conference tournament during their eight years in the league.

As MECC tournament champions in 1988, Le Moyne returned to the NCAA tournament for the first time in 19 years with a 23–5 regular-season record under the leadership of head coach John Beilein.^[668][669] After suffering a first-round loss to California (PA), the Dolphins rebounded to defeat Kutztown and finish third in the region.^[299]: 29 The 24 wins were the most in program history up to that point. The 1987–88 Dolphins were inducted into the Le Moyne College Athletic Hall of Fame as a team in 2017.^[670]

Scot Hicks era[edit]

After playing the 1991–92 season as an independent, Le Moyne joined the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) in 1992. Led by head coach Scott Hicks,^[669] a Le Moyne alumnus whose playing career spanned 1984 to 1988, the Dolphins won the NECC tournament in 1996, their final season in the league, and that earned them a berth in the NCAA tournament, where they were seeded 5th in the Northeast Region. Although they entered the tournament with a 24–5 record,^[668] the Dolphins suffered a 30-point loss in the first round at the hands of Franklin Pierce.^[299]: 29 The 24 wins matched the highest total in program history, previously achieved in 1987–88.

In 1996, the Dolphins joined the Northeast-10 Conference (NE10), where they remained until beginning reclassification to Division I as a member of the NEC in 2023. During their 26 seasons over a span of 27 years in the NE10 (the 2020–21 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), Le Moyne won four regular-season conference championships and two conference tournaments.

Despite a losing record in their first NE10 season, Le Moyne won the conference tournament and advanced to the 1997 NCAA tournament, their second straight appearance. The Dolphins lost in the first round to Saint Rose.^[299]: 30

Dave Paulsen era[edit]

Le Moyne followed up their 1997 NCAA tournament appearance with a 20–8 season in 1997–98, under first-year head coach Dave Paulsen.^[669] Their 14–6 conference record was good enough for a share of the NE10 regular-season crown.^[668] The Dolphins' season ended with a loss to Assumption in the conference tournament semifinals.^[671] Le Moyne had finished in a three-way tie for first place with Assumption and Stonehill, who was upset in the tournament quarterfinals. Assumption won the conference tournament and was the only NE10 team selected to play in the 1998 NCAA tournament.

Steve Evans era[edit]

Although it was an exhibition game, the Dolphins nevertheless attracted national attention when they defeated Syracuse at the Carrier Dome on November 3, 2009. Syracuse was ranked no. 25 in the preseason AP poll at the time. However, Christopher Johnson's three-pointer with 8.3 seconds remaining gave Division II Le Moyne an 82–79 road victory over a Division I national power.^[672] Syracuse had finished the previous season 28–10, ranked no. 13 in Division I, and reached the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. Once the season started, the Orange recovered. They were 2009–10 Big East Conference regular-season champions and reached the Sweet 16 of the 2010 NCAA tournament.

Despite an exit from the 2014 NE10 tournament in the semifinals,^[671] Le Moyne received and at-large NCAA tournament bid. As the 6th seed in the East Region, the Dolphins were defeated by Saint Anselm. Le Moyne finished the 2013–14 season 17–12.^[668]

Coach Patrick Beilein leads Dolphins to three straight NCAA tournaments[edit]

Patrick Beilein, son of John Beilein, who coached the Dolphins from 1983 to 1992, took the head coaching reigns in 2015. After a losing record in his first season, Beilein produced an era of success for Le Moyne basketball with three straight NCAA tournament appearances. Beilein made his debut as the Dolphins' head coach in an exhibition game against Michigan, coached by his father, at the Crisler Center. More than 70 members of the Beilein clan traveled from around the country to attend the game, which Michigan won, 74–52.^[673]

In 2016–17, the Dolphins won the NE10 Southwest Division title and had the best regular-season record in the entire conference. Despite being upset in the NE10 tournament semifinals,^[671] Le Moyne's 22–6 record was good enough to secure an at-large berth as the no. 1 seed in the East Region of the NCAA tournament, hosting the first three rounds. However, the Dolphins suffered a first-round loss to Merrimack, 72–68, in overtime in front of the home crowd.^[674] For his efforts, Beilein was named 2017 NE10 coach of the year.^[675]

Le Moyne's 2017–18 season was perhaps the best in program history by all measures. They achieved a new high in wins with 27,^[668] won the NE10 Southwest Division title, had the best conference record of any NE10 team, won the conference tournament^[671] and secured a no. 1 seed and hosting rights at the NCAA tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight. The Dolphins were an astounding 18–2 in conference play and entered the NE tournament with a 21–6 record and blitzed their way to the title. They defeated Stonehill by 39 points in the quarterfinals and topped Merrimack, 83–55, in the semifinals. The title game was a 69–63 victory over Northeast Division champion Saint Anselm. Le Moyne's Isaiah Eisendorf was named tournament MVP. Coach Beilein collected his second straight NE10 coach of the year award.^[671]

Playing at home in the NCAA tournament, Le Moyne scored victories over Jefferson, Saint Rose and Bloomfield. The Elite Eight was held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where the Dolphins fell to West Texas A&M, 87–73. Entering the NCAA tournament, Le Moyne was ranked no. 24 nationally in the season's final Division II coaches poll.^{[460]: 92 [676]}

Le Moyne won another NE10 Southwest Division title in 2018–19. The Dolphins were upset at home in the conference tournament semifinals by Merrimack, 84–77, in overtime.^[671] Nevertheless, Le Moyne's 18–10 record^[668] earned them the no. 3 seed in the East Region at the NCAA tournament. The Dolphins were matched up in the first round with St. Thomas Aquinas, coached by former Le Moyne assistant coach, Tobin Anderson.^[677] After the Dolphins built a 19-point lead, the Spartans staged a furious comeback to earn a 61–59 victory and eliminate Le Moyne from the tournament.^[678] After the season, Beirlein left Le Moyne to become the head coach at Division I Niagara.^[679]

Nate Champion era[edit]

Nate Champion, a Le Moyne alumnus, was hired as the new head coach in 2019.^[680][681] The Dolphins won their fourth straight NE10 Southwest Division title and had the best NE10 regular-season conference record in Champion's first season. Le Moyne bowed out at home in the NE10 tournament quarterfinals to New Haven, 75–73. Champion was named NE10 coach of the year, the third straight season the award has been won by a Le Moyne coach.^[671] The 2020 NCAA tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reclassification to Division I[edit]

In April 2022, Le Moyne College president Linda LeMura revealed that the school had hired a consultant to assess the feasibility of reclassifying to Division I and had begun internal discussions regarding the potential impact.^[682] In September 2022, a social media post of a sports journalist indicated that the decision to move to Division I had been made, but no official announcement would come from Le Moyne, until it had officially been invited to join a conference.^[683]

On May 10, 2023, Le Moyne announced that the school would begin a transition to Division I, joining the Northeast Conference (NEC).^[684] The Dolphins officially became a Division I program and a member of the NEC on July 1.^[685]

As a team transitioning from Division II, Le Moyne will not be eligible to participate in the NCAA Division I tournament until 2028, since there is a required four-year transition period. However, effective for the 2023–24 academic year, NEC teams transitioning from Division II became eligible to participate in the NEC tournament during the entirety of their transition periods.^[686] Prior to the conference's rule change, NEC teams were eligible for the conference tournament only during their third and fourth transition years. As a result, Le Moyne became eligible for the 2024 NEC tournament. The top eight finishers in the nine-team NEC participated in the 2024 conference tournament.

Darrick Jones Jr. hit a three-pointer from the top of the key early in the Dolphins' season opener at Georgetown for Le Moyne's first points scored as a Division I program on November 7, 2023. Ball State transfer Kaiyem Cleary led the Dolphins with 11 points, all in the second half, and seven rebounds. Georgetown used a 9–2 run to take a 12–5 lead early in the game. The Hoyas extended the lead with an 8–0 run that made the score 20–7. After a brief flurry led by Jones, Trent Mosquera and Mike DePersia got the Dolphins within single digits at 28–19, the Hoyas closed the first half with a 19–4 run that gave them a 47–23 halftime lead on their way to a 94–57 victory. Jones and Luke Sutherland each contributed nine points for Le Moyne in the losing cause.^{[687][688][689]}

Le Moyne used first-half runs of 16–2 and 20–2 to build a 47–15 lead and never looked back on their way to a 105–46 victory, their first as a Division I program, over Division III SUNY Canton in their 2023–24 home opener on November 13, 2023. Five Dolphins had double-figure scoring games led by Kaiyem Cleary with 21 points, Nate McClure with 16, Darrick Jones Jr. with 13 and freshman AJ Dancler with 12. Redshirt freshman Nate Fouts made his collegiate debut and scored 11 points with three assists and two blocked shots. Cleary shot 8 for 10 from the field, while adding seven rebounds and two steals in just 16 minutes. McClure hit six of his seven shots, including 4-for-5 shooting from three-point range. Dancler grabbed five rebounds and dished out five assists. The Dolphins shot 32 for 37 on two-point field goals for the game, including 15 for 16 in the first half.^[690][691]

Le Moyne recorded its first victory over a Division I opponent as a Division I program, an 80–70 win at Cal State Northridge on November 21, 2023, in their opening game of the Golden State Hoops Jam, a multi-team event sponsored by Pacific. Luke Sutherland led the Dolphins with 24 points and five rebounds. Le Moyne started five graduate students for the first time in the program's history, and they responded by sprinting to an 11–4 lead to start the game, with early scoring from Sutherland, Nate McClure (12 points, four rebounds and three steals for the game) and Isaiah Salter. After Le Moyne fell behind, 15–12, Mike DePersia (eight points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals for the game) sparked a 19–2 run with a pull-up jump shot. The Matadors could not get closer than three points behind the rest of the way. The Dolphins closed out the game with strong free-throw shooting, finishing the game 31 for 34 from the charity stripe.^{[692][693][694]}

Kaiyem Cleary scored 43 points on January 27, 2024, to break Le Moyne's single-game individual scoring record, first set on January 7, 1955,^[157][158] and the Dolphins cruised to an 87–74 victory over LIU. Cleary's 43 points were the most scored by a player in regulation and the third most scored by a player in a single game up to that point in the Division I season. Cleary was 14 for 25 from the floor, including 6 for 10 from beyond the arc, and shot 9 for 9 from the free-throw line. He also led Le Moyne in rebounds with seven and had a pair of blocked shots. Despite shooting 0 for 6 from three-point range, Luke Sutherland scored 16 points and added five rebounds for the Dolphins. With Le Moyne trailing, 46–45, early in the second half, Cleary scored 13 points over six and a half minutes to spark a decisive 20–4 run that put the Dolphins ahead, 65–50.^{[695][696][697]}

Kaiyem Cleary scored with 45 seconds left in regulation to tie up Le Moyne's home game with Central Connecticut on February 15. After the Blue Devils took a one-point lead in overtime, the Dolphins scored the final six points of the extra session, including a baseline jump shot by Cleary with 1:24 to play that gave Le Moyne the lead for good. Cleary finished with 21 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots. Freshman AJ Dancler had 13 points, four of them in overtime, three assists, two rebounds and two steals in 26 minutes off the bench for the Dolphins. With the win, Le Moyne clinched a berth in the NEC tournament.^{[698][699][700]}

The Dolphins recognized former players to celebrate their 75th season and earned a 75–67 victory over Stonehill on February 17. Luke Sutherland led the way for Le Moyne with 23 points, nine rebounds and five assists. Kaiyem Cleary had 14 points and seven rebounds. The Dolphins led the game by 12 points at halftime and were in front, 58–45, when the Skyhawks went on a 13–0 run to tie the game at 58. Once the game was tied, neither team scored for nearly three minutes, until Cleary broke Le Moyne's 7:51 scoring drought with a drive to the basket and then converted the free throw to complete a three-point play. Sutherland followed with a basket from the lane to give the Dolphins a five-point lead. Leading 65–62, Le Moyne got five points from Nate McClure to key a 7–0 run and extend their lead to 10 points with 1:02 to play.^[701][702]

Entering the final day of the regular season, Le Moyne had the opportunity to earn the no. 4 seed in the NEC tournament and home-court advantage in the NEC quarterfinals with a win. If the Dolphins were to lose, the no. 4 seed would go to the winner of the regular-season finale between Fairleigh Dickinson and Wagner scheduled for the same day.^[703]

Le Moyne claimed the no. 4 seed in the NEC tournament and home-court advantage in the NEC quarterfinals with a 74–58 win at Saint Francis on March 2. Luke Sutherland led the Dolphins with 22 points, shooting 8 for 10 from the field and 3 for 4 from beyond the arc, seven rebounds, a career-high eight assists, two blocked shots and one steal. After the Red Flash took a 3–0 lead, Le Moyne went on a 10–0 run, keyed by five points from Nate McClure, and led the rest of the way. After a Saint Francis run cut the Dolphins lead to 25–24, the Dolphins answered with an 11–4 run, getting five of their points from Darrick Jones Jr., to reassert control. A late flurry by the Red Flash cut the Le Moyne lead to 39–34 at the break. The Dolphins scored the first nine points of the second half to build a 14-point lead. However, Le Moyne had a 5:10 scoring drought during which Saint Francis had only four points but cut the lead to nine with 8:47 remaining. Saint Francis continued to creep closer and found themselves trailing 60–52 with 6:33 to play. The Dolphins extinguished any hopes for a comeback with a 14–0 run over a span of 3:42 and led by 22 points with 2:34 on the clock.^[704][705]

Kaiyem Cleary was named first-team All-NEC. Luke Sutherland was named to the all-conference second team.^[706]

Powered by Luke Sutherland's 22 points, Le Moyne cruised to an 82–61 wire-to-wire victory over Fairleigh Dickinson in the program's Division I postseason debut on March 6. The Dolphins opened the game with three three-pointers to take a 9–0 lead just 1:45 into the contest. The Knights settled down, and Le Moyne was up, 42–34, at intermission. Leading 46–40 in the second half, the Dolphins went on an 11–0 run over 2:09 to take a 57–40 lead with 15:42 remaining. Fairleigh Dickinson got no closer than 12 points behind the rest of the way. Darrick Jones Jr. scored 17 points for Le Moyne.^{[707][708][709]}

After Le Moyne jumped out to an early 13–4 lead in the NEC semifinals on March 9, Merrimack's defense got the Warriors back into the game, and a 19–3 run in the later part of the first half helped them build a 28–20 lead at intermission. The Dolphins cut the deficit to three with 14:47 to play on a put-back by Kaiyem Cleary. The teams traded three-pointers over the next three minutes, until Samba Diallo's layups on consecutive possessions extended Merrimack's lead to seven points. The Dolphins responded with a 6–2 run to get within three points at 40–37 with 8:14 to play. An 8–2 Warriors run gave them a nine-point lead with 6:45 on the clock, but Le Moyne responded with a pair of three-pointers by Luke Sutherland to pull within three again with 5:42 to play. After each team had two empty possessions over the next two minutes, Bryan Etumnu was fouled on a layup and completed the three-point play, sparking a 9–2 Merrimack run that put the game away. The Warriors' 61–51 victory ended the Dolphins' inaugural Division I season. Sutherland had 23 points and eight rebounds for Le Moyne,^{[710][711][712]} and he was named to the NEC All-Tournament Team.^[713]

Season-by-season results[edit]

Coaches[edit]

There have been nine head coaches in the history of Le Moyne men's basketball. The program has played 1,918 games across 75 seasons from the program's inaugural 1948–49 campaign through the end of the 2023–24 season.^[669]

Tommy Niland had the longest tenure at Le Moyne, coaching for 25 seasons, and is the all-time leader in games coached (537) and wins at the school (326).

The current head coach is Nate Champion, who played for the Dolphins from 2010 to 2014.

Postseason results[edit]

NCAA Division II[edit]

During their time in NCAA Division II, the Dolphins were selected to play in the NCAA Division II men's basketball tournament 14 times. They had a combined record of 7–18.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1959	Regional Semifinals	Williams	W 72–66
	Sweet 16	Saint Michael's	L 70–71
1960	Regional Semifinals	St. Anselm	L 75–108
	Regional Third Place	Assumption	L 68–94
1964	Regional Semifinals	Youngstown State	W 64–53
	Sweet 16	Akron	L 38–62
1965	Regional Semifinals	Assumption	L 58–76
	Regional Third Place	Hartwick	L 68–70
1966	First Round	Philadelphia Textile	L 61–83
	Regional Consolation	Potsdam State	W 86–63
1968	First Round	Buffalo State	L 66–83
	Regional Consolation	Northeastern	L 54–67
1969	Regional Semifinals	Montclair State	L 75–79
	Regional Third Place	Albany State (NY)	L 70–71
1988	Regional Semifinals	California (PA)	L 88–91
	Regional Third Place	Kutztown	W 89–81
1996	First Round	Franklin Pierce	L 53–83
1997	First Round	Saint Rose	L 76–92
2014	First Round	Saint Anselm	L 62–73
2017	First Round	Merrimack	L 68–72OT
2018	First Round	Jefferson	W 75–57
	Regional Semifinals	Saint Rose	W 67–63
	Sweet 16	Bloomfield	W 75–59
	Elite Eight	West Texas A&M	L 73–87
2019	First Round	St. Thomas Aquinas	L 59–61

National Catholic Invitational Tournament[edit]

The Dolphins participated in the National Catholic Invitational Tournament twice. They had a combined record of 4–2.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1951	First Round	Saint Michael's	W 95–57
	Quarterfinals	Siena	W 57–53
	Semifinals	St. Francis (NY)	L 66–84
	Third Place	Mount St. Mary's	W 63–61
1952	First Round	Providence	W 67–63
	Quarterfinals	St. Francis (NY)	L 61–75

Utica Optimist Club Invitational Tournament[edit]

The Dolphins participated in the Utica Optimist Club Invitational Tournament three times. They had a combined record of 6–0, winning the tournament each time they participated.

Year	Round	Opponent	Result
1950	Semifinals	Brockport State	W 67–60
	Final	Utica	W 59–57
1951	Semifinals	Utica	W 86–69
	Final	Hartwick	W 86–65
1952	Semifinals	Utica	W 72–42
	Final	Hartwick	W 72–61

NCAA tournament seeding history[edit]

The NCAA began seeding the Division II tournament with the 1989 edition.

Years →	'96	'97	'14	'17	'18	'19
Seeds →	5	6	6	1	1	3

Between 1958 and 1988, the NCAA chose eight or nine schools as hosts for the College Division/Division II regionals. These teams played their regional semifinal games and (if they won) their regional final (Sweet 16) games at home during years the tournament included 32 teams. In some years, there were 36 teams with seven regions having four teams and one region having eight teams. In eight-team regions, the host school might have played as many as three tournament games at home, if it was designated as being in the section given home-court advantage for the regional final. A host school effectively had the privileges of what would later be identified as a no. 1 seed. However, factors such as availability and quality of facilities, expected fan support and travel arrangements entered into the choice of a host school. In addition, teams played in regions that reflected the locations of the schools. Therefore, if the two best teams in the College Division or Division II were near each other, it is likely only one of them would be selected to host. Thus, the hosts were not necessarily the top eight teams. Nevertheless, Le Moyne was one of the eight host schools for the 1965 and 1969 NCAA tournaments.

The 1966 NCAA tournament included 36 schools, four more than the previous season. Seven of the eight regions had four teams as had previously been the norm. The Northeast Region had eight teams divided into two sections. Le Moyne was selected to host the four games in Section B of the Northeast Region. However, as of the time Le Moyne was chosen as a host, the Dolphins had not yet been extended a bid to play in the tournament. Le Moyne agreed to host regardless of whether it was participating.^[546] The Section A winner had the right to host the regional final,^[714][715] which means Le Moyne, which ultimately did receive a tournament bid, would have played the regional final on the road had they advanced that far. This effectively conferred upon Le Moyne the rights and privileges of a no. 2 seed within the region. However, since Le Moyne was in an eight-team region, it would have needed to win one more game than all 28 teams in four-team regions to reach the national quarterfinals, which makes the extra game similar to a play-in game such as the First Four in the present-day Division I tournament.

Rivalry with Siena[edit]

Before the Dolphins had ever played a varsity basketball game, Siena was identified as Le Moyne's chief rival. "BEAT SIENA!" was the front-page headline of the school newspaper on November 24, 1948, 13 days before the Dolphins' inaugural varsity game, scheduled to be played at home against Siena.^[4] A pep rally was held the night before the game and attended by the team, the head coach, the athletic director and, of course, the cheerleaders. Those organizing the rally had someone dressed as an Indian, Siena's team nickname at the time, appear to be tossed into the bonfire and burned.^[5] The rivalry was acknowledged by Siena shortly after the teams began playing,^[716] perhaps, in part, because the teams met in the 1951 National Catholic Invitational Tournament (NCIT).

Siena won the first-ever matchup, 41–39, on December 7, 1948,^[3] and went on to take the first five games between the teams, the fourth and fifth of which went to overtime, before Le Moyne broke through with a win at home followed by another victory in the NCIT, which was played on Siena's home court.

On March 5, 1955, in Syracuse, a fistfight between Le Moyne's Dan Cavellier and Siena's Tim Hill with two minutes to play in the game between the two teams resulted in the ejection of both players.^[164][717]

In preparation for the Dolphins' December 1, 1956 season opener at Siena, a 20-car motorcade from Syracuse to Albany was organized to transport Le Moyne supporters to the game, and plans were made to have a Le Moyne cheerleader dressed as a deceased Siena Indian and carried into the arena in a funeral procession with the pep band playing a dirge.^[194]

Despite the heated rivalry between the two schools, when Siena head coach Dan Cunha resigned after the 1959–60 season,^[718] Le Moyne head coach Tommy Niland remarked that he regarded Cunha as a very good friend who was a fine coach and would be hard to replace.^[348] Cunha withdrew his resignation in July 1960,^[719] and was 1961 MECAA coach of the year.^[720]

After Le Moyne's Gary DeYulia felt he was unnecessarily shoved out of bounds in the NCAA tournament-bound Dolphins' regular-season finale in DeWitt against Siena on February 28, 1965, a brief melee broke out between the rival teams, and a Siena player was promptly slammed to the floor by a Dolphin. It appeared it might spread into the stands where the Siena fans were sitting, but cooler heads quickly prevailed.^[514] The behavior of the Le Moyne players and fans in connection with the melee was criticized in Siena's school newspaper.^[515]

After 21 seasons as Siena's head basketball coach, Dan Cunha resigned for a second time in July 1965.^[721] Four months later, Cunha was hired as Le Moyne's new dean of men, a position with no athletic duties.^[722]

In 1976, Siena reclassified to Division I, while Le Moyne remained a Division II program. The annual scheduling of games between the teams ceased, and they did not meet again for 11 years. The teams played one game annually between the 1987–88 and 1992–93 seasons, and Siena won all six of those contests. Le Moyne's 2023 reclassification to Division I creates the possibility that this rivalry may be rekindled. It has been 31 years since the teams last met in an official game. The Dolphins defeated Siena, 73–71, in an exhibition game in November 2017, at Loudonville.^[723][724]

Le Moyne–Siena

Sport	Men's Basketball
Location	Upstate New York
Teams	Le Moyne Dolphins Siena Saints
First meeting	December 7, 1948 Siena 41, Le Moyne 39
Latest meeting	December 28, 1992 Siena 83, Le Moyne 56
Statistics
Meetings total	62
All-time series	Le Moyne leads, 39–23
Largest victory	Siena, 91–52 (December 3, 1988)
Longest win streak	Le Moyne, 8 (March 1, 1958 - December 9, 1961)
Current win streak	Siena, 6

Le Moyne victories

Siena victories

No.	Date	Location	Winner	Score
1	December 7, 1948	Syracuse	Siena	41–39
2	January 29, 1949	Loudonville	Siena	53–31
3	November 24, 1949	Albany	Siena	46–31
4	February 15, 1950	Syracuse	Siena	60–56OT
5	November 23, 1950	Albany	Siena	70–682OT
6	December 30, 1950	Syracuse	Le Moyne	53–47
7	March 14, 1951	Albany†	Le Moyne	57–53
8	November 22, 1951	Albany	Siena	62–41
9	January 18, 1952	Syracuse	Le Moyne	53–51
10	November 27, 1952	Albany	Siena	53–49
11	February 24, 1953	Syracuse	Le Moyne	68–65
12	December 5, 1953	Albany	Le Moyne	60–40
13	March 6, 1954	Syracuse	Siena	63–55
14	January 1, 1955	Albany	Le Moyne	64–60
15	March 5, 1955	Syracuse	Le Moyne	78–62
16	December 1, 1955	Albany	Le Moyne	78–71
17	March 2, 1956	Syracuse	Le Moyne	82–59
18	December 1, 1956	Albany	Le Moyne	74–41
19	January 19, 1957	Syracuse	Le Moyne	68–59
20	December 21, 1957	Albany	Siena	78–72
21	March 1, 1958	Syracuse	Le Moyne	58–50
22	December 20, 1958	Albany	Le Moyne	66–65OT
23	February 28, 1959	Syracuse	Le Moyne	60–59
24	December 7, 1959	Albany	Le Moyne	60–46
25	February 27, 1960	Syracuse	Le Moyne	61–48
26	December 10, 1960	Loudonville	Le Moyne	49–45
27	February 25, 1961	Syracuse	Le Moyne	48–45
28	December 9, 1961	Loudonville	Le Moyne	56–48
29	February 24, 1962	Syracuse	Siena	64–57
30	December 1, 1962	DeWitt	Le Moyne	43–41
31	February 16, 1963	Loudonville	Siena	50–49
32	February 8, 1964	Loudonville	Le Moyne	54–46
33	January 30, 1965	Loudonville	Le Moyne	70–65
34	February 28, 1965	DeWitt	Le Moyne	58–48
35	January 8, 1966	Loudonville	Le Moyne	85–74
36	March 5, 1966	DeWitt	Le Moyne	88–72
37	January 14, 1967	Loudonville	Le Moyne	65–63
38	March 4, 1967	DeWitt	Siena	61–60
39	December 16, 1967	Loudonville	Le Moyne	101–89
40	March 2, 1968	DeWitt	Le Moyne	82–70
41	December 19, 1968	DeWitt	Le Moyne	92–73
42	March 1, 1969	Loudonville	Le Moyne	85–74
43	January 21, 1970	Loudonville	Le Moyne	87–74
44	March 7, 1970	DeWitt	Le Moyne	84–77
45	January 20, 1971	DeWitt	Le Moyne	82–57
46	March 6, 1971	Albany	Siena	77–72
47	January 29, 1972	Loudonville	Le Moyne	72–67
48	March 4, 1972	DeWitt	Le Moyne	74–70
49	January 27, 1973	DeWitt	Le Moyne	87–72
50	March 3, 1973	Loudonville	Siena	65–61
51	January 26, 1974	Albany	Siena	101–79
52	March 2, 1974	DeWitt	Le Moyne	87–81
53	January 25, 1975	DeWitt	Le Moyne	73–67
54	March 1, 1975	Loudonville	Siena	92–74
55	January 24, 1976	Loudonville	Siena	79–68
56	March 4, 1976	DeWitt	Le Moyne	81–77
57	December 5, 1987	Loudonville	Siena	75–70
58	December 3, 1988	DeWitt	Siena	91–52
59	February 26, 1990	Loudonville	Siena	90–76
60	February 14, 1991	DeWitt	Siena	88–75
61	December 4, 1991	Loudonville	Siena	81–62
62	December 28, 1992	Loudonville	Siena	83–56
Series: Le Moyne leads 39–23
† = National Catholic Invitational Tournament Source:[725]

Christmas invitational tournament[edit]

In 1964, Le Moyne began hosting an annual four-team Christmas invitational tournament. It was held each December through 1971. The brackets below show the results of these tournament games.

1964[edit]

References: ^[492][494]

	Semifinals December 29				Championship December 30
	Le Moyne	81
	Oswego State	64
					Le Moyne	68
					Saint Michael's	66
	Buffalo	86
	Saint Michael's	93			Third Place
					Oswego State	59
					Buffalo	88

Gary DeYulia of Le Moyne was named most valuable player.

1965[edit]

References: ^[538][540]

	Semifinals December 29				Championship December 30
	Le Moyne	84
	Kenyon	73
					Le Moyne	53
					Hartwick	52
	Hartwick	81
	Southwest Texas State	63			Third Place
					Kenyon	72
					Southwest Texas State	97

Dan Parham of Hartwick was named most valuable player.

1966[edit]

References: ^[580][581]

	Semifinals December 28				Championship December 29
	Le Moyne	85
	Maine	74
					Le Moyne	45
					Iona	59
	Iona	66
	Lafayette	58			Third Place
					Maine	67
					Lafayette	62

Bob La Russo of Iona was named most valuable player.

The All-Tournament team selected by members of the media covering the tournament included:

• Bob La Russo, Iona
• Bob McMahon, Iona
• Gerry McDermott, Le Moyne
• Terry Carr, Maine
• Bob Kiriloff, Lafayette

1967[edit]

References: ^[612][613]

	Semifinals December 28				Championship December 29
	Le Moyne	95
	Vermont	74
					Le Moyne	78OT
					Bucknell	74
	Bucknell	84
	St. Francis (NY)	81			Third Place
					Vermont	66
					St. Francis (NY)	72

Gerry McDermott of Le Moyne was named most valuable player.

The All-Tournament team selected by members of the media covering the tournament included:

• Gerry McDermott, Le Moyne
• Ed Farver, Bucknell
• Tom Schneider, Bucknell
• Doug Smith, St. Francis (NY)
• Dave Lapointe, Vermont

1968[edit]

References: ^[630]

	Semifinals December 27				Championship December 28
	Le Moyne	101
	Steubenville	81
					Le Moyne	81
					Wagner	91
	Wagner	67
	Saint Michael's	62			Third Place
					Steubenville	43
					Saint Michael's	62

Ray Hodge of Wagner was named most valuable player.

The tournament All-Star team selected by members of the media covering the tournament included:

• Ray Hodge, Wagner
• Bill Wolfe, Wagner
• Chuck Brady, Le Moyne
• Jay Cody, Saint Michael's
• Pat Mulligan, Steubenville

1969[edit]

References: ^[658][659]

	Semifinals December 29				Championship December 30
	Le Moyne	69
	Albany State (GA)	82
					Albany State (GA)	83
					Assumption	99
	Assumption	107
	Hartwick	91			Third Place
					Le Moyne	103
					Hartwick	79

Jake Jones of Assumption was named most valuable player.

The tournament All-Star team selected by members of the media covering the tournament included:

• Jake Jones, Assumption
• Sam Small, Assumption
• Serge DeBari, Assumption
• Clarence Ellis, Albany State (GA)
• Phil Harlow, Le Moyne

1970[edit]

References: ^[726][727]

	Semifinals December 29				Championship December 30
	Le Moyne	78
	Hobart	71
					Le Moyne	75
					Lafayette	89
	Lafayette	86
	Boston University	61			Third Place
					Hobart	57
					Boston University	63

Tracy Tripucka of Lafayette was named most valuable player.

The tournament All-Star team selected by members of the media covering the tournament included:

• Tracy Tripucka, Lafayette
• Ron Moyer, Lafayette
• Jay Mottola, Lafayette
• Phil Harlow, Le Moyne
• Dan Brandt, Le Moyne

1971[edit]

References: ^[728][729]

	Semifinals December 28				Championship December 29
	Le Moyne	95
	Alfred	56
					Le Moyne	61
					New Hampshire	58
	New Hampshire	60
	Ohio Wesleyan	57			Third Place
					Alfred	51
					Ohio Wesleyan	75

Phil Harlow of Le Moyne was named most valuable player.

The tournament All-Star team selected by members of the media covering the tournament included:

• Phil Harlow, Le Moyne
• Rick May, Le Moyne
• Dave Pemberton, New Hampshire
• Erie Feragne, New Hampshire
• Jackie Brown, Ohio Wesleyan

Games against higher-division opponents[edit]

Starting with Le Moyne's inaugural 1948–49 season through the end of the 1955–56 season, the final season before the NCAA split into the University Division and the College Division, the Dolphins were classified by the Associated Press (AP) as a small-college (non-major) program. During that time, Le Moyne played 59 games against major programs, as classified by the AP. The results of such games are shown in the table below.

Date	Opponent	Result	Le Moyne Record
December 7, 1948	Siena	Loss, 41−39[2]	0−1
January 29, 1949	at Siena	Loss, 53−31[21]	0−2
December 14, 1949	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 50−48[730]	0−3
December 16, 1949	St. Francis (NY)	Loss, 78−68[35]	0−4
January 13, 1950	St. Bonaventure	Loss, 51−44[731]	0−5
February 18, 1950	John Carroll	Win, 78−67[40]	1−5
November 23, 1950	at Siena	Loss, 70−682OT[62]	1−6
November 29, 1950	at Niagara	Loss, 86−61[732]	1−7
December 2, 1950	at Seton Hall	Loss, 63−53[733]	1−8
December 5, 1950	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 56−47[734]	1−9
December 30, 1950	Siena	Win, 53−47[64]	2−9
March 14, 1951	at #18 Siena†	Win, 57−53[86]	3−9
March 16, 1951	St. Francis (NY)‡	Loss, 84−66[87]	3−10
November 22, 1951	at Siena	Loss, 62−41[100]	3−11
December 5, 1951	at Seton Hall	Loss, 55−48[735]	3−12
December 7, 1951	at St. Francis (NY)	Loss, 56−51[736]	3−13
December 15, 1951	at #15 Villanova	Loss, 59−48[737]	3−14
January 18, 1952	#11 Siena	Win, 53−51[103]	4−14
January 28, 1952	Manhattan	Loss, 79−71[738]	4−15
February 1, 1952	Boston College	Loss, 74−58[739]	4−16
February 26, 1952	at Canisius	Loss, 74−58[740]	4−17
March 17, 1952	St. Francis (NY)††	Loss, 75−61[115]	4−18
November 27, 1952	at Siena	Loss, 53−49[741]	4−19
December 13, 1952	at Niagara	Loss, 70−67[742]	4−20
December 19, 1952	John Carroll	Win, 72−65[120]	5−20
December 30, 1952	Loyola of Los Angeles	Win, 79−74[121]	6−20
January 3, 1953	at #2 Seton Hall	Loss, 75−52[743]	6−21
January 10, 1953	at St. Francis (NY)	Loss, 67−56[122]	6−22
January 23, 1953	#20 Manhattan	Loss, 63−57[123]	6−23
January 26, 1953	Georgetown	Loss, 89−67[124]	6−24
January 30, 1953	Boston College	Win, 64−59[125]	7−24
February 24, 1953	Siena	Win, 68−65[126]	8−24
February 28, 1953	at Villanova	Loss, 62−57[744]	8−25
December 2, 1953	St. Bonaventure	Loss, 67−57[136]	8−26
December 5, 1953	at Siena	Win, 60−40[137]	9−26
December 12, 1953	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 58−52[745]	9−27
January 29, 1954	Manhattan	Loss, 67−63[746]	9−28
February 5, 1954	Boston College	Win, 77−63[140]	10−28
February 22, 1954	at Villanova	Loss, 62−48[747]	10−29
March 6, 1954	Siena	Loss, 63−55[141]	10−30
December 7, 1954	at #8 Niagara	Loss, 81−57[152]	10−31
December 11, 1954	#20 Western Kentucky	Win, 77−75[154]	11−31
January 1, 1955	at Siena	Win, 64−60[155]	12−31
January 7, 1955	Saint Joseph's	Win, 94−83[158]	13−31
January 28, 1955	Manhattan	Loss, 72−65[748]	13−32
January 31, 1955	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 58−52[749]	13−33
February 4, 1955	Boston College‡‡	Win, 82−73[161]	14−33
February 22, 1955	St. Bonaventure	Loss, 73−69OT[750]	14−34
February 26, 1955	at Villanova	Loss, 73−44[751]	14−35
March 5, 1955	Siena	Win, 78−62[164]	15−35
December 1, 1955	at Siena	Win 78−71[176]	16−35
December 21, 1955	Iona†††	Win, 93−70[178]	17−35
January 4, 1956	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 80−70[180]	17−36
January 10, 1956	at Niagara	Loss, 81−72[752]	17−37
February 3, 1956	Boston College‡‡‡	Win, 92−76[182]	18−37
February 4, 1956	Manhattan	Loss, 94−72[753]	18−38
February 17, 1956	Iona	Win, 90−82[183]	19−38
February 22, 1956	St. Bonaventure	Loss, 81−61[184]	19−39
March 2, 1956	Siena	Win, 82−59[188]	20−39
Home	13−14
Road	4−23
Neutral	3−2
Ranked opponents * Home * Road	3–4 2–1 1–3
(#) Ranking per AP major-program poll † National Catholic Invitational Tournament quarterfinal played on Siena's home court ‡ National Catholic Invitational Tournament semifinal played in Albany, New York ††National Catholic Invitational Tournament quarterfinal played in Troy, New York ‡‡ Game played in Rochester, New York ††† Game played in Quantico, Virginia ‡‡‡ Game played in Auburn, New York

On several occasions, the Dolphins, playing as a College Division or Division II team, recorded victories over University Division or Division I teams. Le Moyne played 58 such games, going 29–29, and won at least one in each of their first 13 seasons as a College Division program, beginning with the NCAA's split into divisions for the 1956–57 season through the end of the 1968–69 season. Details of games played against University Division opponents through the end of the 1970–71 season are shown in the table below.

Date	Opponent	Result	Le Moyne Record
December 1, 1956	at Siena	Win, 74–41[195]	1−0
January 3, 1957	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 82–62[754]	1−1
January 19, 1957	Siena	Win, 68–59[200]	2−1
February 2, 1957	Manhattan	Loss, 81–71[204]	2−2
February 9, 1957	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 77–71[207]	3−2
February 16, 1957	at Iona	Loss, 76–72[208]	3−3
February 20, 1957	St. Bonaventure	Loss, 69–61[755]	3−4
December 10, 1957	at St. Bonaventure	Loss, 58–46[756]	3−5
December 21, 1957	at Siena	Loss, 78–72[757]	3−6
December 27, 1957	Saint Francis (PA)†	Loss, 70–51[219]	3−7
February 5, 1958	St. Bonaventure	Loss, 65–50[225]	3−8
February 14, 1958	Iona	Win, 64–44[228]	4−8
February 22, 1958	at St. Francis (NY)	Loss, 86–73[232]	4−9
March 1, 1958	Siena	Win, 58–50[236]	5−9
March 5, 1958	at Saint Joseph's	Loss, 69–68[238]	5−10
December 1, 1958	at Villanova	Loss, 83–67[251]	5−11
December 20, 1958	at Siena	Win, 66–65OT[261]	6−11
January 31, 1959	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 74–61[266]	7−11
February 14, 1959	at Iona	Loss, 58–54[276]	7−12
February 28, 1959	Siena	Win, 60–59[294]	8−12
December 7, 1959	at Siena	Win, 60–46[314]	9−12
December 12, 1959	at Niagara	Loss, 62–57[758]	9−13
February 5, 1960	at St. Francis (NY)	Win, 77–66[317]	10−13
February 13, 1960	Iona	Win, 59–44[320]	11−13
February 27, 1960	Siena	Win, 61–48[329]	12−13
December 28, 1960	Iona‡	Win, 90–60[354]	13−13
January 28, 1961	at Iona	Loss, 68–63[759]	13−14
February 23, 1961	at Providence	Loss, 80–50[373]	13−15
January 27, 1962	Iona	Win, 61–58OT[392]	14−15
February 5, 1962	Providence	Loss, 53–46[399]	14−16
February 10, 1962	at St. Francis (NY)	Win, 73–69[401]	15−16
January 20, 1963	at Niagara	Loss, 68–54[760]	15−17
February 2, 1963	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 65–64OT[434]	16−17
February 9, 1963	at Iona	Loss, 57–51[436]	16−18
December 7, 1963	at Niagara	Loss, 66–53[761]	16−19
January 11, 1964	at St. Francis (NY)	Win, 58–54[445]	17−19
February 1, 1964	Iona	Win, 74–56[451]	18−19
January 9, 1965	at Iona	Win, 67–64[495]	19−19
January 27, 1965	Saint Peter's	Win, 75–55[496]	20−19
February 6, 1965	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 53–46[498]	21−19
January 29, 1966	Iona	Win, 83–71[541]	22−19
February 4, 1966	at Saint Peter's	Loss, 92–72[542]	22−20
February 5, 1966	at St. Francis (NY)	Win, 75–71OT[544]	23−20
December 28, 1966	Maine	Win, 85–74	24−20
December 29, 1966	Iona	Loss, 59–45	24−21
January 4, 1967	Saint Peter's	Loss, 87–73	24−22
January 28, 1967	at Iona	Loss, 65–45	24−23
February 11, 1967	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 73–62	25−23
December 7, 1967	Iona	Loss, 58–57	25−24
December 28, 1967	Vermont	Win, 95–72	26−24
December 29, 1967	Bucknell	Win, 78–74OT	27−24
January 5, 1968	at Saint Peter's	Loss, 114–75	27−25
January 6, 1968	at St. Francis (NY)	Loss, 72–64	27−26
January 25, 1968	Boston College	Loss, 90–61	27−27
December 3, 1968	Saint Peter's	Win, 81–80	28−27
December 5, 1968	at Boston College	Loss, 86–66	28−28
January 4, 1969	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 80–75	29−28
January 30, 1969	at Iona	Loss, 68–59	29−29
December 20, 1969	Boston College	Loss, 75–56	29−30
January 2, 1970	at Saint Peter's	Loss, 105–83	29−31
January 3, 1970	at St. Francis (NY)	Loss, 90–69	29−32
February 14, 1970	Iona	Loss, 89–81	29−33
December 5, 1970	St. Francis (NY)	Win, 68–62	30−33
December 16, 1970	at Boston College	Loss, 105–68	30−34
December 30, 1970	Lafayette	Loss, 89–75	30−35
January 30, 1971	at Iona	Loss, 67–65	30−36
February 16, 1971	Saint Peter's	Loss, 85–53	30−37
Home	21−12
Road	8−24
Neutral	1−1
Note: None of the above opponents were ranked in the AP poll at the time of the game shown † Game played in Latrobe, Pennsylvania ‡ Game played in Jersey City, New Jersey

Honorees[edit]

Le Moyne has 39 men's basketball players, coaches and contributors honored in the Le Moyne Athletic Hall of Fame. In addition, two of Le Moyne's teams have been inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Honored players[edit]

Name	Years	Awards and Achievements
Joe Boehm	1947–51	Captain of inaugural 1947–48 freshman team[762]
John Caveny	1959–62	Captain of the 1961–62 team, 1961 MECAA All-Star Second Team[347][763]
Tom Cooney	1961–64	1964 Le Moyne College Athlete of the Year; co-captain and starting point guard on 1964 NCAA tournament team at 5'8"; head coach from 1973 to 1979[764]
Gary DeYulia	1963–66	All-MECAA, All-ECAC, First Team Catholic College All-American, Honorable Mention College All-American, played in three NCAA tournaments[765]
Bob Dietz	1953–56	Scored 1,085 career points[766]
Tom Downey	1967–70	All-ECAC;[767] starting point guard on 1968 and 1969 NCAA tournament teams; captain of 1969–70 team[653]
Laurence Ekperigin	2006–10	Le Moyne's career scoring and rebounding leader with 1,966 points and 1,171 rebounds; the only Le Moyne player named first team all-conference in three consecutive seasons[768]
Thomas Fletcher[769]	1975–79
Paul Galvin	1980–84	Le Moyne's all-time leader in career assists with 602[770]
Jene Grey	1975–79	1,729 points and 969 rebounds for his career[771]
Don Guido	1968–69	Elected primarily for his accomplishments in baseball;[772] played varsity basketball as a sophomore on the 1969 NCAA tournament team
Phil Harlow[773]	1969–73
James Henderson	1983–87	1,554 points, 722 rebounds and 118 blocked shots for his career[774]
Scott Hicks	1984–88	1988 Rev. John J. O'Brien Award for Le Moyne College Male Athlete of the Year, All-MECC, All-Northeast Region, Co-Captain, had 1,470 points, 627 rebounds, 320 assists and 178 steals for his career, head coach from 1992 to 1997[775]
Billy Jenkins	1950–53	Scored 1,063 points in three varsity seasons[776]
Pete Jerebko	1984–88	1988 MECC Player of the Year, co-captain of 1987–88 team, 1,736 points, 731 rebounds and 117 steals for his career[777]
Dick Kenyon	1952–56	1,379 career points in four varsity seasons[778]
Wright Lassiter	1981–85	1985 Rev. J.J. O'Brien Male Senior Athlete Achievement Award, 1,260 points and 895 rebounds for his career[779]
John Lauer[780]	1973–77
Dave Lozo	1947–51	Scored 1,100 points for his career[781]
Dick Lynch	1957–60	1,150 career points[782]
Ronnie Mack	1954–57	1956–57 team captain; 1957 Le Moyne College Athlete of the Year[783]
Rick May	1970–74	Left the program as its all-time leading rebounder with 1,028, scored 1,224 points for his career, averaged a double-double over his career[784]
Mike Montesano	1991–95	1995 Division II All-American, scored 1,759 points for his career, set program single-season point scoring record with 646 in 1994–95[785]
Tom Mullen	1963–66	Played in two NCAA tournaments, 1965 and 1966 All-MECAA, led Le Moyne in rebounding 1964–65 and 1965–66, MECAA leading scorer in 1965–66, 1966 ECAC All-Star[786]
Richard Myers	1961–64	Starter on 1964 NCAA tournament team[787]
Flagan Prince	2001–03	2003 All-NE10 First Team, 2003 NABC All-America Honorable Mention, led team in scoring and rebounding in both of his seasons[788]
Len Rauch	1987–91	1991 MECC Player of the Year, four-time All-MECC Team, career totals of 1,876 points, 1,151 rebounds and 509 assists[789]
Dick Reddington	1956–57	Le Moyne College Athletic Achievement Award; elected primarily for his accomplishments as goalkeeper on the soccer team from 1956–59;[790] appeared in games for the varsity basketball team as a sophomore, when the team was shorthanded due to injuries
Don Savage	1947–51	Three years as varsity team captain,[791] including the 1950–51 team that had a historic turnaround from an 0–5 start to capture third place in the National Catholic Invitational Tournament, Le Moyne's first significant post-season appearance[12]
Bill Stanley	1959–62	1961 MECAA All-Star,[347] averaged over 10 rebounds per game at 6'2"[792]
Adam Stockwell	1992–96	Captain and leading scorer for 1995–96 team that went to NCAA tournament, Division II All-America Honorable Mention, averaged 21.1 points and 5.6 rebounds for his senior season[793]
John Tomsich	1995–99	1999 Rev. J.J. O’Brien Senior Athlete Award, 1999 NABC All-America Second Team, led team in scoring each of his last three seasons, career totals of 1,760 points and 1,015 rebounds, left program as leader in career blocked shots with 264, averaged 21.1 points and 11.7 rebounds as a senior, played in two NCAA tournaments[794]
Ralph Yahn	1961–64	Co-captain and leading rebounder on 1964 NCAA tournament team[467]

Honored coaches[edit]

Names	Years	Awards and Achievements
John Beilein	1983–1992	1988 NCAA tournament appearance, 1988 MECC Coach of the Year, 1984 and 1988 MECC regular-season titles, 1988 MECC tournament title[795]
James McGrath	1958–1998	Played on 1958–59 freshman team, graduated in class of 1962, and went on to a storied career as a high school basketball coach; was serving Le Moyne as volunteer assistant coach as of 1998, the time of his Hall of Fame induction[796]
Tommy Niland	1947–1990	Le Moyne's first varsity head coach, first freshman team head coach and first athletic director, coached varsity team for 25 seasons, program's all-time leader in wins as a head coach with 326 and NCAA tournament appearances with seven,[797] also served Le Moyne as varsity baseball head coach[798]

Others honored[edit]

Name	Years	Notes
1959–60 Le Moyne Dolphins Men's Basketball Team	1959–60	Earned a berth in the NCAA tournament, finishing with a 13–5 record, won Le Moyne's first MECAA championship[337]
1987–88 Le Moyne Dolphins Men's Basketball Team	1987–88	Earned Le Moyne's first berth in an NCAA tournament in 19 years, finishing with a 24–6 record, a new high win total for the program, won MECC regular-season and tournament championships[670]
Don Familo	1992–present	Color commentator for Le Moyne basketball radio and video streaming broadcasts[799]
Chris Granozio	1992–present	Play-by-play commentator for Le Moyne basketball radio and video streaming broadcasts[800]
Bernie Quinn	1947–51	First team manager, including manager of the 1947–48 freshman team, business manager for Le Moyne Athletic Association from 1949 to 1951[801][802]

Awards[edit]

Postseason tournament Most Outstanding Players

• Don Savage – 1950, 1951
• Bill Jenkins – 1952

Dolphins in the NBA[edit]

Dolphins in the NBA
NBA Draft Selections
Total selected:	7
Lottery Picks in Draft:	0
1st round:	0
No. 1 Picks:	0
Appeared in NBA Games:	1

Name	Height	Weight (lbs.)	Hometown	High School	Draft Year	Round	NBA Team	Played in NBA
John Caveny	6'0"	180	Syracuse, New York	St. John the Evangelist High School	1962	12th	St. Louis
Jene Grey	6'4"	190	Brooklyn, New York	Sidney High School	1979	7th	San Diego
Bill Jenkins	6'0"	180	Syracuse, New York	St. Vincent de Paul High School	1953	6th	Syracuse
Dick Kenyon	6'3"	170	Syracuse, New York	East Syracuse High School	1956	12th	Syracuse
Dick Lynch	6'4"	175	Fayetteville, New York	Manlius High School[g]	1960	8th	Syracuse
Chuck Sammons	6'3"	200	Syracuse, New York	St. Vincent de Paul High School	1961	11th	Syracuse
Don Savage	6'3"	205	Manlius, New York	Manlius Military Academy	1951	2nd	Syracuse	Y

Facilities[edit]

Le Moyne Events Center (1962–present)[edit]

The Le Moyne Dolphins presently play their home games on Ted Grant Court in the 2,637-seat Le Moyne Events Center; the maximum seating capacity for basketball is likely somewhat different from the arena's reported maximum capacity, since that includes seats placed on the floor, but it includes portable bleachers at only one end of the building rather than at both the east and west ends, which is possible for basketball games.^[804]

Ground was broken on construction of the Events Center in March 1961, as part of the larger Henninger Athletic Center, and the arena opened on December 1, 1962, with a basketball game featuring Le Moyne vs. archrival Siena.^[805] The arena underwent a significant renovation in 2016,^[806] and reopened on October 12 of that year.

The Events Center hosted Northeast Regional games of the 1965,^[511] 1966^[546] and 1969^[642] NCAA College Division tournaments.

Notes[edit]

References[edit]