[Men's Basketball] Exciting Alumni Basketball Game Concludes Another Wonderful Founder's Day Program
Over thirty Williamson alumni showed up to participate in this year's Alumni basketball game, and what a performance they gave. With so many alumni participating this year, the event for the first time featured the odd numbered graduate years versus the even numbered graduate years. The game was exciting from start to finish and in fact, needed overtime to decide the winners, with the even numbered years coming out on top, 82-79 in overtime.
The event was the culmination of another wonderful Founder's Day program and featured graduates as far back as 0W2 (Frank Simmons) and as near as 1W8 (Jose Montanez and Ryan Carlino). A great time was had by all who participated and viewed the back and forth contest.
The event also featured the honoring of Williamson's back-to-back United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division II national championship teams from 2008 and 2009, as well as a special presentation to all-time leading scorer Justin Swift 1W4.
Back in 2008, Williamson shocked the basketball world, as it not only qualified for the USCAA national championship tournament, but advanced all the way to the championship game, where they upset Taylor-Ft. Wayne University to gain the first national in school history.
In 2009, everyone knew about Williamson, but despite the target on their back, the Mechanics steamrolled their way to a second straight national title game, where the beat Penn State Beaver to gain their second consecutive national championship title. They ended the season with a school record 30 wins, dropping just two contests all season long.
"The first time around, we surprised some people however, the second time everyone knew us, so the target was always on our back. But those guys played through it like the champions they were, and still are today," shred Michaels.
During halftime of this year's Alumni game, each member of one of the national championship teams was presented with commemorative jacket by President Rounds, as well as head coach Bill Michaels and assistant coach Kevin Brown 0W3. All-time leading scorer Justin Swift 1W4 was presented with a commemorative jersey and each game participant was given a special t-shirt honoring the 2008 and 2009 national championship teams.
The game itself was exciting and almost ended in regulation. Zach Tansey 1W1 appeared he might have had a chance to win it for the odd number year graduates, as he appeared to have gotten fouled attempting a three-point half-court shot at the buzzer. It was determined however, that "video evidence" said he did not get the shot off in time. The even number graduate years then were able to pull away in overtime to get the 82-79 victory.
"I'll tell you what. It is so neat to see the impact that Coach Michaels and Coaches Kevin Brown and Remar Tate have had on the lives of these young men, to the point they cannot wait to get back and be a part of something as special as this," exclaimed long-time Williamson athletic director Dale Plummer.
"Tonight was really something special! It is neat to see the love these guys have for the school and their coaches"
Those who took part in this year's events were as follows: (Photos from the event are located in the Photo Galleries section under the Inside Athletic tab)
Odd Number Year Participants Even Number Year Participants:
Anthony Smith 0W5 Joe Marshall 0W8
Julian Stewart 1W3 Marquis Cuffee 0W8
Kevin Whitfield 1W7 Debro Curtis 1W4
Andre Merrell 1W7 Jose Montanez 1W8
Albert Pigford 1W4 Frank Simmons 0W2
Marquis Richards 1W3 Ryan Carlino 1W8
Zach Tansey 1W1 Nate Armstrong 1W0
Anthony Wood 1W1 Andrew Abrams 1W2
Ryan Cooper 1W3 Shannon Taylor 0W8
Alex Bradley 1W1 Justin Swift 1W4
Chris Devinney 1W5 Jamal Tilley 1W4
Darce' Waters 1W3 Gerald Caldwell 0W6
Dennis Cooper 1W3 Eric Bradley 1W4
Jo'wan Livers 1W7 Taquan Dodson 1W6
Lamar Pettiford 1W4
Brian Campuzano 1W0