Just as the 1986 film Hoosiers was synonymous with passion and excellence, so, too, are the accomplishments of the NYIT 1980 men’s basketball team.

Because the Bears’ memorable season took place during NYIT’s 25th anniversary celebration, it seemed fitting that the entire team be inducted into the NYIT Athletics Hall of Fame as the college celebrated its 50th anniversary. Also inducted were four former student athletes and one legendary coach at the eighth annual celebration on June 15. In addition, former New York Jet Marty Lyons was awarded the Dr. William T. “Buck” Lai Wonderful Life Achievement Award.

“Members of NYIT’s Hall of Fame represent our commitment to outstanding achievement and inspire today’s student athletes to strive for excellence,” said NYIT Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Clyde M. Doughty Jr. (B.S. ’81, M.S. ’96, M.P.S. ’98), who was also a member of the 1980 basketball team. “This is best exemplified by our recent string of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) playoff runs, which includes three national men’s lacrosse championships, an Elite Eight appearance by our men’s soccer team, and a fifth-straight tournament appearance by the women’s volleyball team.” 

The talented group of players and coaches who made up that legendary group 25 years ago did more than win game after game – as the first successful sports team in NYIT’s history, it propelled a little-known college and its athletic program into the national spotlight. By the conclusion of the 1979-80 regular season, the Bears had compiled a 22-2 record, and the men’s basketball team was ranked fifth in the nation.

The team continued to make history that season by winning the NCAA Northeast Regional title and became the first NYIT team to play for a national championship. Although Virginia Union defeated the Bears in the finals, NYIT ended the season with a 26-3 record and captured the hearts of the NYIT family along with the entire New York basketball community.

Kelvin Hicks was the first NYIT men’s basketball player to receive All-American honors. Sharing the spotlight once again with his former teammates brought back many fond memories.

“These people are my brothers,” he said at the ceremony. “And I am proud to be sharing this honor with them.”

Other inductees at the Hall of Fame ceremony included:

• Coach Bill Easteadt, who guided the men’s soccer program to national prominence from 1980 through 1990, including a cumulative record of 131-55-12, six conference championships, five conference coach of the year awards, and three NCAA Northeast Region Coach of the Year Awards.

• Theresa A. Kenney (B.S. ’84), an elite athlete who distinguished herself in softball and basketball. She earned Defensive Player of the Year honors in 1984, along with a .341 batting average. On the court, her hustle and dedication made her a model student athlete.

• Kevin O’Brien (B.S. ’95), who joined the men’s lacrosse team in 1994, one year after Head Coach Jack Kaley launched the program. Kevin’s defensive skills helped the team to a 12-1 record, including an appearance in the 1994 NCAA Division II lacrosse finals.

• Bill DaCosta (B.S. ’90), who established himself as one of NYIT’s top pitchers, throwing 217 innings, 178 strikeouts and 16 wins. After playing for the Bears, he was drafted by the New York Yankees and pitched in the minor leagues.

• As a feared linebacker for the football team in the mid- to late 1970s, Matthew Calamari displayed dedication and courage on the field. He now uses those same qualities at the Trump Organization, where he worked his way up to chief operating officer.

Former New York Jet Marty Lyons was the recipient of the Dr. William T. “Buck” Lai Wonderful Life Achievement Award. For 24 years, the Marty Lyons Foundation has focused on fulfilling special wishes for children with life-threatening or terminal illnesses.

“I wanted to give children the opportunity that every athlete has – that one moment to feel important,” Lyons said. “It is a wonderful life if we share it with other people.”