MCCC Basketball: A Strong Tradition

12/05/23

 

In honor of National Play Basketball Day, let’s take a look at the MCCC basketball programs which have a strong history and tradition.  National Play Basketball Day fell on December 2nd and is a day to celebrate one of the most popular sports in the US.

 

MCCC men’s basketball was NJCAA National Champions in 1972-1973 and 1973-1974.  The Mercer men’s basketball program has 1,127 wins, including the five from the 2023-2024 season.  The men’s basketball program began in 1962-63.  There are 14 All-Americans in program history, with three coming under current Head Coach Howard Levy: Donovan Guess in 2019, David Johnson in 2015 and Mustafa El-Amin in 2012.

 

In 2012, MCCC dedicated its basketball court to Coach Howie Landa who led the Vikings to two national titles.  Landa had a 555-152 record at MCCC, was named Region Coach of the Year ten times and National Coach of the Year three times.  Landa won ten Region Champions, 15 District Championships, two National Championships and led the Vikings to the title game two additional times.

 

Former men’s basketball player Bobby Sands was an All-American in 1968 and was the NJCAA National Player of the Year.  Sands played two years at Pepperdine University and was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1970.

 

When the Vikings won the National Championship in 1973, Mel Wheldon was named the NJCAA National Player of the Year as well as an All-American.  In 1974, Connie White was named the NJCAA National Player of the Year in addition to earning All-American honors following the Vikings second national title.  White was drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 1976 NBA Draft.

 

Current Coach Levy led the Vikings to the National Championship in 2010.  Levy is in his 15^th year at MCCC and has 172 career wins.

 

The MCCC women’s basketball program began in 1976-77 and has 588 wins in program history.  There have been five women’s basketball All-Americans in program history.

 

Mike Tenaglia coached MCCC women’s basketball for 30 years before retiring after the 2019-2020 season.  Tengalia finished his career with over 400 wins and coached three of the program’s six All-Americans (Kenya Taylor, a two-time All-American, Patti Foley and Jeanette Bell.)

 

Former women’s basketball player Terry Dorner was the first women’s basketball All-American in program history and was a member of the 1980 team that was the first women’s basketball team to reach the National Championship.  Dorner went on to become an All-American and Rutgers University and played professionally overseas.

 

Although MCCC women’s basketball was unable to field a team this season, the Vikings should be back in action for the 2024-2025 season.

 

MCCC men’s basketball is currently 5-2 and next plays at home on Tuesday, December 12^th at 6:00 PM vs Cecil College.  

 

Come out and watch the latest team in the strong history of MCCC basketball!

 

For more information on Mercer men’s basketball visit https://www.mccc.edu/athletics_men_basketball.shtml