Photo by Erik Andrews '09 Men's Basketball head coach David Hixon '75 accepted the New England Basketball Hall of Fame's Intercollegiate Program of Excellence Award on Friday evening.

Head Coach David Hixon Accepts New England Basketball Hall of Fame Award

October 9, 2006

KINGSTON, RI – The New England Basketball Hall of Fame inducted the Amherst College men’s basketball program and the College of the Holy Cross women’s basketball program into its ranks as intercollegiate programs of excellence Friday night. Head coach Dave Hixon ’75 accepted Amherst’s induction in front of a crowd of more than 1,000 on the floor of the Ryan Center at the University of Rhode Island.

The hall recognizes an intercollegiate program of excellence as one that encourages scholastic, athletic and postgraduate success, and sportsmanship on the court. WEEI Sports Radio’s Mike Lyons introduced the award to the appreciative crowd, and called the Amherst and Holy Cross programs “two extraordinary programs that reflect the best in intercollegiate sports.” Lyons and Patrick Lynch, Rhode Island’s attorney general, presented Hixon the award.

“As an alumnus of the program, and as a coach of the program, I’m extremely proud and honored,” Hixon began, before recognizing “the other great programs, traditions, coaches and mentors” represented in the crowd – including, he noted, some of his own mentors. He stressed his desire to “teach the kids to play the game the way it’s supposed to be played: to go after ever play; conduct themselves well in the classroom; and become productive members of society.

“On behalf of Amherst College, I accept this award,” he concluded. “And on behalf of Amherst College, I thank you.”

The Jeffs kick off their 2006-2007 campaign by hosting the annual Ken Wright ’52 Invitational, set for Nov. 17 and Nov. 18.