Current Release: September 11th, 2007 | Vol. XXIV Iss. 10

Recognition

By Jaci Downey

To be part of a team a person needs dedication, patience and loyalty. Athletes give up their time and push for perfection. The men’s basketball team almost had a perfect season with a record of 30- 3. The Marlins pushed themselves each game, never giving up until the last seconds.

After receiving the National Championship title, a few individual Marlins walked away with prestigious individual awards. The National Association of Basketball Coaches, in association with Cisco Systems, has named Coach David Macedo the 2006 Division III Coach of the Year and junior Brandon Adair as the Division III Player of the Year. This is the first time in the school’s history to receive these awards.

Macedo right now holds the best winning percentage for any head basketball coach here at Wesleyan, with an overall record of 94- 42.

“It’s a great honor [to receive Coach of the Year], it’s a direct reflection on what the team has accomplished and how hard they have worked,” said Macedo. “I’m real proud of this special group of guys.”

Adair, who averaged 25 points per game in the semi finals and championship games shooting 62 percent on the field. Adair is the first junior to receive Division III player of the year since 1999. He is the fourth junior to receive this award ever.

“The team’s success helped me get this award,” said Adair.

Adair’s stats have kept on improving each year. Now adding first team All-American to his achievements. His return next year will help the Marlins try to keep their new title. Adair is already preparing for next year.

“What we do in the off-season prepares us for our outcome of the season,” said Adair. “Coach is always motivating everybody to work hard.”

Another one of Adair’s teammates was able to walk away with an award. After hitting two three pointers to win both the semi-final game and championship game, sophomore Ton Ton Balenga was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.

“It’s just a title,” said Balenga from a VWC press release. “But, in a game like this, everyone on the team is the most valuable player. Brandon made big plays, Tyler made big plays, Marques made big plays, and everyone stepped up. Every one of us was a most valuable player.”

Overall the men’s basketball team has inspired us to bring more titles to our Wesleyan community.