The Sinclair Community College Athletic Department is hosting the first-ever Tartan Hoops Preview Party to introduce its basketball team to the Sinclair and Dayton community on Friday Nov. 2.
The event will take place in the David H. Ponitz Sinclair Center, located inside Building 12 Room 172 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Men’s basketball head coach Jeff Price said he and women’s coach Jeff Dillon will be addressing the community about their thoughts on the upcoming seasons.
“Every accomplishment starts with a try,” Price said. “We’ve opened it up to the community. You don’t want to forget about your home first. We’re also trying to reconnect with our second community… which is our alumni. There are a lot of people who have Sinclair as part of their résumé. Lastly we want to connect with the business people and our business partners in the Dayton area. Those are the people that are hiring our grads. Basketball… brings a lot of people together. We are a basketball town.”
As a bonus to the presentation, he also said they will be hosting a keynote speaker, ESPN Analyst Mark Adams, to provide some motivation to the teams and fans.
Adams is a former college basketball coach himself who coach for a combined 17 years at Idaho State University, Washington State University, Western Oregon State University, Rocky Mountain College and Central Connecticut State University.
Price referred to Adams as the “the voice of the mid-majors.”
Each player will have the chance to introduce themselves as well, explaining where they are from, what they are studying and where they played their high school ball.
Price is hoping to secure WHIO’s Mike Hartsock as the Emcee for the event. If he can’t, Sinclair’s Athletic Director Jack Giambrone will step in.
The men’s team finished last season with a record of 18-13 and Price said he hopes they can continue to build that program this season.
The women’s side is coming off a 17-12 season and a 2nd place finish in the Ohio Community College Athletic Conference tournament. They will be returning only two starters and Dillon said their season will be a developing story.
Price said he is excited to see how many students will show up for the event and expects to see
“We’re all one team,” Price said. “We’re all in this together. I’m very optimistic that this is going to be a good event. We’re going to bring in a lot of people and introduce them to Sinclair Athletics. Introduce them to the three C’s (classroom, community and competition) and introduce them to what we’re trying to accomplish.”
Sinclair will be providing complimentary refreshments and concession food, as well as free parking at the Building 12 parking garage, which is normally a $10 charge.
“The Sinclair Foundation has really stepped up on this event,” Price said.
For more information on the event, contact Lauren Johnson at 512-3330 or Price at 512-2861 or visit Sinclair.edu/athletics.