\nThe college institution implemented the team in 1964, kicking off the first men\u2019s basketball season, and hosted its first game at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds.
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\nThe basketball program has been very successful with over 800 wins and four conference championships. The team has been a part of the National Junior College Athletic Association and has played in the Ohio Community College Association as well.
\nIn the inaugural years, the team was led by Head Coach Larry Hamant, who had
\na 27-win career throughout four seasons. However, Kevin O’Neill was the most successful coach, recording a 203-106 (65.7 percent) record in 12 seasons from 1968-1980.
\nDon Cundiff followed with a 305-225 record (57.5 percent) from 1980 – 1997. From 1997-2003, Paul Bryant had an 88 to 74 record (54.4%) for six seasons.
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Today, the program is led by Bryant\u2019s successor, Head Coach and Athletic Director Jeff Price, who has achieved over 200 wins and one conference championship in over 11 seasons, during his reign from 2003 until the present.\nCoach Price started out at Sinclair as an assistant coach to Paul Bryant\u2019s staff. This was an adjustment for Price, who came from a D2 NCAA college program, where he had the opportunity to work with athletes for four years of college as opposed to two.
\n\u201cIt was a drastic mindset change for me,\u201d said Price. \u201cI was now working with players who were at the beginning of their basketball careers, who may have come from a high school team that didn\u2019t get much exposure, or athletes who needed to work on game fundamentals and development.\u201d
\nPrice continued: \u201cI was making more of an impact on players’ ability to go to the next level to four year institutions.\u201d
\nThroughout the years, the basketball team has been more than dribbles and high-flying hoop action. The program also serves as a mentoring and life skills tool that teaches players about integrity, service to the community and good sportsmanship.
\nIn 2014, the basketball team volunteered for the area\u2019s largest holiday charity dinner in downtown Dayton. The team also mentors and trains kids for the Oakwood youth basketball program.
\nAnnually, players give their time to visit veteran\u2019s hospitals to show respect and appreciation, interacting with the nation\u2019s military veterans.
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\u201cWe are always exploring ways to improve students outside of basketball,\u201d said Price. \u201cWe want to instill in our players that commitment and responsibility is something required on and off the court.\u201d\nNot all athletic programs make it to a consistent 50 years, often due to lack of funding, conference eligibility or academics. Every coach, player and member of administrative staff involved in the program\u2019s history should be proud of this major accomplishment and milestone.
\n\u201cI am honored to be a part of the Sinclair basketball legacy,\u201d said Price. \u201cIt\u2019s been
\nlike a family. I would like to be a mainstay and continue the tradition of helping student athletes realize their dreams.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"