Jan. 2, 2006
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Fairfield University community will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 1986 men's basketball team's Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference championship, and first berth to the NCAA tournament on Thursday, January 5. The ceremony will take place prior to the Siena College-Fairfield University game, which is scheduled for a 7:30 pm tip-off at the Arena at Harbor Yard.
The 1986 squad established school records for wins in a season (24), and conference wins in a season (13), both of which still stand today. The Stags earned their first-ever NCAA tournament bid by defeating Manhattan (80-56) in the quarterfinals of the MAAC tournament, followed by a semi-final victory over Saint Peter's (49-47), and a championship game decision over Holy Cross (67-64). The 12th-seeded Stags drew the University of Illinois in the first round of the NCAA tournament.
Tony George and Tim O'Toole were the team captains that season, leading a talented roster which included 1,000-point scorers Jeff Gromos, Pat Yerina, and A.J. Wynder. George finished his career as Fairfield's all-time leading scorer with 2,006 points. O'Toole became the first alumnus to become head coach of the Fairfield University men's basketball program, and is in his eighth season at the helm. Mitch Buonaguro was the head coach of that squad, and will be on hand for the event. He is currently serving Siena College as an assistant coach.
Tickets for the Fairfield University-Siena College men's basketball game can be purchased by calling the Fairfield University ticket office at (203) 254-4103, the Arena at Harbor Yard box office, or through ticketmaster.com.
