A SEASON OF SUCCESS AND SERVICE FOR SALEM STATE MEN'S BASKETBALL 

The Salem State College Men's Basketball Team concluded their season recently, with a second-round loss to Keene State College. Despite the disappointment of the 76-75 result, the Vikings have enjoyed a highly successful 2006-2007 campaign, finishing 24-3 overall and winning the Massachusetts Athletic Conference postseason tournament championship with a 14-0 MASCAC record. They also enjoyed a post-season national ranking by D3 Hoops.com of #22, and finished 2nd in the nation for rebounding margin. The Vikings, who received a first-round bye for the NCAA tournament, were led by MASCAC Coach of the Year Sean Doherty (4th year). Also receiving individual honors were Eric Downie (D3 Hoops.com Northeast Region Player of the Year, MASCAC Player of the Year) and Brandon McCombs (All-MASCAC First Team).

With the numbers the Vikings put up this year, including winning 17 consecutive games entering the NCAA tournament, it is easy to conclude that it was an impressive season. But the commitment to community service that the team and coaching staff have made may be one of Coach Doherty's proudest achievements. "I am very proud of the team's overall basketball success this year, but I am equally as proud of my players for their commitment to community service.  They have been reading to young kids at preschools, mentoring kids after our games, and have also done several fundamental basketball clinics at local elementary schools" Doherty said.

In addition to the hours the Salem State players and coaches spent on preparing for their on-court battles each week, a priority was placed on giving back to the local community through offering free youth basketball clinics at the Tower School in Marblehead, the Salton Stall School in Salem, and the Thomas Carroll School in Peabody. Along with working with kids on their basic basketball skills, the Vikings also used the opportunity to speak to the elementary school students about the importance of going to college, and using the skills learned through sports to help them in the classroom.

Coach Doherty has also set up a reading program that his players lead at the Salem State College Pre-School. "Our players visit the college's pre-school program during reading circle time and read the book of the day to the kids. As a coach it gives me such a sense of pride see our players in full uniform, sitting on a toddler's chair, reading to these kids who are hanging on their every word. The players probably look forward to it as much as the kids they read to, and I know that it has been a great experience for our student-athletes, said Doherty. "We feel this is what D-3 athletics should be all about and I couldn't be prouder of a bunch of guys for all their hard work."