Hawks’ Basketball Adds West Coast Trip to 2006-2007 Schedule

NEW PALTZ, NY — The SUNY New Paltz men’s and women’s basketball teams will include contests in California and Hawaii on the 2006-2007 season schedule. On December 27, the men’s and women’s teams will face-off against Bethany College in a doubleheader, with the women’s game at 5:30 pm (PST) and the men’s game following at 7:30 pm (PST). The women’s team will then play Dominican University on December 29, in a 7:00 pm (PST) contest. The men’s second competition of the week will take place at 1:30 pm (H-AT), on December 31 in Honolulu, Hawaii against Chaminade.

Leaving on Tuesday, December 26 and returning Thursday, January 4, the teams will first take on Bethany College and SUNY New Paltz Athletic Hall of Famer, Dan Mooney. Mooney has been the Head Coach at Bethany College for both the men’s and women’s basketball teams since 2003. Mooney has enjoyed and experienced the game of basketball at the intercollegiate and professional level for over 20 years. At SUNY New Paltz, Mooney became the third highest scorer (1,641 career points) in program history while setting records in single-season and career assists, playing for the Hawks from 1978-1982. Bethany’s men’s team closed out the 2005-2006 season with a 7-17 mark, while the women finished slightly better at 9-15.

The SUNY New Paltz women’s basketball team will follow up their game in Scotts Valley, CA with a 7:00 pm (PST) affair against Dominican University on December 29 in San Rafael, CA. The Penguins finished last season at 17-14. The men’s second game of the trip will take place at 1:30 (H-AT) in Honolulu, Hawaii on December 31, against Chaminade. Chaminade, who was regionally ranked last season at number four by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in Division II West Region, finished the year with their first NCAA Division II Tournament appearance and an 18-8 regular season record.

While on their trip, the men’s and women’s basketball teams will also visit several historical, national monuments in both the San Francisco area and in Hawaii. Included on the itinerary are educational stops at Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and Alcatraz. Both teams are currently fund raising for this competitive and educational trip. Anyone interested in making donations please contact Doug Pasquerella, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, or Brad Duckworth, Head Women’s Basketball Coach.

Doug Pasquerella, SUNY New Paltz Head Coach, Men’s Basketball, 845-257-3917 pasquerd@newpaltz.edu

Brad Duckworth, SUNY New Paltz Head Coach, Women’s Basketball. 845-257-3923 duckworb@lan.newpaltz.edu