The history of Le Moyne Dolphins men's basketball from 1966 to 1969 includes two appearances in the NCAA tournament by the Dolphins. After Le Moyne was plagued by academic suspensions and struggled to an 11–10 record in 1966–67, the Dolphins rebounded to earn an at-large bid to the 1968 NCAA tournament under the leadership of senior captain Gerry McDermott. However, with McDermott slowed by a late-season leg injury, the Dolphins fell in the first round. Junior Tom Downey led Le Moyne to a share of the Middle Eastern College Athletic Association (MECAA) championship and a bid to host the regionals of the 1969 NCAA tournament. However, the Dolphins' shooting went cold in the second half of their first-round game, and they were eliminated, despite strong efforts from Chuck Brady and Matt Fallis. Le Moyne's strong play against University Division opponents continued, as the Dolphins won two games against such foes in each of the three seasons.
A rebuilding year (1966–1967) By 1966, Le Moyne's athletic scholarship budget was $2,500 per annum. Of this total, $2,000 was allotted for four basketball players and did not need to be allocated among those students in equal amounts. The remaining $500 was awarded to a cross-county athlete. Factors taken into account in awarding a scholarship were athletic aptitude, general attitude and financial need. Once a scholarship was awarded, it remained in effect as long as the student continued attending Le Moyne, even if the student decided not to participate in athletics. Coach Niland reported that Le Moyne typically received between 60 and 70 requests for athletic scholarships each year. As of the fall 1965 semester, tuition at Le Moyne was $1,200 per academic year. In late 1966, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) amended its rules, allowing scholarships based solely on athletic ability. Previously, ECAC member schools were permitted to grant athletic scholarships only based on financial need and academic achievement.
The Dolphins opened practices for the upcoming season on October 16, 1966. Le Moyne returned only one starter, senior Eric Pitman, with Gary DeYulia, Tom Mullen, Gerry Glose and Jon Cook all having graduated. Junior Dave Cary was the only player other than Pitman who was part of the previous season's rotation. Only six of the 14 players on the team had previously played varsity basketball. Seniors Gerry Ballone and Michael Donegan and juniors Gerry McDermott, Tom Devins, Greg Bonk and Jim Mariotte all returned. Earl Eichelberger joined the team as a junior transfer from Bronx Community College. Sophomores Chuck Brady, Matt Fallis, Mike Kawa, Gary Luke and Jim Colbert were added to the varsity team. The outlook for a fourth straight NCAA tournament appearance was not promising. Pitman was elected captain by his teammates.
In a meeting with the local press less than two weeks before the 1966–67 season opener, Coach Niland expressed concern that the Dolphins would have trouble scoring but praised the ball-handling ability of freshman Tom Downey, younger brother of former Dolphins Jim and Mike Downey, saying that the yearling would start for the varsity team if he were eligible.
Le Moyne reached an agreement to have all Dolphins games, home and away, broadcast on WFBL with Jerry Sanders handling the play-by-play and Ted Downes and Cornelius O'Leary providing color commentary. This was the first season all Dolphins games were broadcast on radio.
In late 1966, Margaret Dwyer, Le Moyne's dean of women, gave permission to female students to begin wearing slacks rather than a skirt or a dress while attending Dolphins basketball games.
A standing room only crowd of more than 2,200 spectators saw the Dolphins open their season with a 72–56 victory over Cortland State on December 3. It was the first time a Le Moyne home opener was a sellout. Dave Cary led the Dolphins with 19 points, and Eric Pitman added 17. Tom Devins and Gerry Ballone each had 14 points and nine rebounds. Le Moyne held the Red Dragons to 34% shooting while hitting 43% of their own shots.
After suffering road losses at King's and Scranton, the Dolphins faced Maine in the third annual Le Moyne Christmas invitational tournament on December 28. Despite a 34-point effort from Terry Carr, the Dolphins broke open a close game over the final 11 minutes, as four Maine players fouled out. Gerry McDermott led Le Moyne with 23 points and pulled down seven rebounds as the Dolphins evened their record at 2–2 with an 85–74 victory. This was Le Moyne's 44th all-time victory over a University Division/major program.
The following night, Bob La Russo scored 24 points, and Bob McMahon added 14 for Iona in a 59–45 win for the Gaels, the first visiting team to win the tournament. Kurt Dorif and Tom Burke gave Iona a dominant rebounding edge, which the Dolphins could not overcome. Gerry McDermott was Le Moyne's only player in double figures with 12 points and was named to the All-Tournament team.
After a home loss to Saint Peter's dropped the Dolphins' record to 2–4, Le Moyne won three straight on the road, the last two of which came via dramatic last-second shots. Eric Pitman's offensive rebound and buzzer-beating 12-foot jump shot gave the Dolphins a 58–56 win at Cortland State on January 11, and Gerry McDermott's driving basket with seven seconds to play was the decider in Le Moyne's 65–63 victory at Siena three nights later. After the team went on a two-week exam break, the Dolphins lost their next game at Iona, 65–48. However, the loss paled in comparison to the news the team received. Starters Dave Cary and Jim Mariotte, both juniors, and reserves junior Greg Bonk and sophomore Gary Luke were all ruled academically ineligible starting in February and through the end of the season.
The Dolphins won their final game before the academic suspensions went into effect, 84–62, at Marist to improve to 6–5. Coach Tom Niland said he expected the academic suspensions would result in starting roles for Matt Fallis and Earl Eichelberger and more playing time for Tom Devins and Chuck Brady. The undermanned Dolphins hosted Assumption, who came into the game 11–1, with their only loss coming at the hands of nationally ranked Providence of the University Division, and on a 10-game winning streak, on February 4. Behind 24 points from Gerry McDermott and 18 points and some outstanding rebounding and defensive work from Gerry Ballone, Le Moyne scored a 79–64 upset victory over the Greyhounds.
The Dolphins won their next two games, both at home, over St. Lawrence and St. Francis (NY). Mike Kawa replaced leading scorer Gerry McDermott, who was being evaluated by doctors for mononucleosis, in the starting lineup for the February 11 St. Francis game and scored 19 points. The win over the Terriers was Le Moyne's 45th all time over a University Division/major program opponent.
Doctors cleared McDermott to play in Le Moyne's next game on February 15, against Hartwick, and he scored 14 points in a 74–69 home loss. Kawa started and had 16 points. The loss to Hartwick was the start of a three-game losing streak, and the Dolphins dropped five of their final seven games of the season to finish 11–10 overall and 1–4 in MECAA play, last in the league. Captain Eric Pitman was presented the first annual Cy Reynolds Memorial Trophy as the season's most outstanding Le Moyne player selected by members of the media.
Dolphins run to a tournament berth (1967–1968) In the spring of 1967, Le Moyne announced they would begin allowing freshmen to play on the varsity team, after a change in ECAC rules permitted such at schools with fewer than 1,000 male students. Previously, in 1966, the NCAA had relaxed its freshman eligibility restrictions, allowing participation at schools with fewer than 1,250 male students enrolled. Since Le Moyne had less than 900 male students at the time, the Dolphins were covered by the new rule. Coach Tom Niland stated that he expected Le Moyne to continue fielding a freshman team to allow players new to college basketball to gain experience, but freshmen judged ready to compete would be permitted to play on the varsity squad.
Coach Tom Niland said he expected to employ a more up-tempo offense in 1967–68 than he had in the previous season. Senior Gerry McDermott was elected captain by his teammates. Eric Pitman, Gerry Ballone and Michael Donegan were lost to graduation. The Dolphins had seven returning players and five sophomores on the roster. McDermott, Tom Devins and Earl Eichelberger were the three seniors on the team. Junior Gary Luke returned from academic ineligibility and rejoined classmates Chuck Brady, Matt Fallis and Mike Kawa. Sophomores added to the team were the 5'8" Tom Downey, Mike Figler, Dick Hojnacki, Denny Niland and John Zych. Downey and Kawa were expected to compete for a starting guard role. No freshmen were selected to play on the varsity squad. Downey was named the starting point guard before the season opener.
Prior to the opening of training camp, the players went through a new exercise program designed by Niland and Le Moyne's new cross country coach and physical education instructor Dick Rockwell that included weightlifting with the goal of adding two inches to each player's leaping ability.
On November 2, the Dolphins had a home scrimmage against Niagara featuring their star player, future Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy. The Purple Eagles were in town as co-presenters alongside the Dolphins, the Syracuse Orangemen and former Syracuse Nationals player and then Detroit Pistons assistant coach Paul Seymour at Le Moyne's annual basketball clinic for coaches.
WFBL continued to provide radio coverage of every Dolphins game with Jerry Sanders on play-by-play and Ted Downes providing color commentary.
The Dolphins opened their 1967–68 season with an 88–76 victory at St. Lawrence on December 2. Senior captain Gerry McDermott led the way with 28 points. Sophomores John Zych and Tom Downey, who were high school teammates at St. John the Evangelist, had fine showings in their first varsity game. Downey started and scored seven points and displayed impressive ball handling and playmaking skills. Zych came off the bench and used his excellent shooting and driving skills to score 20 points. Junior Matt "Butch" Fallis had 11 points and 11 rebounds. Earl Eichelberger contributed 12 points. Coach Tom Niland said that the starting lineup would vary from game to game this season and be based on the opponent. The lineup of McDermott, Downey, Fallis, Eichelberger and Chuck Brady was chosen to maximize the Dolphins' rebounding ability and slow down the high-octane offense of St Lawrence.
Cold shooting doomed Le Moyne in their December 7 home opener, as they fell to Iona, 58–57, in a game the Gaels controlled from the early minutes, building a lead as large as 14 points. A furious Dolphins rally made the contest close in the final minute. Mike Kawa led the Dolphins with 16 points. However, following the loss, the Dolphins embarked on a five-game winning streak, capped by a 78–74 overtime victory over Bucknell in the final of the Le Moyne Christmas invitational on December 29. Tom Downey and Tom Devins scored baskets for the first four points of overtime to give the Dolphins a 69–65 lead, and the Bison were unable to pull even the rest of the way. Downey hit a pair of free throws in the closing seconds put the game away. Gerry McDermott scored 19 points for Le Moyne and was voted the tournament's most valuable player. Chuck Brady led the Dolphins with 9 rebounds and had 18 points, including a pivotal three-point play on a put-back of an offensive rebound in overtime that gave Le Moyne a 74–68 lead. The previous night, the Dolphins defeated Vermont, 95–72, behind Brady's 20 points and nine rebounds. The two wins in the tournament gave Le Moyne 47 all-time victories over University Division/major programs.