Southern New Hampshire University

SNHU’s rise to regional and national prominence in men’s basketball began with the 1979-80 squad, which was the first to qualify for the NCAA Tournament.  That season, the Penmen captured their first of six regional titles to date, capturing the New England Region title with wins over Quinnipiac College and Springfield College.  The Penmen, who finished with a record of 22-8, advanced to the Elite Eight, where they were downed by Virginia Union.

Five members of the 1979-80 men’s basketball team are already members of the Hall of Fame as individuals: Jay Cirocco (1998), Chris Delguidice (1988), Bill Dunn (1989) and Tom Roche (2009) along with head coach and former SNHU athletic director Tom Sullivan (1990).