National Championship Rings Awarded to

Men's Basketball Team at Emmanuel College

(FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga.)—In a special ceremony October 2 during the 90th Anniversary Homecoming Weekend at Emmanuel College, the 2009 National Championship Men’s Basketball Team was presented with special championship rings.

Although some EC teams have come close, this marks the first time in the history of the college for any EC athletic team to win a national championship. The Lion’s defeated Nyack College from New York in a 67-62 victory last March at the NCCAA Men’s Division 1 National Tournament at Oakland City University in Indiana (click here for more).

“This is not my championship, and this is not just my team’s championship. This is Emmanuel College’s championship, and I think we should all be proud of it,” says Head Coach TJ Rosene. “If you searched the whole world, I doubt you could find people as dedicated and caring as our staff. I’ve worked in other places, and I can tell you this is an unbelievable place to work. They would give you the shirt off their backs. I’m blessed everyday to come to Emmanuel College and work,” Coach Rosene adds.

EC President Michael Stewart also praised the good attitudes and character of the players. “These gentlemen did not only win the national championship. All the men in our conference voted our players to receive the Best Sportsmanship Award as well, and we are very proud of that,” President Stewart says.

Senior Guard Micah Hayes from Decatur was voted Tournament MVP last year, and he says it was a magical season for him on and off the court. "Not in one million years did I think my senior season would have such a story book ending," Hayes says.

Assistant coaches of last year’s team were Leo Satara and Wade Mawdesley. Players were seniors Micah Hayes (Decatur, Ga.) and Jaeves McLendon (Ft. Lauderdate, Fla.); juniors Avery Morris (Roswell, Ga.), Ben Brim (Woodstock, Ga.), Shawn Courtney (Kansas City, Mo.); sophomores Elamin Daouda (Benin, West Africa), Chase and Chad Procuro (Douglasville, Ga.), Tedrick Hudson (Douglasville, Ga.); and freshmen Alex Wagner (Hiram, Ga.), Graham Maxwell (Royston, Ga.), and Asmatiek Fields (Queens, N.Y.). EC’s athletic director is Mike Bona, who also serves as head coach for the women’s basketball team.

For more information about EC's growing athletics program, including new men's and women's junior varsity basketball teams, please e-mail Coach Rosene or Athletic Director Mike Bona or call them at (706) 245-7226.

Founded in 1919, Emmanuel College is a Christ-centered, four-year liberal arts institution which strives to prepare students to become Christ-like disciples who integrate faith, learning, and living for effective careers, scholarship, and service. Besides basketball, other intercollegiate sports include baseball, softball, soccer, and tennis.