Since its founding in 1855, William Paterson University has grown to become a comprehensive regional institution committed to academic excellence and student success. Accredited by the Middle States Association of Schools and Colleges, it offers 32 undergraduate and 19 graduate degree programs as well as professional development programs through its five colleges: Arts and Communication, Christos M. Cotsakos College of Business, Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, and Science and Health. Nearly 11,000 full- and part-time students from a diversity of back- grounds are enrolled at the University. Occupying a 370-acre, wooded campus, the University is located in the hills of suburban Wayne, New Jersey, within an hour of the ocean, the mountains, the Meadowlands, and New York City. William Paterson offers a wide variety of student activities, modern on- campus housing, and the most up-to-date educational facilities. Financial aid is available to qualified students. William Paterson also offers 18 NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletic programs, many of which have competed for national championships. Last spring, the Pioneer softball team was one of eight teams to reach the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Finals in Raleigh, NC. The Pioneer baseball program captured national crowns in 1992 and 1996, while men’s basketball reached the NCAA Division III tournament title game in 2001 with national player of the year Horace Jenkins, who played for the NBA’s Detroit Pistons during the 2004-05 season and now plays in Israel, leading the way. Life at William Paterson University can be exciting and challenging. To make arrangements to visit the University or for more information about our programs, telephone the Office of Admissions at 973.720.2125 or write to William Paterson University, Wayne, NJ 07470-2103. William Paterson University 2005-06 Men’s Basketball Guide TABLE OF CONTENTS University Information .................... Inside Front Cover Fast Facts ............................................................... 2 2005-06 Preview.................................................... 3 CBSA Guide Top 25 ............................................... 4 2005-06 Roster ...................................................... 5 Coaching Staff ....................................................... 6 Pioneer Profiles....................................................... 9 2004-05 Results/Notables .................................... 15 2004-05 Stats ...................................................... 16 2004-05 NJAC Standings/Awards ....................... 17 All-Time Records................................................... 18 Millennium Men.................................................... 21 Through the Years ................................................. 22 NCAA Playoffs ..................................................... 23 Athletic Hall of Fame....................... Inside Back Cover For further men’s basketball information ... For further information on the William Paterson men’s basketball program, please check out the team’s Web site at: www.wpunj.edu/athletics/mbasketball/mbasketball Front cover (from top): Nick Torres and Mario Rivero Back Cover: Luis Martinez The 2005-06 William Paterson University Men’s Basketball Guide was produced by the Department of Sports Information. Photography courtesy of Steven R. Smith, Joseph Camporeale and Bill Blanchard. FAST FACTS UNIVERSITY INFORMATION Location ............................300 Pompton Road, Wayne, NJ, 07470 Founded .............................................................................. 1855 Enrollment ......................................................................... 11,000 President .................................................................. Arnold Speert Vice President for Administration and Finance ............. Steve Bolyai Vice President for Institutional Advancement .............. Sandra Deller Vice President for Student Development ..................... John Martone Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs ....................Steve Hahn Director of Athletics ................................................. Sabrina Grant Associate Director of Athletics/Baseball Coach ............... Jeff Albies Associate Director of Athletics .................................... Cindy Cohen Nickname ........................................................................ Pioneers Colors ............................................................... Orange and Black Affiliation ............................................... NCAA Division III, ECAC Conference ................................... New Jersey Athletic Conference MEN’S BASKETBALL FAST FACTS 2004-05 Record ............................................. 15-10 (6-10 NJAC) Home Court ......................................................... WPU Rec Center Capacity ............................................................................. 3,000 Head Coach ..................................... Jose Rebimbas (11th season) Rebimbas’ Career Record ....................... 196-98 (184-87 at WPU) Rebimbas’ E-Mail ........................................ [email protected] Assistant Coach ............................... Brian Chapman (11th season) Chapman’s E-Mail ...................................... [email protected] Assistant Coach ....................................... Juan Griles (first season) Undergraduate Assistant Coach .............. Jason Vieira (first season) Men’s Basketball Office Number ............................. 973-720-2170 DEPARTMENT OF SPORTS INFORMATION Director of Sports Information ............................... Brian Falzarano Falzarano’s E-Mail ..................................... [email protected] Assistant Director of Sports Information .......................... Jim Henry Sports Information Office Number .......................... 973-720-2705 Sports Information Fax Number .............................. 973-720-3017 Athletics Web Site ................................. www.wpunj.edu/athletics/ Pioneer Hotline ....................................................... 973-720-2547 2 2005-06 MEN’S BASKETBALL 2005-06 PREVIEW Something clicked for Luis Martinez over the final seven games of the 2004-05 season. Always a solid player, the multi- talented 6-foot-5, 230-pound forward paced William Paterson in scoring over four of the team’s final games. Martinez was not alone when it came to strong late-season efforts. Sophomore guards Jason Cameron and Joey Spiegel were among those who exhibited tremendous promise for the Pioneers (15- 10, 6-10 NJAC) last winter – and among those who will be counted upon to help William Paterson contend for a spot in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tourna- ment. “We’re going to rely on the maturation and development of players from last year,” said 11th-year head coach Jose Rebimbas said. “We feel that Joey Spiegel, Luis Martinez and Jason Cameron have worked extremely hard to get to a point where they will be major contributors. Those three gentlemen have improved and because of their experi- ences last year, I feel they are ready to lead us this season.” Spiegel (4.7 ppg) and Cameron saw significant action in the late stages of last season. Spiegel is a heady player who looks for his shot, which is good since Rebimbas favors scoring point guards. Although the 5-foot-11 Spiegel is the favorite to run the show, look for 5-8 sophomore Tyreek Rolon, a transfer from County College of Morris, to also see significant action. At the off-guard spot, the 6-3 Cameron (2.4 ppg) is a solid long-range shooter who passes, rebounds and defends well. Senior Kelvin DeLosAngeles (6-3, 190; 5.4 ppg, 51.9 FG%, 43.2 3-point FG%) possesses the same qualities and will play meaningful minutes. Backing them up will be junior returnee Jon Torbick (5-10, 180), freshman Tim Lucas (6-3, 190; Old Bridge High School) and junior Jeff Palmer (6-3, 190) . 2005-06 MEN’S BASKETBALL 3 2005-06 PREVIEW/ CBSA GUIDE TOP 25 Martinez (9.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 52.9 FG%) will anchor the frontcourt after a breakthrough sophomore season that saw him rank second on the team in scoring. He will present matchup problems with his ability to knock down perimeter shots in addition to his low-post game. Depending on how big or small the Pioneers play, he could see action at any of the frontcourt spots although most of his minutes should come on the wing. At small forward, 6-3 senior Mario Rivero (5.3 ppg) is one of the elite on-ball defenders in the NJAC and will be looked upon to shut down the opponent’s top scorer, while his mid-range game makes him a viable offensive weapon. Junior Samir Sanu (3.4 ppg, 2.7 rpg) is a solid offensive threat. Four players will vie for time as the Pioneers’ “big” forwards, as the team does not have a true center. Senior Nick Torres (6.9 ppg, 4.0 rpg) is the biggest (6-7, 230) most experienced of the bunch. A rugged rebounder, Torres’ improved offensive play around the basket and on mid-range jumpers make him the team’s top low-post option. Senior Larry Press (6-6, 240), who played for the Pioneers in 2001-02, is a solid inside-outside threat, while sophomores Larry Leverett (6-5, 225) and Patrick Reed (6-6, 230) will add inside muscle. PIONEERS RANK AMONG CBSA GUIDE’S TOP 25 PROGRAMS IN DIVISION III William Paterson University was ranked as one of the Top 25 NCAA Division III men’s basketball programs by the College Bound Student Athlete (CBSA) guide on its Web site, www.cbsaguide.com. Programs cited needed to have a winning record of .625