Event Photos
Induction Ceremony Video
The 1987 men’s basketball team continued the mid-80’s small-college dynasty, recording their fifth straight NBCAA National Championship. Led by first-year head coach Paul Halupa, the Crusaders had their share of adversity during a 13-16 regular season, but emerged when it counted at the national tournament in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
NCC opened the season 8-5 before Christmas, but an injury to leading scorer and University of Oregon transfer Brian Trendell sent the team on a seven-game losing streak and nine losses in a ten-game stretch. Trendell returned and the Crusaders went 4-2 over the final six games of the regular season to head to the national tournament with some momentum.
The tournament started on an ominous note with not one but three key players hampered with injuries leading up to the trip. Senior Jim Newport and junior Jeff Knox sustained sprained ankles while junior John Gilles was diagnosed with a stress fracture. All three players were questionable to play and both Knox and Gilles would end up remaining on the bench for the entire tournament.
After a quarterfinal win over Nebraska Christian, the Crusaders once again defeated Pillsbury College in the semifinals, 89-79 behind 28 from Trendell to advance to the championship game.
They then won the title, 66-59 over Simpson College (Calif.). Trendell again led the way, scoring 20 points including a clutch three-point shot at the 3 ½ minute mark of the second half after Simpson had pulled within two points. Jim Newport was able to get back onto the court and provided 11 crucial points in just 15 minutes in his final collegiate game, securing his fourth national championship.
Newport, Knox, Gilles, and Trendell were joined on the 1986-1987 team by Darden, Gittins, Leach, McGraw, Olson and Swan as well as newcomers Ken Farmer, Marty Lanz, and Bruce Thompson. Coach Halupa was assisted that season by Kent Landerholm.
