The 1980-81 men’s basketball team finished with a 21-9 record and won the Northeast-7 Conference Championship, the first year of the new conference. The Chieftains were coached by Tom Folliard, who compiled a 102-68 record in six years at Stonehill, including three consecutive NCAA post season tournament berths and two Conference titles. This team started a 24-0 run in conference play for the Chieftains. Stonehill finished 6-0 in first-year NE-7 regular season play and then won the playoffs with victories over AIC (90-75) and Springfield (74-68). Folliard was named the first conference Coach of the Year. Bob Reitz was named to the first NE-7 All-Conference Team, while Roland Fiore was a second-team selection. Fiore was also selected MVP of the playoffs.
The Chieftains earned an NCAA New England Regional berth. The tournament was played at New Hampshire College and the Chieftains drew talented Sacred Heart University, a team that the Chieftains had lost to twice in the regular season. The Chieftains led most of the way, but when Fiore fouled out the Pioneers came back to win, 89-86. The Chieftains finished their season with a 79-78 overtime victory against Springfield, the team the Chieftains beat for the NE-7 Championship.
Shooting guard Ted Stephens was named to the NE-7 All Academic Team and was also selected to play in the New England Coaches All-Star Game. Top players on the team were Bob Reitz (18.6 points per game and a 50 percent shooter), Stephens (14.4 points per game and a 47 percent shooter), Roland Fiore (13.1 points per game and 7.3 rebounds), Lorenzo Cheatom (12 points and 8 rebounds per game), and point guard Tom Dean (7.0 points per game and 192 assists on the season).
Lorenzo Cheatom
Tom Dean
Ollie DeMacedo
Maurice Dubuc
Roland Fiore
Jay Fisher
Frank Giglioli
Bob Johnson
Brendan Kane
Tom Lavelle
Mike Lorusso
Bob Reitz
Tom Schmiemann
Dennis Smith
Ted Stephens
Bob Testa
The 1980-81 men’s basketball team finished with a 21-9 record and won the Northeast-7 Conference Championship, the first year of the new conference. The Chieftains were coached by Tom Folliard, who compiled a 102-68 record in six years at Stonehill, including three consecutive NCAA post season tournament berths and two Conference titles. This team started a 24-0 run in conference play for the Chieftains. Stonehill finished 6-0 in first-year NE-7 regular season play and then won the playoffs with victories over AIC (90-75) and Springfield (74-68). Folliard was named the first conference Coach of the Year. Bob Reitz was named to the first NE-7 All-Conference Team, while Roland Fiore was a second-team selection. Fiore was also selected MVP of the playoffs.