Men's Basketball

Daemen Men's Basketball Presented With NYS Assembly Resolution

Release courtesy of Daemen University Sports Information

AMHERST, NY – Daemen University President Gary Olson, Vice President for Athletics Traci Murphy and Head Men's Basketball Coach Mike MacDonald were presented with a New York State Assembly Resolution to commemorate the Wildcats' historic undefeated regular season. Assemblymember Karen McMahon (D-Amherst) made the presentation at Lumsden Gymnasium on Monday, May 26, 2025. 

The Wildcats posted a 27-0 record prior to entering the 2025 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, and became the first Division I or Division II team from Western New York to rise as high as No. 1 in any national poll. Among many accolades bestowed upon team members this past season, MacDonald was named East Coast Conference and National Association of Basketball Coaches District Coach of the Year, in addition to earning the Clarence "Big House" Gaines Award presented to the top coach in NCAA Division II by CollegeInsiders.com.

"An undefeated season is a rare athletic accomplishment in any sport, and in Men's College Basketball, only five other NCAA teams have achieved such a record since 1976. This year, the Daemen Wildcats became the sixth," said Assemblymember McMahon. "I was proud to introduce a NYS Assembly Resolution commemorating the accomplishment and present it to Coach MacDonald, congratulating him and the team on a remarkable and historic season."

"We are humbled and grateful for the New York State Assembly's recognition of our historic season," MacDonald said. "As we learned throughout the year, this was a very special group who will be remembered here for a long time. We thank Assemblymember Karen McMahon for her leadership and forethought in this resolution."

"The program that Mike MacDonald has built at Daemen is nothing short of exemplary, and the season they just completed was beyond remarkable," Murphy said. "We are honored that Assemblymember Karen McMahon and the New York State Assembly would choose to pass this resolution. It's a testament to the power of teamwork and the dedication that is required to become a great team." 

"We are honored to receive this congratulatory resolution issued by the New York State Assembly, and we thank Assemblywoman Karen McMahon for her leadership in this initiative," Olson said. "Karen represents the 146th District and Daemen University with passion and dedication. We are all fortunate to have her represent us in Albany."