A Legacy on the Lakefront: The History of University of New Orleans Basketball

The University of New Orleans Privateers men's basketball program boasts a history marked by early dominance, significant achievements, and resilience through challenges. From their humble beginnings in Division II to their current standing in the Southland Conference, the Privateers have left an indelible mark on the landscape of college basketball.

Early Years and Division II Dominance (1969-1979)

The Privateers men's basketball team played their first game in school history at the Health and Physical Education Center on campus, dropping a game 68-63 to Louisiana College. The program quickly ascended to national prominence in the Division II ranks. In their regular season, the Privateers men's basketball team finished with a 23-1 record, their only loss coming on the road at Houston Baptist, with a 78-66 win over St Thomas (Florida). For their accomplishment, the Privateers would be ranked #1 in the final Associated Press Division II poll. The Privateers made it to the school's first basketball national title game, falling to Old Dominion 76-74 in Evansville, Indiana to finish as the Division II runner-ups. Wilbur Holland missed a jumper from the foul line that would have won the game.

The Privateers, then known as Louisiana State University in New Orleans, appeared in the NCAA Division II Tournament four times.

Landmark Victory and the Dawn of the Shot Clock (1978)

In the 1978 Sun Belt Conference tournament championship game in Charlotte, N.C, the Privateers defeated South Alabama 22-20 to win the conference tournament championship. Before the advent of the shot clock in NCAA basketball, this game was significant in that USA coach Cliff Ellis instructed his team to hold the ball in an effort to keep UNO's Wayne Cooper from scoring. Many point to this low-scoring affair as one of the reasons the NCAA finally introduced the shot clock to the men's game a few years later.

Transition to Division I and NCAA Tournament Appearances (1979-1997)

The Privateers transitioned to Division I, marking a new chapter in the program's history. They would make five appearances in the NCAA Division I tournament. In their NCAA Division I tournament debut, the Privateers men's basketball team topped Brigham Young 83-79 in Birmingham, Alabama.

National Invitation Tournament (NIT)

The Privateers have appeared in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) six times.

Lakefront Arena: A Host to History

Lakefront Arena hosted its first men's basketball game with LSU winning 67-59 over the Privateers. The first field goal was scored by UNO's John Harris. Lakefront Arena and the University of New Orleans hosted the NCAA Division I women's basketball Final Four. In the first overtime championship game in the history of the women's Division I tournament, Tennessee with legendary head coach Pat Summitt on the sidelines defeated Virginia led by Dawn Staley, 70-67. Basketball returned to Lakefront Arena for the first time since Hurricane Katrina as the Privateers took on NC State falling 65-59.

Notable Players and Achievements

Several Privateers have made their mark in professional basketball. Ervin Johnson was selected with the 23rd pick in the 1993 NBA draft by the Seattle Supersonics to mark the highest UNO player taken in an NBA draft. Bo McCalebb scored his 2,000th point as a Privateer in a UNO win over Lamar at the Human Performance Center, becoming the first male player in school history to score over 2,000 points.

The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the New Orleans Privateers men's basketball program in various categories, including points, assists, blocks, rebounds, and steals. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, single-season, and career leaders. New Orleans began competing in intercollegiate basketball in 1969. The NCAA did not officially record assists as a stat until the 1983-84 season, and blocks and steals until the 1985-86 season, but New Orleans' record books includes players in these stats before these seasons.

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Rejoining and Winning the Sun Belt Conference (1994-1997)

The University of New Orleans rejoined the Sun Belt Conference when the Sun Belt merged with the American South Conference. The New Orleans Privateers men's basketball program under the direction of Mark Slessinger earned its first conference championship since 1997 with a 68-65 victory over Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Challenges and Resilience

Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans ending the volleyball season after just four games. Basketball played its first game back in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina defeating the Tulane 50-49 after Privateer Wayne Williams connected on a pair of free throws with 19.5 seconds remaining in the game. Due to the lingering effects of COVID19, the Southland Conference and New Orleans Athletic department announced that all Fall Sports (Cross Country, Golf, Men's and Women's Tennis, and Volleyball) were postponed until the Spring. After 259 days Privateer Athletics returned when men's basketball traveled to Provo, Utah to take on the BYU Cougars. Damion Rosser and Lamont Berzat scored 15 points apiece in the 86-61 defeat.

Conference Affiliations and Transitions

The University of New Orleans has navigated various conference affiliations throughout its history. University of New Orleans Chancellor Tim Ryan announced the institution would explore a move to non-scholarship Division III. The LSU Board of Supervisors authorized the University of New Orleans to proceed with moving to NCAA Division II. The NCAA Division II membership committee would approve UNO's application on Apr. 20, 2011 with a subsequent membership invitation to the University coming from the Gulf South Conference on Apr. 29, 2011. University of New Orleans President Dr. Peter Fos along Southland Conference Commissioner Tom Burnett formally announced that the University of New Orleans would join the league in 2013-14. The University of New Orleans was officially admitted into the Southland Conference alongside fellow new members Abilene Christian, Houston Baptist and Incarnate Word.

Leadership and Recognition

Several individuals have been recognized for their contributions to the program. Men's Basketball Coach Mark Slessinger was named the Eddie Robinson Award winner by the Greater New Orleans Sports Award Committee and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Mark Slessinger was named the UNO Service with Jazz Employee of the Year. Tim Duncan was introduced as the new Athletic Director in front of a standing room only crowd at the Homer Hitt Alumni and Visitor Center. Women's Basketball Coach Keeshawn Davenport was named the Eddie Robinson Award winner by the Greater New Orleans Sports Award Committee and the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

Other sports

Beyond basketball, the University of New Orleans has celebrated success in other sports. The Privateers baseball team played UC-Irvine in the school's first national title game appearance at the NCAA Division II World Series in Springfield, Ill. The Privateers fell to UC-Irvine 14-1 after defeating the Anteaters 7-6 earlier in the day. Outfielder Randy Bush was selected with the 11th pick of the second round by the Minnesota Twins in the 1979 amateur draft. Bush would make his pro debut on May 1, 1982 and would go on to win World Series in 1987 and 1991 with the Twins during a major league career that would span 11 seasons. Shortstop Augie Schmidt was selected with the 2nd overall pick by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1982 amateur draft. Schmidt, who would not make it to the majors represents the highest draft pick of a UNO player in any professional draft. In their first and only NCAA Division I College World Series appearance, the Privateers defeated the University of Michigan 11-3. To advance to their first-ever CWS, the Privateers won the South II Regional in Starkville, Miss. defeating the host Mississippi State 6-3 in the regional championship game. Making their first NCAA appearance, the women's basketball team, seeded sixth in the Midwest Regional, fell to third-seeded Iowa 68-46 in Iowa City, Iowa. Sandra Hodge, playing against Nicholls State, completed a career that included 2,828 points, an all-time career high in the category for a Lady Privateer. To date, no women's basketball player has come within 1,000 points of Hodge, who averaged 26.9 points per game over her career. Javonne Brooks broke the collegiate women's volleyball record for career kills in a 3-0 win over UT-Pan American. The 5'10" senior from Wharton, Texas broke the old record 2,767 held by Long Beach State's Tara Cross. Athletic Director Jim Miller announced the addition of men's swimming and diving to the UNO athletic department. In the process, UNO became the first school since 1981-82 to add the sport. Additionally, Miller announced that men's and women's tennis would be restored for the 2008-09 calendar year after being suspended in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The UNO Aquatic Center, which was damaged in wake of Hurricane Katrina officially re-opened in Sept. Oscar Zetterwall won medalist honors in the 2010 Sun Belt Conference Golf Championships, the last appearance by a UNO squad in a SBC championship event. The LSU Board of Supervisors named head women's basketball coach Amy Champion as athletic director. Champion - the first female athletic director in school history - was appointed to the position on an interim basis in April 2010 before removing the 'tag' in October 2010. Ron Maestri returned to the dugout at the University of New Orleans for his second stint as head baseball coach. Privateer Baseball defeated No. 1 Louisiana-Lafayette 8-6 in Lafayette. A new sport entered the fold on the Lakefront as the New Orleans Privateers participate in their first beach volleyball match under the direction of coach Millicent Van Norden. Dr. John Nicklow was selected as the seventh leader of the University of New Orleans by the University of Louisiana System of Supervisors. Beach Volleyball played it's first home match on campus against Spring Hill losing a five-game thriller 3-2. Women's basketball student-athlete Randi Brown broke the school record for points in a single game with 45. Max Heinzel clinched his match at flight one to propel the Privateers men's tennis team to a Southland tournament championship in a 4-3 win against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. Heinzel came back from a set down and won the third set 6-4. The Privateer Women's Cross Country team won their first Southland Conference Championship beating second place Lamar by 55 points. Ariana Jimenez finished in second place, Tshwanelo Maruping finished in third, Alexandra Weir finished in seventh and Rebecca DeKay finished in eight to tally just 32 points for the Privateers - the best total by a Southland Cross Country Champion since 2014. Women's tennis defeated Lamar 5-2 to claim a share of their first ever Conference Championship.

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