DARTMOUTH, Mass. – What does 700 wins over 40 seasons mean? Some might look at the success of the program, the accolades, the Coach of the Year Awards, the 12 Little East Conference Championships, the 14 trips to the NCAA Tournament or the 1993 Final Four appearance.
For Head Coach
Brian Baptiste, 700 wins in 40 seasons as the Head Coach of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men's basketball team is about the relationships built over the years, not only with former plays, but with family and friends.
"We are so excited for Coach Baptiste on his 700th victory!" shared UMass Dartmouth Director of Athletics, Lori Hendricks, "Though his impact on our program extends long beyond wins and losses, this moment is monumental. As the winningest active coach in NCAA Division III, we celebrate this milestone and thank Coach for all he has taught us throughout his career. We look forward to honoring Coach Baptiste in February with alumni, friends and family!"
Former Players
Bill Butts '87
Coach – I walked into the gym as a 180lbs 6-8 Freshman, I had my mind made up I wanted to play college basketball! Little did know the next four years would be life changing. There was a lot of growing up and playing allowed me to meet some of my best friends and finally I had a chance to play for one of the best college basketball coaches of all time.
There were several moments and events during my four years that are worth mentioning. I am proud to say I played on team that got your first win. I am also proud to say I was able to do full court backboard taps with eight people and live to talk about it! As a freshman I knew playing time would be limited, and in no way did I want to let the team down when I got in the game. When my name was called literally called….now checking to the game #31 Bill Butts…. I was asked to get in the game right in front of the scorer's table and defend and inbounds pass right before half. As I rushed to check in, and hurried to take my warmup pants off, unfortunately gave the fans more than they expected to see… my shorts came down with my warmup pants and I mooned the bleachers!
We had some very gritty seniors. Steve Beal, Stan Benson, Mark Pecora, Bob Gonnet….Practices were long and intense. I was not sure if it was nerves, fear or excitement, but the "Take the Charge Drill" was one of my favorite drills. Grown men banging into each other to learn how to do it properly in a game was one of Brian's signature teachings moments….. "We will keep doing it till we get it right!" And we did…sometime for over an hour. People were hurt but too proud to say, we just kept running the drill!
Our schedule took us throughout New England for games and tournaments, we had a tournament and coach told us it was a long ride so were staying over…. We were playing Norwich Academy in VT. Being from New England I knew how cool Vermont was, we were probably going to stay in some resort on a mountain? Not really, well not at all. We stayed in the campus housing which happen to be right below the old field house where the cadets would march from their barracks to this field house and learn how to March at 6:00am…see did not sleep in! You can image Coach loved this, people practicing something for hours to get it right ??
Our sophomore year proved to be tough…. After semester break a few players decided to transfer, some were hurt, and some could not play due to grades, and we were left with nine on the team. This made it tough to practice. The other challenge was our Sr. Captains where part of the group that left or could not play. Coach Baptist spoke to me and said he is wondering if I could fill the role of Captain. I thought we had other Seniors and even Juniors…why me?
Well, he said he had a lot of faith and confidence in the younger players and wanted them to be the leaders! He also asked Cliff Lander and Carlos Martin so the three of us assumed the role of leaders…. We turned the corner and won our last five games of the season to end on a winning note!
As we were growing and maturing as team and as young men, there were some very long practices with lots of wind sprints! During a stretch of tough losses, and during a late-night practice I decided it was my time to act like a captain! I said Hey coach "these marathon practices are doing nothing for team moral….it was a good thing we were the only ones in the gym as Coach was not happy….let's say there were some choice words and he told us to get the fudge out! Well, that was the end of a long practice but what would tomorrow bring??? I had to stay back and learn why Brian is one on the best coaches in Div. 3 history, because he used that as a teaching moment. He explained to me why It would have been better for me to talk to him 1-1 than bring it up in group!
It was an honor and privilege to be chosen as a Captain as a Sophomore, I also filled the role as a bench coach that year. My main responsibility was to keep track of time outs and let Coach Baptiste know if anyone was tried. Well, one of our power forwards was working his way back into shape after transferring here for second semester. Paul Hart was a great shooter and a local legend….he was also admittedly out of shape, I would often tell coach that Harty needed a break, thinking I would get some run…well it backfired and Baptiste said stop calling your own number, I will get you in there soon, Oh well! #playercoach
My junior year we put it all together, we got off to an average 4-4 start but were playing well and growing as a team. We raised money to travel to Florida for a tourney!
We raised money the good old fashion way, the only way coach would have it! We sold tumblers and raffle tickets! We raised enough money to go but evidently not enough to stay in a hotel because we once again stayed in the gym in a bunk room, this time on the second floor. We had daily meal money, $10 per player and we would take the money, walk next door and get pizza and beer….only for the guys that were 21! We went on to win the NE Regionals and travel to New Jersey for the Sweet 16! It was cool to have the NCAA pay for everything and this time we did stay in a hotel and had real food for dinner!
Senior year we had a wagon of a team, we practiced long and loved it! The maturity level was sky high, and it showed as we went undefeated! I recall not taking any team lightly and when we did have a close game the team atmosphere kicked in and we would end up blowing them out! We won many games by 20 plus.
We would travel with the women's team to LEC games, and they would play before us, so we would drop them at the gym then go grab dinner locally…usually a Burger King and McDonald's Coach Baptist would always say "NO FRIES NO PIES".
We did get back to the NCAA's and hosted Clark, Kermit Sharpe had our number and beat us for the second straight year in NCAA's.
Our group would always get back to a game or two, through the years Baptiste kept winning and then I got a call, Hey Buttise Baptiste is about to get his 500th win this week, we would like you to give him the game ball since you played on the team that got his first win. Its either home or at Southern Maine…Let's just say I was glad he won at home! It was great honor and night I will not forget!
Our 86-87 team was inducted into the SMU Hall of fame and Coach asked me to say a few words at the ceremony….I thought well, I better keep it clean because Baptiste might get in trouble if everyone knew how hard of a coach he was…when in fact that was exactly what we all needed! So, I gave the PG version, and it made the point, but we all know why were so good!
One other proud moment as part of the UMD Hoop Family, Last year the team made it to the sweet 16, Baptiste called me and said Buttsie can you get you crew to raise some money?? The NCAA wants us to bus 11 hrs. and I want to see if we can fly…. Within 3 hours we raised over 4K. The night of the game we all got together and told stories of the good old SMU Days and Coach Baptiste!
Congrats on 700 Wins! Nobody deserves it more than you, I hope your teams continue to have fun and success playing for you! You were a great mentor to me, and I owe you for pushing me when I needed it most!
Love Ya Man,
Buttsie
Ken Pratt '87
Coach,
Congratulations!!!
700 Wins!! that was easy..eh? :)
I shutter to think how many practices, film sessions, recruiting visits, and play schemes you have put into the 700!!
The one piece some may not think of is the kids you have impacted and helped..amazing!!
A month does not go by that I do think of the time we spent in the gym, at games and traveling..your investment in us, has transitioned to life skills…thank you and congratulations!!
Lastly, NO PIES FRIES!!!
:)
Tom Spataro '88
Coach Baptiste,
It takes a special coach to reach 700 wins! You lead the way showing your players not only how to win games, but what it takes to be a winner. You changed me 38 years ago and showed me what it takes to be successful. I learned what "hard work" really was and the results that you get from working harder and smarter than anyone else. It has made me successful in life in many ways. Now, you have the next generation to turn into winners. Wishing you all the best!
Kevin Kolek '88
Coach, Congrats on 700 wins. What an unbelievable accomplishment. I have always said you are one of the best coaches in the country at any level and you continue to prove it year after year. (Although I think you have become a little softener on the players.)
Not only are you a great coach you are an unbelievable person who has impacted so many lives on and off the court. Words cannot explain the impact you have had on my life. You made me a better player and better person. I cannot believe it's been almost 40 years since I first stepped onto the court. Our bond and friendship has only become stronger through the years. I have been blessed to be a part of your life. I think the only thing that gives you more joy than coaching are your beautiful daughters and grandchildren. Let's get 800 wins now.
Timothy Dupree '89
It's early in the morning. Which brings back fond memories of double sessions which began season 87-88. Double sessions....I hated double sessions. But as I'm typing this quote, I am reminded, that sometimes, you have to put in extra work to receive positive results. I continue to use the many lesson coach B taught me and my fellow teammates to very this day. I am proud to be apart of the SMU/UMD Corsair Men's Basketball program and congratulations to coach for this incredible achievement.
Eric Eaton '96
Coach-Congrats on #700!! An amazing milestone and an amazing career! Thank you for the opportunity to be a small part of the long history of UMass-Dartmouth Basketball. You played a huge roll in the lives of so many of us, and your impact continues to live in all of us. My memories are some of the best of my life and I truly learned the meaning of hard work, toughness, and handling adversity. The words, Thank You, will be never be enough, but know this, every one of us will always be proud to be a blue-collar SOB! Love you coach!
Ryan Supernant '99
Coach Bap has always gained respect from any program that he has faced. He conducts himself with a blue collar mentality and has a passion for his program and players. Coach has treated his players, as the son's that he has never had and always is there if you need him. Coach is a proven winner with an intense fire for the game and excellence. My freshman year I remember we came into halftime at home and there was a lack of intensity....Coach was fired up and screamed at everyone and asked the question .. "Why can't you all be like Supe?, he will run through that wall! I had great connection with Coach, as I was very intense on the court and I would always leave it on the floor. I was fortunate enough to be brought it as a grad asst. to achieve my M.B.A. and that Coach was a large part of making that happen. I was appreciative to play for one of the all time winning coaches in D3 history. Congrats Coach and it was an honor to play for you!
Stefan Pagios '00
Congrats Coach on #700!….Coach Bap has the wonderful ability to mold young adults and teach them how to become men. Commitment to team over oneself and how grit and determination can lead to victories on and off the court…..He also wouldn't hesitate to make your ass run sprints at 2am in a Florida hotel parking lot if you broke curfew!! Lol! Can't wait for win #1000!
Frank Barrows '01
"If you can do this, you can do anything." That's what Bap would yell when pushing us to our limits during 8 lines early on a Saturday morning. Eight lines was hell. We had eight stations where we would have to do things like mountain climbers and knees to chest for 30-60 seconds in each line. If somebody wasn't pushing hard enough then we would start over. Bap would say things like, "This isn't hard, working 40 hours a week is hard. Supporting a family is hard." See, he wasn't just trying to develop basketball players, he was developing young men. He was also right. Life throws a lot at you, and when taken in perspective, 8AM practice wasn't hard. The things that came after were hard, but he helped hundreds of young men like me to build the resilience to handle those things. I've taken his words of encouragement throughout my life. Congrats on 700, coach.
Nick Cecilio '01
Coach congratulations on this amazing achievement! I am honored to have played for a coach that displays hard work, perseverance and determination. Enjoy this moment as you deserve it.
Jason Wiggins '03
This is Jason Wiggins better known back then as just Wiggins. Coach Bap took me in and welcomed me in after I transferred from another school. I'll never forget that how awesome he was not only as a coach but a man. He taught me a lot on and off the court. Congratulations coach well deserved the beat coach I have ever had playing basketball. Salute
Sean Walsh '03
Congrats Coach!
Stevie Patrick '03
"Stevie.. Let Timmy get you and Lap the ball.. for Christ sake he is only leading the country in assists.". Congratulations Bap!! You are one of the best to ever do it.. !!
Chris Lapriore '04
Congrats on number 700 . Huge milestone that cements to everyone else what his players have known all along…. That he's one of the best of all time. Thank you coach Bap
Dan Holbrook '08
Coach Bap was like a second father to me. It's very difficult to even put in to words how much he meant to me when I was at UMD, and now. He held us accountable, showed us how to work together, believed in us, and taught us how to be men. When I think of the word coach, I think of
Brian Baptiste. He got me my first college coaching job, and is a big reason why I continue to coach 15 years later. We were so lucky to be mentored by him. He was an amazing role model for us. Some of my fondest memories come from playing for Coach Baptiste.
Jordan Rezendes '16
Coach Bap,
Wow! 700 wins !!! What a tremendous achievement! Thank you for everything that you have done for not only myself but the community surrounding the Dartmouth/New Bedford area. You are the definition of what a man is supposed to be. You instilled life values in me that will last forever. I'm truly blessed to be in France playing basketball professionally but this is not possible without you. Thank you for taking the chance on an immature stubborn kid. We had our disagreements but you made me a better player and person.
Again, I thank you for everything besides them towel suicides you had me do. I'm still upset. Congratulations Coach you deserve it!
Love you my man
Jon Robinson '17
Coach Bap congratulations on 700 wins. Thank you for recruiting me, I was at a crossroads in my life and didn't know what I wanted to do besides play basketball. You let me do that, I would probably be in jail by now if it wasn't for you recruiting me. Now I have a career and relationships that made me become a man. Thank you.
Atakan Akcam '19
When I was a freshman, we took a timeout and I think we were down 3-4 points and Coach Bap was talking about a defensive play that we did wrong. I was in the game and behind the huddle, Jon Rob was consistently asking me if I wanted water. I told him no with my eyes but he just kept asking if I wanted water so my attention was with him wasn't watching the review of the play. And then I just felt Coach Bap's fist on my chest and I could also feel his ring hitting my chest too. I've never been so shocked in my life before it was so quick and so sudden. And then he yelled "pay attention Atakan !! It was such a funny story to remember after all these years. Coach Bap taught me how to be disciplined and how to take this job seriously at all times and I'm a professional basketball player now and he has a huge role in it. He always had so much passion and so much heart for this job. Thanks coach for everything !!
Jacob Ashworth '21
Congratulations on 700 Coach! Thank you for helping our teams succeed and get better throughout my five years as a player at UMD. I am very proud to be an alumni of the UMass Dartmouth basketball team and cannot thank you enough for making it a great experience. Congratulations on this momentous milestone. You deserve it. Go Corsairs!
Sean Leahy '21
Before one of our big games one year, he asked me what my favorite candy was after warmups. I think he was trying to settle my nerves, but I was pretty surprised. Then the next day at practice I dove on the ground for a ball, and he reached in his pocket and pulled out a snickers bar for me. One of my favorite Coach Bap stories. Congrats on 700 coach, glad I got to be a part of a few of them.
Adam Seablom '21
Bap is one of those once in a lifetime type of coaches, you come to cherish every world that comes out of his mouth and become grateful for every opportunity he has given you. I came to practice everyday ready to learn something new from him. He has earned every achievement in his career. Congrats on everything coach
Marcus Azor '21
Congratulations on your 700th win. Thank you for putting So much time and effort into the team. You have been a great coach to me and many more. Can't wait to see all the wins that are yet to come.
Brian Rudolph Jr. – Assistant Coach
Coach Baptiste
Congrats on 700! From going to your basketball camps as a child to working on your coaching staff now as an adult one thing I've always admired about you is your consistency. Thank you for being a role model to me and a standard of doing things consistently the right way. I am grateful for you and proud of you!
Tommy Keyes '16 – Assistant Coach
Coach,
Congratulations on your 700th win. I know you will be the first one to say that coaches do not win games, players do but I hope you take this moment to reflect on your accomplishments. I am blessed to be a small part of some of those wins as a player and as a part of your staff. It is an honor to have played for and coach with the most decorated coach in SMU/UMass Dartmouth history and an all-time coach at any level, not just NCAA Division III. However, the best part of what you do as a coach has little to do with what happens on the court. The pride you take in molding 18-year-old boys away from home for the first time into young men is what I admire most. The way in which you teach lessons, hold your players accountable, and guide us to understand what is important in life goes far beyond the game of basketball; it is the main impact you have in our lives. You go above and beyond as a coach and it is a blessing that I look forward to continue learning from day in and day out. Thank you for your friendship and especially mentorship, I appreciate you every day.
Family / Close Friends
We go back to 1980-81 together at New Bedford High. That's a long way. Then you came over to UMass and found your niche. To be in a program so long, you obviously do things the right way. You have had a phenomenal career and it has been a joy to watch and be a part of. It is an honor to call you my best friend, I am proud of you and just want to say Congratulations on 700.
Eddie Rodrigues
Dad,
Congratulations on this incredible accomplishment – SEVEN HUNDRED WINS. I imagine only a handful of people have celebrated this milestone, and it's very fitting that you're one of them – the best coach in the game! Throughout life, I've encountered a lot of change; ups and downs, unexpected turns, people who have come in and out. But one thing that has remained true for as long as I have lived is that I am proud to be your daughter. I've always felt this way, ever since I was a little girl and you would cart me around weekend after weekend to sporting events and tournaments. I've always wanted to make you proud, and I have always been incredibly proud of you. You are an amazing person, father, papa, friend, and coach, and I feel so lucky that you're my dad. Your authenticity is something I really admire, and I love how you are unwaveringly yourself no matter who you're around. I love that you made a career out of what you felt truly passionately about, and I appreciate that you've supported me to do the same (although I'm still figuring this one out ??). I love watching you from the stands, or more recently, from my TV, doing what you love – coaching. I love basketball, and I always will, and you're the reason why. I know you've made such a huge impact on the people you've coached and have fostered so much growth in them, both on and off the court. You've done the same for me.
Happy 700, Pops. I'm so glad that the UMass Dartmouth basketball court has been a staple of my childhood, adolescence, and now my adult life. You've truly built a legacy there and I'm proud to witness it year after year. You are awesome and I LOVE YOU so much.
Love,
Rach
Dear Brian,
Congratulations on your 700th win! 40 seasons, 700 wins, and hundreds of young men who have had an incredible role model and coach to learn from. What a truly impressive achievement that few can say they've reached. It has been a pleasure and an honor to get to know you over the last few years and to watch you continue your journey as a coach. Good luck with the rest of the season! I look forward to watching the games and cheering the team on from DC with Rachael.
Michael
Seven hundred wins! 700!?!? You've been doing this for a whhiiiiillle huh? Hehe. Im so proud of you Dad this is such an amazing accomplishment and truly worth celebrating. Its such a pleasure to watch you thriving at a job that you love - something that's much more than a job to you. It's been an inspiration for me and I'm grateful for it, and you! I love you more than words can say, congratulations!
Love,
Erica
Dad,
Congratulations on your 700th win! I am not at all surprised that you are adding this accolade to your list of many. Your games have always been something that I look forward to each winter. Ever since I was a little girl I loved watching you from the stands and was proud to say, "that's my dad out there!" It has become such a coveted family tradition. You have impacted so many peoples' lives in such a positive way over the years; including mine. I am so proud to call you my dad, my coach, my friend, and now my childrens' Papa.
Life isn't always easy. While you have always been supportive of me, the past couple years have really stood out. The sacrifices you have made, the continued generosity, the emotional support you have offered, and the advice you have given me will be cherished forever. I look forward to you instilling the same lessons and values you have ingrained for generations to Ayla and Owen.
Here's to another 700 wins!
Love,
Alaina
Dad,
700!, Yet another amazing milestone! It is remarkable what you have accomplished throughout your career, on and off the court. The LEC championships, the trips to the sweet sixteen and the numerous players you have coached that have gone on to play internationally. But what I find more amazing than all the wins is the respect and admiration that your former players have for you. I can't count the number of players that have shared how you changed their life through basketball. You have this amazing ability to give "tough love" while simultaneously earning so much respect. You put 110% into everything you do and it doesn't go unnoticed. You have always cared more about developing the team as a unit than you have ever cared about one individual's talent and I truly believe that is a large part of why you are so successful. While achieving so much at the University you have also raised four girls who absolutely adore you. You found time to coach us and support us in every aspect of our lives and now you do the same for grandchildren. When Papa isn't at a practice it must be because he has his own. The University and the players are lucky to have you, but we will always be the luckiest.
Love,
Jeana (and family)
