On April 8, Northern Essex Community College came together in the Sports and Fitness center on Haverhill campus to celebrate and honor the Knights Men’s Basketball team and staff national championship victory
State Sen. Pavel Payano was among the speakers.
Darren Stratton the NECC head Men’s basketball coach won the Region 21 Coach of the Year Award, the East District Coach of the Year Award, the NABC Coach of the Division.
During the national championship tournament Stratton won the National Championship Gary Cole Coach of the tournament award.
After the nationalship championship tournament, Stratton won NJCAA National Coach of the Year.
The NECC Athletic director, Dan Blair won the NJCAA National Athletic Director of the year award.
Attendees including former NECC Men Knights basketball players from years 1999 to 2026. Stratton, who was a student at Northern Essex from years 1991 to 1993, began coaching at NECC during the years 1999 to 2015 and 2020 to present.
According to his former players and current players of 2026, he has been a great inspiration and motivation to them.
Their journey in the athletic division has had a major impact in their growth and success both in academic and sports.
Here are some things former players had to share with the audience,
“This institution, this basketball program has opened so many doors and most importantly made me the man I am today. So, thank you from the bottom of my heart,”Ryan Middlemiss said.
Words of graditute were directed to the team.
“You didn’t just win a championship, you added to a legacy,” Nathan Proulx said to the NECC audience and Men’s basketball team.
In the event, fans were gifted cheer gear and catering service was set out for everyone.
Other basketball coaches,faculty and athletic staff were given awards.
Academic coaches were given flowers by the basketball champions.
Inside the Sports and Fitness center in Haverhill, is displayed the 2026 National Champion Men’s Basketball Division III trophy.
