LOCH SHELDRAKE, NY — Before the opening tip-off on Saturday’s men’s basketball game—the home team Generals against the Wolverines of Essex Community College—a brief ceremony marked the passing of the torch of success.

In his tenure as coach of the Generals, Chris DePew had won 186 games, a record that stood for 13 years until Brent Wilson, who took over as coach in 2013, posted his 187th career victory on February 10.

That day, SUNY Sullivan defeated Rockland Community College.

On top of that, as part of the on-court ceremony, six graduating Generals sophomores were recognized for their contributions to the men’s basketball team. Jalen Reneau, Kareem Welch, Samuel DeSouza, Jay Alvarez, Daivel Jackson and Zech Barnes electrified the faithful, DePew said, worked hard and played well both in practice and on the court.

In summing up the season of hoops for 2021-2022, the athletic director praised his players and added, “When many of our competitors locally, regionally and nationally have struggled to field basketball teams coming out of the pandemic, we here at SUNY Sullivan continue to thrive and have healthy numbers… that is a true testament to our motto, ‘A Tradition of Excellence,’ and to a coaching and athletic staff who believe and thrive within my vision of ensuring SUNY Sullivan athletics goes above and beyond to provide an unparalleled experience.”

With DePew, who has been in the driver’s seat of the local two-year college’s athletic programs since August 1998, the Generals have won a total of four national titles: 1992, 1995, 1996 and 2007; the last year, when DePew was coaching,  the team finished with an undefeated record of 32-0, taking the National Championship title.