USD Men's Basketball 1999-2000

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"We have experience that we haven't had in a few years," Hammel says. "These seniors have matured a lot over the years, but they gotta win something to prove it. If they want to go to the NCAA Tournament, they have to start by winning the conference. "But we're good, no one can take that away from us. " No one could take away Hammel's ability to teach coaching as well. Six of Hammel's former play– ers have moved on to coaching jobs in college basketball, including Chris Mohr, 1997 graduate who recently joined the Merrimack Warriors' staff as an assistant coach. Mohr joined the staff after 1992 graduate Steve Curran left Merrimack to join the University of New Hampshire as new coach Phil Rowe's top assistant. One of Hammel's most notable proteges is Bill Herrion, a former Warrior player and assistant coach who recently accepted the head coaching job a t East Carolina University after a suc– cessful stint as the head coach at Drexel Univer– sity. "It's nice to see them succeed, just like when for– mer players become parents and get other jobs," he says. "It's a little more special when they come back to coach and then go out on their own. They all have been successful and it's satisfying to know that in some small way I had something to do with it." Basketball has enjoyed a resurgence at Mer– rimack, with Hammel at the center of the fun . On

any given night during the season, you can walk into the basketball gym at the S. Peter Volpe Physical Education Cen– ter and see a near-packed house cheering the Warriors to victory. Students yell and scream every time Brown throws a beautiful pass or senior forward Reggie Carter throws down a monster dunk. Then there are the members of the Boys Club, the most loyal of Warrior supporters, who sit behind the bench for every game. They never miss a game. Never. Hammel has come to enjoy these moments more so than earlier in his career. His players describe him as tough but caring, though his alums describe him as mellowing in his old age. Deep down, the coach remains a coach for all of the right reasons. "If I wasn't here, I'd be coaching a high school or some– where else," Hammel says. "I just love to coach and when you love to do something it's easy. I love the teaching and every year you get new kids and get the chance to see them mature into men." Hammel delights in seeing his players mature, just as he enjoys seeing the ABA campers mature. The first lesson they learn: Don't sit down when the coach comes around.

ED McLAUGHLIN is a freelance writer living in Boston.