March 29, 2004

Navy held its annual men's basketball banquet Sunday afternoon at Alumni Hall, but this one was much different. While every year Navy must say goodbye to a group of seniors, it's been 13 years since the Academy has bid farewell to its head coach. Sunday's banquet paid homage to Don DeVoe's 12-year career at the Naval Academy, while also reflecting upon the 2003-04 season.

The afternoon started off with two great friends of DeVoe and the Naval Academy, former athletic director Jack Lengyel and renown author and columnist John Feinstein, offering stories and remarks about DeVoe and his dedication to Navy. Feinstein recalled the first time he heard Don DeVoe's name. It was 1973 when Feinstein was a teen and DeVoe brought Virginia Tech to the NIT where the Hokies would win four games by a total of five points to earn the NIT crown.

But it wasn't until the 1987-88 campaign when DeVoe was the head coach at Tennessee that fate would bring Feinstein and DeVoe together. Feinstein was working on his book A Season Inside which documented the Indiana basketball program and Feinstein sought out DeVoe's memories of working for Bobby Knight at Army.

The two would meet again several years later when DeVoe was hired at the Naval Academy in 1992. Ironically, DeVoe had interviewed at Army prior to taking the Navy post, but the Black Knights turned away from DeVoe to another direction.

"To say that Army would live to regret its decision is one of the greatest understatements of today," said Feinstein.

DeVoe finished his career with a 26-3 record against the Black Knights, losing just once in Annapolis, once at West Point and once in Worcester, Mass., at the Patriot League Tournament.

"Don is his own mind and that's what has made him so successful."

Lengyel echoed the words of Feinstein, and made sure to remind those in attendance of his accomplishments along the way.

"We hired Don in 1992, and to quote Paul Harvey, and that's the rest of the story," said Lengyel. "He built up the Naval Academy program when it was in dire straights. Most of all, he represented this institution with class."

Following the recognition of DeVoe and his many years of service to Navy basketball, the award ceremony began. Several statistical awards were handed out - field goal percentage (Jeff Charles, 51.3 percent), three-point field goal percentage (Kwame Ofori, 39.3 percent), free throw percentage (Mike Higgins, 73.2 percent), rebounds per game (Carlton Baldwin, 4.1 rpg) and assists per game (Taj Mathews, 2.8 apg).

Coaches Awards for Best Defensive Player and Most Improved Player were awarded to Jeff Charles (Montclair, Va.) and Chika Onyekanne (Fort Worth, Texas), respectively. Particularly close to DeVoe's heart is the defensive award.

"I take a great deal of pride in the Best Defensive Player award," said DeVoe. "Some great players have earned this award, including Victor Mickel and Matt Sladky, who as you know, are members of my coaching staff. Jeff was a young man who I could always count on to guard whomever we asked, whether it be a point guard or a post man."

Additionally, three major awards were handed out, beginning with the Rear Adm. R.F. Marryott Basketball Award. Admiral Marryott was in attendance to personally award Navy team captain Jason Fernandez (Baton Rouge, La.) with the award that bears his name. It is given to the member of the Navy basketball team which demonstrates the strongest will to win through team spirit, improvement, sportsmanship and effort.

"I remember Don (DeVoe) telling me during Jason's second-class year that this is a young man who is destined to be a leader," said Marryott. "I couldn't agree more and I'm pleased to honor Jason."

Senior Kwame Ofori (Chantilly, Va.) was the recipient of the Charles Evans McDonough Memorial Award honoring the member of the Navy basketball team which represents the most outstanding team player. In his own words, he referred to himself as the spiritual leader of the group. Upon accepting the award, he captivated the crowd with a "rap" of his experiences as a midshipman at the Naval Academy.

The final award given out was the inaugural David Robinson Award, one of four major awards presented this year by the Naval Academy Foundation. Mr. Frank Brady and Mr. Mac Kramer were on hand to present Jeff Charles with the award as Navy's most valuable player.