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Cheyney University's basketball team, the Cheyney Wolves, has a rich history in the sport. The men's basketball team won the Division II National Championship in 1978 and has since been honoured by the university. The team has also achieved 16 PSAC conference championships and four Final Four appearances. In 1982, the women's basketball team, despite being a Division II school, competed in the inaugural NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. Cheyney University's basketball teams have experienced success, with the men's team achieving a high win percentage and the women's team breaking barriers by reaching the Division I Final Four. The university withdrew from the PSAC and Division II in the 2018-19 academic year, and its basketball teams primarily play Division III and community college teams.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Athletic sports team name | Cheyney Wolves |
| University athletic conference | Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) |
| Current status | Independent |
| Men's sports | Basketball |
| Women's sports | Basketball, cheerleading, volleyball |
| Basketball win percentage rank | 7th all-time in NCAA |
| Number of PSAC conference championships | 16 |
| Number of Final Fours | 4 |
| Number of National Championships | 1 (1978) |
| Coach of 1978 National Championship team | John Chaney |
| Coach Chaney's tenure | 1972-1982 |
| Division of 1982 women's basketball team | Division I |
| Coach of 1982 women's basketball team | C. Vivian Stringer |
| Division when coached by Winthrop McGriff | Division I |
| Status of football team | Suspended |
| Primary divisions of teams played | Division III and community college |
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What You'll Learn
- Cheyney University's basketball team is called the Cheyney Wolves
- The Wolves are an independent team
- They were previously in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
- The men's basketball team won the Division II National Championship in 1978
- The women's basketball team reached the Final Four of the 1984 NCAA Division I tournament
Cheyney University's basketball team is called the Cheyney Wolves
The 1977-78 Cheyney Wolves men's basketball team was a dominant force in Division II basketball. Led by Naismith Hall of Fame head coach John Chaney, the team boasted a well-balanced lineup with four players averaging double figures in points per game. Milt Colston, a senior, led the way with 15.1 points per game, closely followed by fellow senior Jeff Hutcherson, who contributed 13.4 points per game. Andrew Fields, a junior, made his presence felt with a double-double average of 11.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game.
The Wolves' success in the 1977-78 season culminated in them winning the Division II National Championship. This team was recently honoured by Cheyney University, with several members of the championship-winning squad, including Coach Chaney, gathering to celebrate their remarkable achievement.
In recent years, Cheyney University has undergone some athletic program changes. In the 2018-19 academic year, the university withdrew from the PSAC and Division II, choosing to play that season as an independent. As a result, the basketball team primarily played against Division III and community college teams. Despite these changes, the Wolves continue to embody the university's spirit, emphasising character development, individual and team skills, and sportsmanship to prepare graduates to make positive contributions beyond the basketball court.
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The Wolves are an independent team
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is committed to helping its students reach their full potential, both academically and athletically. The Cheyney Wolves are the university's athletic sports teams. They previously competed in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) but withdrew in the 2018-19 academic year and played that season as an independent team.
The Wolves offer only two sports: basketball and women's volleyball. In the 2018-19 season, both teams primarily played against Division III and community college teams. The men's basketball team has a rich history, including a Division II National Championship in 1978. They are also ranked 7th all-time in NCAA win percentage, with 16 PSAC conference championships, four Final Fours, and one National Championship. The team was coached by John Chaney from 1972 to 1982 and included standout players like Milt Colston and Jeff Hutcherson.
The women's basketball team has also achieved success, reaching the championship game of the inaugural NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament in 1982 while still a Division II school. This accomplishment is even more remarkable considering they were an HBCU, the only one to reach a Division I Final Four. The team was coached by C. Vivian Stringer, and after her departure in 1983, Winthrop McGriff led them to another Final Four in 1984.
By maintaining their independent status, the Cheyney Wolves have demonstrated their resilience and dedication to athletics. The university's athletic program faced challenges, including probation due to eligibility certification issues, but the Wolves persevered and continued to compete. Their independent status allows them to play against a range of opponents and foster a culture of sportsmanship and skill development, embodying the university's values.
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They were previously in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC)
The Cheyney Wolves are the athletic sports teams for Cheyney University. They were previously in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) but withdrew from the conference and Division II in the 2018-19 academic year. During that season, they played as an independent. The Cheyney Wolves' men's basketball team has had a rich history of success, including 16 PSAC conference championships, four Final Fours, and one National Championship in 1978. In the 1977-78 season, the team was ranked as high as #2 in the nation in the first Division II poll of the season and finished the season ranked fourth before going on to win the National Championship. The team was coached by Naismith Hall of Fame inductee John Chaney and included All-American Milt Colston, Tournament MVP Andrew Fields, and several other standout players.
The Cheyney Wolves women's basketball team has also achieved notable success. Despite being a Division II school, they competed in the championship game of the inaugural NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament in 1982 under the coaching of C. Vivian Stringer. Following Stringer's departure in 1983, Winthrop McGriff took over as head coach and led the team to the Final Four in the 1984 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. This achievement made him the first Black man to lead a women's team to this stage of the tournament.
In addition to their basketball achievements, the Cheyney Wolves also offered football, which was suspended in November 2017 due to financial constraints. As of 2019, the university's athletic offerings include only basketball and women's volleyball, which primarily compete against Division III and community college teams.
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The men's basketball team won the Division II National Championship in 1978
The Cheyney Wolves are the athletic sports teams for Cheyney University, and basketball is the only men's sport the university currently offers. In 1978, the men's basketball team won the Division II National Championship. This team was coached by John Chaney, who led the Wolves from 1972 to 1982. During his tenure, Chaney amassed a record of 225 wins and 59 losses.
Chaney's 1978 team was well-balanced, with four players averaging double figures. Senior Milt Colston led the team with 15.1 points per game, closely followed by fellow senior Jeff Hutcherson, who averaged 13.4. Junior Andrew Fields also stood out, averaging a double-double with 11.2 points and 10.9 rebounds per game. The other players on the team were Kenny Hinson, John Butts, Duane Coleman, Roger Leysath, Gerald Mills, Charles Murphy, Gilbert Saunders, Arthur Stone, and John Walter.
Chaney's team entered the 1978 season as the #2 team in the nation behind Green Bay, who held the number one spot throughout. Cheyney never ranked lower than 7th and headed into the postseason ranked fourth. They defeated Slippery Rock to win their sixth consecutive Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference title, then beat Adelphi University in the first round. They captured the regional title with a victory over Philadelphia College of Textile and Science and survived a trip to New Haven to face Sacred Heart in the quarterfinals.
In the championship game, Cheyney State College defeated Wisconsin Green Bay 47-40 in Springfield, Missouri, bringing home the Division II crown. This victory made them the only team from the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference to win the top title. Chaney was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2001 and the National Collegiate Hall of Fame in 2006.
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The women's basketball team reached the Final Four of the 1984 NCAA Division I tournament
The Cheyney Wolves are the athletic sports teams for Cheyney University. In 1984, the women's basketball team reached the Final Four of the NCAA Division I tournament. This was a significant achievement, especially considering that Cheyney was a Division II school at the time.
The 1984 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament was a highly competitive event, featuring 32 teams from 22 states. The tournament was held across various locations, with the Final Four taking place in Los Angeles, California, at Pauley Pavilion, hosted by UCLA.
Cheyney's success in reaching the Final Four was not an isolated incident. The university has a strong basketball program, particularly on the men's side, which boasts the 7th highest win percentage in NCAA history. The men's team has won 16 PSAC conference championships, reached the Final Four four times, and won the National Championship in 1978 under the coaching of John Chaney.
The women's team has also had its share of triumphs. In 1982, coached by C. Vivian Stringer, they competed in the inaugural NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, reaching the championship game despite their Division II status. After Stringer's departure, Winthrop McGriff took over as coach and led the team to the Final Four in 1984, becoming the first Black man to guide a women's team to this stage.
Cheyney University's basketball teams have faced some challenges in recent years. The university withdrew from the PSAC and Division II for the 2018-19 academic year and played that season as an independent. However, the Wolves continue to field competitive basketball and women's volleyball teams, primarily competing against Division III and community college opponents.
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Frequently asked questions
The Cheyney Wolves—the athletic sports teams for Cheyney University—primarily play in Division III. However, they have also competed in Division II, and the women's basketball team once reached a Division I Final Four.
The Cheyney Wolves men's basketball program is 7th in NCAA win percentage.
The 1977-78 Cheyney Wolves men's basketball team was comprised of Milt Colston, Andrew Fields, Kenny Hinson, John Butts, Duane Coleman, Jeffrey Hutcherson, Roger Leysath, Gerald Mills, Charles Murphy, Gilbert Saunders, Arthur Stone, and John Walter.
