By 
Middletown, NY – In September 2018, the SUNY Orange Board of Trustees unanimously approved a resolution to name the basketball court in Schmid Gymnasium in honor of long time professor and coach, Paul Rickard.
Dedication ceremonies will take place at halftime of the men’s basketball game on Dec. 1 when the Colts host Kingsborough Community College at Schmid Gymnasium. The ceremony is part of a basketball doubleheader in which the women’s basketball team hosts Kingsborough at Noon and the men follow at 2 p.m.
Paul was a member of the SUNY Orange community for 36 years. His tenure at the college began in 1980 when he joined the mathematics department. Paul eventually ascended to become Chairman of the Mathematics & Computer Science Department until his retirement in 2009. Paul remained an adjunct professor until his death in 2017.
In 1981, Paul took over as the men’s basketball coach. He coached the men’s basketball team for 25 years. His career was highlighted by 323 wins, 19 post season appearances and one NJCAA National Championship appearance. In his final season, he led the Colts to a 23-8 record, a district championship and the program’s first ever appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament. In the same year, he was awarded the NJCAA Division II “Coach of the Year” in District 9 and Region XV “Coach of the Year.”
In 1982, he took over as head golf coach. His golf teams consistently competed for Region XV championships. The Colts had numerous individual qualifiers for the NJCAA National Tournament. In 2004, the team won the Region XV championship and qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament at Chautauqua Golf Club in Chautauqua, NY.
Paul’s basketball and golf teams were highlighted with players from all over Orange County and New York City. Paul coached numerous Region XV All Conference players and National All-Americans. SUNY Orange teams always had a great group of talented hardworking players willing to put in the time and effort needed to get better and compete in every game. These players are the reason why Paul enjoyed coaching so much.
In 2015, Paul was inducted into the Colt Athletic Hall of Fame.
To read more about Paul and the dedication ceremony please visit SUNY ORANGE TO NAME BASKETBALL COURT IN HONOR OF PAUL RICKARD at http://www.sunyorange.edu
