Dave Magarity served as head coach for the Marist men’s basketball program for 18 seasons, and is the program’s all-time leader in victories with 253. In his first season at the helm in 1986-87, he guided the Red Foxes to the ECAC Metro championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Magarity and his staff were instrumental in the development of Rik Smits, who became the program’s first NBA Draft choice. Smits was selected second overall in 1988 by the Indiana Pacers, and went on to enjoy a 12-year NBA career. In 1996, Magarity guided the Red Foxes to a 22-win season and a berth in the Postseason NIT for the first time in their history. Marist moved to the MAAC on Magarity’s watch for the 1997-98 season, and he guided the team to a share of its first regular-season conference title in 2001-02. A highly respected coach by his peers and foes, Magarity was a three-time conference Coach of the Year, and a three-time NABC District Coach of the Year. He was awarded the Mike Cohen “Good Guy” award by the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association in 1988.