Hall of Fame
Under the tri-captain leadership of John Ford, Darrell Jenkins and Rick Pembroke, the 1983-84 Norwich men's basketball team finished the season with a 21-7 record.
"The team was a rare collection of athletes with individual skills that complimented and enhanced the skills of each other to create a chemistry and consistency seldom seen," said Pembroke. "We were great teammates on the floor and great friends off of it. We all got along with each other and respected and appreciated the skills that each of us brought to the team."
They hosted the Northeast region tournament and were ranked No. 2 in the Northeast Coaches Poll. The team was also ranked No. 15 in the NCAA and played in the NCAA Tournament.
Other team honors include being ranked 10th nationally in rebound margin (+8.8) and No. 12 in the nation in scoring (81.9 points per game). Coach Ed Hockenbury was named the NEBCA "Coach of the Year" and the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Kodak District I "Coach of the Year."
Ford scored his 1000th career point and grabbed his 1000th career rebound during the 1983-84 season. He was named All-Tournament at the Cadet Classic. He also ranked fourth nationally for rebounding at 13.2 per game.
Jenkins also scored his 1000th career point that year. He was named All-Northeast by the NABC and was tabbed the MVP at Cadet Classic. Jenkins made the first team All-New England. He was ranked fourth nationally in scoring at 20.6 per game. Pembroke received the Unsung Hero Award from the NECBCA.
Since that stellar season, two members of the team have passed on. Coach Hockenbury lost his battle with brain cancer in 1996. His memory is celebrated by the annual Ed Hockenbury Golf Classic, which benefits the Norwich basketball program. Mike Johnson, a Vermont State Trooper for 16 years, was killed while on duty in 2003.
"Both were key members and contributors to the success of the team and both are deeply missed to this day," said Pembroke.
