Kevin Bannon, Verona High School class of 1975, was inducted into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Basketball Hall of Fame Honor Roll on Saturday, November 1. He, along with his fellow honorees, were enshrined in the “The MAAC Experience” exhibit at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass.
Bannon coached at Rider University for eight years and took the Broncs from a 5-23 team to a five-time conference finalist, winning a pair of conference championships and advancing to two NCAA tournaments.
Bannon reached the 100-win plateau faster than any other Rider basketball coach, compiling a 131-103 record (1989-90 to 1996-97), including 14-6 in playoff games. Twice voted the NEC Coach of the Year, Bannon was also a Metropolitan Basketball Writers Coach of the Year and a New Jersey Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. His teams were 40-6 in Alumni Gym against NEC teams, helping to create the “Broncs’ Zoo” nickname for Alumni Arena.
Prior to Rider, Bannon coached seven years at the College of New Jersey, compiling a record of 145-48. He led the Lions to four NCAA Tournaments including a national quarterfinal finish in 1988 and the national championship game in 1989. Following his Rider career, Bannon coached at Rutgers University for four years, leading the Scarlet Knights to two NIT appearances and a semi-final appearance in the Big East Tournament in 1999.
Coach Bannon was inducted into the Rider Athletics Hall of Fame in 2001. He is also a member of the College of New Jersey Athletics Hall of Fame and Saint Peter’s University Athletics Hall of Fame, (his alma mater). He is also an Emmy Award winning sports broadcaster and current color commentator for Rider University basketball.
Mr. Bannon is currently the executive director of the Mercer County Park Commission, and the vice president of the Mercer County Sports and Entertainment Commission.
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