Niagara University Athletics

The 1969-70 Purple Eagles made history, becoming the first-ever program to play in the NCAA Tournament. The Purple Eagles, who were coached by Frank Layden and led by tri-captains Calvin Murphy, Mike Brown, and Bob Churchwell, finished with a 22-7 record for the program's first 20-win season in 12 years. Niagara opened its campaign winning 11 straight games, which is a program record, including defeating No. 6 Tennessee in December 1969 en route to winning the All-College Tournament in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 

The Purple Eagles qualified as an at-large selection in the 25-team field and played in the NCAA East Region in Princeton, New Jersey. Behind All-American Calvin Murphy's 35 points, Niagara advanced to the NCAA East Region semifinals with a 79-69 victory over seventh-ranked Pennsylvania in the first round. The Purple Eagles were defeated by Villanova in the NCAA East Regional Semifinals in Columbia, South Carolina. Niagara finished fourth in the region after falling to North Carolina State in the consolation game.

Niagara, which was ranked as high as 12th in the nation during the season, finished its campaign ranked 17th in both the Associated Press (AP) and the United Press International (UPI) polls.
 

5	Peter Aiello	Sophomore	Guard	6-1	Olean, NY
10	Marshall Wingate	Sophomore	Forward	6-4	New York City, NY
11	Mike Brown	Senior	Guard	5-10	Lockport, NY
12	Paul Thornton	Sophomore	Guard	6-2	Norwich, CT
15	Orlander Harrison	Sophomore	Center	6-5	Richmond, VA
22	Jim Malfetti	Senior	Forward	6-4	New City, NY
23	Calvin Murphy	Senior	Guard	5-10	Norwalk, CT
24	Dennis Kachovec	Sophomore	Center	6-7	Piqua, OH
25	A. Lynn Gray	Sophomore	Forward	6-5	Richville, NY
30	Steve Schafer	Senior	Forward	6-5	Philadelphia, PA
32	Mike Samuel	Senior	Guard	6-3	New York City, NY
33	Joseph Adomanis	Senior	Forward	6-6	Philadelphia, PA
40	Michael Whalen	Sophomore	Center	6-7	Dayton, OH
35	Bill Macready	Junior	Forward	6-5	Philadelphia, PA
35	Ed Street	Sophomore	Forward	6-4	Newark, NJ
42	Dick Fitzgerald	Junior	Forward	6-7	Whitesboro, NY
44	Wayne Jones	Junior	Forward	6-4	Hartford, CT
53	Bob Churchwell	Senior	Forward	6-6	South Bend, IN
Frank Layden – Head Coach Richard (Dick) J. Conover – Assistant Coach Joe DeGregoiro – Assistant Coach Allan Gray – Varsity Manager Robert Sprung – Assistant Manager Mike Gormley – Athletic Trainer Rev. James C. O'Keefe, C.M. – Moderator Rev. Joseph P. Wright, C.M. – Assistant Moderator Dr. Alphonso Bax – Team Physician