Congressman Serrano Recognizes Men’s and Women’s Basketball Champions from Hostos Community College

Bronx, NY—Today, Congressman José E. Serrano recognized both the men’s and women’s basketball teams from Hostos Community College for their outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments this past year.  The men’s basketball team won the National Junior College Athletic Association’s Division III National Championship, while the women’s team recently repeated as champions of the CUNY Athletic Conference.  Congressman Serrano presented the players and coaching staff with certificates and a statement that will be entered into the Congressional Record as recognition of their outstanding achievements.

“I am excited that Hostos Community College can now boast of two college basketball champions,” said Serrano.  “These athletes deserve praise for their efforts on the court, as well as in the classroom.  The values that they have learned from their coaches- commitment, perseverance, and dedication- have helped them become better students and better people.  I am confident that we will hear more good things from these student-athletes in the years to come.” 

The men’s basketball team, led by Coach Robert Holford, Jr. and in only its 3rd year of existence, beat Joliet Junior College of Illinois 73-71 in the title game held on March 19th.  With the victory, they became the first Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) to win a basketball title, and marked the first time that a CUNY school had brought home a basketball championship since CCNY won the Division I title in 1950.  Not to be outdone, the women’s team, under the leadership of Coach Renee Bostic and in only their 2nd year of existence, won their second CUNY Athletic Conference title.  They went undefeated in conference play, and were nationally ranked the entire season. 

“When people mention sports in the Bronx, most of us think of our beloved Yankees,” said Serrano.  “But now we can also take pride in our newly minted ‘Bronx Bombers,’ the men’s and women’s basketball teams of Hostos Community College.”

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