Fresno State Athletics
July 6: Bulldogs Win 1983 NIT Title
7/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
July 6, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - Fresno State Athletics has had many memorable moments during its history. Each day during the month of July, Gobulldogs.com will highlight a great moment from Fresno State Athletics history.
July 6: Bulldogs bring a Red Wave to conquer the Blue Demons in '83 NIT Championship
The 1983 Fresno State men's basketball team gave the 1,500 fans in attendance at the historic Madison square garden and the people back in the Central Valley a night they will always remember after they beat DePaul 69-60 to win the National Invitation Championship title. It was the first major championship won by any Fresno State athletic team and the people of the Central Valley celebrated the history making occasion.
Fresno State students and fans had trekked across the country from Fresno to New York to watch in anticipation as the men's basketball team aimed to overcome their strong opponent and nab the NIT title.
The road to the NIT began when the Bulldogs won 12 of their final 13 games to finish 25-10. After defeating UTEP at Selland Arena, 71-64, the Dogs took to the road where they defeated Michigan State 72-58 and Oregon State 76-67 paving their way to the Big Apple.
On March 28, 1983 the Bulldogs made themselves known in New York as they advanced with an 86-62 victory over the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest University in the NIT semifinal round.
Two days later, the Bulldogs turned the wave of men's basketball red after they defeated the DePaul Blue Demons 69-60.
The Dogs hung tough in the first half only trailing 30-29. During the second half each team battled for the upper hand as the Bulldogs took the lead early on after a basket made by Bernard Thompson put the team up 48-47. Thompson's basket was all it took to motivate the Bulldogs to keep ahead of the Blue Demons before finally taking the championship.
The storybook ending for the young Bulldog team came after opening the year 13-9 and finishing fourth in the PCAA regular-season with only five returning players, an ending that included NIT Coach of the Year honors to Fresno State head coach Boyd Grant, a NIT MVP in Ron Anderson and the selection of Tyrone "T-Bone" Bradley and Bernard Thompson for to the NIT All-Tournament team.
The Bulldog's 1983 NIT Championship set off a celebration in the Central Valley, the likes of one that had never been seen before. The championship marked one of the first championships in Fresno State's history, putting it and the Valley on the map as a serious national threat. Players and coaches were welcomed home with celebration as they rewrote not only Fresno State's history books but the Central Valley's as well. After the victory coach Boyd Grant credited the Red Wave fans for helping the team win the NIT championship.
"I don't think there is a better road following in the country," Grant said during a 1983 interview.
Following the win, Bernard Thompson was selected in the first round of the 1984 NBA draft by the Portland Trail Blazers before moving on to play for the Phoenix Suns and the Houston Rockets in his five year NBA career.
Teammate and 1983 NIT MVP, Ron Anderson was selected in the second round of the 1984 NBA draft by the Cleveland Cavaliers. In his 10-year career in the NBA, Anderson played with the Indiana Pacers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Jersey Nets and the Washington Bullets.
Coming tomorrow: Fresno State Adds Women's Golf in 2004 and four years later wins the schools first WAC title
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