Fourteen former Keydet basketball players from the 1976 and 1977 championship-winning teams and three coaches of those teams returned to Lexington to celebrate the 50th anniversary of those teams, which reached the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight in 1976 and the Sweet Sixteen in 1977, Jan. 16–17, 2026.
Fourteen former Keydet basketball players from the 1976 and 1977 championship-winning teams and three coaches of those teams returned to Lexington Jan. 16–17, 2026, to celebrate a unique occasion: The 50th anniversary of the 1976 and 1977 teams, which reached the NCAA tournament’s Elite Eight in 1976 and the Sweet Sixteen in 1977. To remember these momentous occasions, those players and coaches joined current players and coaches for a dinner in Moody Hall Friday, Jan. 16. Members of the 1976/77 teams and their coaches were also recognized during halftime of the basketball game against The Citadel Saturday, Jan. 17.
“It is always special to see former cadet-athletes come together, but it’s even more so when they have such unique memories of a high point for VMI athletics,” said Andrew C. Deal ’12, VMI Keydet Club chief operating officer and Alumni Agencies chief development officer. “It was an honor to welcome members of the 1976 and 1977 championship basketball teams and their coaches back to post.”
The communications officer – features leads the creation of compelling, mission-driven written content that often supports fundraising and donor engagement efforts. In addition to crafting development-focused communications, this role contributes to the editorial success of key Alumni Agencies publications through strategic, long-form storytelling and by maintaining close working relationships with volunteer leaders.
