Local Basketball Standout Dave Klatsky Makes
Second Coaching Appearance in NCAA Tournament
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Colgate University Assistant Basketball Coach Dave Klatsky is going
to the NCAA Tournament again. This is his second March Madness
coaching outing, as he previously made the trip in 2019.
ultimately fell 85-68.
The Raiders posted a 14-1 record this season and gained entry
into the NCAA show by winning the Patriot League Tournament. They
through the brackets, they ousted Boston University (77-69) and Bucknell
(105-75) in that order.
“Making it back to the NCAAs has been incredible,” exclaimed
Klatsky. “The focus and determination of our players in this topsy turvy
year was admirable. This team has been a joy to coach, and I couldn't
be prouder of what they were able to accomplish. There's nothing like
the NCAA tournament, and I'm ecstatic they are able to share in this
experience together.”
Actually, Klatsky is somewhat of a veteran of the NCAA Tournament.
In his collegiate playing days, he made three appearances carrying
University of Pennsylvania colors. During his tenure at Penn, the
Quakers also claimed three Ivy League titles.
Klatsky led the Hornets to back to back state titles in 1998 and
1999. His 27-point performance propelled Holmdel over Mendham in
Dave Klatsky, holding son Leo, with wife Abby and son Harrison
admiring the Patriot League Tournament trophy
He was selected to the Asbury Park Press All-Shore Conference
Team in 1999. On Jan. 27 of this year, he was featured in an Asbury Park
Press article titled “NJ boys basketball: Jersey Shore’s top 100 players alltime,
ranked.”
It appears he has found his calling as a member of the Raider staff.
“Coaching at Colgate over the last 10 years has been an amazing experience,”
said Klatsky. “We took over a program that was a bottom 0 team in
Division 1 and turned it into a perennial power, winning two of the last three
Patriot League championships. In addition to the on-court success, we have
been fortunate to have high-quality individuals as part of our program, and
it has been especially rewarding helping them grow off the court.”
Former Holmdel teammate Vincent “Vinnie” McKeever stated, “My
teammates and I all knew what a special kind of player he was when we
were on the court with him at Holmdel High School. He led us to back to
back Group 2 state championships. I wasn't surprised by his success on the
court at Penn, and I'm not surprised by his success in coaching. Dave understands
basketball in a way very few do, and I am excited to see where his
career takes him.”
Klatsky currently lives in Hamilton, New York with wife Abby and sons
Harrison, age 5, and Leo, age 3.
/TheJournalNJ.com