Merced College Men's Basketball

Academics, Attitude, Athletics : Three words that describe a history committed towards excellence. Merced College was founded as Merced Junior College. The Junior was dropped when it became apparent that people could confuse Modesto JC and Merced JC. Like other JC's of the time, Merced sought out an athletic program. Also, Merced College had to have a school nickname in which their athletes would

play under. So with the Merced College Board of Trustees' approval, the student body set out to pick a nickname. Orchestrated by the ASMC office, possible names were sent in to be voted on. Out of all the names, fifteen were picked for voting. Out of the fifteen, two names emerged for a run-off vote. On October 25, 1963 the name "Blue Devils" won a decisive victory over "Vikings." Since then, Merced College athletes have carried the proud name of the "Blue Devils." With the approval of the Board of Trustees, Merced College set out to start a basketball, wrestling and baseball program. So on June 17, 1963, with the Board of Trustees' approval, Merced College hired its Head Basketball Coach in 26-year-old Don Reid. Don came to the Blue Devils from Manteca High School, where he led Manteca to a 106-29 overall record and a 1962 Valley Oak League Coach of the Year award. Read more Merced College Men's Basketball History at http://www.mccd.edu/athletics/mens/basketball/history.html