Celebrating 20 Years: York College’s Unforgettable Final Four Run
Twenty years ago, the York College community experienced a season unlike it had seen before or since. The Spartan men’s basketball team advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four, an accomplishment that bonded the program to the community.
The Spartans entered the 2004-05 season coming off an 11-15 campaign that ended in the Capital Athletic Conference semifinals to Mary Washington. The team graduated 1,000-point scorer Steve Schmehl but added impact transfers in Dallastown graduate Kenny Fass and Littlestown graduate Paddy Lee. Also joining the squad was freshman forward Chad McGowan, who would prove to be one of the best players in York College history.
Former Spartan head coach Jeff Gamber had a good feeling heading into the year.
“I thought in the preseason that the guys were dedicated to having a better year,” said Gamber. “Then it was just a slow build all the way through the season. We kept getting better and better. We had size, shooting, were very unselfish, and defensively, we were versatile. We had all the pieces to have a really good team.”
The Spartans kicked off the campaign with a win at the Wyndham Reading Tip-Off Tournament. They blew out Mount Aloysius 123-80 before beating host Albright 85-78, capturing the tournament title. York won its next three heading into its CAC opener at Goucher. The Gophers knocked off the Spartans 75-72 in a thrilling game. The Spartans bounced back in a big way, ripping off a nine-game win streak.
York suffered its second regular season loss on January 22 at Mary Washington, falling to the Eagles 79-78. That set the stage for a 14-game streak that advanced the Spartans to the NCAA Final Four. Included in that streak were three victories in the CAC Tournament. York was the top seed and won its first-ever CAC Tournament championship with a 73-62 victory over Catholic.
“We never talked about the NCAA Tournament until after we won the CAC,” said Gamber. “Our focus the entire season was winning the Capital Athletic Conference. Once we did that, we talked to the guys about the tournament and what it would take to be successful. I remember in that meeting that Paddy Lee spoke up and said, 'Why not us, guys?' And that set the tone for the tournament.”
The Spartans’ NCAA Tournament run started at home in front of a packed Wolf Gymnasium as York downed a talented Virginia Wesleyan squad 90-80. York then headed to Ramapo for the Sweet 16. The Spartans dominated WPI 99-80 in their third-round game, setting the stage for an Elite Eight battle against King’s for the right to advance to the Final Four. York earned their way to Salem, Virginia, with a 70-58 win over the Monarchs.
“One of the most impressive things about our NCAA Tournament run is that, in all three victories, we were able to get everyone into the game,” said Gamber. “To be able to do that spoke to how well we were playing.”
The atmosphere around campus was electric during York’s historic postseason run. Local media regularly visited Wolf Gym as the team captured the hearts of the community.
Junior point guard Brad Zerfing loved the support the Spartans got during their run.
“As the season went on, the excitement around the team started to build,” said Zerfing. “Our team knew that we had something special, although I don’t know if any of us foresaw a Final Four run. With most of our team being from local high schools, the more games we won, the more the community support grew. Our student fan base was the best in the country, and they were behind us the entire season. Personally, the best part was sharing that experience with my girlfriend, now wife, my family, and my team. Playing in those games in a packed old Wolf Gym is something I will never forget.”
The College chartered fan buses to Salem, as support for the team was overwhelming. The athletic department created a student fan organization, highlighted by fluorescent green shirts emblazoned “Screaming Green Machine.”
“As the year progressed, Wolf Gym was packed, and by the time we hosted Virginia Wesleyan, they had to turn people away at the door. It was a great atmosphere for our guys to play in,” Gamber said.
The Spartans lost the national semifinal to eventual national champion Wisconsin-Stevens Point, but that did not diminish the record-setting season.
“We ran into Stevens Point, and as the defending National Champions, they were better than they were the year before,” said Gamber. “It was one of those games where if you played ten times, you might win once. Unfortunately, that one time wasn’t that night in Salem.”
The Spartans were a collection of York County standouts who played key roles. Senior captain Ben Seibert, junior Kenny Fass, and Chad McGowan were from Dallastown. All-CAC guards Brandon Bushey and Paddy Lee were Littlestown graduates, while point guard Brad Zerfing went to Central York. Brian Singer came from Eastern York High School, and Joe Yeck graduated from Gettysburg High School. That familiarity led to massive success.
Gamber credits the Spartan's all-time leading scorer, Andy O’Brien, for showing York County high school players that attending York College could be a great experience.
“A big part of the Final Four team came from Andy O’Brien even though he graduated two years earlier,” said Gamber. “He came to us from Delone Catholic and had a ton of success. He showed the other area kids that York College was a place where they could be successful and get a great education. His career opened the door for us to get the following group.”
The Spartans followed up the Final Four campaign with a 24-4 season, but the historic run came to an end in the NCAA Tournament with a two-point loss to Widener in the second round. The Spartans finished the two-year run with a record of 52-8.
