WASHINGTON – American University men's basketball will celebrate a century of history throughout the 2026-27 season, marking 100 years since the Eagles first took the court in 1926.
American played its first intercollegiate men's basketball games under head coach George Springston during that first season in 1926-27, going 15-4. One hundred years later, the program enters its centennial with a history that includes four NCAA Tournament appearances, four Patriot League Tournament championships, five Patriot League regular-season titles, and four appearances in the National Invitation Tournament (NIT).
The Eagles made their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 2008 after capturing the program's first Patriot League Tournament title, then repeated both accomplishments in 2009. American returned to the NCAA Tournament as Patriot League champion in 2014 before ending an 11-year drought with another championship and NCAA appearance in 2025.
The program also enjoyed significant success well before joining the Patriot League, including three straight Mason-Dixon Conference championships from 1958-60 and back-to-back NCAA College Division East Regional championships in 1958 and 1959. Those same teams were the first in the Washington, D.C. area and in the Mason-Dixon Conference to be integrated, playing under legendary head coach David Carrasco, Sr., who earned 1958 NCAA College Division National Coach of the Year honors and was later inducted into the Stafford H. "Pop" Cassell Hall of Fame at American University.
A special 100 Years logo will be featured throughout the 2026-27 season, with American Athletics celebrating the players, coaches, teams and moments that have shaped the program over the past century.
The current Eagles, led by fourth-year head coach Duane Simpkins, enter the season as the Patriot League preseason favorite. American returns nearly its entire roster from last season, including Preseason All-Patriot League selections Greg Jones and Madden Collins.
American officially tips off its season on Monday, Nov. 2 at Cincinnati.
For the latest on American University Men's Basketball, stay tuned to AUEagles.com and follow the team on Instagram (@au_mbasketball), X (@AU_MBasketball), and Facebook (/AU.MBasketball).
