Columbia Lions men's basketball

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Columbia Lions men's basketball
2023–24 Columbia Lions men's basketball team
Columbia Lions wordmark.png
UniversityColumbia University
Head coachJim Engles (7th season)
ConferenceIvy League
LocationNew York City, New York
ArenaLevien Gymnasium
(Capacity: 2,500)
NicknameLions
Student sectionThe Roar Zone
ColorsTemplate:College color list


The Columbia Lions men's basketball team is the college basketball program representing Columbia University in New York City. The team competes in the Ivy League conference and plays its home games at the Levien Gymnasium, which has a seating capacity of 2,500.

History[edit | edit source]

The Columbia Lions men's basketball program has a rich history dating back to its inception in 1901. The team has been a member of the Ivy League since its formation in 1954. Columbia's basketball program has seen various levels of success over the years, with its most notable achievement being the 1967–68 season when the Lions won the Ivy League title and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Early Years[edit | edit source]

In the early years, Columbia was a competitive team in the Eastern Intercollegiate Basketball League, the precursor to the Ivy League. The team had several successful seasons in the 1930s and 1940s, often competing against other prestigious universities.

The 1967–68 Season[edit | edit source]

The 1967–68 season remains the pinnacle of Columbia's basketball success. Coached by Jack Rohan, the Lions finished the season with a 23–5 record and won the Ivy League championship. The team was led by Jim McMillian, who was named an All-American. Columbia advanced to the NCAA Tournament, where they reached the Sweet Sixteen.

Recent Years[edit | edit source]

In recent years, the Columbia Lions have been striving to return to the top of the Ivy League standings. Under the leadership of head coach Jim Engles, the team has focused on building a competitive program through strong recruiting and player development.

Rivalries[edit | edit source]

Columbia's primary rivals in basketball are other Ivy League schools, particularly Cornell University and Princeton University. The games against these teams are often highly anticipated and draw significant attention from students and alumni.

Notable Players[edit | edit source]

  • Jim McMillian - An All-American forward who played for Columbia during the 1960s and went on to have a successful career in the NBA.
  • Chet Forte - A standout player in the 1950s who later became a well-known sports television director.

Home Venue[edit | edit source]

The Lions play their home games at Levien Gymnasium, located on the university's campus in New York City. The gymnasium is part of the Dodge Physical Fitness Center and provides an intimate setting for college basketball games.

Coaching Staff[edit | edit source]

The current head coach of the Columbia Lions is Jim Engles, who took over the program in 2016. Engles has been working to build a competitive team in the Ivy League through a focus on recruiting and player development.

See Also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

External Links[edit | edit source]

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