Dempsey introduced as new BU Head Basketball Coach

5/25/2012 (Updated 6:35:16 PM)

(Source: Erik Columbia)

VESTAL -- Over the past couple of seasons there has been a cloud over Binghamton University, especially with the men's basketball program, but Friday at the Events Center it was a celebration as Tommy Dempsey was introduced as BU's new head coach.

"What attracted me to this institution was all the things that are positive about the institution," said Dempsey, who joins BU after coaching Rider for the last seven seasons. "From the standpoint of facilities and the resources, they reputation academically, and again, the fact that they've been through a lot. We're just gong to continue to push forward."

During Dempsey's introduction Friday, the new BU head coach went as far as to say the University is a "sleeping giant".  BU Athletic Director Patrick Elliott tends to agree.

"There's a lot of great things here that are in place," Elliott said. "From our academic excellence to the students that we have here from across the broad spectrum, not just athletics. We are a sleeping giant."

"He (Dempsey) feels confident in that he's (been) given this opportunity to come into a program that has a good future ahead of us," BU senior guard Jimmy Gray said.

Instilling a work ethic is Dempsey's main goal for the Bearcats program, which looks like it's on the up and up.