BUIES CREEK, N.C. -- Campbell University will recognize its 1977 NAIA National Tournament runner-up men's basketball team during half-time ceremonies Saturday.  A reception for players, coaches and support personnel will be held at 12 p.m. in the Gore Suite of the John W. Pope Convocation Center.

At half-time of the 3:30 p.m. men's basketball game, members of the '77 club will be recognized.  All-American Sam Staggers will also be inducted into the Campbell University Sports Hall of Fame at that time.  He will be the fifth individual associated with the '77 squad to be included in the Hall of Fame, joining Coach Danny Roberts, teammates Don Laird and Don Whaley, and Director of Athletics Wendell Carr.

Campbell concluded its tenure in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) by becoming the first unseeded team in the 40-year history of the NAIA national tournament to advance to the finals of the event.  After winning the NAIA District 29 title, the team was won of 32 across the nation to advance to the national tourney at Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Mo.

Coach Danny Roberts' squad defeated Elizabeth City State (89-75) in the District championship game; then knocked off Lincoln Memorial (76-75), Southwest Oklahoma State (71-56), Alcorn State (77-63) and Henderson State (76-52) before falling to Texas Southern (77-41) in the final.

Staggers was named to the NAIA all-tournament first team, while senior forward Don Whaley was a second-team choice.  Senior guard Don Laird was presented the Charles Stevenson Hustle Award and the team received the Sportsmanship Award in addition to finishing with a final record of 23-10.

A first-team All-America choice, Staggers led the team in scoring (18.2 points per game), followed by Whaley (16.3), junior guard Clay Alston (12.7) and junior forward John Heckstall (11.8).

Under the direction of Coach Danny Roberts, the Camels won 71 games over their final 3 years at the NAIA level, including a school-record 25 in 1976.

1976-77 Campbell University Fighting Camels Roster

No.       Name                     Pos.     Class  Hometown
10         Ernie Gilchrist          G          Fr.      Cameron, N.C.
11         Clay Alston             G          Jr.       Wake Forest, N.C.
12         Don Laird                G          Sr.      Sidney, N.Y.
20         Don Whaley            F          Sr.      Kinston, N.C.
21         Darrell Mauldin         G          Fr.      New London, N.C.
22         Jeff Newton              F          Fr.      Beaufort, N.C.
30         Ben Lehmann          G          Fr.      Riverside, N.J.
31         Carlton Thompson    F          Fr.      Faison, N.C.
40         John Heckstall         F          Jr.       Colerain, N.C.
41         Keys Benston          C          Fr.      Engelhard, N.C.
50         Will Heckstall          F          Jr.       Colerain, N.C.
51         Sam Staggers         C          Sr.      Mullins, S.C.

Head Coach: Danny Roberts
Student Assistant: Frank Upchurch
Student Athletic Trainer: Don Hart