Yonkers Assistant Principal Chosen For New England Basketball Hall Of Fame

Edward DeChent will be inducted as part of the regional hall of fame’s 2013 class during a special ceremony at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass., on June 22. 

Once inside, the former Yonkers High School stand-out will join a group of members that includes the likes of Ray Allen, Patrick Ewing and Jim Calhoun.

“I am extremely proud and humbled by the honor,” DeChent said in a statement released by the district. “I attribute all my successes to the solid values I learned while growing up in South Yonkers, the relationships I developed while attending Yonkers High School and, of course, a lot of hard work.”

DeChent, now an assistant principal at Early College High School, was a key contributor to the 1984 Yonkers High School team, averaging 17 points per game. He earned All-City honors and was named to the All-County Team after leading the Bulldogs to a 16-5 regular season and an appearance in the county championship game.

After graduating from Yonkers High, DeChent began his college career at Post Junior College in Waterbury, Ct., where his on-the-court success continued. He finished the 1985-1986 season leading the nation in rebounding with 16 boards per game and finished runner-up for the national scoring title with 34.3 points per game.

That same year DeChent was named Post College’s Male Athlete of the Year and earned a spot on the All New England (NJCAA) Region XXI first team, and the (NJCAA) All-American team.

Later, DeChent continued his career at the University of Bridgeport. During his senior season with Purple Knights, he averaged 22 points and seven rebounds per game, leading the team to the Division II regional final.

He finished his decorated career at Bridgeport with 2,298 points and 918 rebounds, earning All New England Collegiate Conference team honors as well as a spot on the Regional Championship All-Tournament team.

Following his playing days, DeChent began teaching at the Yonkers Public Schools in 1996 as a physical education teacher. In 2005, he was named an assistant principal at Roosevelt High School, working at various schools since in the same capacity since.

DeChent said this week that he has taken lessons learned on the hardwood and tried to pass them on to his students in Yonkers.

“As a teenager, I asked myself the same question every day: ‘What have I done today to make myself a better student and player?’” he said.  “I still ask myself the same question each day, but now it relates to me as a coach, administrator, and mentor.  What have I done today to positively affect students and provide appropriate guidance in their lives?’”

On Wednesday, the district honored DeChent for his Hall of Fame nomination at a Board of Education meeting.

“The qualities that made Mr. DeChent a stand-out on the basketball court are what define his strengths as an administrator: leadership, teamwork and dedication,” said Superintendent of Schools Bernard Pierorazio.

Tickets for the June 22 Hall of Fame dinner and induction ceremony are $135 per person and can be purchased at nebhof.ticketsocket.com.

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