Haverhill, MA (April 8, 2026) — Hundreds of fans, former players, family members and Northern Essex Community College staff packed the gym on Wednesday night to celebrate the men’s basketball team. They became the first team in school history to capture a national title when they won the  NJCAA DIII National Championship last month.

State Senator Pavel Payano (D-First Essex District) served as emcee for the celebration, which included speeches from NECC President Lane Glenn, two former NECC Knights, current player and co-captain Cristian Moscat and NJCAA Coach of the Year Darren Stratton. All reflected on the journey to get to that moment.

“With the national championship, it wasn’t just about the time we put into the team. It was about how we built together,” commented Moscat. “The NECC Knights, that’s family for life.”

“It didn’t start with you guys in the front row,” said Coach Stratton, referring to the current players. “This is years of building and cooperation from college leadership and support of the Academic Coaches and a community that believed in us.”

Each player received a specially-framed jersey and got to see a preview of the design for their championship rings. The event culminated with the unveiling of the championship banner.

Check out the Knight’s Road to the National Championship below, in this video produced by Coach Stratton’s son, Talan Stratton: