Published March 15th, 2023
Proclamation issued to SMC basketball coach for 500th win
By Vera Kochan
The Town of Moraga issued a proclamation during the Feb. 15 town council meeting honoring Saint Mary's College basketball head coach Randy Bennett for his team's 500th win on Feb. 2 against the University of San Francisco. The presentation was intended to be made during SMC's home game against the University of the Pacific on Feb. 23, but according to Moraga Mayor Renata Sos, Bennett did not want his team to be distracted from the game.
This is Bennett's 22nd year at SMC where he has, to date, racked up 16 postseason appearances, five West Coast Conference (WCC) Coach of the Year honors, and according to the proclamation, "numerous top 20 rankings in the AP and Coaches Polls, multiple All-WCC and All-American honors for his players, and players who continued on to the NBA."
Bennett became SMC's 27th head coach in 2001, and thanks to his winning ways has helped to put the town on the sports world's radar. He and his wife, Darlene, along with their two sons, Chase and Cade continue to call Moraga home.
"What distinguishes Coach Bennett in the world of collegiate athletics is his unwavering commitment to developing student athletes who not only excel at basketball but do so with hard work, integrity, teamwork and sportsmanship," reads the proclamation, while continuing to praise "his steadfast loyalty to Saint Mary's College and its community of faculty, staff and students, and his devotion to the Town of Moraga and its residents."
As of press time, the framed proclamation is still in the mayor's possession, waiting to be presented to its recipient. If the main concern to Bennett is distraction, fingers-crossed that it won't be delivered until a long postseason of tournament participation is over.

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