Men's Basketball to Host Preseason Tip-Off Reception on Oct. 15
9/22/2026 2:00:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Steve Clifford to Serve as Keynote Speaker
HAMDEN, Conn. – The Quinnipiac University men's basketball program will host its 2026-27 Preseason Tip-Off Reception on Thursday, Oct. 15 at M&T Bank Arena.
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The Bobcats invite you to an exclusive evening celebrating the start of the year! Join fellow alumni, fans, and friends from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in the University Club at M&T Bank Arena. Former Orlando Magic & Charlotte Hornets head coach Steve Clifford will serve as the event's keynote speaker, and the night will also feature remarks from Director of Athletics Greg Amodio, Senior Associate AD Bill Mecca, and Quinnipiac Head Coach Tom Pecora.Â
REGISTER TODAY - CLICK HERE
Ticket purchase includes the ceremony (food + drinks) and formal presentation. $15 of each ticket purchase will support the Men's Basketball program.Â
Questions? Email Friends of Quinnipiac Athletics, friendsofathletics@quinnipiac.edu
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ABOUT STEVE CLIFFORD
Steve Clifford brings over four decades of high-level basketball coaching and executive experience across the collegiate and professional ranks, most recently serving as a senior advisor and assistant coach in the NBA. Widely regarded as one of the league's top defensive minds and program builders, Clifford spent seven seasons as an NBA head coach with the Charlotte Hornets (2013–2018, 2022–2024) and three seasons with the Orlando Magic (2018–2021).
Throughout his head coaching career, Clifford established a reputation for leading disciplined, highly structured teams and executing remarkable program turnarounds. In his first season with the Charlotte Bobcats (2013–14), he engineered a 15-win improvement, transformed the team into a top-five defensive unit, and earned a spot in the 2014 NBA Playoffs, finishing fourth in NBA Coach of the Year voting. Later with the Orlando Magic, Clifford guided the franchise to a Southeast Division title in 2018–19, snapping a seven-year playoff drought and securing back-to-back postseason appearances.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Clifford honed his craft during a decade-plus tenure as a premier NBA assistant with the New York Knicks, Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic, and Los Angeles Lakers, working under renowned mentors Jeff and Stan Van Gundy. During his first stint in Orlando, he helped lead the franchise to five consecutive playoff runs, highlighted by an appearance in the 2009 NBA Finals. Before entering the NBA ranks, Clifford spent 16 years in the college system, including a standout four-year run as head coach at Adelphi University (86–36 record, four NCAA Division II Tournament appearances).
A native of Island Falls, Maine, Clifford earned his degree in special education from the University of Maine at Farmington, where he played four years of varsity basketball and served as team captain.
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