Although he was an underclassman 30 years ago, Curtis “Smooth” Hammond still remembers his days at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
“It was an incredible experience,” says Hammond. “It was so peaceful. Everyone helped everyone.”
Hammond, who was elected to the SUNY New Paltz Hall of Fame in 2005, is the all-time leading scorer in New Paltz history. He also helped the College reach the playoffs of the Eastern College Athletic Conference for the first time in 17 years.
“When I got there [New Paltz], the school had been on a long drought from the playoffs,” recalls Hammond. “Our basketball program was exceptional though. We knew we were going in the right direction.”
It was a golden era for New Paltz basketball, as the rosters of the teams of which he was apart were littered with all-time greats, such as Dan Mooney, Tyrone Robinson and Steve Burns.
“With the talent we had, we could have been a small Division I school,” declared Hammond. “I mean, [Dan] Mooney was one of the all-time assist leaders in school history, also. It made it easier to score points with him passing you the ball.”
Putting points on the board came relatively easy for Hammond, as he was able to rattle off eye-popping scoring numbers. He holds the record for most points in an individual game for New Paltz. During the 1979-80 season, he poured in 48 points against Ramapo in a 109-106 loss.
“There were a couple of nights I went off for 40,” said Hammond, chuckling. “I also had a few upper 30 point games as well. We could really put it up back then.”
Despite collecting more points than anyone who has ever put on a Hawk uniform and having success at New Paltz, one of Hammond’s fondest memories of his playing days came from a loss.
In 1981, New Paltz squared off against Marist College in a battle for the area’s supremacy. New Paltz traveled to across the river to Poughkeepsie for the matchup, and Hammond recalls the atmosphere in there.
“It was a big moment in Marist. They were a scholarship school and favored heavily,” says Hammond. “It was a real hyped up game. That place was packed out.”
New Paltz came up five points short in that contest (it was a 70-65 loss for the Hawks), but Hammond says he will never forget the intensity of that game.
“We wanted that one bad,” says Hammond. “It was one of the most excellent games I’ve ever played in.”
Harris Wichard, a junior at New Paltz, eclipsed the 1,000-point mark on his career this past season, an achievement that the all-time leading scorer in school history recognizes.
“It’s a real honor. That’s a prestigious group he [Wichard] has joined,” says Hammond. “Only a handful of guys who have played have done there. He should really be proud of what he did.”
Looking back on the program, Hammond only has positive things to say about those who were around him, and has one message to current and future athletes at New Paltz.
“New Paltz has a rich history in sports,” Hammond said. “Look for other people around you and carry on the tradition.”
