Discussing the Attitude of Champions with Basketball Head Coach James Cosgrove

Annika Dyczkowski ’25
Executive Sports Editor

James Cosgrove has been at the helm of the Trinity men’s basketball team for 15 seasons; his most recent personal accomplishment includes being named the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division III Coach of the Year. While this is a landmark accomplishment, as Cosgrove was the first head coach to accredit this title to Trinity basketball, “if not for the players I don’t win anything,” he stated in an interview with the Tripod. Affirming that his award was merely the byproduct of his team’s hard work, our conversation with Cosgrove revolved around championing team success rather than getting insight on his pregame routine or individual keys to success. 

The success he testified as a result of his players is proudly displayed; Cosgrove’s office is painted with team accolades, including tournament plaques and All-Conference selections. Netting from championship victories decorates one wall, adjacent to the most recent national championship trophy adorned with netting from their victory over New York University (NYU), 64-60.  

Prior to joining Trinity, Cosgrove had his first head coach position at Endicott College, where the program earned two championship titles during his time (one being the first in program history). Following his five-year run at Endicott, Cosgrove joined Adelphi University in 2002, a Division II program which achieved three league titles and a 166-77 record during his eight years with the program. While at Adelphi, Cosgrove interviewed for a coaching position at a Division I program in the same year he interviewed at Trinity. He recalled his rationale for choosing Trinity, stating “It’s Division III, but what’s important to me is I think it’s the best [because] we can have great success in the classroom and around the community. One of the reasons why I took [this job] is because of the kids we could coach and the high level of achievement I thought we could get to,” he continues, “I remember saying, ‘But I think we can also win a national championship,’ which is something that’s always been real important to me.”

Interestingly enough, when captains Will Dorion ’24, M.A. ’25 and Henry Vetter ’26 shared their idea for team goals working toward a national championship, Cosgrove was hesitant to fully embrace the idea after graduating key players. “We just lost three really good players off a Final Four team. I said, ‘Wow, those are real lofty expectations and goals, and that’s great, but let’s concentrate on winning championships.’” Instead of becoming carried away with the allure of a national championship title, Cosgrove compromised with the captains to focus on the word ‘championships.’ “Obviously, the ultimate goal is to win a national championship. But, to win a NESCAC championship is unbelievable.” He continues, “I thought, ‘Let’s worry about winning championships and being a championship-type team, having a championship type attitude, work ethic and demeanor, no matter what happens.’ That was my focus for our guys.”

Cosgrove attributes the team’s success to each individual player’s ability to carry this championship attitude into every aspect of themselves. “Sometimes you can have great teams and not win a championship. So, I think our main focus was doing the things that it’s going to take to be a championship type team day in and day out, I think our guys really bought into that. I think the reason we did win championships is because our guys had that mentality, had that focus, had that attitude and had that work ethic.”

12 of the Bantam’s 15 rostered players this year will return to the team next season, carrying the memory and experience of this year’s profound success into next season. Cosgrove again stressed the importance of maintaining a championship attitude looking into next season, stating “If we can continue with that same demeanor, drive and hunger I think we can be successful, but I think the reason we were successful is because of our mentality. So, I’m very excited about having those guys back, but if we don’t have that same championship mentality, then it could be a season where we’re not successful.” He concludes, “I think the main reason for our success is [that] our guys bought into the important things to be champions.”

This season, the program welcomed Pete King, a 2020 Springfield College graduate and 2023-24 men’s basketball assistant coach. Cosgrove testified that the Bantams’ prior assistant coach, Trey Witter, recommended King to fill the position upon leaving to join the Saint Anselm Division II program. “Pete had known our program through Trey and they were very good friends, so for me that was important. Pete came to a bunch of our games in the NCAA tournament [last season], so he knew what we were about.” Cosgrove continued, testifying to King’s success in the role, “I thought he would be able to step in with his feet on the ground and running- and he did a very good job of that and definitely was a tremendous help to us this year.”

In addition to a dynamic coaching staff, the program’s support staff is unparalleled in their contribution. Cosgrove spoke to Sabrina Codrington’s ’25 contribution as team photographer and manager, “I was a little bit skeptical at first because I’m not a huge social media guy, but I met with her and she’s kind of like our guys, she has a great attitude, she wants to help the program and our brand, so she’s terrific.” He pivoted and spoke to more members of the support staff, “We had three freshman managers this year that did a great job, we have two tremendous team liaisons, Tom Wickman and Tennyson O’Donnell, and our other team assistant Sean Chamberlain also does a great job with us. We’re very blessed to have such a great support staff.”

Harnessing a championship mindset is no easy feat and reflects on every player successfully “buying in” to the process, as Cosgrove asserted. “Any coaching accolades that we make as a staff or individually is based on the hard work of our players and our support staff. I’m very fortunate to be surrounded by not only really good players, but also great kids that work hard and have a great attitude, same with our support staff and my assistant. Like the old saying goes, it takes a village. It takes everyone and I think that’s why we’ve had the success that we’ve had.”