Adelphi University Athletics

Donald Payne was both a coach and a player for the Adelphi Men’s Basketball program. In February of 1955, it was Donald Payne Night as he was presented a trophy by his Epsilon fraternity brothers and gifts from other groups.  He was honored by breaking Adelphi’s all time career scoring record, surpassing John Mills’ record by amassing 1,503 total points from 1951-1955. In 1952, he was part of a basketball clinic under the direction of head coach George Faherty demonstrating their techniques at the Queens Local Board of the National Association of Approved Basketball Officials. It was a forty minute demonstration that was made in front of 300 high school and college coaches. Selected by the New York Knickerbockers in 1955, he was the only Adelphi player to be drafted. Lastly, he was Co-Chairman of the Career Conference in 1965.