Feb 25, 2026

The annual Alumni Basketball Game, organized by Pratt Athletics and the Office of Alumni Engagement, returned to the newly renovated ARC on Saturday, Feb 21, bringing together generations of Cannoneers for a day of competition and camaraderie. The celebration included an alumni scrimmage and reception, with approximately 75 alumni and guests in attendance, and preceded the final men’s basketball game of the regular season, which concluded with a 12-13 record.

Around two dozen former Cannoneers donned gold and black jerseys and shared time through 20-minute halves, playing tight defense, battling for rebounds, and mixing midrange jumpers, layups, and three-pointers. The first half stayed competitive as both teams adjusted to the spotlight, but after the break, the gold team found its rhythm and pulled ahead to secure the win.

  • A group of five men playing basketball in a gym. Two players are wearing yellow jerseys with “Pratt” printed on them, while three players are in black jerseys. They are in active stances on the court, focused on the game. The background features bleachers and a sign welcoming visitors to "THE ARC." The gym has a polished wooden floor and modern lighting.
  • A group of men are playing basketball indoors on a wooden court. Two players in yellow jerseys are positioned on one side, while three players in black jerseys are crouched down, focused on the game. The background features a facility sign and bleachers, indicating an organized sports setting.
  • A player in a yellow practice jersey dribbles a basketball on a wooden gym floor, with a bright yellow background and empty bleachers. Another player, dressed in a blue shirt, is partially visible in the foreground. The atmosphere is energetic, suggesting a basketball practice or game setting.
  • A basketball player is leaping towards the hoop to score a basket, holding a basketball in one hand. In the background, a scoreboard displays the time as 11:56, with a score of 1 for the black team and 10 for the gold team. The scoreboard also shows the current period and foul counts. The setting appears to be an indoor basketball court.
  • A basketball game in an indoor gym features several players in yellow and black jerseys. One player is shooting the ball towards the hoop while another defends. The court has a bright wooden floor, and banners are displayed along the walls. The setting is lively with players actively engaged in the game.
    Scenes from the game

Fellow alumni, along with friends and family, cheered from the stands, energized by Charlie, the Cannoneers’ beloved mascot, and the liveliness of the atmosphere. 

Following the game, alumni and guests gathered for a luncheon where Bernard Chang, BArch ’95, and Kadir Nelson, BFA Communications Design (Illustration) ’96, were honored for their tremendous support of Pratt’s basketball program. Chang and Nelson played for the Cannoneers as students and helped to bring back the alumni basketball game in the early 2000s, reviving a tradition that began in 1974. Chang also led the program’s fundraising effort to get new sneakers for the men’s team. Pratt President Frances Bronet and Director of Athletics Walter Rickard shared opening remarks before the honorees spoke.

Four people pose together in front of a large yellow backdrop featuring the Pratt Institute Cannoneers logo. The group includes a woman in a black outfit and sunglasses, a man in a white shirt and green cargo pants, a man in a black sweater and shorts, and a man in a black jacket. Each person holds a basketball, and the setting appears to be a celebratory event related to the institute.
From left to right: President Frances Bronet; Kadir Nelson, BFA Communications Design (Illustration) ’96; Bernard Chang, BArch ’95; and Director of Athletics Walter Rickard

“It’s always a pleasure to come back to play basketball at Pratt,” said Nelson. “When we were kids playing here, I took it for granted that I’d be young forever. We would watch the alumni come back every winter to play basketball, and we’d sit in the stands kidding, like, ‘Look at all those old guys…so slow!’ and now we’re the old guys.” 

“It’s been about 20 years since we put an impromptu alumni game together,” he added. “We called our friends, former players, and we had a great time. And we said we should do this every year, and then the school jumped in and supported it.”

“One of my most memorable moments here at Pratt was really making the team as a freshman,” said Chang. “I remember my first season, we were playing up at Polytechnic on Long Island, and the alumni came through, and they played against the Polytech alumni and…beat ’em.”

Chang added, “To me as a young kid, coming into the program, not really knowing anything, just wanting to play ball, knowing that there’s this legacy and history behind the program really helped fuel my inner curiosity.”

Both honorees continue to draw inspiration from the game in their creative work—Chang has illustrated current Pratt basketball players, while Nelson recently published Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game, an illustrated history of the sport. Courtesy of Pratt, attendees received signed copies of both Basket Ball and Chang’s illustrated Marvel comic Sorcerer Supreme (#1).

A group of men poses together in front of a yellow backdrop, displaying copies of a book titled "Basketball." They hold the books up, showcasing various covers, while one person cradles a basketball. The setting appears to be an event space with wooden flooring. The individuals wear casual clothing and exhibit a range of expressions, from smiles to serious looks.
Alumni with copies of Basket Ball: The Story of the All-American Game and Sorcerer Supreme (#1)

For information on upcoming schedules for Pratt’s athletics programs, visit goprattgo.com. To support Pratt Athletics and initiatives across the Institute, make a gift toward Giving Day 2026 on March 25.

Take a look at some of the scenes from the day below.

  • A group of four basketball players are gathered in a gym, wearing black jerseys with the word "Pratt" printed on them. One player stands in the foreground, looking attentively at someone off-camera. Two teammates beside him are engaged in conversation, with one wearing glasses and a beard and the other having a light mustache. The gym has a colorful backdrop and a crowd in the stands.
  • A large group of men and women gather on a basketball court, wearing jerseys in black and yellow, with the word "Pratt" visible on them. A mascot in a pirate costume kneels in front of the group. The scoreboard in the background shows a final score of Black team: 49, Gold team: 69. People are smiling and posing for the photo, creating a sense of camaraderie and celebration.
  • A group of male basketball players stands on a stage with a yellow Pratt Institute Cannoneers banner behind them. One man is speaking into a microphone, while the players in uniforms listen. In the foreground, several attendees are seated at a table, enjoying food and drinks. The atmosphere appears to be a team event or gathering, with a focus on team spirit and community.
  • A large group of people is seated around tables in a dining area, sharing a meal. Many individuals are engaged in conversation, with some looking at their phones. Several participants are wearing sports jerseys or casual attire. There are plates of food and drinks on the tables, while a backdrop of black curtains creates a cozy atmosphere. The lighting is warm, highlighting the diverse group of attendees.
  • A group of people is gathered indoors, clapping and celebrating. In the foreground, a smiling man in a white shirt and red shoes sits on a chair, while others around him, including a woman with a flute, join in applause. Some individuals are seated at tables in the background, and the atmosphere appears joyful and lively, with a mix of ages present. A black curtain is visible behind them, adding to the indoor setting.