Meet Fresno City College men's basketball

To the common viewer, Fresno City College (FCC) Men's Basketball is a whirling dervish quintet on the court, a mashup of very physical and sometimes furious activity that usually results in victory for the Rams.

But that's not even half of the story, let alone an accurate description.

The foundation of FCC hoops begins with culture development, a working from the inside out for the program on East University Avenue. As for its success, in Coach Ed Madec’s six-year run at FCC, his overall record (including this current season) is 165-29, which is an 85% winning percentage! Of all current NCAA coaches, only Mike Krzyzewski at Duke has a higher winning percentage.

As Madec explains, "Our culture is the most important thing to us. There is a way to act, think, and live on and off the court and it revolves around how you treat and ultimately care about people."

Away from the shooting and rebounding it's 'yes sir, thank you, and please' in public and private interactions for the Ram student-athletes. It’s also being on time and in class, earning the credits necessary to move to the next step academically and athletically.

"We have a graduation rate where 27 of our last 31 sophomores have received full ride scholarships," Madec said. "We're more proud of that statistic than any other."

He added, "We discuss our culture far more than we talk about basketball."

Susan Yates, the long time legendary Athletic Director of Fresno City College said when asked about Madec’s program, “his student-athletes are known for being the most respectful, courteous, caring, driven gentlemen off the court and fundamental, tough, unselfish winners on the court.”

Between the lines also involves very detailed instruction.

They [the players] think they go hard but we teach them to go harder," according to Madec. "We tell our guys that the hardest thing in life is to grow up and become a man. Our number one priority at FCC is to make our players MEN and productive members for society.”

Some uneducated critics will say the FCC style is roll the ball out on the court and out-run and out-physical its opponents.

However, there is much more of a philosophy and method to what may seem like madness to many.   

Madec offered, "we are very organized and disciplined within mastering and executing our plan with precision throughout our journey of attack.” 

Every season, the Ram braintrust makes adjustments according to the strengths and weaknesses on the roster. There is no rocket science at FCC, just common sense and a great deal of pride in their program.

As Madec says, "I consider myself to be a scavenger, In other words, I will try to learn from all types of successful people."

Madec is considered by many to be passionate, innovative and intense. When asked about this, he momentarily sighed and said, “my purpose is bigger than wins and losses, it is about being a servant leader, leading by example and serving our players in anyway that I can.”

Many wonder if such a program could be as successful at the next level as it’s been in the community college ranks. Madec is a two-time California State Coach of the year and five-time conference coach of the year. To date, FCC has racked up five consecutive Central Valley Conference Championships, has been to the Final Eight four of the last five years, including the 2007 State Championship season. The records for the Rams, working backwards are 31-3, 24-7, 34-1, 30-8, and 32-8. 

Madec offered, "we would win because of our culture."