Photo by: Bree Bee
Former Rockets Return to Savage Arena for Alumni Gathering
8/4/2026 3:10:00 PM | Men's Basketball
Players from Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk's 16 years at helm play together one more time
TOLEDO, Ohio – More than a decade and a half of Toledo men's basketball history was inside Savage Arena on Tuesday as former Rockets from Head Coach Tod Kowalczyk's 16 seasons returned to campus for an alumni gathering that celebrated the program's growth, relationships and lasting bonds.
The event brought together players from multiple eras, giving former teammates and coaches an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and share the court once again.
"It was something special," Kowalczyk said. "We got a lot of years of guys who came back and there were 16 years of Rocket history on the floor. These are the men that built the program under my leadership, and we're just so thankful for that.
"I'm extremely proud of the fact that they all wanted to come back, and there were even some who really wanted to be here but couldn't make it because of work or other commitments. We've had some great players, but they're even better men. They're great guys who represented our program and university the right way."
Among those in attendance were Kowalczyk's first Toledo recruit, former All-MAC standout Rian Pearson, along with NBA players Ryan Rollins and RayJ Dennis.
Rollins is coming off a breakout season with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 74 games while earning recognition as one of the NBA's Most Improved Players.
"I'm a Toledo Rocket, and this is where I went to school, so it's always good to get back to where you came from," Rollins said. "We all keep in contact with each other, and it's always good to come back to Toledo and visit. It's nice to see the dorm where I lived and go around town and see some of the spots I used to go to. There's definitely a little nostalgia."
Dennis, who appeared in 17 NBA games last season with the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks, also made the trip back to campus. The former Rocket earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors after averaging 24.2 points, 10.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds for the College Park Skyhawks, becoming the only G League player to average at least 20.0 points and 10.0 assists during the 2025-26 season.
"It's been super fun to see guys from different generations and different eras," Dennis said. "There were a lot of great memories coming back. It was good to see people's personalities that I didn't know and learn why they were special and also why the times we had were special."
For Dennis, the weekend served as another reminder of the impact Toledo basketball continues to have on its players long after their careers have ended.
"To have this group of guys come back is a testament to Coach K," Dennis said. "Coming to Toledo truly changed my life, my basketball career and my trajectory. I'll come back every year, as much as Coach wants, and do whatever he needs. The whole staff has been that special in my life."
The gathering highlighted what Kowalczyk has built over the past 16 years: a program connected not only by championships and victories, but by relationships that continue long after the final buzzer.
"We're proud of what these guys accomplished on the court," Kowalczyk said. "But we're even more proud of the men they've become."
The event brought together players from multiple eras, giving former teammates and coaches an opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and share the court once again.
"It was something special," Kowalczyk said. "We got a lot of years of guys who came back and there were 16 years of Rocket history on the floor. These are the men that built the program under my leadership, and we're just so thankful for that.
"I'm extremely proud of the fact that they all wanted to come back, and there were even some who really wanted to be here but couldn't make it because of work or other commitments. We've had some great players, but they're even better men. They're great guys who represented our program and university the right way."
Among those in attendance were Kowalczyk's first Toledo recruit, former All-MAC standout Rian Pearson, along with NBA players Ryan Rollins and RayJ Dennis.
Rollins is coming off a breakout season with the Milwaukee Bucks, where he averaged 17.3 points, 5.6 assists, 4.6 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 74 games while earning recognition as one of the NBA's Most Improved Players.
"I'm a Toledo Rocket, and this is where I went to school, so it's always good to get back to where you came from," Rollins said. "We all keep in contact with each other, and it's always good to come back to Toledo and visit. It's nice to see the dorm where I lived and go around town and see some of the spots I used to go to. There's definitely a little nostalgia."
Dennis, who appeared in 17 NBA games last season with the Indiana Pacers, Los Angeles Clippers and Atlanta Hawks, also made the trip back to campus. The former Rocket earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors after averaging 24.2 points, 10.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds for the College Park Skyhawks, becoming the only G League player to average at least 20.0 points and 10.0 assists during the 2025-26 season.
"It's been super fun to see guys from different generations and different eras," Dennis said. "There were a lot of great memories coming back. It was good to see people's personalities that I didn't know and learn why they were special and also why the times we had were special."
For Dennis, the weekend served as another reminder of the impact Toledo basketball continues to have on its players long after their careers have ended.
"To have this group of guys come back is a testament to Coach K," Dennis said. "Coming to Toledo truly changed my life, my basketball career and my trajectory. I'll come back every year, as much as Coach wants, and do whatever he needs. The whole staff has been that special in my life."
The gathering highlighted what Kowalczyk has built over the past 16 years: a program connected not only by championships and victories, but by relationships that continue long after the final buzzer.
"We're proud of what these guys accomplished on the court," Kowalczyk said. "But we're even more proud of the men they've become."
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