David Hairston served as an engine and an intimidating presence for the men’s basketball program from 2000-04. Hairston, a two-time All-AMCC choice, led the Lions to a pair of AMCC Regular-Season Champion titles and ECAC Tournament bids. 

Hairston made his mark on the basketball team during his freshman campaign, playing with an edge and hitting the glass on both ends. Hairston shot 51 percent from the floor and averaged 9.8 points to be named an All-Conference Honorable Mention. 

Hairston’s hot shooting carried over to his sophomore year. He hit for 53.4 percent from the floor and pulled down a season-best 184 rebounds while scoring 238 points. The Lions earned their first of two straight ECAC Tournament appearances and finished with an 18-9 record. 
In 2002-03, the junior averaged 9.1 points and 4.9 rebounds. An All-AMCC Second-Team choice, he poured the most points in a season for his career with 263 and led the Lions to their seventh ECAC Tournament bid for a 20-9 overall record. 

The following year, Hairston helped Behrend advance to the NCAA Tournament and finish with an astounding 22-4 mark. The senior tallied 157 points, putting him 86 away from reaching 1,000 for his career. He sits 12th in the record books for career rebounds (525) and is tied for 18th in career field-goal percentage (.501), while holding the sixth-best rebounding performance with 14 boards in a game.