ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The men’s basketball teams of St. Bonaventure University and Siena College squared off against each other in the first Franciscan Cup on Dec. 28.
The game, the first of four scheduled contests with St. Bonaventure against Siena, was played at St. Bonaventure’s Bob Lanier Court. St. Bonaventure overcame a nine-point deficit to defeat Siena, 82-79.
The idea of the Franciscan Cup was initiated by Sr. Margaret Carney, OSF, president of St. Bonaventure University, and Kevin Mullen, OFM, president of Siena College. It was designed to create a rivalry between the schools, both founded by friars of Holy Name Province.
“This was a great college basketball game, and I hope it sparks a rivalry between the two schools,” said St. Bonaventure coach Mark Schmidt.
Nearly 3,700 people attended the inaugural contest, including friars of Holy Name Province. F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, SBU’s vice president for Franciscan Mission, and Jud Weiksnar, OFM, who directed St. Bonaventure’s Franciscan Center for Social Concerns from 2002-2005, displayed signs during the game.
The two schools, which played for a traveling trophy, are scheduled to play each other annually for three years. The next game will be at the Times Union Center in Albany, N.Y.
“There were lots of close moments that kept us cheering and praying until the end,” said St. Bonaventure alumna Mary Freeman Kelley, an Olean, N,.Y., resident. “Our family already is talking about going to Albany for next year’s game.”
In the photo above, Jud holds a sign in the Reilly Center arena on the St. Bonaventure campus. The rear photo shows (left to right) Ed, Gregory Jakubowicz, OFM, Kevin, Sr. Margaret, Kevin Kriso, OFM, and Jud.
— Kevin McGarr, a journalism student at St. Bonaventure University, served as an editorial intern in HNP’s Communications Office during the summer of 2010.