Random notes on a college basketball season
By Chris Granozio
As we close out another week, here’s the promised wrap-up of the region’s venue and court dedications, with the Northeast-10 namesakes:
Le Moyne – Ted Grant Court is named after G. Edward Grant, a member of the college’s inaugural class and who served as a trustee.
Saint Rose – Daniel P. Nolan gym honors a philanthropist, trustee, chairman of the board and supporter of the school’s athletics programs. The court bears the name of Mike Long, the first basketball coach from 1973-85 and who is still coaching at Hudson Valley Community College. The four-time Hall of Famer has racked up over 500 wins.
Pace – The Goldstein Center is named after Anne and Alfred Goldstein, the latter of whom was a school trustee from 1981-86 and was known for his philanthropic support of Setters athletics.
Adelphi – the Center for Recreation and Sport is the most generic name in the league. How about a nod to longtime athletic director Bob Hartwell?
New Haven – Okay, Charger Gym is uninspiring, but at least the court is named after 25-year athletic director Deborah Chin, who coached the Chargers’ volleyball, softball, women’s basketball and women’s tennis teams during her 42 years at the school.
Southern Connecticut – the Dr. James Moore Field House is so named in honor of its 27-year baseball coach, onetime football coach and initially, its director for health, physical education and recreation.
American International – Henry A. Butova coached football, basketball and baseball at the school between 1957-64 and Butova Gym is named in his honor
St. Michael’s – The Vincent C. Ross Sports Center is named for the Roman Catholic layman who was a member of the Cardinal’s Committee of the laity of the New York archdiocese and who was a trustee both at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan as well as at St. Michael’s College in Vermont. He was also a Knight Grand Cross of Malta and a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. How appropriate considering the school's nickname is Purple Knights!
Southern New Hampshire – The recently dubbed Stan Spirou Field House honors its supremely successful basketball coach, who amassed 640 wins and five regional championships over 33 seasons.
St. Anselm – Stoutenburgh Gym is named for investment banker and trustee William Stoutenburgh, a partner in the New York investment firm of C.J. Devine, Co. He is “widely known as an outstanding Catholic layman and for his extensive work in charitable causes and on behalf of youth.” The court is dedicated to Al Grenert, who won 305 games over his 22 years as men’s basketball coach.
Franklin Pierce – The Fieldhouse says it all.
Stonehill – Merkert Gym is named for Eugene Merkert, a benefactor whose son was a student and died while there in 1978 . The court bears the name of six-time Hall of Famer Paula Sullivan, who compiled a sensational 479-159 record during her tenure as women’s basketball coach before assuming the reins of athletic director.
Assumption – plays its home games at Andrew Laska Gym, which is named after its 30-year athletic director and men’s coach from 1951-67, during which he fashioned a 224-92 record and transformed the program into a national powerhouse.
Bentley – The Charles Dana center bears the name of the attorney, legislator, industrialist and philanthropist who created a foundation and whose name is half of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The court is named after Hall of Fame Coach Barbara Stevens, who retired last year with the brilliant career record of 1039-282, capped off by a national championship in 2014.
Next week, there will be one Around the Rim on Tuesday, which will include my memoir of the greatest D2 basketball game I ever saw. One that made a Hall of Fame D1 coach with multiple national championships exclaim “wowwww!” after the final buzzer. Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy Hooping to all!