ST. BONAVENTURE, N.Y. – The banner denoting St. Bonaventure
men’s basketball 1970 NCAA Final Four run hangs at the East end of
Bob Lanier court at the Reilly Center.
It’s a testament to what has been Bonaventure’s shining moment
in a rich basketball tradition, a symbol of hope and pride
reminding Bona faithful what dreams may come in the future. And,
the banner has given solace through a devastating scandal and
Bonnie teams that have been way less worthy of an NCAA, even NIT
tournament appearance in recent years.
On Saturday afternoon, some members of that magical team
returned to the Reilly Center. They weren’t there for praise or a
money-making opportunity. They weren’t there to protest for a
larger banner. Instead, six old teammates stood gym-ready among
50-plus boys and girls.
They just wanted a few hours to teach the youngsters
fundamentals of basketball and life’s ideals that have helped them
stay connected and thrive, even 40 years after their loss to
Jacksonville in the national semifinals.
So, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bob Lanier, Billy Kalbaugh, Matt
Gantt, Paul Hoffman, Dale Tepas and Mike Kull instructed a co-ed
group of kids ages 7-12. The free-of-charge session focused on
drills like shooting a proper lay-up and defending with the proper
footwork.
As kids grinned with each success, or mistake, instructors and
parents matched those smiles with high-fives and countless flashes
from the camera. A few chosen individuals even posed in a shooting
stance with eight-time NBA all-star, Lanier. It’s a memory that
will likely stay fresh in those kids’ minds for years to come.
Tepas, a guard on the 1970 team, said this is the first time him
and his buddies have conducted an open basketball camp. Before
Saturday, the Big Cat (Lanier) and company never met at St.
Bonaventure’s campus since they made plans for an annual reunion,
which started eight years ago in Syracuse.
“It doesn’t happen by circumstance,” said Tepas of his team’s
unity. “It happens because of who we were when we played together,
and the bond we had. We are fortunate for that to happen because it
doesn’t for all teams.”
In a media-controlled world of big egos, endorsements and
multi-million dollar contracts, Tepas is right to laude his team’s
impervious camaraderie. Today, many athletes are quick to become
indulgent in their image and successes while neglecting
opportunities to forge relationships with the people around them
and in their communities.
Not these Bonnies.
Before it was sheik for athletes to turn pre-Madonna, Tepas and
his crew learned to do things the Bonaventure way, staying close
with their Franciscan values of selflessness by bettering their
lives and others. “We did things in a positive manner, and I think
that’s part of the process of doing things the right way,” said
Tepas.
Naturally, any camp that involves youths, especially one where
the whole hasn’t reached adolescence, involves a discussion
session.
Surprisingly, when the kids huddled together for this camp’s
talk, even the adults in the gym paid attention. For the last 30
minutes of the affair, the doing-things-the-right-way aspect
finally hit home and significantly outweighed any awe directed
toward the Bonnie’s legends.
Lanier, an ambassador for the NBA Cares and Basketball without
Borders programs, addressed listeners with a powerful message in
the form of an acronym. PRIDE, which stands for positive attitudes,
respect, intelligent choices, dreams and goals, and effort and
education, quickly became the message of the day.
In Lanier’s eyes, Saturday was a “wonderful afternoon” to
forward that advice to the young people.
“To share core values, to spend time, basketball knowledge and
life skills and to give back is a great thing that makes everyone
feel pretty good,” commented Lanier. “If you can capture the
flavor, it’s invaluable.”
In my mind, I’m sure Lanier, Tepas, Gantt, Hoffman, Kull and
Kalbaugh are people who have never let down St. Bonaventure’s
community and didn’t disappoint.
