Of Glory, Of Praise

              Clearly, the situation had become acute. With Moras' release, FAWO and DLO decided it was time to call a halt to this warfare. The two groups sat down at a negotiating table and after pressured haggling, a peace treaty was signed. The era of terrorism on the Saint Rose campus was over�or was it? Only time would tell! So much for frivolity and the serious, shattering problems of the 70s.
Although off to a rocky start, the Saint Rose sports program of the 70s demonstrated very clearly that the College had "miles to go..." but there had been a long standing tradition of interest in sports and this was the decade that seemed to become the catalyst in leaping further along a competitive path that ultimately would lead to spirit, and in some ways, glory.
Women's basketball, of course had a long but not continuous history going all the way back to the '20s. Fifty years later, the teams were powerful and renowned for their athletic prowess. In 1977, the team just missed a championship victory, but Eileen Pickett was honored as the team's MVP with a 22.4 game point average. Denise Hehir took the most defensive rebounds that year and Liz Santa Barbara garnered the assist record with 51. The next year, the women's basketball squad shared the NAC championship with Columbia-Greene and when the 1978-79 season opened, Coach Cathy Cummings (Haker), in her fourth year, looked forward to a powerful and experienced team. She had "Murph" Mueller, known for her defensive aggressiveness and deadly set shot; Lynn Gallagher, the definitive team player; Marg Van Patten, whose quick hands and good court sense were critical; and Karen Manor, known for her steady consistent performances, always thinking, calm and good in pressure situations. In addition the team could boast the talents of Mary Ann Chilinski, deadly when shooting from the top of the key and Mary Delanoy whose physical strength was intimidating. Also important to the success of the hoopsters was Barb Berg, Deb Bowman, Mary Broderick and center Terri Deubel who was well known for her ability to mop up around the boards. Two frosh, Genie Kapowski and Nancy Hare rounded out the squad. The road ahead looked bright.
Not so for the men's basketball squad. In its first season, the College's hoopsters garnered but two wins and even though the team improved 6-6 in the 1971-72 season, there was a long way to go. It appeared as though men's basketball was on a roller-coaster ride. Coach John Shortecky did an admirable job in trying to engender more interest in the program, but, by 1974, Mike Long replaced him.
Clearly, the program remained troubled, leading Long to recommend the abandonment of men's hoop because there just were not enough qualified men to warrant fielding a team. Not long after, hoping the program could be reinstated, Coach Long urged the administration to commit seriously to basketball for men at Saint Rose. He believed athletics, especially basketball, would work toward enhancing the school's image and morale.
Though it did not happen easily, the hoopsters were back on the court, competing with other teams and copping a fair share of check-offs in the "W" column. At the third annual sports banquet in April 1977, two players shared the MVP award: Mark Gabriel, who averaged 22.2 points per game, and Tony Wilhelm, whose rebounds numbered 139 for the season.
By spring 1978, the Saints of Saint Rose took the NAC tourney title by defeating Bard 88-73. Coach Long praised the fine play of the team, but especially that of Kelly, Hamilton, Grimick and Ovitt, but the best was yet to come. When the season was underway the following fall, for the first time the men's squad began their season in their own campus gym. The completion of the Activities Center unquestionably demonstrated the administration's
Mike Long coaches future basketball coach Brian Beaury (in background).