Saint Joseph's Hawks Men's Basketball Players
The Early Years
In 1900, the Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team was born. The team played its first game on February 14th, 1901, against the University of Pennsylvania. Despite losing 26-0, the team continued to play and slowly improved.
Some of the earliest players for the Hawks include Elmer Ripley, who played from 1912-1915, and Robert "Bolly" Dolly, who played from 1914-1917. Ripley was known for his athleticism and led the team in scoring during his time at Saint Joseph's. Dolly was a talented guard who continued to play basketball after college, even playing professionally for the Wilmington Bombers.
The Greatest Achievements
Saint Joseph's has had several successful seasons throughout its history. One of the most notable achievements came in the 2003-2004 season when the Hawks finished with a 27-0 regular-season record, the only team in the country to do so that year. The team was led by Jameer Nelson, who won the Naismith College Player of the Year award that season. The Hawks eventually lost in the Elite Eight of the NCAA tournament, but their perfect regular-season record will always be remembered.
In addition to the 2003-2004 season, Saint Joseph's has had several other successful seasons. The Hawks have won 14 conference championships in their history, and have made 21 NCAA tournament appearances. They have also made it to the Final Four once, in 1961.
Famous Alumni
Saint Joseph's has produced several notable basketball players over the years. One of the most famous alumni is Jameer Nelson, who played for the Hawks from 2000-2004. Nelson had an outstanding college career, winning numerous awards and leading Saint Joseph's to their historic 2004 regular-season record. He was eventually drafted by the Orlando Magic and had a successful career in the NBA, earning an All-Star selection in 2009.
Another notable alumni is Jack Ramsay, who played for the Hawks from 1942-1943. Ramsay eventually became a successful NBA coach, leading the Portland Trail Blazers to the NBA championship in 1977. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
The Current Team
Today, the Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team continues to compete at a high level. The current head coach, Billy Lange, took over in 2019 and has already made an impact. The team has several talented players, including Ryan Daly, who led the team in scoring during the 2019-2020 season with an average of 20.6 points per game.
The Hawks finished with a 6-15 record during the 2020-2021 season, but the team has shown promise and looks to improve in the upcoming season.
Conclusion
The Saint Joseph's Hawks men's basketball team has a rich history, filled with successful seasons and talented players. From the early days of Elmer Ripley and Robert "Bolly" Dolly, to the recent success of Jameer Nelson and the 2003-2004 team, the Hawks have established themselves as a respected program in college basketball. With a promising current team led by Coach Billy Lange, the future looks bright for the Hawks, and fans can look forward to many more successful seasons to come.