We are Bonaventure

The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for St Bonaventure Basketball fans. We were on a big hot streak, won 10 of 12, and finished the season at 29 in the RPI. After some big wins vs Dayton, St Joes, and others, the general feeling was that we could make a run and potentially even win the Atlantic 10 Conference tournament.
Then, on Friday, we lost our first game in the tournament against Davidson. The long wait till selection Sunday began, and Bona fans everywhere were making a case for why we should be in.
“All the experts” were predicting that we would be in the tourney. Students, administrators, and alumni were getting really excited and making travel plans.

And then on selection Sunday we found out that we didn’t make the tournament.

Why? What happened? As the feeling of injustice set in, shock turned to anger. How did (insert team) make it over us? Other coaches and “experts” asked the same questions. As a lifelong fan of the team, it hurts. Bad. I’ve been going to games since I was 1 year old and lived through almost 40 years of ups and downs. We have made the tournament 2 times in my lifetime, and I’ve been lucky enough to go both times. I sure was hoping (praying) that this week would be 3 for 3.

But it didn’t happen.

As bad as it hurts, it helps to share the pain with so many from the Bonaventure family. I have talked to thousands of people who see what we have as Bonaventure Alumni and are amazed. Our willingness to go out of our way and help any other alum is unique. I’ve seen it time and time again. Helping get a job, lending a hand, giving advice, or buying a beer. We treat each other like a brother or a sister. And that is fitting. Our school was built on the Franciscan values of our beloved Friars and Nuns. We know them as Brothers and Sisters. They care about us. We care about them. We all care for each other.

This is not a time to be angry, this a time to be thankful for what we are a part of. We certainly wouldn’t trade what we have with Bonaventure to be in this years tournament.

Not even close.

We are family, and I couldn’t be more proud. We are Franciscans. We are Brothers. We are Sisters. We are Bonaventure.