LORETTO, Pa. (August 2, 2011) – For the better part of three decades – from the late 1940s to the early 1970s – Saint Francis College was a recognized name among the nation's college basketball programs. Between 1947 and 1971, SFC teams turned in 19 winning seasons, six 20-win campaigns and were selected to participate in the elite National Invitational Tournament on three occasions.

But after nearly half a century, the memories of those accomplishments and the players and coaches behind them have undoubtedly faded.

Earlier this spring, in an effort to preserve and promote the forgotten story of Saint Francis' men's basketball's earlier prowess, University President Rev. Gabriel Zeis, T.O.R., created the Golden Era Men's Basketball Committee and charged it with identifying players and teams of that period to be inducted into a soon-to-be-created extension of the SFU Athletics Hall of Fame.

The process, which began in May with a formative meeting in Kansas City, will culminate with an enshrinement dinner and induction ceremony on June 23, 2012. Moving forward, legendary players from the 1950s up to and including the 1970s will be inducted on an annual basis.

“Saint Francis has a storied history in men's college basketball that has been largely forgotten,” said Bob Moore, '70, who serves as the committee's chairman. “It covers a period of time when small Catholic colleges, particularly in the East, ranked among the nation's collegiate powers.

“To pay tribute to those early players and the teams Saint Francis produced is long overdue. Moreover, it gives the University a distinct image boost when compared to many of our competitors in the sport.

In addition to an emphasis on Saint Francis' winning ways on the court, the initiative will also strive to take a look at the men who shaped the program, including legendary head coach Skip Hughes, who won a school-record 293 games between 1945 and 1966 and played a seminal role in the racial integration of the sport on the Loretto campus.

Fans and alumni can nominate former Saint Francis by visiting www.SFUathletics.com/goldenera. Nominations must be received by October 1, 2011 for full consideration by the committee, which is made up of 14 alumni and University administrators.

Other committee members include: Don Appleman '68; Joe Aston '60; Bob Ford '56; Ken Horoho '77; Art Hunter '72; Mark Kutsher; Bill Snodgrass '70; Emil Wandishin '55; University President, Father Gabriel Zeis '75; and 2010 SFU Athletics Hall of Fame inductees Father Jack O'Malley '59 and Wilbur Trosch '60. Director of Athletics Bob Krimmel and Vice President Dr. Frank Montecalvo will also sit on the committee.

The first Basketball Legends hall of fame class will be announced in January and will be joined by other basketball greats already enshrined in the University's Athletic Hall of Fame.