The 1951-52 men’s basketball team will be enshrined as the only Saint Francis team to compete for a national title of any kind. The Red Flash lost, 76-64, on Mar. 22, 1952, in the finals of the National Catholic Invitation national championship game against Marquette University. During the tournament played in Troy, N.Y., Saint Francis defeated Loyola-Md. (66-52), Saint Joseph’s (65-56) and Siena (54-51) before falling to Marquette.
The Red Flash completed the regular season with 23 wins, and scored over 80 points in six games during the season. The team produced three players – Edward F. Dugan (1,003), John F. Bodner (1,125) and Maurice Stokes (2,282) – who scored more than 1,000 points during their careers.
Stokes was selected to the National Catholic Invitation All-Tournament Team as the Red Flash finished the season 23-7. Another member of Saint Francis Athletics Hall of Fame, Dr. William “Skip” Hughes, was in his seventh season as head coach during the 1951-52 season. He was assisted by coach William Wanish and manager James Brown.
Team members included George M. Banchansky (Banky), Thomas Barry, John F. Bodner, Larry F. Chernauskas, John T. Clancy, Edward F. Dugan, Pasquale (Pat) F. Farace, Marion Lampkins, Edward A. Sharick, Maurice Stokes, Eugene Phelps, and Charles Trzuskowski.
Saint Francis University is proud to honor The 1951-52 men’s basketball team with induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame on this date, Saturday, February 5, 2011.
