Saint Francis University Athletics Hall of Fame
Gene DeBerardinis had the rare gift of being in the right place at the right time and that goes far in identifying his success on the basketball court. He, along with Sandy Williams, were the face of Saint Francis basketball for the years 1962-64, but his role was a bit different than his celebrated teammate.
He had, as they say, a nose for the basketball, or where it or his teammates might be on court. “He was always around the ball,” remembers guard Don Appleman. “Wherever it was in and around the basket he seemed to be in the action.” That sense may explain his ranking among the top three in field goal percentage in the nation his senior year. He had a range of shots near the hoop and he used them with great dexterity against taller opponents. He averaged nearly 14 points a game his senior year along with seven rebounds.
Just as important, when matters became most heated on the floor he was an organizing force, directing his teammates before things got out of hand. His were not the greatest teams in school history but it was because of his mature leadership and efforts along with Williams‘ explosive play that put a winning face on Saint Francis basketball no matter what the final record might show.
