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LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University men's basketball has a rich basketball tradition that started at the Jaffa Shrine Center (then called the Jaffa Mosque). The 2023-24 edition of the Red Flash practice at the historic gym on Wednesday night in front of some family, friends and die-hard Red Flash fans.

It was truly a great night to rekindle some old memories. Saint Francis University and the men's basketball program are gracious and very thankful that the Shriners allowed the team to come back to the facility. The Shriners are known for their philanthropic efforts across the country, including the Shriners Hospital for Children that helps children in the United States and internationally. 

"One of the things we've tried to do with the Saint Francis basketball program is connect the past with the present," said head coach Rob Krimmel, before the event. "Tradition is a big reason why we are here today. I believe that. Maurice Stokes and the power of his message and story is something our team aspires to live up to.We are very appreciative of the Jaffa and the Shriners for allowing us to this return to this special building."

Along with the members of the 2023-24 team, coaches and staff that were at the practice was Don Appleman, who played for Saint Francis men's basketball at the Jaffa from 1962-65. Bob Moore, an Altoona native and graduate of Saint Francis, was also at the practice and told stories about how he used to sell popcorn at the Jaffa and one time Maurice Stokes came down with a rebound and smacked the ball that could be heard all over building.

The Jaffa Shrine was one of the places that Saint Francis men's basketball played its home games before the opening of the Maurice Stokes Athletic Center on December 4, 1972 against Saint Vincent. The last full season the Red Flash played at the then called Jaffa Mosque was the 1969-70 season, but played a contest against Kings in 1971-72 before playing its final competition in the building in the 1989-90 season. Saint Francis defeated Youngstown State 97-85 in that contest on January 2, 1989. 

The rich Saint Francis "Golden Era" tradition of players that called the Jaffa Mosque home includes NBA Hall of Famer Maurice Stokes along with Norm Van Lier and Kevin Porter, who also played in the NBA.  

From the late 1940s to the early 1970s, Saint Francis ranked among the upper tier of the nation's college basketball programs. Between 1947 and 1971, the team then known as the Frankies teams turned in 19 winning seasons, six 20-win campaigns and were selected to participate in the elite National Invitational Tournament on three occasions.