Saint Joseph's University, 2007–08 - With Faith and Strength to Dare ...

FOND FAREWELL TO ALUMNI MEMORIAL FIELDHOUSE
ALUMNUS ARCHBISHOP FOLEY ‘57 NAMED CARDINAL
Saint Joseph‘s University alumnus Archbishop John Foley ‘57 (B.A.) was one of 23
priests named as new cardinals of the Roman Catholic Church by Pope Benedict XVI.
“We are immeasurably pleased to learn of Archbishop Foley‘s elevation to cardinal,“
said University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. “His long service to the Church stands
as a glowing example of a lifelong love of God, and he has represented Saint Joseph‘s
well as an alumnus. We are proud of and happy for him.“
Archbishop Foley, who was born in Darby, Pa., attended Saint Joseph‘s Preparatory
School before going on to earn a bachelor‘s degree in history from the University —
then called Saint Joseph‘s College — in 1957. He was ordained a priest on May 19, 1962
by John Cardinal Krol and was elevated to Monsignor in 1976 and Archbishop in 1984.
He was named grand master of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem after serving
for more than 20 years as president of the Pontifical Council for Social Communications.
In 1985, Archbishop Foley was awarded an honorary degree from the University.
Saint Joseph‘s Alumni Association recognized him with its highest honor, the Shield of
Loyola, in 1997. He has visited campus many times over the past several years, most
recently celebrating his Golden Hawks 50th graduation anniversary at the 2007
Commencement exercises.
Thousands of fans joined a parade of former men‘s and women‘s basketball players, coaches and Hawk
mascots at 2008‘s final men‘s home game against Xavier as Saint Joseph‘s University celebrated the final
regular season game at Alumni Memorial Fieldhouse, and the closing of the historic building for renovations.
Special guests included Athletics Hall of Famers Dr. Jack Ramsay ‘49 (B.S.) and Mike Bantom ‘73 (B.S.) and
former Hawk standout and current Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson ‘04. Women‘s basketball alumnae
Ellen Ryan, the program‘s first coach, and Susan Moran ‘02 (B.S.), ‘07 (M.B.A.), its all-time leading scorer,
joined current coach Cindy Griffin ‘91 (B.S.), ‘93 (M.B.A.) at the game. University President Timothy R. Lannon,
S.J., spoke at the dramatic closing ceremonies.
“Tonight we honor a building — and all who have called it home — which has meant so much to the daily
life of Saint Joseph‘s University,“ Fr. Lannon said. “If these walls could talk, just imagine the stories they would tell.“
“We would hear stories about some of the greatest players in college basketball history,“ he continued.
“We would hear the voices of generations of our students, echoing from the bleachers and connecting past
and present. It‘s no wonder Sports Illustrated calls ‘The Hawk Will Never Die!‘ the most defiant cheer in college
sports. That cheer was born in this building.
“Finally, we would feel the passion of thousands and thousands of Saint Joseph‘s graduates. From ‘The
College‘ to the University, their passion is what makes Saint Joseph‘s the very special place we know and love.“
Beginning in 2008, the men‘s team will play at the Palestra on the University of Pennsylvania‘s campus and
the women’s team at Philadelphia University while the Fieldhouse, which opened in November 1949,
undergoes significant renovations. When it reopens in late 2009 as the Michael J. Hagan ‘85 Arena, the
building will include a wing dedicated to basketball offices and facilities and an expansion of at least 1,000
seats to the main arena‘s capacity.
Fr. Lannon also expressed the benefit of having the new arena built on the site of the Fieldhouse. “We‘ll
enjoy new seats, modern amenities, a new court and, of course, great teams. But the walls aren‘t going
anywhere,“ he said. “And neither are the memories.“
Ramsay ‘49, Bantom ‘73, Nelson ‘04, and Fr. Lannon
ARCHBISHOP DESMOND TUTU SPEAKS ON CAMPUS
A crowd of more than 3,000 students, faculty, staff,
community members and city officials filled Alumni
Memorial Fieldhouse on April 6 to hear Nobel Laureate
Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu give an inspiring lecture
titled, “Creating a Community of Peace.“ Archbishop Tutu
drew comparisons between his homeland and Philadelphia,
saying that if peace could be achieved after South Africa‘s
struggle with apartheid, the city could curb its problem
with urban violence.
t 2007–08
7