Scholastic Roundup: A big move and a big question for St. Francis College athletics

March 18, 2022 Andy Furman

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St. Francis College is moving – but are they taking their sports teams with them?

The plan, according to an announcement from the school made in May of 2021, is a relocation to The Wheeler building at 181 Livingston Street.

And the new so-called campus is set to open its doors to students in September.

Where does that leave its athletic teams?

“We are excited about St. Francis Forward and our relocation,” Dennis J. Salamone ’75, Chair of the St. Francis College Board of Trustees, said in a prepared statement. “This initiative will make us more competitive and ensure future generations of Terriers receive life-changing academic and student experiences affording them increased social mobility.”

The College, which previously grew from a small campus on Butler Street to a series of interconnected buildings on Remsen Street, welcomed more than 2,700 students in the Fall, 2020, including its largest first-year class ever. It anticipates more than 3,500 enrolled students by 2026.

The contemporary facilities in The Wheeler were designed with input from facility, staff, students and alumni to prioritize collaboration and community. They feature:

A dedicated, marked entrance on Livingston Street and lobby welcoming students and faculty to St. Francis College

Flexible labs and classrooms with built-in technology that accommodate a range of teaching styles and class structures

A 300-seat auditorium

A 260-seat cafeteria with server and kitchen

A 32-seat tiered screening room

A 6,600-square foot library with study and research spaces

A private outdoor terrace and access to a roof deck with views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Statue of Liberty, Lower Manhattan and New York Harbor

Two art gallery spaces

Gathering places for students to work together, study and relax

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St. Francis College’s new campus will occupy about 255,000 square feet across the fifth, sixth and seventh floors at 181 Livingston Street and will include more than 2,600 square feet of programmable outdoor space.

The Wheeler is a recently completed 10-story tower above the landmark art deco Macy’s department store and located in one of New York City’s densest subway service areas, with 12 subway lines within a five-minute walk.

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As for athletics – with its 21 Division I teams – will continue without interruption, the report read, and are part of SFC Forward’s vision.

But how? The new campus does not include a gym or pool on site. Scholastic Roundup has learned the school is in talks with a partnership with New York University for the use of their gymnasium for basketball.

Talks are also ongoing with Pratt Institute for basketball, and with LIU for swimming.

Not the ideal way to conduct a Division I athletic program. Or the best way to recruit potential student athletes.

The outdoor sports – soccer, track and field – will continue to use various off-site playing fields and other spaces for its outdoor sports.

The St. Francis College men’s basketball program was founded in 1896 and is the oldest collegiate program in New York City. The Terriers have an overall record of 1,223-1,295 (.486) over a 99-year span from the 1920-21 season to the 2019-2020 season.

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The school’s website says: “Our Division I Athletics program means we have top-flight facilities for basketball, swimming, volleyball and general recreation.”

No more – although sources have said the Fall athletic programs will start at 180 Remsen Street, “and several basketball games will be played in the Daniel Lynch Gymnasium.”

Prior to 1971 – for 21 seasons – the Terriers did not have a home court of their own. They played at the 14th Regiment Armory, the 69th Regiment Armory and at times the Bishop Ford High School gymnasium.

The athletic complex – the Generoso Popo Athletic Complex – also known as The Pope is the multi-purpose indoor arena located on Remsen Street, between Court and Clinton Streets, within the St. Francis College campus. The Pope is named after Generoso Pope, an Italian immigrant who rose to prominence in New York City through his entrepreneurship and charity.

The basketball court – should be named in honor of Daniel Lynch. Lynch is the winningest basketball coach in Terrier history with a record of 282-233. He coached from 1948-69 – led St. Francis to three NIT bids – he took them to the quarter-finals in 1954, and the semis in 1956.

Presently, the basketball court located in The Pope is named after Peter Aquilone, the son of former Athletic Director and St. Francis alumnus Edward Aquilone, 1960. The court was dedicated to Peter Aquilone on December 1, 2004 posthumously.

Two years ago, sources say, a banner honoring Daniel Lynch was removed from the gymnasium.

In fact, there was talk at the college about retiring Lynch’s number as a tribute to him – unreal that it hasn’t been already – but that unfortunately has been on hold.

Lynch was the first high school recruit to ever attend St. Francis College – in any sport. He was first-team New York City, All-City twice – 1931-32.

Only about 15 players ever achieved that in the history of PSAL sports. He was All-Met for three years as a Terrier performer and was invited to the Olympic Trials – and he led the Terriers in scoring all four years.

The one question that remains – will there be a gymnasium for Lynch’s – and others – and their retired numbers for St. Francis College.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was a scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR