The Catholic University basketball team has participated in Division I, II and III. Before that, it played in both the NCAA big-school and small-school ranks. One constant, however, has been equipment manager Franny Murray. For 64 years, Murray has worked in the athletic department, never missing a home football or basketball game.
“If I’d have known it would have lasted this long, I woulda done something else,” joked Murray, 88, who started in 1947 as a trainer.
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“That was before we had real trainers,” he added.
On Saturday afternoon, when Catholic celebrates its 100th season with a game against Juniata, it will be a tribute to an ever-evolving program with a rich history and the man who has served in a variety of capacities at his alma mater, where he boxed, earned an English degree and served as acting athletic director.
Catholic will welcome back several members from its 2000-01 Division III national championship team, coached by Mike Lonergan (Vermont) and led by Pat Maloney, who was named most outstanding player of the Final Four.
The school will celebrate the coaching tenures of Jack Bruen, Tom Young and Lonergan. All went on to lead Division I teams to the NCAA tournament. Former players will be honored at halftime, and a postgame dinner reception and commemorative video will be shown at the Pryzbyla Center Great Room on campus.
The current edition of the Cardinals is coached by Steve Howes, who has led Catholic to two NCAA tournaments. This year’s team includes freshman guard Billy Donovan, the son of the Florida coach.
