Friar Basketball

F.O.F.B. 2nd Annual Golf Outing

f.o.f.b-2014

The second annual Friends of Friar Basketball golf tournament took place this past weekend and for the second time in consecutive years, the event turned out to be a huge success. With over 100 former players and school supporters getting together, the two-year-old organization managed to raise nearly $15,000 in fundraising efforts benefiting the Providence College men’s basketball program.

The weekend began at Ed Cooley’s East Greenwich home, fully catered by Wes’ Rib House. With a backyard full of former Friars, the evening provided a perfect opportunity for players of all generations to inter-mingle and reminisce about their time spent at PC. For players like Abdul Mills, it had been years since he had been back with his teammates that he had played with from 1999-2003. Mills shared, “The whole weekend was a great. Not only getting to see Ryan (Gomes), but seeing all the older guys who laid down the foundation for the program, and hearing all of their experiences was special.” One of those players who played prior to Mills, Jacek Duda ’87, echoed his comments by saying, “Every year I look forward to our get together. It is an opportunity to reconnect with teammates and get to know various PC characters.”

At the conclusion of the BBQ the official Providence Athletics bus shuttled everyone to Nautika Bar and Restaurant for a night of fun and dancing.fofbpic

The following day, the Friends of Friar Basketball golf tournament took place at Cranston Country Club. With a full field of golfers, players and supporters enjoyed a day on the golf course as well as a full sit-down dinner accompanied by a raffle and auction. Items such as Ryan Gomes signed sneakers, Big East Championship memorabilia and Boston Celtics Suite tickets were bid on by the many people in attendance. For the owner of Cranston Country Club and 1978 PC graduate, Mike Lombardi, hosting an event such as this, is something he would like to continue doing for years to come. “The thing that I take from it, is just how special it is to see all the former players get together, that wouldn’t normally get to see each other,” Lombardi said.

After raising over $10,000 in their first year as a group, the Friends of Friar Basketball organization has now reached nearly $25,000 in total funding, all of which will be donated directly to the PC men’s basketball program. Domenic Coletta, a board member of F.O.F.B. explained, “We’re planning on expanding this event each and every year. We are asking all players who have attended to reach out to their teammates to help bring even more players back to Friartown next summer.”

Planning for next year’s event has begun and for those interested in being apart of it, the group has scheduled the 2015 golf tournament for August 8th. Player’s like Carlton “Paco” Screen ’87, are already anticipating the 2015 edition of the F.O.F.B. weekend. “For me, it’s great weekend, as was the 1st year we did it. I enjoy seeing the former Friar greats every August and hopefully it will get bigger each summer,” Screen commented.

As stated on their website, LetsGoFriars.com, the Friends of Friar Basketball organization’s mission is to bring together members of the Friar Basketball family, including past players, coaches and supporters, to bolster the community within the Friar family through networking, mentoring, and charitable donations.

*Photos courtesy of Kevin Reilly

Email Craig – craig.belhumeur@friarbasketball.com
On Twitter – @Craig_Belhumeur

 

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