Men's Basketball Season Preview
Excitement! That's the best word to describe the atmosphere surrounding the men's team at St. Joseph's as the Bears enter the 2005-2006 season. With four returning starters and the addition of five freshmen on the roster, the Bears have their sights set on their first-ever Conference title and a return trip to the USCAA National Tournament. St. Joseph's enters the season, coming off a 19-win campaign last year which saw the Bears capture their first-ever Hudson Valley Conference regular season crown, and make only their second trip to the USCAA tournament. Despite the fact that some may consider these accomplishments a success, fourth year head coach Joseph Cocozello, (SJC '95) knows his players do not. "No matter how you look at last season, we didn't end up where we wanted to be." The Bears fell one point shy of host Bard College in the HVC championship, and despite a first-round win in the USCAA tournament, were soundly beaten in the semifinals and consolation game.
With the departure of Bard College and Purchase College, the Hudson Valley Conference is in a season of transition. Newcomers Berkeley College and Culinary Institute join longstanding members Pratt Institute and St. Joseph's. Entering their 12th season as a member, the Bears look to capture their first Conference championship. On the national scene, the Bears have six games on the schedule against USCAA members which will be significant in receiving a bid to the national tournament. The non-conference schedule will be no small task with games against five New York City schools. The Bears will play host to CCNY, Brooklyn College, and Staten Island, and travel to Medgar Evers, and 2005 CUNY champion NYC Tech. Highlighting the schedule will be the opportunity to compete in tournaments at Warren Wilson College in North Carolina, Mount St. Mary's College, and Lehman College.
The Bears return a solid nucleus from last year's squad. Senior Chris Distefano who led the Bears with 16.1 points per game will be looked upon for scoring and rebounding, while fellow senior Billy Haufmann will be heavily relied upon for leadership. Junior Lukasz Cygan and sophomore Chris Olaskiewicz (8.8ppg, 7.3rpg) return at the forward spots, backed up by senior Craig Laquidara, and freshmen Lukasz Klimaszewski and Gregory Creamer. Junior Wayne Warmbier (10.8ppg) will be relied upon to provide the Bears with offense. If the Bears are to be successful, junior floor-general, Mike Donnelly will be instrumental. In addition to what he brings on both ends of the floor, the Bears will be counting on Donnelly to be a leader. Rounding out the roster are freshmen Ervin Maddox, Przemyslaw Kudla, and Paul Kielmanowicz.
The Bears welcome back 2004 SJC graduate Luke Caccavo who joins the coaching staff.
Luke, who enjoyed a stellar career as a member of the Bears, will now be asked to play a lead role on the bench. Luke takes the place of Nicholas Warywoda who has coached with Cocozello the past three seasons. States Cocozello, "Although losing Nick on the bench will be significant, I am very excited to have Luke by my side. It is my hope that what we lose in terms of Nick's experience will be offset by Luke's energy."