I had planned to write this column last week, about how the relationship between Friar players and the fan base and the greater Providence area is different than at most other schools. Players for the Friars are not just performers on the court, they are part of the Friartown community. They become one of us. The injury to Bryce Hopkins in the game against Seton Hall just made it more relevant.
The fan bases of many college teams often live in a series of what-ifs when their teams have a big season that could have been even bigger, and Providence is clearly no exception. Our oldest fans reminisce about the 1961 and 1963 NIT championship teams and insist the NIT was the better tournament at the time (it wasn’t) and Providence would have won the NCAA championship in both years (who knows?). People in my age range remember how the Friars were running an offensive clinic against Memphis State until Marvin Barnes went down. Despite losing to UCLA earlier in that season, we have no doubt it would have been different in the championship game. In 1997, we all believe Austin Croshere got screwed on a few foul calls, and even with that, we had the ball at the end with a chance to win. Losing in overtime to Arizona feeds our belief that we would have won it all if we got passed them. This is similar to our Sweet 16 year in 2022. We had a lead and an open three-pointer against Kansas. I believe if that fell, wewould win the game, then would have played Miami and a weakened Villanova without Justin Moore to get to the championship. The last season, we were on a roll, hopeful of back-to-back Big East championships, until the bloom came off our Roses in late February as Ed flirted with another while in a committed relationship (with the Friars).
The point of all this background is that these feelings do not make us unique. The biggest difference between the Friar community and the players is the personal connections involved in the relationships. It is not just the all-time greats, but nearly everyone who plays for the Friars will have a welcome place when they return here. They are one of us. Stars like Ernie DiGregorio have made a life of being Ernie D. Kevin Stacom basically transferred here from Holy Cross and never left building an outstanding career in basketball and in business. Joe Hassett has had a successful business career and gets paid to broadcast the Friars without having to leave his hometown. Marvin Barnes had a troubled life after his PC career ended but was always loved when he returned to Friartown. Jacek Duda ended up in Rhode Island after defecting from a Polish national team tour of America, joined his family in Central Falls, and became a Friar, reaching the Final Four in 1987. He still attends nearly every game and is always greeted warmly by fans. David Duke got a huge ovation two weeks ago when he was introduced to the crowd at the Butler game. These are examples of local stars, but it is much more than that here. My PC classmate Harold Starks returned to work for the school nearly two decades ago and is still one of the most popular people on campus and at Friar games. Last year, AJ Reeves, Justin Minaya, and Jalen Lindsey were all treated like family members when they were introduced at the AMP.
The reasons for this are related to the school and the state of Rhode Island. Providence College is a small, close-knit community and is the smallest major conference basketball school in the country. The students and players interact on a daily basis. Players do not have the option of going unnoticed. During my time at Providence, I shared classes with every team member of the class of 1986, and most members of the classes of 1984, 1985, and 1987. Also, because one can walk from one end of the campus to the other in about five minutes, the chances of running into a basketball player from time to time are pretty good. The other factor is that Rhode Island, like Providence College, is so small and everyone either knows everyone, or knows someone who knows that person. (Side note: the “I know a guy” culture is what makes Rhode Island function.) The untold number of former Friar players who are still in the community keep this culture alive, and people develop a much closer connection to the school and team than is possible at nearly every other school. People in Kentucky may go crazy about their Wildcats, but very few have a former player living in their neighborhood, belonging to their Church, dining at the same restaurants, or have their kids go to school together. In Providence, that is a normal occurrence. Personally, I think there is also the recognition that most Friars develop their skills over their Friar career and fans develop a greater sense of appreciation. As Dave Gavitt said, players make their reputation at Providence.
This brings me to Bryce Hopkins and the current edition of the Friars. Dennis Felton returns as an assistant coach after a near thirty–year absence and has embraced his return. Corey Floyd Jr is a second-generation Friar player. I introduced myself to his parents recently, as they often make the trek from New Jersey to Providence to see their son play. Corey Sr. mentioned to me the pride he feels when seeing his son play on the same court he did and attend Providence College like he did. Bryce Hopkins’ family took it a step further by moving to Providence when their son came here, providing an in-house support system for the son to supplement the one he has at school. His parents are at the AMP for every game, and often engage with fans who relish the chance to talk with them. Bryce himself has immersed himself in the school community, including going through the Rite of Catholic Initiation for Adults (RCIA) program last school year. Since the injury to Bryce last year, there has been a outpouring of support for him, with other players, coaches, and media members all over the country wishing him a quick recovery and return to action. In Friartown, fans and classmates are also hopeful for a successful return to the court, but for myself and most people with whom I have talked, we are more concerned about Bryce Hopkins the person than Bryce Hopkins the basketball player. After all, he’s one of us now.