Benedictine College Football and Basketball: A Legacy of Champions

Benedictine College, formerly known as St. Benedict's College, boasts a rich athletic history marked by national championships, conference titles, and intense rivalries. From the hardwood to the gridiron, the Ravens have consistently demonstrated a commitment to excellence, producing memorable moments and legendary figures that have shaped the college's identity.

NAIA Basketball Dominance: 1954 and 1967

Benedictine College has captured two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) men's basketball titles, in 1954 and 1967, marking significant milestones in the college's athletic history. These championships represent the culmination of talent, teamwork, and skillful coaching.

The Underdog Story of 1954

The 1954 Ravens were considered underdogs throughout their tournament run. Despite facing challenges, they demonstrated resilience and determination, ultimately triumphing over their opponents to claim the national title.

The Top-Seeded Triumph of 1967

In contrast to the 1954 team, the 1967 Ravens entered the NAIA tournament as the No. 1 seed. This team was loaded with talent, including four All-Americans: Joe Brickner, Vince DeGreeff, Jack Dugan, Greg Glore, Darryl Jones, Steve Northcraft, Don Schuering, Mike Tharp, Ray Weber, and Bill Wewers. The team managers were Jay Eveler and Terry Hansen, and the assistant coach was Tom Colwell. Legendary head coach Ralph Nolan, whose name now graces the gymnasium in the St. Benedict's sports complex, guided the team to victory.

Their journey to the championship was filled with thrilling encounters. In the opening game against Linfield College of Oregon, DeGreeff's 29 points and 18 rebounds kept the Ravens in the contest, while Glore, the "super sub," hit a crucial jumper in the final minutes to secure a narrow lead. The second round saw Jones shine against Southern Arkansas State, leading the Ravens to a 67-56 victory with his all-around performance. Jones continued his dominance in the quarterfinals against St. Mary's University of San Antonio, scoring 25 points and stifling St. Mary's key player, Doug Williams. The semifinal game against Morris Harvey College was a hard-fought battle, with the Ravens holding on for a 73-70 win, thanks to DeGreeff's 26 points and Jones' 20 rebounds.

In the championship game, the Ravens faced Oklahoma Baptist University and NAIA star Al Tucker, who scored 47 points. However, the Ravens' balanced team play prevailed, resulting in a 71-65 victory. Jones contributed 14 points, 14 rebounds, and 8 assists, while Wewers added 18 points and a crucial late-game steal.

The 1967 Ravens were celebrated throughout Kansas, with a victory lunch in Topeka with Gov. The 1967 Ravens are one of six teams to finish the season No.

Women's Lacrosse: A 2022 NAIA Championship

Benedictine College added another NAIA title to its trophy case in 2022, with the women's lacrosse team claiming the national championship. This victory highlights the growing success of women's sports at Benedictine and the college's commitment to providing opportunities for female athletes.

Football: A Tradition Resurrected and Rebuilt

Football at St. Benedict's College began in 1920, enjoying early success before the program was dropped after the 1962 season. However, the story of Benedictine College football is synonymous with Larry Wilcox, a former Raven player who took over as coach in 1979 at the age of 28. Wilcox, a 1972 graduate, was inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 2017. He coached for 42 seasons before retiring in 2020, transforming the program into a consistent winner and regular NAIA playoff qualifier.

Early Years and Conference Success

St. Benedict's won its first conference title in 1940 under coach Marty Peters, going 4-0 in the Central Intercollegiate Conference (CIC). The 1958 Ravens went 10-1, reaching No. 5 in the NAIA rankings before losing in the NAIA Western Playoff. Quarterback Mark Flynn was named CIC Back of the Year, and George Worley was the CIC Lineman of the Year. The Ravens also experienced success in the 1930s under coach Moon Mullins.

Read also: Benedictine Military School Costs

The Wilcox Era: Playoff Appearances and a National Runner-Up Finish

Under Wilcox's leadership, the Ravens made 16 NAIA playoff appearances, including a runner-up finish in 2018 and trips to the semifinals in 1992 and 2001. In 2018, the Ravens went 13-2, setting a school record for season victories and winning the Heart of America Athletic Conference North Division title. They advanced to the NAIA title game by defeating Cumberlands, Concordia, and Kansas Wesleyan in the playoffs.

Rivalries and Bowl Games

Since resuming football in 1973, the Ravens have won the 1976 Boot Hill Bowl and the 1991 Steamboat Bowl. In 1990, the Ravens moved into the Amino Center locker room, offices, and weight room. The Ravens defeated Northeastern Oklahoma State 14-13 in the Mineral Water Bowl in Excelsior Springs, Mo.

Conference Championships in the Heart of America

Benedictine played as an independent after resuming football in 1973, rekindling CIC rivalries and regularly playing Missouri Western. The Ravens won their second title in 1995, going 9-0 in the Heart. They also won Heart titles in 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2013.

O'Malley Field at Larry Wilcox Stadium

The Ravens play in Larry Wilcox Stadium, which opened in 1998. The stadium features O’Malley Field and offers fans a great view of the game with a breathtaking view of St. Benedict's Abbey to the south of the track. In 2004, two meeting rooms were added, and the hallway became a Hall of Honor for the program. The Raven weight room features state-of-the-art Hammer free-weight equipment. Laughlin Track surrounds O’Malley Field.

The Rockhurst Rivalry: A Storied History

For over 60 years, the rivalry between the Ravens and Rockhurst College was one of the most intense in small-college athletics. Fans traveled by train to Kansas City for games, and students engaged in spirited pranks and traditions. "Rockhurst Weekend" became a major social event, regardless of the game's outcome.

Read also: A Look at Benedictine Hoops

Football Dominance and Basketball Battles

The Ravens dominated the football series, winning 16 of 23 meetings between 1921 and 1949. In basketball, the series peaked in the 1960s, with Rockhurst winning the NAIA title in 1964 and the Ravens in 1967. The rivalry began to fade in the mid-1990s as Benedictine joined the Heart of America Athletic Conference and Rockhurst moved to NCAA Division II.

Memorable Games and Traditions

Numerous memorable games defined the rivalry, including high-scoring affairs and intense battles decided in the final seconds. Students from both colleges engaged in pranks such as stealing championship banners, rearranging rock formations, and releasing chickens painted in school colors.

Individual Achievements and Program Success (Basketball)

Benedictine's basketball program has produced numerous outstanding players who have earned individual accolades and contributed to team success.

Darryl Jones: A Four-Time All-American

Darryl Jones is the school's most decorated basketball player, earning NAIA All-American honors four times (third team in 1965 and 1966, first team in 1967 and 1968). He ranks second on the career scoring list with 2,014 points.

Chic Downing: Career Scoring Leader

Chic Downing earned first-team All-American honors in 1972 and third-team honors in 1970. He is the program's career scoring leader with 2,042 points and ranks second with 1,158 rebounds.

Recent Successes and Conference Titles

In recent years, the Benedictine basketball program has experienced a resurgence, marked by conference titles and NAIA Tournament appearances. Moody's 2013-14 team returned the Ravens to the NAIA Tournament after years of irrelevance, winning their first Heart of America Athletic Conference title that season. In 2020-21, the Ravens went 21-7 and returned to the NAIA Tournament.

The 2018-19 Season: A Remarkable Run

The 2018-19 team featured great chemistry, three-point shooting, and strong defense, resulting in a remarkable season. The Ravens finished 31-4, winning a school-record 29 games in a row and moving to No. 4 in the nation. Senior guard Thomas O'Connor and center Adam Kutney earned second-team NAIA All-American honors.

Other Sports and Notable Events

National Catholic Invitational Tournament

In 1948-49, St. Benedict's participated in the first National Catholic Invitational Tournament (NCIT) in Denver, finishing fourth. Ken Werba of St. Benedict's was named to the all-tournament team.

All-American Football Players

Running back Don Brown and center Truman Ashby are two-time first-team NAIA All-Americans. Other two-time All-Americans include Shem Johnson, Cory Schrick, and Garrett Bader. Bader is one of three Ravens to win the Rimington Award as the NAIA's top center.

Coaching Changes and Program Growth

In 1994, Benedictine hired Steve Huber, who led the Ravens to three 25-win seasons. In 2001, Chad Folsom took over as coach, and in 2005-06, the Ravens set a program record for wins and advanced to the NAIA Division II Elite Eight.

Rivalries with Pittsburg State, Baker, and William Jewell

In addition to Rockhurst, Benedictine has maintained rivalries with Pittsburg State, Baker, and William Jewell. Games against Pittsburg State often decided the CIC title in the 1950s. The rivalry with William Jewell returned to prominence in the 1980s, while the series with Baker reached a high point in 1992.

Conference Affiliations

St. Benedict's College joined the Central Intercollegiate Conference in 1938 and left in 1963. From 1902 to 1928, St. Benedict's was a member of the Kansas College Athletic Conference.

tags: #Benedictine #College #football #history