The College of Staten Island Women’s Basketball Team will open their season on Friday evening as they tip off the 2024-2025 campaign with the their annual Conference Challenge. This year’s event, sponsored by TLC Physical Therapy and Jimmy Max Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria, will once again feature four teams from three difference regional conferences. The Dolphins are coming off of a playoff berth in the East Coast Conference for the second year in a row, but the team will be introducing new players to a roster that graduated several key players from last year’s squad. Returning to the Conference Challenge this year are the Holy Family University Tigers of the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference and the Franklin Pierce University Ravens of the Northeast-10 Conference. Also joining the event this season will be a team very familiar to the Dolphins in the University of the District of Columbia. CSI’s playoff opponent each of the last two seasons in the ECC will face the Tigers on Friday and the Ravens on Saturday.
SCHEDULE
The 2024 Conference Challenge will tip off on Friday for the first time in the history of the event. In the past, the event had always followed the Men’s Basketball Tournament of Heroes which traditionally concluded on Saturday. Below is the full schedule of games for this year’s event including the links to follow all four games live on the ECC Network.
ADMISSION
Admission will be $5 per day and will be CASH ONLY. All students, faculty and staff with a valid Dolphin card can enter for free.
CAN’T ATTEND?
All four games will be streamed on CSI Sportsnet via the ECC Network. The ECC Network app is available on most streaming and mobile devices and can be accessed via desktop here.
Live stats will also be available for all four games at the link here.
The College of Staten Island Men’s Basketball Team will open their season with the 22nd annual Tournament of Heroes tipping off on Saturday night. The event will feature three of the four teams that participated last year, the host Dolphins, the St. Thomas Aquinas College Spartans, and the Southern New Hampshire University Penmen. Making their first appearance in the event will be the Owls of Southern Connecticut State University. The event, which formerly was held during the holiday season in late December and featured a four-team bracket style format, was altered in 2021 to adhere to NCAA Division II scheduling regulations. The Tournament of Heroes retained its name despite these changes, but will now instead feature four games played across two days. As always, the event is held in honor of former Dolphins Terrance Aiken, Scott Davidson, and Tom Hannafin, as well as all those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Ahead of game two on Saturday night, we will take the time to remember our three heroes along with all of those who perished on 9/11. Be sure to arrive early ahead of the 7:30 PM game two tip-off so that you don’t miss any of our ceremony.
OUR HEROES
Terrance Aiken was a member of the Men’s Basketball Team for just one season in 1994-1995, and his teammates and coaches quickly came to know him for his outgoing personality and passion for technology. His love of the game of basketball brought him to the College of Staten Island, and his love of technology led him to accept a position with Virtual Computer Technologies in 2001. September 11th was just his sixth day on the job, and Terrance lost his life in the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center. He left behind a wife and three kids, but his infectious personality has not been forgotten by his friends and teammates in the many years that have gone by since his tragic passing.
Scott Davidson spent four years with the Dolphins from 1986-1989, and on the court, he was known for his scrappy play and intensity combined with a willingness to do whatever it took to win. However, those who knew him off the court recalled a playful demeanor that would surprise those who only knew him as an athlete. Scott possessed a deep care for others which led him to join the New York City Fire Department, and ultimately, to enter the World Trade Center on September 11th. Demonstrating selflessness in the face of immense tragedy, Scott perished on 9/11 leaving behind a wife and two kids. His energy and willingness to sacrifice for the betterment of the team was apparent on the court as a player, but his act of heroism on 9/11 will be honored at this year’s Tournament of Heroes.
Tom Hannafin was a four-year standout for the Dolphins from 1983-1987. He was a dynamic, record-setting two way player that contributed to three championship teams. Despite all of his athletic achievements, what his teammates remember most about him is his ability to bring them closer together as family. Tom, who was a presence at the Sports & Recreation Center well beyond his playing days, often organized events which allowed former teammates to catch up with one another and reminisce about the past. Driven by his care for others, Tom was always there for his teammates, and when called upon to be there for others on September 11, 2001, he entered the World Trade Center as a member of the New York City Fire Department. He left behind two children and friends that remember him to this day for his ability to inspire growth in them as teammates and as people.
SCHEDULE
This year’s Tournament of Heroes will include four games played across two days on Saturday and Sunday. The full schedule of games can be found below.
ADMISSION
Admission will be $5 per day and will be CASH ONLY. All students, faculty and staff with a valid Dolphin card can enter for free.
CAN’T ATTEND?
All four games will be streamed on CSI Sportsnet via the ECC Network. The ECC Network app is available on most streaming and mobile devices and can be accessed via desktop here.
Live stats will also be available for all four games at the link here.
– Story courtesy of csidolphins.com
