Dear Bona Nation,

Hello … I hope this message finds you well. I intentionally delayed sending out this communication until after our men's basketball season was completed so as not to distract from our team's gritty performance last week in Pittsburgh. 

I need to begin by acknowledging one of the legendary figures in Bona basketball lore - and one of the most consequential figures in the University's history - Mark Schmidt. He is, quite simply, the best to ever do it here, and his impact on our University is in many ways incalculable. And the impact Mark and his wife, Anita, have made in the local community has been equally transformative.

Since Mark announced his intent to retire at season's end on Saturday, we've heard from many of our alums and supporters unhappy that we did not properly celebrate Mark during our last home game. You deserve an explanation.

In the weeks leading up to our final home game, we communicated our desire to celebrate Mark prior to season's end, and a ceremony to honor him after the season. True to Mark's admirable, career-long focus on his players, he demurred. We respected that decision. He certainly did not want to interfere with Senior Day festivities before the Davidson game.

Unfortunately, leaks led to rumors and misinformation being disseminated. It was decided that Mark would announce his retirement after the game so we held off any formal communication until that time. He did so with one of the most eloquent and touching retirement speeches many of us have ever seen.

Stay tuned, as we'd still like to plan a future public celebratory ceremony, fitting to the legacy he leaves behind.

Our attention must turn now to what's next.

We believe the best way to honor Mark's legacy is to build upon the tremendous foundation he leaves us – and to work to achieve this mission together. We must evolve the program and remain ahead of the seismic and rapid change that dominates the sport.

Our goal is to build a roster that includes a mixture of younger developmental players in which we can invest for multiple years, and experienced veterans with the talent to perform at high levels immediately in our quest to compete for Atlantic 10 Conference championships.

There is no doubt we find ourselves at an inflection point. We know that in order to attain our mission of building on the supreme legacy Mark Schmidt has built across two incredible decades as our head coach, we must identify the right leader to leverage all of these assets, maximize every resource and lean into the fabric of what makes St. Bonaventure so special – the rabid and undying passion and loyalty of each of you.

We may not have the resources possessed by many of our Atlantic 10 Conference brethren, but we have something much more powerful. The deep love and fanatical support we all hold for the Bonnies.

As we prepare to welcome a new leader for our men's basketball program for the first time in two decades, let's rally around that individual in support of that mission – to build upon the great legacy that Mark Schmidt leaves behind.

We CAN do this, but only if we work together, in full alignment, carrying the passion and fervor that only Bonnies can provide!!

And remember, Once a Bonnie, Always a Bonnie!!

Thanks again for your support and patience as we work through this coaching transition and our national search process, which is well underway. We hope to have our new head coach, who we can all rally around, identified very soon.

Finally, congratulations to head coach Jim Crowley and the women's basketball team on earning a berth in the WNIT. The group completed one of the biggest single season turnarounds in the nation, improving on last year's victory total by 10 wins, and earning the right to host Drexel in a first round WNIT matchup Thursday at 6 p.m. in the Reilly Center. It will mark the women's team's first postseason appearance since 2015-16.

We hope to see you in the RC on Thursday to celebrate this group's achievements and support their efforts to advance in the WNIT.

As always, Go Bonnies!!

Bob Beretta
Vice President & Director of Athletics
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