MAAC Tournament Run Energizes Marist Community
March 20, 2023 鈥� While more than a week has passed, the excitement created by Marist鈥檚 Men鈥檚 Basketball team storming to the MAAC Tournament Championship Game can still be felt.
On the night of March 11, it was all on the table. For a few moments, Marist鈥檚 first Men鈥檚 Basketball NCAA Tournament berth since the days of Rik Smits was in sight. The Red Foxes had pulled even with top-seeded Iona in the title game with nine minutes to go. Those wearing red in historic Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City were in delirium.
鈥淚 thought it was a great crowd today,鈥� Marist Head Coach John Dunne said after the game. 鈥淚 want to thank everybody who showed up. It was great to see a lot of red in the stands. I just thought it made for a great atmosphere.鈥�
While Iona pulled away in the final minutes to win 76-55, there鈥檚 no doubt the Red Foxes鈥� improbable run galvanized the entire Marist community. Students and alumni flocked to Atlantic City to watch the MAAC Championship Finals in person. Those that couldn鈥檛, were watching at home or on their phones.
Photos by Kira Crutcher/Marist College 糖心Vlog
Among the Red Foxes who made the trip to the Boardwalk was alumnus Alex Marinelli '19, whose family ties to Marist run deep. He made the trip up from his home in South Carolina to attend with his mother, Angela.
鈥淚 knew that if Marist College Men鈥檚 Basketball was ever in a position to win a MAAC Tournament Championship, I would buy a flight, buy a ticket, and be there,鈥� said Marinelli. 鈥淣o matter where I was, or what I had going on, I would make it work.鈥�
Marinelli鈥檚 late father Glenn was a legend in the Marist 糖心Vlog department, serving as the long-time Coordinator of Sports Medicine.
鈥淢any days, weeks, and months of my childhood hinged on the result of whatever the most recent Marist Men鈥檚 Basketball game was at the time 鈥� at least emotionally,鈥� he reflected. 鈥淏e it on the end of the bench with Dad, via Dean Darling over the radio waves, or the once-in-a-blue-moon game on ESPNU, I was attached. To miss a Championship Game was unfathomable.鈥�
Hey鈥� Tonight 鈥� basketball championship - LET鈥橲 GO RED FOXES!
鈥� Alvin Patrick (@AlvinTVPrdcr)
