Men's Basketball

August 20, 2009

Five With Saint Michael's Ties Inducted Into New England Basketball Hall Of Fame

COLCHESTER, Vt. - Five men's basketball legends with Saint Michael's College connections will be honored by the New England Basketball Hall of Fame (NEBHOF), it was announced by the organization on Thursday.

Among those earning the prestigious honor are: the late George "Doc" Jacobs (left), Saint Michael's long-time athletic director, in addition to basketball and football coach; Fran Laffin '74, the only player in the history of the Saint Michael's men's basketball program to score more than 2,000 career points; and the late Anthony Nicodemo '59, a cornerstone for Saint Michael's highly successful men's basketball teams in the late 1950s.

In addition, Charlie Titus '72 was recognized for his efforts as a long-time men's basketball coach at the University of Massachusetts Boston, and Tim O'Shea, the brother of current Saint Michael's men's basketball head coach Tom O'Shea, earned honors for his standout career as a New England high school and college player and coach.

These five with Saint Michael's ties will be inducted along with two others with Saint Michael's connections that were announced last month in the high school category: Todd Roberts '01, inducted for his legendary career at Fair Haven (VT) High School; and Thomas Sorrentine, a legendary coach in Rhode Island the father of current Saint Michael's men's basketball assistant coach and former four-year standout James Sorrentine '08.

The New England Basketball Hall of Fame, which is anchored at the Institute for International Sport at the University of Rhode Island, will hold its fifth induction ceremony on October 9 at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Jacobs, the "Father" of Saint Michael's athletics, served the College as Athletic Director and Coach from 1947-68. He led the Purple Knights men's basketball program to nine State Championships, five New England Championships, and three straight appearances (1958-60) in the National College Tournament at Evansville, Indiana. A member of the inaugural Saint Michael's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1987, Jacobs also coached football, baseball and golf at Saint Michael's, winning State Championships in each sport.

Laffin was a four-time All-State, two-time All-New England, and two-time All-East selection at Saint Michael's. He was named to the NCAA All-Regional Tournament Team, First Team twice, and was Vermont's Athlete of the Month in December, 1973. Named New England Division II Player of the Year for 1974, Laffin finished his illustrous career with 2,005 career points. Laffin was inducted into the Saint Michael's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988.

Nicodemo was voted a Second Team All-American by both the Associated Press and United Press international during his Saint Michael's playing career, and is a member of Saint Michael's inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame class. Nicodemo was named a Catholic Small College All-American in 1959, All-State three times, and All-New England twice. He also was named the NCAA Tournament MVP in the 1958 New England Regionals, as he led the Purple Knights to the National Tournament for the third straight year. He also is a member of the 1,000-point club (1,042).

Titus was a three-year basketball standout at Saint Michael's, but it is since his graduation that he built his true legacy of greatness. A former Saint Michael's Trustee, he enjoyed a distinctive career at UMass Boston for 25 years, including a long tenure as Athletic Director, and collected his 250th career basketball coaching victory in 1998. In addition to his substantial commitment to UMass Boston, the ECAC, and NCAA as a coach and administrator, Titus was inducted into the Saint Michael's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1999.

Tim O'Shea, entering his second year as the head coach at Bryant University, also had a seven-year coaching stint at NCAA Division I Ohio University. A standout player at Boston College after earning All-America accolades at Wayland (Mass.) High School, O'Shea also spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island and Yale University.

For more information on the 2009 New England Basketball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, visit http://www.internationalsport.com/basketball/.

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