By Colin Bish
March reflects a very exciting time in college basketball. The arrival of the most exhilarating tournament in all of sports, March Madness.
But, right now in Olean, the air feels more somber than anything. And not solely due to St. Bonaventure’s NCAA tournament fates.
If you’re reading this, we all know why the air carries that feeling.
Rumors circulated social media Saturday morning that men’s basketball head coach Mark Schmidt planned to retire at season’s end. Although rumors initially, reports coming from the likes of ESPN’s Pete Thamel gave them merit.
But the only one that could confirm or deny such a report was Schmidt himself.
Following the Bonnies’ 68-63 loss to Davidson Schmidt confirmed the rumors to be true.
What happened? Why now? What’s next? Everyone wants answers — a natural reaction to crazy news.
But I think that comes for another time.
Right now, I find it best to recognize how much impact Schmidt has had. We can go over his greatest hits: 339 wins, the most in St. Bonaventure history, and the most games coached for the Bonnies all-time.
The memories speak for themselves, too. The 2012 NCAA tournament squad led by Andrew Nicholson. The 2018 team that notched a First Four victory over UCLA. The 2021 squad that dominated their way to Atlantic 10 regular season and conference tournament titles. The following year, 2022, Schmidt coached the Bonnies to three consecutive road wins over Colorado, Oklahoma and Virginia to reach the NIT Final Four.
But what really stuck with me about Coach Schmidt is his undying loyalty. He could have left, as multiple sources have detailed throughout the years. He could have gone to rebuild a program elsewhere.
Yet he stayed here. At a small, western New York town not many bat an eye towards.
He made this university a school worth recognition. After years and years of fruitless squandering, Schmidt brought an inextinguishable light to the Bonnies program.
So, I’d like to say, on behalf of the entire SBU community,
Thank you so much, for everything, coach.
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