By Whitney Downard
Contributing Writer
and Hannah Gordon
Assistant News Editor
Tomorrow, a group of marketing students in the Event and Sponsorship Marketing class taught by Mike Russell, a professor of marketing at St. Bonaventure, will host the John J. Watson Memorial 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament in the Reilly Center Arena. Admission for fans is free, and opening ceremonies start at 11 a.m.
The tournament, created and managed by students, recognizes and honors the late John J. Watson, a professor of marketing at St. Bonaventure, who passed away May 18, 2012.
All proceeds from the tournament will benefit the Chris Dudley Foundation, an organization dedicated to raising diabetes awareness and runs a sports camps for young adults and children with Type 1 diabetes.
This organization is special to the Watson family, according to Leslie Watson, John’s wife.
“Our son Noah was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was three,” Leslie said. “John visited the camp, and he said when Noah was old enough, he would go. He said, ‘No matter what, we have to make sure he goes to that camp.’”
Senior management major Kayla Cronin is one of the students involved with the tournament.
“We wanted to host the tournament again because it’s in honor of a person who was important to St. Bonaventure,” Cronin said. “Each person has their own connection to him and a different reason for wanting to do this tournament.”
Laurie Branch, president of the Iroquois Group, one of the tournament’s sponsors, said Watson was a great professor and person.
“We lost John Watson far too early,” Branch said. “He was a dedicated professor and a wonderful person. Although Bonaventure still suffers from our loss, I find it particularly moving that our students continue to bring him back to campus in spirit by holding this memorial tournament. It is a wonderful tradition.”
Watson played as a professional basketball player in Ireland and England and owned a basketball team in New Zealand.
Watson was always supportive of sports at the university.
According to a story posted in February 2012 on sbu.edu, in preparation for a Careers in Sports Day hosted by the university, he said, “Not everyone can be a professional athlete, but that doesn’t mean you can’t pursue a successful and rewarding career in the field of sports.”
The last day to register for the event was Nov. 6, but every team member who participates will earn a T-shirt for entering the tournament. Each team will have the opportunity to play two games in a double-bracket elimination, with separate games for men and women. All games will be played in a “call your own fouls” style and team misconduct could result in ejection from the tournament. The prize for the winners of the tournament has yet to be announced.
Be sure to come out and support your team tomorrow in the Reilly Center Arena as they play in memory of the late John J. Watson.
downarwl12@bonaventure.edu
