HONORING A LEGEND. Franciscan University of Steubenville, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, remembered Hank Kuzma, Franciscan's legendary men's basketball coach, during the fourth annual Hank Kuzma Community Day on Saturday at Finnegan Fieldhouse. Participating in the event were, from left, Mike Florak, university executive director of community relations; Rich Donnelly; Chris Orris, Valley Hospice community liaison, event co-sponsor; Laurie Labishak, Trinity Health System marketing manager, co-sponsor; Hank Kuzma Jr.; Tricia Maple-Damewood, chamber of commerce president; and Pete Rosaschi, university assistant athletic director. -- Mark Law

STEUBENVILLE — Franciscan University of Steubenville, in conjunction with the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce, took time Saturday between the Baron’s men’s and women’s basketball games to remember Hank Kuzma, Franciscan’s legendary men’s basketball coach.

The fourth-annual Hank Kuzma Community Day brought together chamber members and the university.

Valley Hospice and Trinity Health System were co-sponsors of the event.

Tricia Maple-Damewood, chamber of commerce president, said the university family supports businesses in the area, so the chamber decided it needed to support the university.

“It brings people up here that may not have never been here or haven’t been here in a while. Hank Kuzma was so important up here at the university. He also was an important member of the chamber of commerce. It is a perfect combination,” she said.

Mike Florak, university executive director of community relations, said the event is a great way to honor Kuzma and the Kuzma family legacy and all that they mean to the university and the community.

“It is always good to partner with the chamber and the local businesses as we continue to support each other. Because we have kept our faith, a lot of good things are happening in the community. Today is a celebration of the past and future,” he said.

Hank Kuzma Jr. and his wife, Roberta, made the trip from Crofton, Md., for the event.

The coaching legend’s son said the university always put a sparkle in his dad’s eyes.

“When they named the court here after him, he just beamed about it,” he said, adding his father talked about the days when the university’s team had to play its games at Steubenville High School.

“He was always proud as a coach and also proud of the community. He had a lot of pride in the connection between the university and the community,” Kuzma said of his father.

Kuzma said their was a special relationship between his father and the young men he coached, several of whom went on to play in the NBA.

“Years later, you could see the fondness and love between them,” he said.

Two of Hank Kuzma’s sons, Thomas and David, graduated from the university.

“This event is great for the community. We are very humbled the community honors him. It is great to see how the university has grown. Mom loved this place just as much as dad,” he said.

Steubenville native Rich Donnelly was doing a signing of the Tom Friend book, “The Chicken Runs at Midnight,” at the fieldhouse. The book is a non-fiction piece that details Donnelly’s life and quest to reach professional baseball both on a professional and personal level.

Donnelly had no shortage of stories about Hank Kuzma.

Donnelly remembered being a huge Baron basketball fan. When the team played at Big Red’s gym, Kuzma one day asked Donnelly if he wanted to help out with the basketballs. Donnelly was a ball boy for the team for several years until he himself started in athletics.

“When they played away, I would listen to the games on my radio in my bedroom,” he said, adding that Charles “Red” Donnelly used to call the games.

“That was my whole life. I loved the Barons,” Donnelly said.

Donnelly remembers how the team went 24-1 and were named the best small college team in the nation by United Press International.

After leaving the college, Kuzma taught and coached at Midland, Pa. Donnelly recalled how Catholic Central High School scrimmaged Midland High School. The Crusaders lost the game 83-23, adding Catholic Central couldn’t get the ball in bounds.

Donnelly said Kuzma wanted his players to play the game the way it was meant to be played.

“He always stomped his feet on the floor and yelled. He was the first coach I ever saw scream at his players. He wanted the game of basketball to be played right,” he said.

Kuzma, after coaching several teams, returned to Steubenville in the 1970s to revive the Barons basketball team.

After financial uncertainty forced the school to drop its intercollegiate athletics program in the early 1980s, Kuzma became a fundraiser. His efforts led to millions of dollars coming into the university, which has helped to transform the campus.