HEART OF BONA'S BASKETBALL - ROUND III
by Videos For Change Productions
An illustrious college basketball program nestled in the heart of the Allegheny hills, rebounds into relevance despite being among the smallest NCAA DI athletic programs in the nation.
THE HEART OF BONAS BASKETBALL is the story of a storied college basketball program told from many perspectives. St. Bonaventure’s basketball team began 100 years ago, advancing to a pinnacle NCAA Final Four appearance in 1970 during a time of national upheaval. Forming an early alliance with fellow Little Three schools Canisius and Niagara, Bona would achieve early recognition as a regular participant in the NIT, winning the tournament in 1977.
LATER, after gaining membership in the fiercely competitive Atlantic 10 Conference, Bona remained among the smallest Division 1 schools (based on enrollment) playing as a “mid-major,” and found itself sinking in the big business of college athletics. That nearly capsized the program and the surrounding community. This is the story of belief in the face of long odds, the importance of institutional values, and the basketball program’s journey of redemption to national respectability, national relevance and, once again, national prominence.
"Long overdue." - John Hayes (St. Bonas, 1969)
LANIER'S FINAL VISIT TO BONAVENTURE
DONATE on-line here (see give-away items on right)
Having trouble? Watch this short video "How to Make a Tax-Deductible Donation"
Should you prefer to send a donation by check, make payable to: FROM THE HEART
Write the following in the Memo: Heart of Bona's
Mail to: From the Heart
1013 Harbor Blvd.
Oxnard, CA 93035
Any questions, please contact filmmaker, Mike Camoin directly [email protected] 518.441.5300 c
STAYING TRUE TO OUR VALUES
There are many voices we seek to include: players, coaches, administration, Franciscans and the surrounding community that has played an integral role for decades. Funds will be used to make travel, production, insurance and editing possible. We've already ventured from Fair Hope, Alabama to Olean, NY capturing key interviews.
Next up, we wish to travel from Buffalo to Florida. We'll purchase digital hard-drives to store and backup all our visual assets, skilled assistants, paid interns (where possible) and a veteran pro editors to navigate post and deliver to broadcasters.
WE'RE SO GLAD YOU FOUND US during this initial "word of mouth" phase. The fact that you stumbled upon us means you're an integral stakeholder to our success. There's lots of ways you can help. Support one day filming (includes travel, tolls, meals, lodging and donated labor), approximately $300 / day. Or contribute to the purchase of Hard Drive (12GB, approx $400) that will be donated to SBU Archives. Preserving our history is worth far more.
A STORY ONLY ALUMNI and COMMUNITY CAN TELL
When Mike Camoin (SBU '88) first shared the idea of a documentary about Bona basketball with his 3rd Rob floormate, Danny E said, "Give me 24 hours and I'll come up with your title." And sure enough, The Heart of Bona's Basketball has stuck ever since.
While cameras started rolling in 2019 during the 100th Anniversary of Bona Basketball, the pandemic soon struck and production was delayed for over a year, so time was spent planning and developing the scope of our story. How do you tell the story of Bona Basketball? In 6 (or more) Chapters.
We aim to tell the most comprehensive story of Bona hoops using these chapters.
1. Back When We Didn't Know We Couldn't (1950-60s)
2. The Final Four: The House Lanier Built
2. The Final Four: The House Lanier Built
3. NIT Champs
4. Big Business of College Athletics (1980-2000s)
5. Rebuilding: Snubbed and Triumphant (2010s)
6. Finishing The Dream: Returning to National Relevance (2020s)
4. Big Business of College Athletics (1980-2000s)
5. Rebuilding: Snubbed and Triumphant (2010s)
6. Finishing The Dream: Returning to National Relevance (2020s)
To complete these 6 chapters will require capturing potentially 50+ interviews, 100s of hours of editing, transcripts, sifting through archival materials, game footage, photographs and news clippings.
WHEN will The Heart of Bonas Basketball BE COMPLETED
The timeline to complete depends on our ability to close our fundraising goals. Once fully funded, we estimate it will take 18 months to complete.
PHASE 1: Initial Round $50,000
Our goal is to complete this initial round by August, 2022. We're 40% there and on our way! Won't you help? Here's a message from Bona's NIT Champ player Glenn Hagan.
WHERE WILL IT BE SHOWN
We already know our story is extraordinary, yet barriers to a national broadcast are a challenge, for our small school, however, not insurmountable. We'd love to see the completed series air nationally on a major streaming sport platform like CBS Paramount, YES, MSG or ESPN+. Funding and strategic partners can speed up the process. Hiring a veteran editor often determines breaking through to reach the highest level. We look forward to inviting you back to campus for a premiere screening at the Quick Arts Center, or perhaps, playing somewhere on the road to help ongoing BAF efforts.
AN AMAZING TEAM OF ADVISORS
Whatever doesn't make it into the finished series, will be shared with SBU / BAF. Perhaps, one day a kiosk will be in the Reilly Center where we can actually listen to a recorded interview with some of our favorite Bona Legends.
TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS
Our fiscal sponsor From The Heart Productions is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that makes every donation over $25 tax-deductible. You will receive an electronic note acknowledging your contribution. As of January, administrative fees have increased, thus 12% of every credit card donation is retrained as an administrative fee. If sent by check, then only 5% with the balance 95% goes to the film project. We encourage all donations $1000 and above to be sent by check, unless you wish to cover the admin fees on check out. Thank you.
Should you choose to send a donation by check: FROM THE HEART
Write the following in the Memo: Heart of Bona's Basketball
Mail to: From the Heart
1013 Harbor Blvd.
Oxnard, CA 93035
Any questions, please contact me directly [email protected] 518.441.5300 c
IN THE SEMESTERS TO COME
We started working with the Jandoli School of Communications, avid student interns, and SBU Archives. We will be sifting through hours of interviews, archival materials and build a social
media outreach program. Pictured here is Sophmore Dustyn Green after we wrapped interviewing former SBU president, Sr. Margaret Carney. This will be an incredible story about the good work good people have done and continue doing, working together.
Perhaps you can help. Are you a journalist, know something about marketing, social media? We'll need your help too. In production? Perhaps we can hire you when filming in your city.
FINAL NOTES
There is a cost of doing nothing, not taking action. Those in Higher Ed have shared there is a new challenge ahead, NIL, with the Power 5 Conferences ... boat loads of dollars pouring in to coaches, campuses, players and student-athletics across the US. IMHO, WE HAVE A BETTER STORY ... rooted in balance, a values driven education, the greatest college fan base in the country ... guided by our Franciscan heritage and an alumni community that continues to grow!
IT'S OUR TIME TO SHINE
Perhaps you want to support us by purchasing HoBB SWAG through Sports Locker. Visit our on-line store. Hurry, First-Round Store Closes April 3rd!
ABOUT THE FILMMAKER
In Bonaventure circles, Mike Camoin may be better known for his commercial "Experience The Thrill" for Bona Venture Stables. This spot has played during half-times at the Reilly Center home games and on tv in western, NY.
Creative Statement from the Director
In September, 1984, I was baptized a "Tard King" (a name no longer referenced) on 3rd Rob. As freshmen, it was our role to reserve seats directly behind the Bona Bench for upper classmen on our floor. For four years, we sat in the same section, doing our best to motivate the team and yell at Murph, or any ref, in earshot. I can't recall ever missing a game, though, one winter it came close. I was in the campus infirmary for a week with a 103 fever. I had my homework and assignments sent for. I left the infirmary once, without a coat (wearing a coat to the game would be a freshman mistake) to attend a Bona Game, shout for 40 minutes, and return. Yes, we even survived a 5-23 season.
I've since learned other seasons were tested far greater, yet this is about ... Our Good Journey.
BONA NATION
There are 30,000 of us who make up Bona Nation. Many want to see this story, our collective story told, leave a gift to future Bonnies who might otherwise never know how our Franciscan values guided our University through its storied past and a return to national relevance.
A story of redemption. We can't do this without you. Thank you for being so generous. Every donation counts. #UNFURL
- Michael J. Camoin
DONATE
$61,400 RAISED
$50,000 GOAL
| This Appeal | 42 | 123% |
| has ended. | Believers | Funded |
This appeal has ended.
