The 1953-54 and 1954-55 Saint Francis men’s basketball teams are commonly referred to as “The Stokes Teams”. Legendary player and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer Maurice Stokes was the unquestioned leader of those squads under the direction of head coach Dr. Williams “Skip” Hughes, but the team chemistry and overall talent level of these two squads propelled Saint Francis men’s basketball into the national spotlight.
The Stokes Teams were the first two Saint Francis men’s basketball teams to play in the National Invitation Tournament, which was then the most prestigious tournament in college basketball, at world-renowned Madison Square Garden. The Stokes Teams put “The College Among The Pines” on the national map with two of the most amazing small-school seasons in collegiate basketball history. The two teams combined for a two-year record of 42-15, including wins over several national powers.
The 1953-54 men’s basketball team set the benchmark for success at Saint Francis, but it didn’t take long to re-write the record books. The 1954-55 version of the Frankies finished 21-9 overall on their way to the NIT semifinals. Despite a fourth-place national finish, 6-foot-6, All-American Stokes was named the tournament’s MVP in 1955. The Red Flash beat Seton Hall and defending NIT champion Holy Cross to advance into the semifinals, but bowed out of the NIT after a pair of tough overtime losses against Dayton and Cincinnati, which featured Stokes good friend, future National Basketball Association teammate and eventual caregiver Jack Twyman. The 1954-55 team displayed balance and received contributions from everyone leading to the amazing Saint Francis basketball story.
Saint Francis College is proud to honor The Stokes Teams with induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame on this date, Saturday, November 17, 2007.
Head coach Dr. William “Skip” Hughes
Maurice Stokes (27.1 ppg, 26.2 rpg)
Frank Puschauver (13.5ppg, 7.9rpg)
Walter Milinski (12.2ppg, 4.2rpg)
William Saller (12.2ppg, 9.4rpg)
James McClellan (8.8ppg, 8.0rpg)
Emil Wandishin(8.5ppg, 4.1rpg)
Robert Watro (4.3ppg, 2.6rpg)
Edward Langton (2.1ppg, 1.4rpg)
Junious Daniels (1.9ppg, 0.7rpg)
John Novalessi (1.6ppg, 0.7rpg)
Robert Ford (1.4ppg, 1.4rpg)
Ray Carman (2.3ppg, 2.3rpg)
Paul Giarth (1.5ppg, 1.0rpg)
Ronarld Muffie (0.4ppg, 0.4rp
