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From left, Sugar Calabria, Joe Calabria '65, College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80, and Robert G. Driscoll, Jr., vice president for athletics / athletic director.
Providence, R.I.--Moments that have defined the Providence College men's basketball program through the decades are now being displayed in a spectacular home of their own.
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On Saturday, January 17, the College's Department of Athletics hosted the grand opening of the Joe Calabria Hallway of Legends in Alumni Hall for Friar fans. The hallway was made possible with a $400,000 gift from Joe Calabria '65 and his wife, Sugar, of Boulder, Colo. Joe Calabria is the owner of CounterTrade Products, which sells computer systems to state governments.
Consisting of nine exhibit areas and seven display cases, the hallway features players and teams from each era of the 82-year history of the PC basketball program. The hallway's floor is a replica of Dave Gavitt Court at the Dunkin' Donuts Center.
Robert G. Driscoll, Jr., vice president for athletics/athletic director, thanked the Calabrias for "the absolutely beautiful hallway" and said it is a great complement to the College's rich basketball history.
For each exhibit area, athletic department staff collected various items from the school's archives and wrote text to accompany the pictures and artifacts on the exhibit walls and inside the display cases.
The exhibit areas include a "Meet the Friars" section that highlights the current Friars team and a "Friar Legends Forever" area that showcases some of the program's best, all-time players.
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Friar great Marvin Barnes '74
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The "Hall of Fame Friars" exhibit tells the story of Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees Dave Gavitt '89Hon., Lenny Wilkens '60, and John Thompson '64, while "The Greatest Names in Friar History" area highlights the 34 most important people in the history of PC basketball.
There are also sections featuring the Dunkin' Donuts Center, the BIG EAST Conference, the school's postseason teams, and Friars who have gone on to play in the NBA.
The hallway's seven display cases include tributes to the school's 1973 and 1987 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Final Four teams, the 1994 BIG EAST Championship team, PC's NIT Championships in 1961 and 1963, and stories on Ryan Gomes '05 and Jimmy Walker '67. Another case highlights PC players who have been selected in the NBA or ABA draft.
In all, more than 3,000 items were coordinated to create the hallway, and 10 flat-screen televisions were installed to enhance the exhibits with video footage.
Speaking at the grand opening, College President Rev. Brian J. Shanley, O.P. '80 said the hallway was the latest in a long line of improvements made to PC athletic facilities, noting the Concannon Fitness Center, Canavan Sports Medicine Center, and the Jimmy Walker Varsity Weight Room.
Father Shanley praised Joe Calabria for his vision and support for the hallway and said, "you've touched so many people's hearts with this donation." The Calabrias, who were presented with a large plaque, also were honored during the PC-Marquette game later that night.
Steven R. Napolillo '98, associate athletic director for the Friar Forever Fund, added that the project, which took a year and a half to complete, is something "every alumnus, fan, and friend will be able to enjoy."
"It is special people like you who make Providence College what it is," he said of the Calabrias.
Calabria said he saw the first concepts for the hallway design last year, but said the finished product is beyond what he envisioned.
"The transformation is spectacular to see," he said. "It goes to prove that Friars can overachieve in anything."
He added that he was thankful for having the opportunity to give back to PC.
"I loved my years at Providence College. The Dominicans had a tremendous effect on me, my family, and my education, and I thank them very much," he said.
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