Red Flash present newest hoops hire

By HUGH CONRAD
For The Tribune-Democrat

LORETTO May 16, 2008 11:45 pm

— Red Flash men’s basketball fans are hoping for some positive steps in their future, and the fans and the college community met new coach Don Friday, who was introduced as an optimistic person, one who understands the mission of St. Francis and the hopes for success in the future.
“We need a coach that engages our entire community. I remember all of those extra things he’s done as a coach and I felt he has the characteristics we are looking for at St. Francis,” Athletic Director Bob Krimmel said about Friday. “He has an extremely optimistic personality and believes we can get things done even if some people think otherwise. He brings a background as a teacher, a recruiter, a person of passion and a person of integrity who will embrace our Franciscan values.”
The luncheon was held in front of a crowd of approximately 100 fans, players, coaches and members of the St. Francis community in the Stokes-Twyman Room in the Maurice Stokes Athletics Center.
Friday has spent the past five years coaching at Lycoming, an NCAA Division III college in Williamsport.
He spent nine years before that as an assistant coach to Pat Flannery at Bucknell, an NCAA Division I member of the Patriot League.
Prior to his experience at Bucknell, Friday coached with Flannery for five years at Lebanon Valley College, which is Friday’s alma mater.
The Red Flash are coming off a 6-23 record, 4-14 in the Northeast Conference. He will inherit 13 players from that team since no seniors were on the Red Flash squad, which was coached by Bobby Jones for the past nine seasons.
Friday was taking a positive outlook as he talked about the St. Francis job.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think we could win,” Friday said. “We have to look forward. We have to look past the ‘Here we go again,’ and say, ‘Here we go.’ Success does not come before hard work.”
The Lycoming squad compiled an 83-49 record (.629) under Friday’s direction.
Friday said that he thought that everyone in the college community is part of his team, trying to encompass everyone to join in a winning effort.
Friday, a native of St. Clair, was accompanied by his wife, Amy, and his son, Donald.