St. Raphael to host “Alumni March Madness” March 25

PAWTUCKET – Larry Holloway is hoping the second version of the Shea High School “Alumni March Madness” event, slated for Saturday, March 25 at “The Cage,” is better than the first.

It will include two contests, including the girls’ varsity team against assorted alumnae at 6 p.m., then boys’ varsity opposite men’s alumni at 7 p.m.

“Last year, we had about 30 men and 20 women, and one of the ladies who came back to play was from the Class of 1969, and she played! Now that was impressive,” noted Holloway, the tourney director. “We had alumni fans on one side of the gym and varsity fans on the other, so that was spirited to say the least. In fact, after the games, we had some folks who hadn’t seen each other in years, and actually went out later to get reacquainted.”

If that doesn’t define what an alumni event should be, nothing will.

At this point, Holloway has drawn interest from approximately 14 alums on the guys’ side and six on the women’s, but indicated he’s looking for many more to participate, as the proceeds from the “tourney,” presented by the Friends of Shea organization, will go to the awarding of college scholarships to Raiders’ seniors.

As for the format, games will consist of two 15-minute halves with a running clock, which may or may not be fortunate for the alumni. Following the female Varsity vs. Alumnae tilt, a team of younger alums will take on the boys’ varsity (which happens to be 24-2 on the season). After that, a contingent of “older alumni” will face the victor of the previous game.

“We do it that way because – hopefully – if the varsity boys win, they’ll be exhausted, and it will give the old guys a fighting chance,” he said, laughing.

Ironically, both the men’s and women’s alums earned victories last year.

Deadline for registration is Thursday, March 23, and is $5 per person, the same fee for admission. (Students may enter and watch the hilarity for $3). All participants will receive a free Alumni March Madness T-shirt.

To sign up, e-mail Holloway127@cox.net, or call (401) 359-0635. To purchase tickets, phone either the previous number of Sharon Farley at (401) 729-6471. Ducats also may be purchased on the night of the games.