About 500 people turned out to cheer for their favorite team Jan. 29 during the annual Priests vs Seminarians basketball game at St. Edward High School in Lakewood. The game was organized by the diocesan Vocation Office.
After the priests won bragging rights last year, the seminarians prevailed this year, with a 51-44 score during a spirited contest that also included a half-court shooting contest at halftime.
(See photo gallery above.)
Eleven students from Borromeo and Saint Mary seminaries (in blue) faced off with 11 priests (in white) from around the Diocese of Cleveland. The priests briefly took the lead in the first half, but the seminarians prevailed.
Top scorer for the priests was Father Cam Popik, parochial vicar at St. Hilary Parish in Fairlawn, who scored seven points. Other top scorers for the priests with six points each were Father Jeff Barnish, Father Kevin Klonowski, Father Eric Garris, Father Jeremy Merzweiler and Father Damian Ference, who was easy to spot in his bright red shoes.
Father Steve Flynn made three points. Scoring two points each were Father David Domanski, OFM Cap and Father Andrew Hoover. Father Domanski had nine rebounds for the priests.
Top scorer for the seminarians was Billy Reed with 11 points, who also took MVP honors. Scoring seven points for the seminarians was Ryan Walsh while Thomas Byrne contributed six points. Nate Menkhaus, Christopher Martin and Cameron Ferrell hit for five points each. Also contributing to the seminarians’ win were Chuck Cairnie and Chris Yankay with four points each and Arthur Bodenschatz and Josh Stecz who chipped in two points each. Cairnie led the seminarians with 14 rebounds.
“We’re old and we need more young priests,” quipped Father Garris, diocesan vocation director.
Spotted in the crowd were several priests cheering on their colleagues, including some seminary faculty and staff members. Father Mark Latcovich, president-rector of the seminaries, and Bishop Edward Malesic also were in attendance. Seminarians sat on the other side of the gym cheering enthusiastically for their classmates. Family and friends of the players also joined in the fun.
The evening’s big winner at the family-friendly event was the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, which benefitted from donations made at the door and a split pot drawing.
The contest began and ended with prayer. Despite their competitive spirit during the game, all participants left as friends. And fortunately, despite some bumps, bruises and sore muscles the following day, no one was injured.
For more information on vocations, click here or call 440-943-7631.