The St. Bonaventure Bonnies are one of the most respected programs in college athletics, known for their history of success across multiple sports. From thrilling St. Bonaventure Bonnies basketball seasons to competitive St. Bonaventure Bonnies baseball teams, the Bonnies have built a tradition of excellence that continues to inspire students, alumni, and fans across the nation.
College Sports Established
1858
Location
St. Bonaventure, New York
College Name
St. Bonaventure University
Collegiate History
1979 - Present / NCAA Division I
Conference History
1979 - Present / Atlantic 10 Conference
Nickname
Bonnies - The St. Bonaventure Bonnies are a beloved NCAA Division I basketball team from St. Bonaventure, New York, and have been an integral part of the college sports landscape for decades. But many fans may not realize where their beloved nickname originated from!
St. Bonaventure Bonnies Origin
In 1925, the school's first athletic director, Father Paul Ebbets SJ, named his teams after one of the great saints in Catholic history - Saint Francis de Sales (1567-1622). He was known as "the Gentleman Saint" due to his kind and gentle nature, which matched perfectly with what he wanted represented by his teams: good sportsmanship and fair play on the court or field of competition. As a result, all men's varsity athletic teams at St. Bonaventure were given nicknames related to this saintly figure, such as “Brown Indians” (a reference to Francis' missionary work among Native Americans) or “Greyhounds” (in honor of one particular story about him involving dogs).
In 1972 however, it was decided that all male varsity sports would adopt a unified nickname – The Bonnie(s), derived from Franciscan Friars who had arrived in Olean, NY during 1858 being called 'Bonnies.' This new moniker has stuck around ever since then; even when women joined athletics at SBU, they adopted similar names like Lady Bonnie(s) and other variations like Bona Brave(s).
Today if you ask any fan why they root for The Bonnie(s), chances are they won't know its origins, but those familiar with its past will always be proud knowing that their team is named after such an inspiring figure whose legacy still stands strong today!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1920
- 2000
- 2003
- 2007
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Tri-State League title Win
In 1920: The St. Bonaventure basketball team wins its first conference championship, the Tri-State League title. -
St. Bonaventure men’s soccer team wins the Atlantic 10 Conference championship
In 2000, the St. Bonaventure men’s soccer team won the Atlantic 10 Conference championship. This was a historic achievement for the team, as it was their first-ever conference championship in men’s soccer. The team finished the season with a record of 14-5-2 and earned a spot in the NCAA tournament. Although they lost in the first round of the tournament ... -
Men’s basketball team is embroiled in a scandal
In 2003: The men’s basketball team is embroiled in a scandal when it is discovered that a player, Jamil Terrell, had been given credit for a course that did not actually exist. As a result, the team is banned from postseason play and must forfeit several wins from the 2002-2003 season. -
Coach Mark Schmidt Hiring
Schmidt was hired as the head coach of St. Bonaventure in 2007. Under Schmidt’s leadership, the Bonnies have experienced significant success, including multiple NCAA tournament appearances and Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors. In 2018, Schmidt was named the National Coach of the Year by the National Association of Basketball Coaches after leading the Bonnies to a surprising NCAA ...
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St. Bonaventure Bonnies History
The St. Bonaventure Bonnies have built a proud and enduring legacy in NCAA athletics, especially in their long rivalry with the Saint Louis Billikens. Based in Olean, New York, St. Bonaventure University has developed a tradition of excellence on the court and field. The program has become a symbol of competitive spirit, producing outstanding student-athletes and memorable moments.
Since joining Division I in the 1948–49 season, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies have captured multiple conference championships across different sports. Highlights include four Atlantic 10 titles in men’s basketball, two A-10 titles in women’s basketball, and three Big 4 Tournament wins in St. Bonaventure Bonnies baseball. The university has also celebrated a Big 4 title in softball, along with numerous All-American and Academic All-American honors across its programs.
Under legendary coach Larry Weise during the 1970–71 season, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies basketball program earned its first NCAA Tournament appearance. The team famously defeated Jacksonville before narrowly falling to Villanova at Madison Square Garden, a game still remembered as one of the arena’s classics. Since Coach Mark Schmidt took over in 2007–08, the program has returned to national relevance, making five consecutive post-season trips highlighted by an Elite Eight run in 2011–12, which included a dramatic win over third-seeded Florida State at the Amway Center in Orlando.
Bonnies Achievements
Beyond team success, St. Bonaventure alumni have excelled at the professional level. NBA forward Andrew Nicholson and CFL standout Eric Deslauriers are just two examples of athletes who began their journeys with the St. Bonaventure Bonnies. Their success shows how far this small university can reach in producing top-level talent.
In recent years, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies basketball program has consistently challenged top Atlantic 10 opponents and secured multiple bids to the NCAA and NIT tournaments. These achievements, paired with steady progress in St. Bonaventure Bonnies baseball, demonstrate the school’s balanced strength across major sports.
Today, the St. Bonaventure Bonnies remain a powerful presence in college athletics. With passionate fans, talented rosters, and a coaching staff dedicated to excellence, the university continues to build on its rich tradition. The program’s success in both St. Bonaventure Bonnies basketball and St. Bonaventure Bonnies baseball ensures that Olean will always be synonymous with championship-level collegiate sports.
