St. Bonaventure University

St. Bonaventure University formally dedicated its new tennis court complex Wednesday, honoring the legacy of longtime SBU Hall of Fame coach Pat Panzarella while celebrating a transformational gift that has elevated the program’s facilities.

The ceremony, held at the new complex near the Joyce Softball Field, brought together university leaders, trustees, student-athletes, alumni, friends, former colleagues and several members of the Panzarella family, including Pat’s wife, Jan Panzarella.

They gathered to recognize the enduring impact of the late coach and the generosity of benefactors Mike and Kris Hickey, whose support made the project possible.

The courts now stand as a lasting tribute to Panzarella, who led the Bonnies’ tennis program for decades and left a profound influence on the lives of his players both on and off the court. Panzarella taught English at St. Bonaventure for more than 50 years. He passed away in October 2025.

Panzarella won 333 matches coaching both the men and women and was inducted into SBU’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023.

University President Dr. Jeff Gingerich said the dedication reflects the core values that define the Bonaventure community.

“At St. Bonaventure, we often speak about community, generosity and the enduring bonds that connect Bonnies across generations. Today, Mike and Kris Hickey have given us a beautiful example of all three,” Gingerich said. “Because of their extraordinary generosity, our student-athletes now have a first-class home for competition, training and community — a place that will serve the Bonaventure community for years to come.”

The new facility provides a modern venue for practices and matches, significantly enhancing the experience for current and future student-athletes.

For Kris Hickey, a former Bonaventure tennis player who competed under Panzarella in the 1980s, the project is both personal and meaningful. Mike Hickey is chair of SBU’s Board of Trustees.

“Coach taught me so much more beyond tennis,” Hickey said. “He was a man of integrity who instilled it in me and in others. He stressed the importance of priorities in life and what it meant to be a student first and then an athlete.”

Hickey said the decision to honor Panzarella through the court dedication was driven by a desire to recognize the coach’s lasting influence on generations of players.

“It’s an honor to dedicate these courts to his memory,” Hickey said. “We hope they stand as a lasting tribute to the embodiment of the Bonaventure spirit that Coach demonstrated on the courts, in the classroom, and in his daily interactions with others.”

Panzarella’s legacy extends far beyond wins and losses. Known for his commitment to developing well-rounded student-athletes, he emphasized academics, character and personal growth alongside athletic achievement. Former players often credit him with shaping their lives long after their time at Bonaventure ended.

That impact was evident throughout Wednesday’s ceremony. Speakers and attendees shared stories reflecting Panzarella’s mentorship, humor and unwavering dedication to his players.

His daughter, Catherine Panzarella, spoke on behalf of the family, expressing gratitude for the recognition.

“I can’t adequately express how much this means to us,” she said. “Our dad would be humbled by what’s happening here today.”

As the ceremony concluded, Fr. Steve Kuehn, O.F.M., university chaplain, blessed the courts with holy water, and senior Kelly Barnes from Orchard Park was given the honor of the first “official” serve on the courts.

______________

About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).