On a crisp November afternoon, the Saint Joseph's men's basketball team will travel to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, to take part in the annual Veterans Classic. The matchup, scheduled for 3:00 p.m., will be televised nationally on CBS Sports Network, bringing renewed attention to a event that has become a staple of early‑season college basketball.
A Coach's Perspective
Steve Donahue, the head coach of the Hawks, described the Classic as more than just a game. He emphasized that the occasion offers student‑athletes a rare chance to compete against top‑level opponents while gaining perspective on the broader mission of service and competition embodied by the event.
South Florida arrives in Annapolis with momentum built from a dominant 2023‑24 campaign. The Bulls captured their conference regular‑season title and tournament, finishing the season with a 25‑9 record. Their run ended narrowly in the NCAA Tournament, falling 83‑79 to Louisville in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Historic Returns for the Hawks
This will mark the second time the Hawks have appeared in the Veterans Classic, joining a short list of programs that have repeated participation in the 13‑year history of the event. The previous appearance helped raise the profile of the program and contributed to a 24‑12 season that saw Saint Joseph's advance to the quarterfinals of the NIT.
Ticket information will be released in the coming weeks, with reserved seating priced at $40 and general admission at $25. The pricing structure aims to balance accessibility for fans with the need to support the event's operational costs.
Beyond the scoreboard, the Classic serves as a platform for student‑athletes to engage with the values of service and leadership that the Naval Academy represents. For many players, the experience is as much about personal growth as it is about basketball.