The St. Andrews Presbyterian College men’s basketball team brought 14 Knights alumni back to campus as the past met the present in a scrimmage on Saturday afternoon during SAPC’s fall alumni weekend.

The St. Andrews active roster took the hardwood against the talented group of alumni that brought much success to the program through the past four decades. The two sides played three 20-minute periods as the Knights prepare for the 09'-10' season that starts in less than a month.

“I’ve always thought the alums were just as important as the current players in a program,” said Richie Schueler, St. Andrews second year head coach. “The alumni need to feel appreciated because, after all, they built a rich tradition here at St. Andrews.

" When I was promoted to head coach, I asked every alumnus I knew to get involved with their alma mater and former team," he said. "Now that we’ve had time to recruit the foundation of our program, I want our current players to see just how important the alumni can be to our future success.”

Saturday’s events that featured a three-point shooting and dunk contest before the scrimmage marked the first time the St. Andrews men’s basketball program has hosted the alumni in Coach Schueler’s seven years with the Royal Blue & White.

“This will certainly be an annual event," Scheuler said. "We asked every alumni of the basketball program to take part in the fun, so we hope this year’s success will grow in popularity next year.”

St. Andrews alumnus Dwanye Jeffcoat 07' said he has been waiting for an event like this to happen ever since he played at St. Andrews.

"It's pretty cool to participate in this event." he said. "I have been talking about this for the four year that I was here and I have been asking about the alumni game...and it's finally here and it feels good to play.

"I wish more of my teammates that I played with would have came and played but that is okay...I got to play with some players that

made this program such a great tradition."

Will Livingston '05 agreed with Jeffcoat.

"I think this is a great experience and I appreciate Coach Schueler bringing us back here to play against his team," he said. "It's good to see some of the old players that set the standard for St. Andrews basketball as well as look at the future.

"We all want to thank coach [Scheuler] for trying to get this program back on its feet becuase I never an experience like this when I was here for my four years," he said. "It feels good trying to network with the future players and encourage them and let them know what to do on and off the court."

St. Andrews junior 6' 8" junior Zack Garst said he had a good time during the alumni game.

"It's been a lot of fun," he said. "A lot of guys came back and it was a honor playing against alumni like Richard Stone and David Truesdale."

The Knights hoops players, alumni, coaches, and fans all had a chance to mingle with each other both before and after the festivities.

“It was neat to see our current student-athletes engaging with a group of 14 former players who all have similar war stories of their hard work on Harris Court, whether it was two years or 30 years ago.

"Every one of our players spent time listening to alums tell stories and give advice in all areas of life, not just basketball," he said. This was a group of guys who all share a common bond, only coming from different eras."

Players from all graduating years participated in the alumni game.

Will Livingston '05, David Truesdale '06, Taiwon Grooms '09, Charles Phillips '10 (will graduate in May, student assistant this season), Gilbert Abraham '04, Dwayne Jeffcoat '07, Nick Mitchell '98, Anthony Rollins '01, Benny Zacharias '08, Richard Stone '07, Ben Befchaers '98, Dion Wingfield '00, Cliff Summer '78 (Did Not Play), Jackie Amos '82 (Did Not Play) all participated in the game.

St. Andrews visits NCAA Division I foe Campbell University on Friday, Nov. 13 in an exhibition game before opening up regular season play at home against Johnson & Wales University on Monday, Nov. 16 at 7:30 p.m.