Hoops and hope: A vibrant night for vocations

By Tami S. Scott
Editor

On the cusp of a blustery winter night in Syracuse, the Men in Black faced off against Bishop Ludden-Grimes student-athletes Dec. 29 in a fast-paced, high-energy game played in the school gymnasium. The game ended with MiB edging out a 32–29 win. 

The bleachers buzzed with students, friends, and family members rallying for their team as The Catholic Sun caught up with die-hard fans who turned out despite an impending severe weather alert for later in the evening. 

Between spirited cheers, The Catholic Sun learned that Holy Family Fairmount parishioner Rodney Cottet, a former recreational basketball player, came out to support his grandson, seminarian Jacob Cottet, who is in his propaedeutic year at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Md. Sitting nearby was Anne Marie Gordona, of St. Leo’s in Tully, who came to cheer on her pastor, Father Dennis Walker. The Sun found Gabby and Leah, parishioners of Spirit of Hope in Oneida, waiting at the concession stand while Leah’s brother, Mason Netzband, was hustling on the court. Netzband is a seminarian at Our Lady of Providence in Rhode Island. And lastly, Seton Catholic alums who founded the God Squad, a high school club inspired by Deacon Cornelius Deep, could be seen rooting for and waving huge posters from across the court for their No. 1 player — you guessed it: Deacon Deep, who will be ordained a priest this year.

Bishop Douglas J. Lucia watched the action from the sidelines but delighted the crowd when he briefly took the court, kneeling on a church kneeler to sink a basket.

“Men in Black has become one of the most joyful and visible moments of vocation promotion each year,” said Father Jason Hage, director of the Office of Vocation Promotion. “It gives families and young people the chance to encounter our priests and seminarians in a relaxed, energetic, and very human setting — and to see firsthand the joy of priestly fraternity, friendship, and service.”