FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME

BY SHAWNA GALLAGHER VEGA

After furthering their love of basketball on 16th Street, three young Sons of Xavier went on to share a unique experience— managing teams at the highest level of college hoops.

Earlier this year, Anthony Flynn ’19 concluded his time managing the Villanova Wildcats, assisting the storied basketball team with all practices, games, and events over the course of his four years in Pennsylvania. “My time working for the team has taught me so many invaluable skills that I know will help me in all of life’s endeavors,” said Flynn, who earned his degree in economics in May and now works as an analyst at JPMorgan Chase. “The relationships I have fostered and the experiences I have had over the last four years have been extremely rewarding and something that I will always hold dear.”

For Joe McGrane ’20 and Danny Dolan ’21, who have basketball in their blood (their fathers, Joe McGrane P’20 and Greg Dolan ’89 P’21, are Xavier’s legendary longtime coaches), their experience managing college teams has added additional layers to their understanding of the game.

“I wanted to become a college basketball manager, as I am hoping to be involved with basketball in some form after I graduate,” said Dolan, who manages the Ramblers at Loyola University Chicago. “My experience has been amazing. I have learned so much about how a Division I college basketball program runs. I have gotten to go on so many amazing trips, and have gotten to meet great people throughout the country.”

“The decision to become a student manager for the men’s basketball team at Marquette has provided me with a great opportunity to get involved in collegiate athletics,” added McGrane, whose Golden Eagles won the Big East Tournament this spring. “The job demands a high level of commitment and dedication, but the incredible relationships I’ve developed over the years and the experiences of contributing to such a storied program have made it worthwhile.”

Engagements

Michael O’Brien ’02 got engaged to Megan Fullagar in Miami on February 26, 2022. Their wedding will take place on September 16, 2023, in Brooklyn.

Kevin Bridy ’09 recently got engaged to his fiancée, Sarah Pullin.

Jake Nicholson ’14 is engaged to Jillian Caristo.

Weddings

Michael Seewald ’86 married Elizabeth Drumm at St. Nicholas of Myra Orthodox Church on

East 10th Street on June 11, 2022. Suzy and Alan Antaki ’87 joined the wedding celebrations at the Queens County Farm.

Fidel Santiago ’04 married Sara Sullivan in New York City on August 13, 2022. Michael Malkin ’04 was his best man, and Vincent Margiotta ’04 and Michael Leopoldi ’04 were groomsmen.

Daniel J. Martinez ’05 married Ciara O’Grady on September 24, 2021.

Michael Chiaia married Lindy Froebel in College Station, Texas, on April 29. They enjoyed a honeymoon on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.

Tim Mastro ’07 married Emma MacLean at Springfield Country Club in Pennsylvania on August 6, 2022. The couple met as tour guides at the University of Delaware and now live in Wilmington, Delaware, with their dog, Rose.

In August 2022, John Maiocco ’12 married his wife, Morgan, surrounded by plenty of members of the Xavier community, including Vincent Biagi, S.J. ’67, who officiated the ceremony.

Births

Joseph Fama ’75 and his wife, Nancy, welcomed their fourth and fifth grandchildren, girls named Sofia and Pierce, in 2022.

Lou Bonica ’76 and his wife, Gerri, welcomed their first granddaughter, Shea Marie Coury, on February 7.

Nevio Murljacic ’77 welcomed his first grandchildren, twins named Margaret and Patrick, on January 30.

Jimmy Ryan ’92 and his wife, Anna, welcomed a son, James Francis IV, in Charleston, South Carolina, on January 25.

John C. Fernandez ’95 welcomed a son, Harrison William, on February 9.

John Koch ’96 and his wife, Amie, welcomed their fourth child, Annabelle Faith, on February 15.

Badr Astiphan ’99 and his wife, Loredana, welcomed a daughter, Serafina, on December 9, 2021 in Berkeley, California.

Teig Lynster ’01 and his wife, Maureen, welcomed their first child, Nora Quinn, on November 26, 2022.

Neil Sorrentino ’02 and his wife, Kimberly, celebrated the birth of their son, Nathan David, on February 22.

Peter Faherty ’03 and his wife, Stacey, welcomed a son, Callan, on March 1.

Patrick Sezen ’04 and his wife, Caroline, welcomed their first child, Brooke Setenay Elizabeth, on November 3, 2020.

William Lembo ’05, his wife, Danielle, and daughter Lucy welcomed Theodore William in 2022.

Reid Sessa ’06, his wife Caitlin, and sons William and Colin welcomed Grant Joseph in October 2022.

Kevin Fox ’08, his wife, Audrey, and daughter, Vera Mae, welcomed their daughter and sister, Sadie Grace, on November 2, 2022.

Jonathan Wlazlowski ’08, his wife, Emily, and son, Luke, welcomed twins, Adelaide Irene and Finnegan Zdzislaw, to their family on February 17.

Billy Malewich ’12 and his wife welcomed their son, Ryan Daniel, on December 21, 2022.

Thomas Roemer ’12 and his wife, Genna, welcomed a daughter, Claire Marie, on November 6, 2022.