Ernie and Marvin, 1973.
Sometimes that’s all you need to mention to spark excitement from Providence College Friar fans and any basketball aficionado worth his salt. Anyone with a pulse in Rhode Island, or around the college basketball world, at the time always is quick to talk about that special team and special season.
Paul Lonardo was only eight years old at the time but he lived in North Providence, the hometown of Ernie DiGregorio. He caught Friar fever early, mainly because he knew where Ernie D’s parents lived, and knew that the star point guard came of age breaking the chain nets at his neighborhood elementary Stephen Olney School.