Unsung Heroes

By Paul Szaniawski

The sports world is buzzing about the story of an autistic basketball manager who was honored at his high school’s Senior Day game by being announced as part of the team and dressing in full uniform. With four minutes left and his team up by nearly 20 points, senior Jason McElwain was actually substituted into the game.

McElwain would then incredibly shoot the lights out going 6-8 from the field – all three-pointers except one. He finished with 20 points in four minutes.

Rider basketball Senior Day on Sunday didn’t have a extraordinary finish like McElwain’s, but instead finished the final chapter of two not-so-well-known men who were extraordinary in their own ways.

Seniors Edwin Muniz, Paul Johnson and, from the women’s team, Christine Catalanotto are among the list of well-known Rider basketball players in recent years.

However, this tribute goes out to the other players honored on Senior Day – Willie and Aaron.

Senior Willie Dingle was one of the most popular players among diehard fans, especially the unambiguous “Rider Screamers.” While standing the entire game and wearing trademark face paint and cranberry “Sixth Man” T-shirts, the “Rider Screamers” would chant “We Want Dingle” near the end of games this season when the Broncs had no chance for victory. When he would get put in the game in those situations there would never be much time left on the clock, but the 6-foot-9-inch center’s presence would always be felt.

At the end of Rider’s memorable 75-56 win at home this season over regular season MAAC champions Manhattan, Dingle added the icing on the cake. With 32 seconds left, Dingle blocked a layup by Manhattan starter and second leading scorer that game Jeff Xavier. The “Rider screamers” then went into their “That’s our Dingle” chant. For at least a few moments after the block, the electricity level in the Bronc Zoo rivaled that of last year’s games.

Another player who’s less recognized by casual fans and who was honored on Senior Day was Aaron White. He wasn’t as loved and popular with Rider’s diehard fans but his heart was big enough to dwarf his charisma. At the Bronc’s 73-62 loss to Marist on Feb. 8, White blocked a shot and also recovered the ball on one end of the floor, and hustled down to the other end to sink a three-pointer. The senior would finish with 5 points in 6 minutes that night. White’s best game occurred almost exactly two years before that against Saint Peter’s. He achieved his career high that night in points (8) and rebounds (5).

White was immortalized in the Feb. 3 sports section of the Rider News. In the same game as Dingle’s electrifying dunk, the photo on the section’s main page features White going up strong with the ball for a layup despite being surrounded by three Manhattan defenders, including the outstretched arm of Manhattan big man 6-foot-11-inch Arturo DuBois. The picture showcases White’s huge heart more than any stats ever could.

In a season where Muniz acted as the intermediary in the passing of the torch from Jerry Johnson to Jason Thompson, it wasn’t difficult to forget about Dingle and White.