The Liberty League is celebrating its 25th anniversary during the 2019-2020 academic year. Originally founded as the Upstate Collegiate Athletic Association (UCAA) in 1995, the conference was renamed the Liberty League during the summer of 2004. Each Thursday throughout the year, the Liberty League will be celebrating its silver anniversary by recognizing outstanding teams and individuals from its rich 25-year history.
As Liberty League basketball gets set to resume this weekend, the league recognizes Hobart College graduate Richie Bonney ’14, one of the most accomplished basketball scholar-athletes in its 25-year history.
The Hobart career record holder for points (1,738), field goals made (680), field goal percentage (.583), and games played (114), Bonney led the Statesmen to an 87-27 record (.763) from 2010 to 2014, including a 22-7 mark as a senior in 2013-14. He helped Hobart win four Liberty League regular season titles and the 2013 and 2014 Liberty League Tournament Championships. Bonney and the Statesmen captured the 2011 ECAC Upstate Tournament Championship and then made three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances, advancing to the second round in 2012 and 2014.
As a senior, Bonney led the Statesmen and ranked second in the Liberty League in scoring average at 20.4 ppg. His 591 total points ranked fifth on Hobart's single season list at the time. The unanimous Liberty League Player of the Year, Bonney corralled 318 boards, for a league-high 11.0 rpg. Bonney's scoring and rebounding prowess resulted in 21 double-doubles, the second most in the nation. He also ranked in the top 20 in the nation in total field goals made (second, 234), total rebounds (10th), rebounding average (11th), total points (12th), and offensive rebounds per game (17th, 3.93).
Bonney collected a long list of accolades, including the 2013-14 Jostens Trophy and All-America recognition from the NABC, D3hoops.com, Basketball Times, and DIII News.
The prestigious Jostens Trophy is a national award created by the Rotary Club of Salem, Va., to honor the most outstanding men's and women's NCAA Division III basketball players of the year. The award takes into account three vital parts: basketball ability, academic prowess and community service. The trophy models the Rotary International motto of "Service Above Self" by recognizing those who truly fit the ideal of the well-rounded NCAA Division III student-athlete.
Former Hobart head coach Mike Neer commented at the time of Bonney’s selection as Josten’s Trophy recipient: "Richie is one of the most outstanding young men that I have coached in my 42 years at three outstanding institutions (U.S. Naval Academy, University of Rochester, Hobart College). No one has worked harder than him. Richie simply does not take a play off in games or practice.
"Yet, I believe it's his motor of intangibles that separates him further from others and is the key to his success off the court," Neer says. "Richie is curious and enjoys learning. He seeks out opportunities to develop new skills or to reinforce good habits that will keep him ahead. He doesn't stand pat and chooses not to leave things to chance. He has been an excellent role model for his teammates."
The three-time All-Liberty League selection capped his collegiate career by playing in the NABC Reese's Senior All-Star Game, leading the West to a 104-101 victory with 15 points.
Bonney's combination of excellence in the classroom and on the basketball court earned him the 2013-14 Capital One Academic All-America of the Year award for Division III Men's Basketball. He was a two-time Capital One first team Academic All-American and a three-time Capital One Academic All-District selection, as well as a three-time Liberty League All-Academic pick. He was also selected as the Liberty League Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year, an all-sports award presented to a graduating senior student-athlete.
In the community, Bonney served as a pre-orientation leader for groups of incoming first-year students and volunteered at Habitat for Humanity build sites. He helped with team basketball clinics in a local elementary school and assisted with the annual on-campus basketball clinic for Ontario ARC. Bonney volunteered with the 2014 on-campus Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event that raised awareness about sexual assault. He was presented with the 2013-14 President's Civic Leadership Award and the 2012-13 Larry Quijije Award (presented to Hobart junior for selfless dedication to community service).
A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Bonney graduated with a bachelor's degree in philosophy and public policy studies. He was the recipient of the Durfee Award as Hobart's most outstanding senior and the Sutherland Prize in Philosophy for excellence in the classics. The eight-time Dean's List honoree was a member of all three Hobart honor societies (Druid, Chimera and Orange Key).
25th Anniversary Spotlight Series:
10/24/2019 - 1999 St. Lawrence University Men's Soccer
10/31/2019 - Sara Artus, Clarkson University, Volleyball (2008-2011)
11/7/2019 - Ali Marpet, Hobart College, Football (2011-2015)
11/14/2019 - 1997 William Smith College Field Hockey
11/21/2019 - Grant O'Connor, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Cross Country/Track & Field (2015-2019)
11/28/2019 - Andrew Franks, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Football (2011-2015)
12/5/2019 - 2013 William Smith College Women's Soccer
12/12/2019 - John Coleman, Clarkson University, Basketball and Baseball (2011-2015)
12/19/2019 - Nickie Griesemer, Ithaca College, Swimming & Diving (2013-2018)
1/2/2020 - Kelly Donnelly, Skidmore College, Women's Basketball (2014-2018)