It’s no secret that college basketball is huge in the city of Philadelphia, including the Saint Joseph’s Hawks, who make up part of the city’s Big 5 basketball programs. Due to the immense popularity of basketball in Philly, it’s often difficult to find cheap Saint Joseph’s basketball tickets. On top of that, the program is rich with tradition, has intense rivalries, and still plays in one of the best mid-major conferences in the country. That’s why whether the Hawks are having a good season or not, last-minute Saint Joseph’s basketball tickets are always a hot commodity in the City of Brotherly Love.

The Doctor Is In

The most important person in Saint Joseph’s basketball history is Hall of Fame coach Jack Ramsay. He played for the Hawks during the 1940s and then coached Saint Josephs’s from 1955 to 1966, earning his doctorate from nearby Penn during that time, making him Dr. Jack Ramsay. Over his 11 seasons as the Saint Joseph’s coach, Ramsay went 234-72 while leading the Hawks to six Big 5 championships. During those 11 years, Saint Joseph’s went to the NCAA Tournament seven times, advancing to the Elite Eight twice and reaching the Final Four in 1961, which remains the peak achievement in Saint Joseph’s history.

Almost Perfect

Outside of Ramsay, Phil Martelli is the other key figure in Saint Joseph’s history. He won 444 games over his 24 seasons coaching the Hawks, leading them to the NCAA Tournament seven times and winning six conference tournament or regular-season titles. Martelli’s tenure also included the magical 2003-04 season when Saint Joseph’s finished the regular season a perfect 27-0 behind the legendary tandem of Jameer Nelson and Delonte West. The Hawks ultimately finished 30-2, reaching the Elite Eight before suffering an unfortunate two-point loss. That season remains the best in program history and made Saint Joseph’s a permanent fixture on the college basketball map, making the Hawks a prominent mid-major with massive potential.