By Nolan Leonard ’26

Brother Rice and Marist are two excellent institutions separated by less than two miles. Every year the schools compete on the basketball court.

Although they are big-time rivals and play with great intensity, the game is so much bigger than just a game of basketball. It has become a community event that brings both schools together to support the Weishar Foundation.

The foundation was created in 2013 one year after the tragic passing of Andrew Weishar ‘09. Andrew was a football and basketball star at Brother Rice before continuing his academic and athletic career at Illinois Wesleyan University. He was diagnosed with cancer early in his college career and battled as hard as he could until his passing in 2012.

For those that don’t know, the Weishar Foundation is a non-profit organization that helps out families and young people who have had cancer. Since 2013, they have put more than $3.9 million towards helping over 700 families. Their motto is to “Pay it forward.”

For the last few years, the foundation has held a halftime ceremony where they present a check to two families including those with Marist and Brother Rice connections.

Brendan O’Connell ‘28 and his family have been aided by this great cause.

Brendan said, “When you’re going through the hardest time of your life, this amazing family and their foundation is there to pick you and your family up and make you happy on your darkest days.”

The O’Connells aren’t the only ones as Brendan Dickman ‘26 and his family were also supported by the Weishars.

Brendan said, “The Weishar Foundation was a blessing to my family. They made us feel like we weren’t fighting this battle alone.”

It’s obvious the impact this group has on our local community which is more important than winning or losing on the court. In terms of the game itself, there was more than enough coverage between the BRTV broadcast and a multitude of cameramen and reporters including Jack Taylor ‘29.

Jack said, “I enjoyed his first edition of the rivalry and looks forward to next year’s game.”

For those who missed the game, it was back and forth for more than three quarters before Charles Barnes and the Redhawks proved to be too much for the Crusaders, winning 58-49.

It was a great atmosphere with the Crusader Crazies and Redhawk Rowdies both coming out in full force.