The Cincinnati men's basketball team will face Nicholls on November 15 at Fifth Third Arena. This game is part of the Twyman-Stokes Classic, a multi-team event involving Northern Kentucky and Nicholls. The event supports fundraising efforts by Cincinnati Athletics in partnership with the university's Barrett Cancer Center and Ride Cincinnati.
The game will highlight the story of Jack Twyman and Maurice Stokes, two former teammates from the Rochester/Cincinnati Royals. After Stokes became quadriplegic following an injury in 1958, Twyman organized fundraisers for his care and later adopted him. "As I learned of this story after becoming the head coach at Cincinnati, I was amazed that it is not more well-known across the country," said Wes Miller. "Regardless of your loyalty or interest in basketball, this is a story that can enrich us all."
Twyman's efforts contributed to player unionization within the NBA and inspired an annual award for Teammate of the Year. Both Twyman and Stokes hailed from Pittsburgh and had notable careers before Stokes' injury.
Stokes' injury led to significant financial challenges due to high medical bills, prompting Twyman to become his legal guardian and advocate for workers' compensation benefits. Their bond also influenced NBA players like Oscar Robertson and Bill Russell to push for union recognition during a critical All-Star Game in 1964.
Twyman credits Bill Barrett for reviving interest in their story as a means to support cancer research at UC's Cancer Center. Jay Twyman recalls how his father never focused on racial issues when adopting Stokes but acknowledged others' disapproval at the time.
Jack Twyman passed away in 2012 from chronic lymphocytic leukemia but left behind a legacy celebrated by figures such as Reverend Jesse Jackson and Bob Pettit. Maurice Stokes was posthumously inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004, with Jack delivering his acceptance speech.
The phrase "become that someone" reflects Jack's role in supporting Maurice during his recovery journey—a sentiment embraced by St. Francis University as its official branding statement.