By Joe Pinter, News Editor, @JPinter93
December 7, 2001
John Rigas founded Adelphia Communications Corporation and turned it into one of the country’s biggest cable companies. In addition to owning the Buffalo Sabres, he was a very generous man and gave lots of money to institutions—most notably St. Bonaventure University.
Rigas’ name is above the doors to the auditorium in the Quick Arts Center. He attended many basketball games and broadcasted many more on Empire Sports Network, which was owned by Adelphia. Also, he donated a decent amount of money for a new basketball court, prompting the university to rename the court Adelphia Court on this day.
However, nearly a year later, police arrested Rigas and his family for embezzling millions of dollars from Adelphia and the Sabres.
When Bob Lanier donated money in 2007 for a nicer court, the university made the easy decision to change the name to Bob Lanier Court.
(This Day in Bonaventure History will return on January 14)
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