The Griffin: volume 64, issue 24 - Summer, 1994

              Theresa Wolniewicz, Undergraduate Student Association (USA) president, spoke of the Canisius community's sorrow at Fr. Demske's death. "I just think it's a very deep loss for the College because he was Canisius College...everyone feels this." Wolniewicz's sentiments were echoed by Kate Sellers, former USA senator and 1994 graduate, "I'll Dr. Walter G. Sharrow, professor of history and former dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, looked back with fondness on his friendship with Fr. Demske. "I'll miss him very much...he was one of the finest priests I have ever known." at the College, offering a philosophy class in this year's spring semester despite his busy schedule. "I greatly admired Fr. Demske. 1 thought that he exemplified many of the Jesuit ideals. 1 perceived Fr. Demske to livehis I i fc for the greater glory of God. I regret that our incoming students will not have the opportunity to meet Fr. Demske. I hope that those of us whose lives he touched will keep his spirit alive," Patricia A. Rissmcyer, dean of students, said. Buffalo-born and -raised, Fr. Demske served as Canisius' president for 27 years. He retired last year and was succeeded by Rev. Vincent M. Cooke, S.J., taking an honorary position as College chancellor. Fr. Demske participated in the 1994 commencement exercises Fr. Demske succuumbcd to a two-year battle with leukemia Wednesday night after a brief hospital stay. He was 72. According to Robert M. Greene '66, chair of the Board of Trustees, Fr. Demske was working in his office Friday, June 10. The following Sunday, he was taken ill while saying Mass and had to leave the altar. He was admitted to Sisters Hospital on Monday and died at approximately 7:15 p.m. Wednesday. Rev. Edward D. Head, Bishop of Buffalo was with him when he died. The Canisius community observed the passing of the College's 22nd president with sadness as Rev. James M. Demske, S.J. died in Sisters Hospital on Wednesday, June 15. "He was always there representing Canisius," Greene added. Demske taught for many years Fr. Demske will long be remembered at Canisius for his sense of humor, his community spirit, and his skills on the trombone. "Fr. Demske was always referring to the Canisius family, and it's at times like these that you realize that he was the parent to that family," Greene said. at Memorial Auditorium this year, as he had for the past three decades. "Fr. Demske's death is a tremendous loss to Canisius College and to his many friends in the CanisiusCollegc family," Fr. Cooke said. "As chancellor, he played a major role in our fundraising efforts and in the plans for Canisius' 125th anniversary next year. He was a holy man, distinguished educator and a dear personal friend. Canisius College will m iss his wise and gentle presence greatly." According to Rev. Patrick J. Lynch, S J., associate professor of religious studies and acting rector of the Canisius Jesuit community, "I and the other Jesuits are shocked and saddened by Fr. Demske's sudden death. We will miss him for his cheerfulness and his enthusiasm for all things Canisius." See Demske page 3 The Rev. James M. Demske, 1922-1994, "Put me in coach, I'm ready to play...." JohnFogerty will be echoing through the head of Canisius baseball star Joe Mamott, who was recently drafted by the American League's Boston Red Sox. After Joe received the official anyone in the conference, if we gave the ball to Joe we could compete with anyone in the country." Mamott had received calls from several major league scouts over the past two months. The San Francisco Giants had called earlier on draft day to tell Mamott to be expecting a call in the sixth or seventh round. When the call came in to his Depew home an hour earlier than expected and from a team other than the Giants the Mamott family was ecstatic. "We're really glad Joe got drafted by an east coast team," Mrs. Mamott said, "with him in Utica we'll get a chance to see him play." The New York/ Penn league also has teams in Batavia, Sl Catherines, Oneonta, and Jamestown among other towns across the Northeast. Mamott was selected by the Sox in the fifth round of the college draft earlier this month. The 20- year old Depew native was4-2 with two saves on a 4.30 earned run average for the 1994 Griffin baseball squad. Mamott left for Florida two weeks ago to begin rookie camp last Thursday. After two weeks at the Florida camp the Red Sox organization assigned him to Utica. The Utica ball club, the Blue Sox, are the single A affiliate to Boston in the New York/Penn league. The physical education major was fifth in the nation in strikeouts, averaging close to twelve per game. As the first starting pitcher in the rotation, Mamott was instrumental in the success of the Griffin nine this season. Canisius baseball coach Don Colpoys expressed his confidence in Mamott's abilities. According to Colpoys, "It didn't matter who we played, Ohio State or Griffin hurler drafted by Red Sox in fifth round Star pitcher Joe Mamott sets his sights on the Big Leagues See Mamott, page 3 Joe Mamott averaged 12 strikeouts per game during the 1994 season. Photo by ERIC JORDAN Two more Fulbrights! (sec page 2) J§f the Griffin Serving the Canisius Community Since 1933 I . 1\ e' —- o | I I i 4V» £\—*. -• v : .* •- ; I J'— >~-9 k. F9 o \ ■ Ht ,  I llfp News 1 - 3 Editorial 2 Cartoon 2 Briefly 3 Kaleidoscope.... 4-5 Orientation 6-7 Sports 8 Celebrating Jesuit style! (see page 4) Lady Griffs bow to No. 1 (seepage 8) VOLUME LXIV, NUMBER 24 College mourns death of Fr. Demske SUMMER 1994 Loss of former president shocks Canisius community by Ken Kraft and Charity Vogel Griffin Managing Editor and News Editor by Todd J. Pignataro '94 Griffin News Reporter -■M.il