(Note: This is the first of our 4-part tribute to the seniors that are graduating this year. We’ll start it off with Frank Tchuisi, or as he’s known around here — The Prince.)
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Simply put, Frank Tchuisi is one of the most inspirational basketball players in Villanova history. To come to a foreign country where you know virtually no one and end up being a fan and campus favorite, is truly astounding. The impact he had on the program cannot be put into words. Day in and day out, he gave his all for the betterment of the team, even though he rarely saw the court.
His work ethic served as an example to the rest of the team, and pushed everyone else to strive for more. The following quote from jay Wright sums up what I’m talking about.
“Last year, when we were going through that five-game losing streak [at midseason], we had a team meeting, just to air soem things out,” Wright explained. “Everybody was making points, nothing heated or anything. He was the guy that stodd up and kind of made the point, ‘I don’t even play. But I come in here and work harder than you and you and you. I’m more committed to what we’re doing, and I don’t play. It’s the least that you can do.’ And they listened. The guys respect him because he competes, every day.”
The players respect Frank for all that he does, and they honored him by letting him be the last person to cut down the nets in Boston after the Elite 8 win. I was in attendance that day, and the image at the top of Frank will last with me for a lifetime.
- Brian
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I was lucky enough to live down the hall from Dante and Dwayne during my freshman year. But even better than that was living directly next to Frank Tchuisi in the infamous Stanford Hall. Looking back, I regret not becoming better friends with them, but for me it was hard, I was just so awe-struck. I remember thinking to myself, “Wow, I cannot believe that I actually live next to college basketball players.”
But, everyday when Frank and I passed each other in the hallway, we would at the very least say hello to each other. I remember one time when Randy Foye came around and barged into my room. He was looking for Frank and to say the least was quite confused to find me. He was apologetic and just asked if I knew which room Frank was in. It was then that I realized that they are just normal everyday people — who happen to be really good at basketball.
Unfortunately it was too late to really strike it up with the players. Frank was no different. While he didn’t receive much plyaing time, you could see he was the most supportive player on the team, and Villanova is blessed to have him joining the graduate staff next year.
My favorite Frank moment comes from the tournament when we were in Boston. In the first game, against Duke, Frank and Jason Colenda got to play some garbage minutes and Frank threw down an absolutely ferocious dunk. The other is when we were cutting down the nets after beating Pitt (a moment I would say was one of the most euphoric times of my life) and Frank was the last one up the ladder and he was able to wrap the net around his neck. I thought I was happy, but Frank’s smile stretched all the way from Boston back to Africa.
- Mark
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When I first walked up the front steps of Stanford Hall my freshman year, the first two people that I met were Frank Tchuisi and Dante Cunningham. My first reaction was simply awe. Our basketball team was supposed to be Final Four-good that year. And standing before me are two of the guys that are a part of that team.
As freshman year rolled on, I got more involved in getting to know the basketball team. Dante and Shane got the only playing time for the freshman that year. They weren’t superstars, but they were important cogs. Dwayne’s athleticsim marveled everyone, but nobody knew when he would break into the lineup. And Frank was the unknown. To this day, I’m not great friends with any of them, but I know most of the team well enough to talk to and hang out with if I’m around them.
I’ve only talked to Frank on a handful of occasions, and I’d be shocked if he even knew my name. But that is the best part about him. The few times I’ve said hello, he’s engaged me. He hasn’t acted like he’s better than me in any way. He’s never blown me off. He’s a great guy, bottom line.
But what he’s done for this team has been even more incredible. Here’s a guy who has worked his ass off for 4 years. He doesn’t take days off, he doesn’t complain. He just works hard, and makes everyone around him work harder. And good teams need guys like that. On good teams, the guys play the least usually work the hardest, and that is true of Frank.
He’s always yelling, always cheering, always smiling. And the best part is he’s not leaving. That influence will stay with this program. Next year, he’ll still be on that bench (albeit probably in a very nice suit) and he’ll still be cheering on the team. He’ll still be getting on the young guys for slacking off. And he’ll still be one of the most loved guys at Villanova.
Like the guys before me have said, Frank is a true Villanovan. He’s a warrior, and I’ll always remember him standing at the top of that ladder, throwing the V’s up, and yelling out in ecstasy.
-Chris
