
St. John Fisher University, a private Catholic university in Rochester, New York, has a rich athletic history. The university's athletic teams are called the Cardinals, and they compete in the Empire 8 Athletic Association. While the university offers a range of sports, including football, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse, the focus of this discussion is on its basketball programme. St. John Fisher's men's and women's basketball teams call the Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium home. In 2006, the men's basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship Tournament. The women's basketball team, on the other hand, was led by the legendary Phil Kahler, who amassed an impressive 797 wins during his 34-year tenure, a record in Division III history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the University | St. John Fisher University |
| Former Name | St. John Fisher College |
| Type of University | Private Catholic University |
| Location | Rochester, New York |
| Year of Founding | 1948 |
| Founder | Basilian Fathers and James E. Kearney |
| Named After | John Fisher, an English Catholic Cardinal and Saint |
| Number of Schools | 5 |
| Number of Undergraduate Majors | Nearly 40 |
| Athletic Conference | Empire 8 Athletic Association |
| Basketball Team Name | Cardinals |
| Basketball Team Home | Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium |
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What You'll Learn

St. John Fisher University's athletic teams
St. John Fisher University, a private Catholic university in Rochester, New York, has several athletic teams that compete in the NCAA Division III. The university's athletic teams are nicknamed the Cardinals, with cardinal and gold as their colours.
The men's basketball team has had notable success, winning the Empire 8 Conference title six times between 2002 and 2007. In 2006, they advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship Tournament. The women's basketball team has also achieved success, with a long-time coach Phil Kahler, who posted a record of 797 wins, the most in Division III history.
St. John Fisher's football team plays at Growney Stadium, which also hosts the field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse teams. The football team has had notable success, sharing the Empire 8 Conference title in 2006 and reaching the national semifinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament that year. The men's and women's basketball teams play at the Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium, while Dugan Yard is home to the baseball team.
The university also has outdoor athletic facilities, including the Polisseni Track and Field Complex, regulation-sized practice fields, and a softball diamond. The university has been home to the Buffalo Bills' NFL summer training camp since 2000.
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The university's basketball facilities
St. John Fisher University, a private Catholic university in Rochester, New York, boasts a range of athletic facilities for its students and teams. The university's athletic teams are called the Cardinals, and they compete at the NCAA Division III level.
The Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium is the home base for the university's basketball teams, both men's and women's. The men's basketball team has had notable success, winning the Empire 8 Conference title six times in seven years between 2001 and 2007, and advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship Tournament in 2006.
The women's basketball team has also achieved impressive results, with a long-time former coach, Phil Kahler, leading the team to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament 14 times. The team played in the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship game in 1988 and 1990. The current head coach, Melissa Kuberka, was hired before the 2017-2018 season.
In addition to the gymnasium, St. John Fisher University offers a variety of other athletic facilities. Growney Stadium hosts football, field hockey, soccer, and lacrosse, with a 2,500-seat grandstand and an all-weather playing field. Dugan Yard is the university's baseball field, and there is also a Polisseni Track and Field Complex, regulation-sized practice fields, and a softball diamond. The university has been the summer training camp location for the Buffalo Bills' NFL team since 2000.
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The school's history in basketball
St. John Fisher University, a private Catholic university in Rochester, New York, has a rich history in basketball. The university's athletic teams are called the Cardinals and they are a founding member of the Empire 8 Athletic Association.
The men's basketball team has enjoyed success, winning the Empire 8 Conference title five years in a row from 2003 to 2007, and six times in seven years. In 2006, the team advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Men's Division III Basketball Championship Tournament. The women's basketball team has also achieved notable accomplishments. Under the leadership of coach Phil Kahler, they reached the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament 14 times and played in the NCAA Women's Division III Basketball Championship game in 1988 and 1990. Kahler's career record of 797 wins is the most in Division III history.
The Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium is home to both the men's and women's basketball teams, providing a dedicated space for their practices and games. The university's commitment to basketball is evident through its investment in facilities and the success of its teams over the years.
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Other sports offered at the university
St. John Fisher University offers a wide range of sports for students to participate in outside of its D1 basketball programme. The university's athletic teams are called the Cardinals, and they compete in NCAA Division III as part of several athletic conferences, including the Empire 8 Athletic Conference, the Eastern College Athletic Conference, the Liberty League (for women's rowing), and the United Volleyball Conference (for men's volleyball).
The university has a variety of sports facilities, including a softball field, four regulation grass fields, and an all-weather artificial-turf field at Growney Stadium, which accommodates both intercollegiate teams and intramural activities.
Some of the sports offered at St. John Fisher University include football, volleyball, softball, and lacrosse. The university has had success in various athletic competitions, such as the Empire 8 championships for men's indoor and outdoor track and field, men's golf, and women's lacrosse.
In addition to intercollegiate athletics, St. John Fisher University also offers intramural sports and recreational activities. The Student Government Association sponsors free yoga and Zumba classes on campus, which are open to all students regardless of ability. The university also has a Campus Center that serves as a hub for student activity, providing spaces for general gatherings, clubs, and organisations.
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The university's history and location
St. John Fisher University is a private Catholic university in Rochester, New York. It is named after John Fisher, an English Catholic cardinal and saint. The university was founded in 1948 as a men's college by the Basilian Fathers, with the help of James E. Kearney, who was then the Bishop of the Diocese of Rochester. It became coeducational in 1971 and has been independent since 1968.
The university is made up of five schools and offers almost 40 undergraduate majors, as well as a range of master's and doctoral programs. The School of Arts and Sciences is the largest school within the university, offering degrees and minors in over 20 undergraduate academic disciplines. The School of Nursing, named after Robert Wegman, who contributed $8 million to its creation, offers fully accredited nursing programs, including an online RN to BSN program, master's degrees in Nursing and Mental Health Counseling, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. The university also offers a variety of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment opportunities to eligible students.
The St. John Fisher athletic teams are called the Cardinals and the university is a founding member of the Empire 8 Athletic Association. The university has a range of outdoor sports facilities, including Dugan Yard, a baseball field, the Polisseni Track and Field Complex, rugby fields, and a softball diamond. It has been home to the Buffalo Bills' NFL summer training camp since 2000.
In terms of rankings, St. John Fisher University was ranked #179 in National Universities and #43 in Best Value Schools in the 2025 edition of Best Colleges. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,596 (as of fall 2023), a campus size of 164 acres, and a student-faculty ratio of 12:1.
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Frequently asked questions
No, St. John Fisher University is a Division III school and has teams for both men's and women's basketball.
The St. John Fisher University athletic teams are called the Cardinals.
St. John Fisher University is located in Rochester, New York.
The Manning & Napier Varsity Gymnasium is home to the men's and women's basketball teams.










































