Men’s Basketball Honors Late Professor

After a tournament in 2023 raised money for cancer research in honor of a late Colgate professor, the men’s basketball team brought back the event for another chance at supporting a cause that has touched the hearts of many within the program.

On a recent afternoon, the Raiders held a 3-on-3 basketball tournament that brought dozens of participants to Cotterell Court. As a result, more than $1,300 was raised for the American Brain Tumor Association. 

The event celebrated the life of Ephraim Woods, a Colgate chemistry professor and the team’s faculty liaison, who passed away in 2023 following a battle with cancer.

“I thought this year’s tournament was a tremendous success and a wonderful snapshot of the many things that are great about Colgate University,” said men’s basketball head coach Matt Langel.

Nearly 20 teams competed in a single-elimination, bracket-style tournament that was open to all. Participants were made up of Colgate students, faculty and staff, while members of the basketball team helped manage the event. 

Officials, scorekeepers, and DJs were also recruited for the event. 

The outcome was an exciting tournament as participants gave it all their all for the opportunity to advance to the next round. 

“The teams brought incredible energy,” Langel said.

Seniors Nicolas Louis-Jacques ’25 and Jeff Woodward ’25 led the effort to organize the event, wishing for one more chance to honor Woods. They worked with Steve Chouinard, the senior associate athletics director for health and performance, to set up the tournament.

Langel applauded everyone involved in organizing the fund-raiser. 

“They deserve special recognition for their work with athletics and recreation to organize and execute a fun afternoon that brought together a great cross section of students, student-athletes, faculty, and staff for a great cause,” Langel said.

Woods was a native of Ashland, Ky. He played basketball as a kid and became a lifelong fan of the Kentucky Wildcats. 

He joined Colgate in 2002, and taught for 21 years. In the process, he built close bonds with the Raiders and the coaching staff. 

A few months following his death, the team held a basketball tournament in his honor. 

In December, the team found another way to pay tribute to Woods by visiting Lexington, Ky., for a game against Kentucky. Woods’ family joined the team for the trip.