A Night to Remember: The Rise of St. Thomas Men’s Basketball

The evening of a chilly February Saturday in St. Paul, Minnesota, was electric. The Anderson Athletics Complex buzzed with energy as hundreds of St. Thomas men’s basketball alumni, fans, and supporters gathered for a special event. The doors opened with a feels-like temperature of 7 degrees, but inside, the vibe was warm and festive. The first 250 students received purple aloha shirts, a quirky nod to the occasion. Crudité, chicken skewers, and an open bar fueled the excitement as the crowd celebrated not just a game but a milestone in the program’s history. The St. Thomas Tommies were about to take the court in their new $175 million arena, a symbol of their ambitious leap from Division III to Division I. Johnny Tauer, the program’s beloved coach, walked into the room at 6:26 p.m., carrying a four-shot almond milk latte, ready to address the crowd. The night was a testament to grit, loyalty, and the belief that even the impossible can become possible.

The Unlikely Division I Coach: Johnny Tauer’s Journey

Johnny Tauer, now 52, is the embodiment of St. Thomas basketball. A native of St. Paul, Tauer played for the Tommies, scored over 1,200 points, and earned a spot in the school’s athletic hall of fame. After earning a Ph.D. in psychology, he became a tenured professor and the head coach of the men’s basketball team, leading them to a Division III national championship. But life took a dramatic turn in 2019, when St. Thomas was involuntarily removed from the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) for being too large and too successful. Instead of Retreat, Tauer and the university embraced an audacious opportunity: a direct leap from Division III to Division I, a first in NCAA history. Tauer traded his minivan and teaching duties for the challenges of Division I coaching, but his core remained unchanged. He still lives in the same St. Paul house, just five minutes from campus, and his commitment to the program and its values is unwavering. For Tauer, it’s not about personal ambition but about seizing an opportunity to make history. “You get the ball,” he often tells his players. “What are you going to do with it?”

From Division III to Division I: A Leap of Faith

St. Thomas’s journey to Division I was anything but smooth. After being kicked out of the MIAC, the school faced an identity crisis. Should it cling to its small-school charm or aim for something bigger? The answer came in the form of an unexpected invitation from the Summit League, offering St. Thomas a spot in Division I. The NCAA approved the unprecedented transition, but with a caveat: the Tommies would have to wait until 2026 to become eligible for the NCAA Tournament. The program accepted the challenge, knowing it was a chance to redefine itself. Over the past four years, St. Thomas has transformed its athletic department, investing in state-of-the-art facilities, hiring more staff, and building a competitive roster. Despite the setbacks, the team has thrived, winning 71 games in its first four Division I seasons, a testament to the program’s resilience and Tauer’s leadership. As Tauer puts it, “The best predictor of future behavior is past behavior. If I wanted to go somewhere else, I would have gone a long time ago.”

The Arena That Symbolizes Ambition

The new $175 million Lee and Penny Anderson Arena is more than just a basketball venue; it’s a statement of intent. The facility, still under construction, will house not only basketball and hockey but also five other sports, becoming the heart of St. Thomas athletics. The arena’s cutting-edge design and amenities reflect the university’s bold aspirations, from competing in the Summit League to potentially joining a power conference like the Big East in the future. For now, the arena serves as a reminder of what’s possible when a school commits to reinventing itself. As Cory Chapman, the university’s deputy athletic director, says, “There’s not another school that has this. It’s truly a unicorn.” For Tauer and his team, the arena is a new home, but their approach to the game remains the same. They prioritize unselfish play, smart decisions, and a philosophy that blends cooperation and competition.

The Philosophy Behind the Program: Tauer’s Vision

Johnny Tauer’s coaching philosophy is deeply rooted in his psychology background. He has published research on motivation, competition, and the dangers of overinvolved sports parents. His approach to basketball is no different. Tauer believes in creating a culture where players thrive by valuing teamwork, making smart decisions, and embracing freedom on the court. The team’s offense, a blend of Princeton-style concepts and John Beilein’s schemes, is designed to be unscoutable, relying on movement and intuition rather than rigid plays. For Tauer, basketball is not just a game but a metaphor for life. “Life isn’t easy,” he tells his players, “but it can be simple.” The program’s mantra, “Value your teammates. Value the ball,” is painted on the wall of his office, a constant reminder of what truly matters.

The Legacy of a Program Reinvented

St. Thomas’s journey from Division III to Division I is one of the most compelling stories in college basketball. It’s a story of resilience, ambition, and staying true to one’s identity. For now, the Tommies may not be eligible for March Madness, but they are building something special. With a new arena, a talented roster, and a coach who embodies the school’s values, the future is bright. As Tauer often says, “I think this is the coolest story in college basketball. That doesn’t make it right, but I think it is.” For the Tommies, the next chapter is just beginning, and the world is watching.

In six paragraphs, this summary captures the essence of St. Thomas’s remarkable journey, highlighting the program’s resilience, Tauer’s leadership, and the broader implications of their leap to Division I.