March 5, 2003
Prosper Karangwa and Michael Buhrman arrived together at Pepsi Arena March 1 one final time. Four years ago each disembarked at Siena's Loudonville campus via different paths, and while their travels on and off the basketball court went in different directions at times, the roommates have come to embody the model Siena student-athlete.
The success the men's basketball program has reached on the court during their tenure speaks for itself, but the legacy they leave behind with those closest to the program far extends any victory or stat sheet.
"The first thing you need to realize about Prosper and Michael is that they are great people," Head Coach Rob Lanier explains. "Regardless of what they chose to do in life, they will be successful and enrich those around them."
The irony in Prosper's name was not lost on his mother Antoinette when she named him in the Central African Republic of Burundi in May of 1978. "She always reminds me of how I need to live up to my name," Karangwa chuckles. "I do feel blessed to have been provided with so many opportunities through basketball, and will look back on my time at Siena with many positive memories."
After moving to Montreal when he was nine, Karangwa took up basketball, where his talents have been on display for the world to see the past two summers as he toured the globe representing Team Canada in the World Championships. Unsurprisingly, his most memorable Siena performance also came on the biggest stage, as he scored a career-high 31 points in a scintillating effort against Alcorn State in the Opening Round of last year's NCAA Tournament before a nationally televised audience on ESPN.
Never one to search out the limelight, Karangwa speaks of such accomplishments in hushed, reserved tones as he thinks back upon his Siena career. "Hopefully, people will remember my time here for the Championships we won," he says. "I don't pay much attention to individual accomplishments-that is not my goal."
Though that kind of talk may seem clich? from many modern athletes, when talking with Karangwa, you realize how genuine he is. "Prosper is one of my favorite athletes to have come through Siena," Director of Athletics John D'Argenio, now in his 17th year at the College states. "His smile is contagious and he has a way of making everyone feel better when he is around."
Karangwa and Buhrman have grown close throughout their four years and consider one another to be their best friends on campus. "Big Buhrm (Mike) and I have been through a lot together," Karangwa says. "We were recruited by the same coach and have played for three different coaches throughout our careers. All that has brought us close together and I definitely consider him one of my best friends."
This season Karangwa has brought the explosive effort every night and has developed into the unquestioned leader of the team. At the end of last week, he was one of just three players in the nation to lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists. The progression of his roommate's career has not been as seamless.
As a sophomore, Buhrman cracked Louis Orr's starting lineup five times and appeared in 24 of the Saints 30 games. In the season opener with Radford, he gave Siena fans a glimpse of his potential, grabbing 11 rebounds in the team's initial victory that year. Tragically, he would tear cartilage in his left knee less than a month later and be forced to undergo midseason knee surgery.
Buhrman emerged from the surgery (after missing just six games) with the heart and determination he always had, but slowed by the damage the injury had caused. His will was exhibited most in a dramatic come-from-behind victory over Canisius when he drew a mind boggling seven charges, but he would never fully regain his comfort around the basket.
Over the past two years Buhrman aggravated the injury several times, the most serious coming just days before Siena's first game this season. While many would quit and walk away from the pain, Buhrman took the road less traveled and stuck with it. Though sidelined for the first half of the season, Buhrman remarkably returned to the team and appeared in the first half of the team's win over a Loyola to a standing ovation.
Lanier states that Buhrman has been a role model in practice and served as the perfect leader for the upperclassmen. "The effort he gives every day is remarkable," Lanier says. "There aren't many young men out there who could have gone through what Mike did and come out with his attitude."
Buhrman has evolved into another coach during practices this season, providing Siena's youthful front court much needed experience and leadership. His value to the team can not be overstated.
A three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic team, Buhrman, an accounting major, has gotten the job done in the classroom as well. He too has no regrets when asked about his Siena experience. "All and all, I've had a great experience here," Buhrman states. "We have been fortunate enough to win a lot of games, but what I will remember most are the people I have met and the friends I've made."
Today both Buhrman and Karangwa will likely play their final basketball game at Pepsi Arena and while it will be easy to remember each for the success the program has had during their tenures, it will be more difficult for most of us to replace the contributions they have made to both the Siena and Capital Region communities over the past four years.
