On Nov. 8, just hours before Richmond’s game against Temple tipped off at The Palestra, it was reported that Spiders sophomore forward Jack McCaffery would take a medical leave of absence from the team.
In a press release from the University’s athletics department, Richmond announced that McCaffery had been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after an evaluation by the school’s medical team last week.
“From the moment Jack arrived at Richmond, he’s been an important part of our program,” Spiders head
coach Chris Mooney was quoted in the press release. “He’s a tremendous teammate who has earned the respect of everyone around him through his hard work, character, and commitment to doing things the right way, both on the court and in the classroom. Our entire program will be there for him and his family every step of the way on his path to recovery.”
McCaffery, the son of legendary basketball coach and current Penn head coach Fran McCaffery, traveled home following the diagnosis and was admitted to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. He will remain there and has already begun a course of recommended treatment under the care and supervision of the doctors, nurses, and his family.
Fran released his own statement Sunday afternoon and provided an update on his son’s health in conjunction with Penn Medicine’s Chief of Hematology Oncology, Dr. Alison Wakoff Loren.
“We are grateful to the Richmond coaching staff and medical team for their prompt response,” he said. “And to Kevin Mahoney and the doctors and nurses here at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. [Jack] is in great hands and our family feels blessed to be here, where his care is directed by this world-class care team.”
Following Richmond’s 79-53 win over Temple, Mooney and senior wing Jamie Kaiser Jr. spoke to the media about the news and McCaffery’s impact within the program.
To Mooney, it felt almost like a stroke of good luck in a sea of uncertainty that his Spiders happened to be playing in Philadelphia when the diagnosis was announced.
“It’s lucky for us because we were able to go see him,” Mooney said. “We’ve been getting updates and information from Mom and Dad and hopefully this is something he can really dig in and fight. But for us to be here is unique.”
Kaiser and his teammates began to expect something might be wrong going into their opening game, with McCaffery sent to the hospital just days later. Transferring in from Butler this offseason, the former four-star prospect was projected to play a big role for Richmond this season.
While he might not be in the locker room, the Spiders have taken the opportunity to ensure Jack stays as connected to the team as possible.
“Coach has been doing a great job before each game so far,” Kaiser said. “Jack’s been talking to us on FaceTime before the game; we were able to go see him in the hospital yesterday. So that was good to boost the spirit as much as we could.”
Even Temple head coach Adam Fisher, who’s built a relationship with Fran McCaffery through the Big 5 over the past few years, offered a heartfelt message to the McCaffery family and the Richmond community.
“We found out after our shootaround,” he said. “The McCaffery family, obviously Philly people, hugely involved in Coaches vs. Cancer, just an amazing family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them, the Richmond family. We shared that with the Richmond coaches as well.”
Mooney claimed McCaffery has been nothing but positive, thoughtful and engaged in the wake of all this distress. Visiting him in the hospital offered the chance first hand to see just how he’s handling the situation and his desire to get back on the court with his teammates.
As Richmond handedly beat Temple just down the street at The Palestra, there was no stopping McCaffery from keeping tabs on the Spiders.
“I think [his dad] watched the game with him over at Penn Medical Center,” Mooney said. “We can’t wait to have him back in Richmond.”
