An important piece of Saint Vincent sports history has returned home.
 
On Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017, the football that was carried across the goal line to score the winning touchdown in the 1950 Tangerine Bowl was donated to the college.  The donation was made by the family of the player that scored the touchdown, Don Henigin.
 
College President Br. Norman Hipps, O.S.B., accepted the football on behalf of the college from the Henigin family, which was represented by Don's sons Michael and Mark, Michael's wife Rosanne, Don's daughter Dawn Ann Uncapher, and granddaughter Rachel (C'15). 
 
Don Henigin, a lifelong resident of Blairsville, passed away in November of 2016 at the age of 86.  The football had remained in his possession since he brought it back from Orlando, Florida, after the game.
 
"Giant," as he was known, scored on a one-yard run in the second quarter of the 1950 Tangerine Bowl, giving the Bearcats a 7-0 lead in a hard-fought game.  Emory & Henry later scored to make it 7-6, but was unable to convert the extra point and the Bearcats held on for the win, completing an undefeated season under Coach Al DeLuca.
 
"Our dad was presented the ball in the locker room right after the game by the coaches," said Dawn Ann.  "It was in his bedroom for the rest of his life."
 
Don's sons, however, recalled one time that it did manage to make it outside the house.  "We were kids," said Michael, "and we needed a football to play with.  We took it outside and started to play with it.  Let's just say we never tried that again."
 
The football has been placed in the trophy case in the Robert S. Carey Center on campus, directly in front of the three-foot-tall Tangerine Bowl trophy. 
 
"He always remembered his glory days, playing for Saint Vincent," said his granddaughter Rachel Henigin, who graduated from Saint Vincent in 2015 with a degree in engineering science.  "When I came to Saint Vincent, his alma mater, he was so happy.  This place meant a lot to him."
 
The Henigin family's contribution to the trophy case will now be enjoyed by countless visitors to the Carey Center for years to come.