The Bodacious Bears Documentary - First Official Announcement

Hello! My name is Francesco Palumbo and I am working on The Bodacious Bears documentary. Let me first start by thanking you for checking in our story. This project has grown and grown over the past few months and it is really exciting to see where it continues to go. We have over 20 interviews completed. Between the interviews, game footage, and the location shots collected to-date, there are hundreds of hours worth of footage in the archives. 

The documentary will detail the history of the SUNY Potsdam (Potsdam State) Bears Basketball program. This team became nationally renowned when their success reached monumental peaks in the 1980's under the leadership of Jerry Welsh and his coaching staff. During that period, the squad achieved incredible feats which still stand as some of the greatest records in basketball history. 

You may have noticed how I said "our story" in the introduction paragraph. It's something that is really unique about this tale. From the outset (I was born and raised in the North Country), I knew what the Potsdam Basketball legacy was like. But as I continued to dive into the interviews and work with all of these great people, it became clear that the overarching theme here is that it really was - and is - a community effort. I was not even born yet during the Golden Age of Potsdam hoops. However, in getting to know the individuals and story so much deeper, I have understood that it really is "our story." I think that is something everyone who watches this documentary will feel. Whether you went to Potsdam, know of Potsdam, or have never heard of Potsdam, the story of The Bodacious Bears is something that will hopefully resonate with all of us. There are so many connections within the North Country. This really is OUR STORY.

The same can be said about this documentary process. It's been about 7 months since I was approached to work on bringing this story to life. Never once has this felt overwhelming in terms of the workload. Certainly there are times where it can be difficult to collect or include ALL of the information because the reaches of this story are immense, but it has been a thoroughly enjoyable experience to work with everyone.  Although it is a large task, never once have I felt alone. The support has been incredible, and everyone who I have reached out to has been so gracious. I think that speaks volumes to really what this story is about. You can see that from the consistent responses across the boards. People want this story to be told. And that all goes back to Jerry Welsh. Folks have seen this as a chance to explain just what his legacy has meant to them, as well as the continued pride they carry from being a part of this rich tradition through the years. Hopefully current and future generations can see this documentary and feel empowered to carry that legacy on. 

This is the "First Official Announcement" regarding the production of this documentary. I cannot set a specific date at this time with so much still left to film, but I will try to provide followers with an update every few weeks so you can keep an eye on the process and have an idea for where the timeline stands.  With that being said, I have a couple of updates to share here in terms of what the current situation is. As mentioned, we have over 20 interviews, and probably about 10 more to go at least. 

None of this would be possible without the support of so many people. First and foremost, Tim Dempsey's creativity and vision are remarkable, but also his approach in really making this happen. Many people say they will get something done. Tim Dempsey actually gets it done. Thank you for bringing me on board for this special opportunity. 

Coach Bill Mitchell is another person that I really can't thank enough. He has been incredibly gracious and willing to help at the drop of a hat. I'm sure I will miss some folks, so I apologize in advance, but I also need to sincerely thank all of these folks for their flexibility and patience in working with me:

- Coach Jim Bechtel
- Randy Sieminski
- Bob LaRue
- Bill Merna
- Rich Johns and his wife, Karen
- Ted Bence
- Pony Bullock
- Steve Babiarz
- Derrick Rowland
- Steve and John Kmack
- Coach Brittany Cohen and family
- Dr. Neil Johnson
- Maurice Woods
- Mark Dickson
- Coach Tom Miller
- Pat Donnelly and his wife, Laurie
- Marty Groginski
- Kyle Tupper
- Waverly Patrick
- Houston Baker
- Larry Casey
- and of course Jerry and Tim Welsh and their families

So far I have a draft of what the intro will look like. This is the first look at how the documentary will start. 

Again, this is simply storyboard draft of shot sequences and the aesthetic I am hoping to lead into the story with. Enjoy this sneak peak. In the meantime, I'll continue to plug away and will circle back with some more information in the coming weeks. 

There will be a teaser trailer released July 8th, premiering at 7pm during the Zoom call with Coach Welsh - and many of the Bears players from over the years - for the 2021 SUNY Potsdam virtual Reunion Week celebrations. Check out details on the SUNY Potsdam website for information on how to access that meeting. 

If you have any media (photos, video, audio recordings) relating to Jerry Welsh or the Potsdam Bears that you would be willing to share from over the years for possible inclusion in the film, I would appreciate it if you can forward it to me for review. My email is fpalumbo@umass.edu