Some of the best basketball players to ever don the purple and white have been immortalized over the east end of the fabled Gallagher Center, with a dark purple banner serving as a reminder of years past. Alongside greats like Calvin Murphy and Larry Costello, perhaps one more could join their elite ranks in the future, with the embroidered name reading Barto.

For nearly 34 years, Peter and Paul Barto have been season ticket holders for the Niagara men’s basketball team, while also picking up season tickets for the men’s hockey team. While this tandem has been regularly attending games for nearly four decades, their interest in Niagara University goes well beyond that.

Pete and Paul’s father worked under the famous ‘Taps’ Gallagher during the 1930’s, taking care of the athletic facilities as a groundskeeper before serving his country in World War II.

"Taps Gallagher treated my father really well,” Peter said. “Dad always spoke highly of him. After his passing, my brother and I were good friends with his widow Alma, sending Christmas cards back and forth.”

The older of the two, Peter was born in 1949, the same year that the Student Center, which was eventually renamed the ‘Taps’ Gallagher Center was built. However, the Barto brothers fell in love with the Purple Eagles via radio, listening to such classic games like Niagara’s historic upset of St. Bonaventure in 1961, which halted the Brown Indians 14-year home winning streak at 99 games.

"When we were younger, we would listen to Purple Eagle games on the radio all the time,” Peter said. “As we grew up, we would see Niagara when they played at the Memorial Auditorium in Buffalo, but couldn’t get season tickets when Calvin Murphy was at Niagara because it was so popular.”

After Murphy left Niagara, Paul was a student on Monteagle Ridge, where he was able to secure tickets for him and his brother during his four-year stay.

"As a student, I got tickets for my brother and I and we loved it,” Paul said. “We loved it so much that we got season tickets right after I graduated, in the mid-70’s.”

Ever since the halfway point of the “Disco Era”, the Barto brothers would attend every Niagara game they could, hoping that the Purple Eagles would go dancing again, after their 1970 trip. Thirty-five years later, the dance floor finally opened up.

"The night that we beat Rider in Buffalo to go to our first NCAA Tournament in 35 years was emotional,” Peter said. “People were crying and hugging each other, it was huge. For Paul and I, it was the biggest home game that we ever seen.”

Current men’s basketball head coach Joe Mihalich remembers that night in March of 2005 fondly, but also knows that what truly made it special are the people like Pete and Paul.

"We are so lucky to have people like Pete and Paul Barto,” Mihalich said. “They are loyal and passionate guys whose love for Niagara hoops is unmatched. I wish we had 1,000 more like them!”

The Bartos love of Niagara University athletics also extends across campus, to Dwyer Arena. Like the Niagara cagers, the brothers have been there for most big games, including the men's hockey team’s run to the Elite Eight in 2000.

"They have been with us since the inception of the program,” head men’s hockey coach Dave Burkholder said. “The passion and support they bring is always appreciated. They genuinely care about Niagara and all of our athletic programs.”

Not just another face in the crowd, Pete and Paul above all else are proud most of the connections that they have been able to make through the inhabitants of Monteagle Ridge.

"When Pete Lonergan was coaching during the 1981-82 season, they played in the Tangerine Tournament in Orlando,” Paul said. “We went down a few days early and watched Rollins, the team we were scheduled to play. We thought Rollins was struggling with a zone defense so we told one of the assistant coaches to use that instead of a man defense. Niagara won 87-79 and after the game we were congratulated by Coach Lonergan and Hubie Brown.”

"We got our first coaching victory and quit with our 1-0 record intact!”

The Bartos also got rather close to Niagara’s most famous basketball alum, Calvin Murphy. The brothers have met Murphy several times, including several booster dinners and a very special occasion in 1993.

"When Calvin was inducted into the National Basketball Hall of Fame, Paul and I were able to get tickets and traveled to Springfield,” Peter said. “We were at the dinner where Calvin was inducted by Billy Packer. It was a real nice event, especially considering some of the other dignitaries present, including inductee Bill Walton.”

The Springfield experience was truly made special however the day before, on the hardwood at Springfield College.

"Calvin and Jack Ramsey were running a clinic at Springfield College the day before he was inducted,” Peter said. “We met up with him in the parking lot, where he looked at us and said,’of course I knew that you guys would be here.’”

And being there is something that the Bartos have done extremely well for Niagara University, with an unwavering support and love for the Purple and White. From their seats in Section C of the Gallagher Center, the brothers have a great “Niagara” view, considering a Niagara banner is to their left and the team’s bench is a little to the right.