November 2, 2005

I might be getting older. At least it felt that way last Saturday when I joined a few hundred other alums and fans in McDonough Gym for a breakfast and open practice of the men's hoop team. The event was sponsored by the Hoya Hoop Club as one of many activities throughout the season to help create excitement and build support for the team. Many of the familiar faces from MCI Center were there to see JT III and this year's edition of Hoya basketball. Watching the coach practice his craft in the same setting where his father had done for so long so made me reflect on the many years I have been following Georgetown hoops.

After some remarks by coach T and autographs by the players, we got to see what goes on everyday at practice. For all the exquisite details, a descriptive thread is available over on the HoyaSaxa message boards

I particularly enjoyed watching a young Patrick running the same court his father had run 24 seasons ago. That got me started again with the age and generation thing. Due to transfer rules and closed practices for the year, it was the last time the public will see Ewing Jr. playing until next summer.

What pushed the senior status button hardest though was spotting my classmate and GU hoop hall of famer Mike Laughna in the McDonough lobby with his son Brendan. Turns out Brendan graduated last May from the business school named for the other McDonough and is living in Arlington about to start a new job. I smiled at Mike and pondered the years gone by.

Now, as I write this post, on my birthday of all days, I find myself reflecting on and appreciating the father-son connections within own family. And as for reaching another annual milestone, I am not ready for any of those AARP-approved descriptions of the "golden years" quite yet. I'll stick with the sport metaphors instead.

Today, I'm just starting to feel like a seasoned veteran.