Oct. 18, 2006

OPEN PRACTICE

We're Talking About PRACTICE!!!

The 100th anniversary of Georgetown basketball is already off to a flying start.

Last Friday night, I took in the Midnight Madness festivities in McDonough Arena along with a few thousand of my closest (and loudest!) friends, as well as a few scattered Hoop Club Executive Board members. The Hoop Club blog staff was well represented: I had a pre-Madness dinner at the Tombs with Steve Medlock (F'06) where we ran into the author of the blog's debut post, Steve Thomas (F'97, G'01). Later on, I kept up my years-long Midnight Madness streak of running into the Hoop Club's Assistant Vice President Tom Wong (C'82), who's still holding down the fort for Generation Ewing.

Wherever I turned at Midnight Madness, I saw symbols of the proud history of Georgetown basketball. I walked into McDonough through the newly refurbished John Thompson Lobby, past the 1984 National Championship trophy and under a recently finished timeline of former players and events. My seat in the bleachers had a perfect view of a new addition to McDonough rafters--the 2006 Sweet 16 banner.

But even the Sweet 16 banner didn't draw as much attention as the gentleman seated in the rafters behind me. Kicking off the 100th anniversary of Georgetown Basketball was the man widely regarded as the greatest player in those 100 years--Patrick Ewing. Pat's cameo appearance is on my personal short-list for favorite Georgetown sports memories in my seven years as a Hoya fan.

Pat's son got quite the ovation himself during the team intros, as did each and every member of the 2006-2007 Hoyas. The feeling in the crowd was nothing short of electric--there is an air of anticipation on campus about this year's team that's hard to define but impossible to ignore. As I wrote in my recap on the Hoyatalk message board.

I can't help but wonder if a new great chapter in Hoya history is about to be written

Many of you reading this weren't able to make it to McDonough on Friday night for a number of reasons. My personal favorite came from past Hoop Club President Michael Karam (F'72, L'76, L'81), who told me in an email early Friday evening to cheer loud for him, because Midnight was way past his bedtime!

Not to worry--the Hoya Hoop Club is kicking off its 100th anniversary events with its annual Open Practice this Sunday, October 22nd beginning at 4:30pm.

An announcement has already been emailed out with the Hoop Club's e-newsletter this past Monday. You can also find the details in the "Upcoming Events" section of the Hoyas Unlimited webpage here.

Here's the tentative schedule of events:

4:30pm: Q&A session with Coach John Thompson III, and autograph session with the team for Junior Hoop Club members.

5:00-6:00pm: Open Practice session in McDonough Arena

6:00pm: Dinner

Admission is FREE for all Hoop Club members. You only need to do two things:

1. RSVP by contacting Hoyas Unlimited via email at hoyasunlimited@georgetown.edu or by phone at (202) 687-7159 before Sunday the 22nd.

2. Renew your Hoop Club membership--or join for the first time.

I know all of the members of the Hoop Club Executive Board and the Hoyas Unlimited staff would agree with me when I say we want as many Hoop Club members as possible to come out on Sunday for what promises to be a great kickoff to our season, a great chance to get a first look at the 2006-2007 men's basketball team, and a great dinner.

With the Hoop Club already pushing all-time membership and giving records this season, there will definitely be a lot of Open Practice rookies this year. With that in mind, I've prepared a list of answers to a few Frequently Asked Questions with the help of Hoyas Unlimited Director Allison Rubin. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to email hoyasunlimited@georgetown.edu and they'll be happy to help!

OPEN PRACTICE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

Can I make my donation at the door on Sunday?

Donations may be made on the day of the event. However, for logistical reasons, the hard-working Hoyas Unlimited staff strongly recommends you make your donation when you RSVP.

I have to leave early/show up late--is that okay?

Yes--it is a Georgetown function after all! (hat tip to Michael Karam for that one.)

You may come and go as you please. However, please note that members will only be able to watch the team practice between 5pm and 6pm.

(P.S.: Just TiVO the Redskins game already!)

I'm not sure if I can make it Sunday--it's going to be a last-minute decision. What should I do?

If you think you might be attending, my advice would be to go ahead and RSVP. The Hoop Club and Hoyas Unlimited would like to get a head count so they can provide enough food. You don't want to be the guy that takes JT III's dinner do you?

I'm currently a student at Georgetown--can I come?

Sure--bring a couple of your friends while you're at it! Anyone who is a Hoya Hoop Club member is welcome to attend the Open Practice and all of our events during the season. The Hoop Club has several student members already, and we're always happy to have more members from the Kurt Shirt set.

All you need to do is RSVP and make a donation to the Hoop Club.

But I'm a little strapped for cash right now--student loans and all. Is there a minimum amount that I can donate and still be a Hoop Club member?

The minimum suggested donation for a Hoop Club membership is $25. You still get all of the benefits of Hoop Club membership, including access to great events like the Open Practice, and you can keep saving up for those weekend trips to Chipotle.

If you have any questions about donating as a student, feel free to email Hoyas Unlimited.

What about Young Alums?

We definitely want to see you there. The Open Practice is kicking off a year filled with Hoop Club promotions aimed at getting the 1,100+ Young Alum ticket holders more involved with events.

If you are a Young Alum season ticket holder, your ticket price included a donation/membership to the Hoop Club. So congratulations--you might have become a member a few months ago without even realizing it!

If you graduated last year (in the Sweet Sixteen Class of 2006), you've got an even better deal: your Hoop Club membership is complimentary this year.

All Young Alums are invited this Sunday. Just let the Hoyas Unlimited staff know you're a Young Alum season ticket holder when you RSVP.

I can't attend the Open Practice, but I have a great question for John Thompson III. Where can I send it?

Email hoyasunlimited@georgetown.edu with your question by Thursday, October 19. Each year we try to ask as many questions as we can for the out-of-towners.

Can I bring my camera?

Here's a basic guideline:

If you'd like to take a picture of your son/daughter with Patrick Ewing, Jr.--YES.

If you'd like to take a picture of Patrick Ewing, Jr. running a half-court set--NO.

No cameras will be allowed during the practice session.

Check out the blog early next week for a full recap of the Open Practice, and keep checking all season for a heads up on all of the Hoop Club's game watches, banquets, and other great member events! On a personal note, I look forward to bringing you all the latest Hoop Club happenings on the blog this season. Watch out for me in Section 118 and in front of a big-screen at the Hoop Club game watches this year.

John Hawkes F'04
Proud Member of Generation Burton