Musings of a Groundhog

February 2, 2006

How appropriate for me to surface today of all days! All my blogging energies of the past several weeks have been devoted to writing for the athletic hall of fame activities coming up this weekend. My copious words of praise for the inductees will eventually find its way to a link on these pages. Until the ceremony actually occurs though, an embargo is in effect. BTW, it just so happens that the movie "Groundhog Day" is one of my all-time faves -- IMO, the performance by Bill Murray is better even than his signature flick, "Caddyshack."

What a great few weeks of men's basketball we have all enjoyed of late! On top of all the success and buzz about the Hoyas, I got a unique treat last weekend. Following the reunion of all former hoop players at MCI Arena, I found myself at a private dinner at the 1789 with many of the players from the 1960's. Together with Hoop Club president Al Bozzo '85 and Hoop weekend chairman Rich McHugh '77, we found ourselves at a table with former Hoya coach and GU Hall of Fame player Tom O'Keefe `50 on our right and on our left, Paul Tagliabue `62, former Hilltop hoopster and now NFL commissioner. Tales from years past came out throughout the evening, including accounts of the Duke-like `63 GU-Loyola upset. However, none of the stories were so enjoyable as those about Jersey City basketball, exchanged at our table by these two aforementioned former Hoya stars.

Last Saturday, players from the O'Keefe era gathered for a reunion dinner

My picks for most interesting contests this coming week:

> Men's Basketball: Since taking apart the Dukies, the #17-ranked Hoyas (15-4) have gone 3-0; no letdown there. Now with the #9-ranked Pitt Panthers (17-2) coming to town on Sunday at noon, GU faces its toughest opponent since the big upset.

> Women's Basketball: Next Saturday afternoon, the Hoyas (8-12) will seek their second Big East win against the Seton Hall Pirates (8-14) at 3:00 pm in McDonough Arena.

> Men's Tennis: After taking on the Terps in College Park next Saturday, the Hoya men's netters will host Cornell at 11 am on Sunday at the Army-Navy Country Club. The Big Red will be playing their third match in three days on their first weekend of competition.

Last week, the Hoya athletic teams posted an overall win-loss record of 4-6. Men's and women's indoor track had multiple top collegiate finishes and qualifying times.

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