Dec. 16, 2007

It's not often that you have the joy of doing what you love as a career, rarer still when you can share that enthusiasm with your family and the entire metropolitan community.

As a living historian of Georgetown basketball, I feel obligated to impart a little bit of my insights with the many generations of Hoya fans, alumni, and students. My son, Evan, who has accompanied me on broadcasts throughout the years, represents part of a new generation of Hoya fans who are just as fanatic about the team as myself. Allow us to share some of our thoughts and memories in light of the upcoming game this Saturday at McDonough Arena against the Radford Highlanders.

I began attending Georgetown games in 1972 when I moved to Washington, D.C., and was intrigued when I found that there was no radio station broadcasting Hoya games. The following season, I worked my way to press row, where I practiced play-by-play into a tape recorder during games. I presented the tapes to then-head coach John Thompson, Jr. and the rest is history. I was given the opportunity to be the Voice of the Hoyas for the 1973-74 season. Since that time, I have broadcast over one thousand games and have attended 40% of the men's basketball games since it's inception in 1907.

I have broadcast games in 46 states, was a witness on the sidelines for three national championship games and saw John Thompson, Jr. inducted into the Hall of Fame.

As Georgetown returns to McDonough Arena for a rare Saturday night appearance, it brings back many fond memories of games played in that cozy, on-campus arena.

Upon entering the court at McDonough Arena, the nostalgia that presents itself is very apparent. Seeing the jerseys of the Hoya NBA participants lining the back wall demonstrates the rich history of those who have played in that arena.

Although the Hoyas left McDonough arena for the Capital Centre in 1981, the program had been solidly developed prior to that time under Head Coach John Thompson, Jr. I can vividly recall many Saturday night games, then affectionately known as the "Saturday Night Massacre," where the Hoyas defeated several nationally-ranked teams including such powers as then #4 Detroit in 1978, Boston College in 1979, and #1-ranked Missouri on that steamy February afternoon in 1982 with an NBC audience covering the battle between then-freshman Patrick Ewing and Steve Stepanovich.

Who could forget the rare NIT appearance at McDonough in 1993 that resulted in a 71-44 blow out victory over UTEP that advanced Georgetown through to the next round?

Many home courts have had their legendary appeals, including the Pit in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Cameron Indoor Stadium at Duke University, and McArthur Court at the University of Oregon. But in the era of the mid-1970's, McDonough Arena provided the same atmosphere and results for the Georgetown Hoyas.

Although the 24-year 23-game win streak ended last year with the loss to Old Dominion, long-time Hoya fans can revel in the fact that the storied history that came before that loss will never be forgotten. Starting with the Radford game on December 15, 2007, a new generation of Hoya fans can participate in the beginning of a new streak.

My son, Evan, has a unique perspective having spent his entire life absorbing the Hoya atmosphere. He currently assists me with game statistics, sound production, and provides the highlights of the game both at halftime and during our post-game show. Here are his thoughts reflecting on 29 years of Hoya hoops at McDonough Arena:

This Saturday night, I'll still climb up the old orange metal ladder to reach the broadcast loft. The same wooden table on which I used to do my elementary school homework will still be there. Our on-site engineer, Pat Malley, will probably be putting the finishing touches on the high-tech connection and set-up to the radio station as he has for the past 18 years. We'll greet each other with "Got that banner?", a nod to the old blue WWDC banner we used to hang together before each game. Some things just don't change.

I'll be setting up my own equipment for the night: stat sheets, game notes and a laptop. By tip-off, I'll be ready to tackle the unique task of providing in-game real-time statistics and broadcast highlights, with one of the most sophisticated broadcast set-ups in the country.

From the time the ball is tipped until long after the game is over, I'll be sitting up in the loft doing my best to give everyone who didn't have the opportunity to come to the game a slice of the action. Starting with the pre-game introductions, the adrenaline rush really doesn't subside until after the familiar "Have a pleasant good night, everybody!" send-off to our listening audience from my father.

I invite everyone who won't have the ability to make it to McDonough Arena to tune in, both on the air on AM 570 and on the Internet at http://www.wtntam570.com/pages/listen.html. The pre-game festivities start at 7:25 pm for a 7:36 pm tip-off.

Also, The John Thompson III Foundation, in conjunction with the Georgetown University Department of Athletics, is hosting a toy drive this holiday season. As you enter McDonough on Saturday, December 15 prior to our game with Radford, you can drop off new, unwrapped toys. Toys for both boys and girls, ranging from 8- to 16-years old, are needed.

All proceeds will be donated to the Butler-Wyatt Clubhouse #2 in the District.

http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/mtt/thompsoniii_john00.html

Wishing everyone a safe weekend and looking forward to chants of Hoya Saxa resonating throughout McDonough Arena,

Rich Chvotkin (center) sits along with his wife Lynn, SID Fran Connors, and Dan Altobello back in the 1970's at McDonough Arena.

The view from the broadcast loft in McDonough Arena.

Rich Chvotkin with two of his favorite McDonough Arena players, BeBe Duren and Craig Shelton.