Happy 100th Anniversary to the Georgetown Family
I have been looking forward to this past weekend for about two years now. We have been talking about the 100th anniversary Gala at our Hoya Hoop Club meetings, alumni association meetings, and various other Georgetown University events for several years now. A committee was set up to organize the event over a year ago. Former Hoya player Michael Jackson, who works for Nike, helped us to design the 100th anniversary logo that we see everywhere.
The weekend started out with an opening reception this Friday night at the Westin Grand Hotel. This was a private affair for the former players and their families. I was very fortunate to be invited since I am an officer for the Hoya Hoop Club. As I entered the reception I could see some bright lights with images of Georgetown Basketball. There were several food stations, dessert and coffee stations, and bars on either end. I proceeded to speak to a few fellow Hoya Hoop Club officers and other friends of Georgetown Basketball. I then got the opportunity to speak with former Hoya greats Michael Graham, and Daymond Jackson. The event was first class. The room soon filled to capacity with former Hoya players and their families. I was thrilled to speak with Tom Coleman, Felix Yeoman, Jim Brown, Ed Hopkins, and Mark Tillmon. I was able to reminisce with former classmates from my Class of 1982, Eric Smith, Ed Spriggs, Mike Hancock, Kurt Kaull, David Blue, and Eric "Sleepy" Floyd. We spoke about the current team, the big game against Marquette, and our 25th Reunion coming up in June. I also got to see other members of Generation Ewing like Reggie Williams, John "Baa Baa" Duren, Craig "Big Sky" Shelton, Fred Brown, Gene Smith, and Perry McDonald. Brian McGuire came over and told me that former Syracuse center Rony Seikaly hopes that he would never have to see Perry McDonald again. Indeed, Perry at about 6 feet 5 inches tall had outplayed Seikaly at center a few times, including making some last minute shots to defeat the Orange at Capital Centre. Back in those days the Orange would never win in "Our House." Furthermore, I had the opportunity to chat with members of the athletic department including A.D. Bernard Muir, and assistant coach Robert Burke. J.T. III made a short appearance with the big conference game against Marquette looming the next day. The voice of the Hoyas Rich Chvotkin was entertaining as usual telling me some interesting stories from the history of GU Basketball. The night was unbelievable and a once in a lifetime experience. It was great to see former Hoya coach John Thompson, Jr. hugging, and joking with all of his former players. Joe Lang mentioned to me how he would run into me on the streets of New York City during the Big East tournament. Joe always has been a great historian of the Big East conference from his years at Georgetown. Joe was also a graduate of St. John's and worked there prior to coming to Georgetown. Joe told me an interesting story about Lou Carnesseca and legendary coach Joe Lapchick used to tell him that it is better to watch a game from upstairs in an arena where you can better see the plays developing and players getting open for three point shots. Everyone seemed to be confident about the Marquette game. I was very worried though that the team would be too emotionally spent with all the hype and excitement. However, I was very confident that our coaching staff had prepared the players for the weekend.
The game was tremendous from the beginning. The Marquette Golden Eagles were impressive in their intensity and their hard slashing drives to the basket. I could see how they have had such a successful season. We were able to maintain a small lead for most of the game before breaking through late in the game. We were tremendous from the free throw line, and finished the game very strong. Roy and Jeff Green really came to play as did our entire team. Jeff Green's mom led her cheer and started the celebration of our Georgetown family. The pre-game presentation and the introduction of the starting lineups set the stage for an exciting afternoon the likes of which I have never seen in my lifetime. The half-time introduction of the All-Century Team was truly awe inspiring. Hoya legend Patrick Ewing was introduced as the Player of the Century starting the Georgetown Family Reunion. I have always enjoyed knowing that my favorite movie "The Godfather" is also the favorite movie of John Thompson, Jr. and Frank "the Godfather" Rienzo. The classic movie "The Godfather" is really a movie about family. At Georgetown it has always been about being a family: We are Georgetown!!
The Saturday night Gala was truly a once in a lifetime experience. I entered the Ritz-Carlton seeing the cheerleaders line the staircase down to the big party. I got there early to take in the entire evening. I checked in my coat and saw how the entire place was decorated with the Blue and Gray. I saw the pictures and the history of Georgetown Basketball all over the halls. There was a special room with trophies, Sports Illustrated covers, and memorabilia. I spoke with Rich Chvotkin and his family about the big win over Marquette. I was relieved to have that pressure over with and happy for the team that they could now better enjoy the evening. I congratulated JT III who had a smile on his face, but added that they now had West Virginia to deal with on Monday. You could tell that he was thrilled to be surrounded by the Georgetown family. I got to meet many of the current players. I had known Roy Hibbert since we had both attended the same high school. Patrick Ewing, Jr. seemed to be generally thrilled to meet many people who had known his famous father. As the evening started out I was so proud to see how all of our players, former players, coaches, and staff were so gracious and friendly. The crowd really was packed in as we waited for the doors and the night to begin. It felt like the crowd ready to enter Madison Square Garden and the Big East tournament.
The dinner and the entire event was first class. There were little basketball memorabilia everywhere. There were signed basketballs at each table that would go on silent auction. The organizers had truly attended to every detail. The evening moved along in spite of all the distractions. It was great to see all of the former players spending time together. The introduction of the All-Century Team, generated an "electricity" to the room that would not end. Paul Tagliabue received an award for leadership that almost brought the former NFL commissioner to tears. The former Hoya team captain started off a general theme for the evening. He used a famous quote from former U.S. President John F. Kennedy by telling us not to ask what can Georgetown do for us alumni, but to ask what can we do for Georgetown. He complimented GU President Jack DeGioia and former coach John Thompson, the "Father" on their great vision and leadership. President DeGioia would then make a memorable speech about the history and the future of Georgetown basketball. Next, President DeGioia would surprise the crowd and induct Patrick Ewing, the Hoya Player of the Century, into the Georgetown Athletic Hall of Fame. Patrick is the first men's basketball player to be inducted since Eric "Sleepy" Floyd. Patrick could not be inducted a year ago since his NBA coaching schedule made it impossible for him to come to the induction ceremony. Patrick was very emotional, thanking coach John Thompson, "the Father," for supporting him and helping him through all of the media attention when he entered college as a shy freshman many years ago. As a member of Generation Ewing it was truly an event to see Patrick's induction. Patrick mentioned that he is also eligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame this year.
The evening was then highlighted by speeches from both coach Thompsons. It was evident how both are so close to their families. The elder Thompson gave a truly inspiring talk. As those of us who have attended many men's basketball banquets know, he can speak well into the evening. He came straight to the point this evening. He told his family how much he loved them. He thanked everyone who worked with him at Georgetown over the years, especially Frank Rienzo, and former GU President Tim Healey, "the Big Irishman." He told his former players how he loved them as part of his family also. The coach joked about how he had been abusive to his players when they played for him. He asked them to understand that he was only doing what he thought was necessary to bring out the best in them as student-athletes. Coach Thompson has always been proud of the accomplishments of his former players not for basketball, but for what they had done for society and their communities: truly the mission of a Jesuit education. He continued the theme of the commissioner in telling his players that his one regret was that he never emphasized enough that they all needed to give back to Georgetown. There was passion in his voice as he stated that for those that could not give financially, they could also give time or service depending on their situation. He set the tone for the future saying that the University should serve as a power base for them. As they would give and help strengthen the University it would pay dividends back to them many times. Indeed he was proud of the education that they had received. He thanked President DeGioia for his friendship, and thanked former President Tim Healey, who is no longer with us, for "having his back"over time. He reminisced about calling former drug lord Rayful Edmond III into his office to tell him to stay away from his players. I have always contended that the genius of John Thompson, Jr. was always in his timing and his ability to understand the future. He was truly a pioneer as a basketball coach. I always remember how he would make sacrifices early in every basketball seasons, preparing his younger players for significant roles later in March. He would often use a surprise player or strategy every year at the Big East Tournament. He finished imploring the crowd that we needed to build an arena and improve our athletic facilities soon. He mentioned that we could not continue much longer in the prehistoric McDonough Arena. Moreover, he did not want his son to struggle with the same facility that he did for all of those years. It is truly an issue that our University must address.
The evening finished with highlight videos from all of the eras of Georgetown Basketball: Vintage, Classic, and Modern. There were videos of current NBA players like Allen Iverson, Dikembe Mutombo, and Alonzo Mourning who could not attend due to their NBA schedules. It was an event that truly exceeded all of my expectations. Both coach Thompson's were very gracious in thanking everyone involved in making the weekend possible. JT III additionally thanked his mom for holding everyone together for those many years in GU basketball. The themes of the evening are consistent with the goals of our current Athletic Director, Bernard Muir, and President DeGioia. At Georgetown it will always be about "Family."
We are Georgetown!
Georgetown Forever!
Happy 100th Birthday Georgetown Basketball!
Dr. Thomas A. Wong (C'82)
Asst Vice-President Hoya Hoop Club
Generation Ewing
