Feb. 21, 2011
It seems like only yesterday that I made the trip to Tampa, Florida with HHC President Al Bozzo to see Georgetown fall to USF 56-63 giving the Bulls their first Big East victory. Indeed that was a painful loss after that season's big win against Duke, and prior to the Hoyas run to the Sweet Sixteen to play the eventual national champions from the University of Florida. I had been thinking about this game since the schedule came out, as I wanted to erase the memory of that loss in the Sun Dome.
A few weeks ago, I ran in to the original Al Bozzo--Dr. Alfred Bozzo--who talked me into coming down to sunny Florida to escape the winter weather in DC. As both Al's know it does not take much to talk me into taking a Georgetown basketball road trip. As a superstitious basketball fan, I stayed in a new Holiday Inn Suites Hotel, purposely avoiding the Embassy Suites near the arena. We met up with former Hoya football star Bruce Simmons the night before the game. We went to the famous Cuban restaurant, Columbia, which has been a South Florida landmark since 1905.
After a good night's sleep, Bruce joined Al Bozzo Senior & Junior for a second day of golf, as I spent the day watching the Yankees practice at George Steinbrenner Legends Field. I spent some time figuring out where to have my pre-game meal to bring good luck to the Hoyas. After numerous e-mails with my Yelp friends, I decided on another landmark place, the Taco Bus. I love these local places, and a restaurant that was an actual bus fascinated me--it even looked like the bus the NCAL Hoyas took to the Wooden Classic a year ago. The food was superb, and the atmosphere even more interesting.
As game time approached I headed with the two Al Bozzos to the pre-game party at Tia's Tex-Mex. The Hoya Hoop Club funded and supported the event together with the Georgetown Club of Tampa. We had a much larger turnout than 5 years ago in 2006. I ran into fellow Hoya Nick Johnson who flew out with me from Reagan National. I met quite a few new Florida Hoya fans. As always I saw some of the regulars like Buddy Stewart, and good friends Tom & Barbara Napolitano. I had a good feeling about the game but was nervous hearing about all the upsets that day. I could not forget our loss 5 years ago, and also last year to an underdog USF Bulls team in the Verizon Cent. I must admit I liked seeing the bumper stickers that said "Bulls Country," in every restaurant and store in Tampa--made me think about our campaign and DC is our Playground.
As I walked into the Sun Dome I remembered how much this looked like the George Mason Patriot Center. The proximity of the fans to the court gave me a bad feeling as we started the game. Indeed it was a hard fought Big East contest. Chris Wright's season high 26 points were important as Austin Freeman was held to only 4 points. Indeed USF came to play, and had some great athletes. I felt fortunate to have a two point lead going into the half. Again it was a team win for Georgetown. Hollis Thompson's circus shot and key block will be something I will remember for a long time. I will remember that and the great support from the Florida Hoyas! Maybe we will be back soon!
We have a big week coming up facing a tough Cincinnati squad at home on Wednesday along with the Hall of Fame induction of Alonzo Mourning the night before Senior Day against Syracuse!
Hoya Saxa! We are Georgetown!
Dr. Thomas A. Wong
Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President & Director of Communications
Proud Member of Generation Ewing
