Winter on the Hilltop

There is something magical about the Holiday Season on the Hilltop. As I see a little snowstorm hit the DC Metro area today, I cannot help but think of the record-setting winter of 2009-10. It seems like only yesterday that we had a blizzard while I was a Georgetown student living in Village A W-203. I attended a Holiday party this past Sunday in Riggs Library, and a beautiful Mass in Gaston Hall with many of my Georgetown friends. There is something about the raw power of winter, the stress of final exams, and the rush to buy Christmas presents that gets me ready for the next phase of basketball season. I cannot wait for Georgetown to finish its last final exams of the semester with tough games against Loyola-MD, and Memphis on the road.

I do love our current Hoya basketball team. This is perhaps the deepest team we have had in several years. What intrigues me is that in spite of the great leadership provided by the DC Hoya triplets Chris Wright, Austin Freeman, and Jason Clark there is still quite a bit of room for this team to grow. I love our four freshman, and how they all love to be on the court. Vee Sanford shows us glimpses of the future, while Jerrelle adds some muscle to our interior defense.

I love watching our offense, and the explosiveness we possess beyond the 3-point arc. I look forward to seeing our frontcourt, and defense grow with the season. I love our freshman class as all four--Markel, Nate, Aaron, and Moses will compete for playing time with sophomores Jerelle, and Vee. We still have some difficult tests left with Loyola-MD and Memphis before the start of the Big East season.

As I spend countless hours on the internet, and marvel at the hundreds of shows I have access to on my Verizon FIOS I am often puzzled? I have watched the HBO special on legendary coach Vince Lombardi multiple times this week. I love seeing the Jesuit ideals, and focus in Coach Lombardi as his booming voice resonated with his players. He was tough, but he loved his team and players. I do enjoy some of these reality shows like Survivor, Dancing with the Stars, and American Idol. However, as I walk the Georgetown campus I cannot understand their growing popularity. For my taste, they cannot compare to the authenticity of watching a college basketball game. Watching our Georgetown Hoyas battle through the Big East season, to the Big East tournament in New York's Madison Square Garden, and on to March Madness is what I cannot wait to see. Don't get me wrong, reality shows are very entertaining, but I would contend they cannot compare to the real thing like the debut of Moses Ayegba as he drained his two free throws on Sunday! We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Georgetown Basketball Events--A View from 7th Street

My time on the Georgetown Hoya Hoop Club Board has been wonderful. After yesterday's win over Utah State at Verizon Center I got to visit the Redline DC Sports Bar, and also met some Georgetown Basketball fans at Carmines DC. As I walked up and down 7th Street, I could see how many Hoya fans congregate at different places--Chinatown, Bar Louie, DC ChopHouse, Legal Seafood, and the list goes on. I encouraged my new friends at Carmines to attend our Hoya Hoop Club events during the year. Our Facebook, Twitter, and other networking vehicles have done much to bring our community together, but their is nothing like meeting in person. We will soon be coming out with a calendar for our events. I know the DC Metro Club does a great job with our watch parties at Black Finn, and other clubs around the country are very active like our group in Atlanta, GA amongst others. I hope to meet many more Hoya Hoop Club members and Georgetown fans during the season.

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

45 Minutes of Action!

What a game! I wish I could have made the trip to Kansas City! The Georgetown Hoyas shot a sizzling 71% from the field in the first half, and yet the Tigers rode their crowd cutting a one-time 18-point deficit to only 7 points at half. Austin Freeman led the way in the first half and made some great plays to keep Georgetown close in the second half. Chris Wright made one of the great shots in recent memory to put Georgetown into the OT. In the overtime, Jason Clark's 3 3-ptrs iced the game for GTown. It was a great road win for the Hoyas. Nate Lubick logged some valuable minutes and made some great defensive plays and rebounds. However, I want to point out two of the unsung heroes: Vee Sanford, and Henry Sims. Vee Sanford played some great defense, and made a key 3-ptr in the second half to keep the Missouri Tigers from pulling into a larger lead. He was great. I really enjoyed watching the game of Henry Sims who played with great confidence. He finished well on two power dunks, and made some shots to total 10 points. However, what really impressed me was the little things he did: blocking shots, good positioning, and altering countless shots inside. Henry Sims--you made us proud! The Hoya Nation loves you!

A great team effort for the Hoyas--Georgetown Forever! We will see you at Verizon Center on Saturday!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

The DC Hoya Triplets

It is very rare that you will see a trio of guards on a college basketball team like Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, and Jason Clark. It is even rarer that they come from a single high school conference like the WCAC. Austin from DeMatha in Hyattsville, Maryland; Chris Wright from St. John's in D.C.; and Jason Clark from O'Connell in Falls Church, Virginia. It has been a difficult road for these three with the additional pressures of playing in front of their hometown friends, families, and the local press. Expectations were indeed unreasonable. Still these three have had stellar college careers and are now truly coming together as one of the top backcourts in the nation. Chris Wright has been the MVP of the Charleston Classic & his 3-point shooting outburst helped prevent an opening game loss to Old Dominion on the road. Jason Clark has been our most consistent outside shooter. His NBA 3-point shot in traffic against Old Dominion helped seal that win. Austin Freeman has been quietly spectacular in the early season. He threw down some monster dunks in the second half against NC State in the finals of the Charleston Classic. Today against UNC-Asheville he put on a sizzling performance with 32 points sitting out much of the game. His 7 three pointers set a Georgetown single game record. In fact I think the best is yet to come. Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice President-Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

When Pride Still Mattered--The Jesuit Way

My first contact with the Jesuits was Father Theodore Brady, S.J. I was a nervous 8th grader sitting for my admissions interview at the North Bethesda campus with my parents. I remember how important it was for me to get in. I wanted to be part of the tradition, and to learn Latin from Father Brady. After being admitted, Father Brady had taken two years off for health reasons, and I had Mr. Joyce and Father Byrne as my Latin teachers. Both were wonderful mentors for me in the classroom and in life. I had a wonderful algebra teach in Father Galvin, and had Father Brady for English upon his return to Prep during my Junior year. The years flew by, and Georgetown University President Tim Healey, S.J. was our graduation speaker leading to another four years as a Georgetown undergraduate on the Hilltop.

As I get ready to attend my Georgetown Prep Homecoming this weekend, I will think about my recent trip to New York where I saw the Broadway play "Lombardi." There was a star filled audience that gathered after for questions with Steve Sabol and Merrill Hogue from NFL films. Also, Redskins owner Dan Snyder brought GM Bruce Allen, Sonny Jurgensen, and Sam Huff. The play was very interesting, and based on the book, "When Pride Still Mattered," by David Maraniss who was still in the audience. The play, like the book was a wonderful insight into Mr. Lombardi, and how the Jesuit ideals of discipline and precision permeated everything he did in life and on the football field. Indeed Lombardi loved the "Jesuit Way." On this weekend with the Homecoming events at Georgetown Prep, and the Gala for the Lombardi Cancer Center at Georgetown University Hospital we celebrate Coach Lombardi reflecting on the Jesuit Way and "When Pride Still Mattered."

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to MM Week 10: Georgetown-Tar Heels in the Superdome

March 30, 1982 was the date when the Georgetown-UNC Championship game began the modern era of college basketball. Why am I picking a loss for my last Heart Attack Hoya Classic? I hate to even discuss one of our most heart-breaking losses. However, I was impressed recently when '97 Georgetown alumnus & movie star, Bradley Cooper addressed the Georgetown students in Gaston Hall. In his address he told the students that he felt sorry for those who never fail at something, because only really in failure do we grow. As disappointing as the 62-63 loss was in the national championship game it was what allowed the Hoyas to learn, and usher in the greatest 10 years of basketball in Georgetown history including the 1984 NCAA championship. I remember watching the game on TV before a record crowd at the New Orleans Superdome. It was close throughout. Patrick Ewing as instructed by coach John Thompson, Jr. had several goaltending calls early as he did not allow any baskets by the Tar Heels in the first few minutes. Coach Thompson wanted to create a defensive presence early in the game. There were numerous lead changes as Georgetown and Carolina battled most of the game. Many college basketball historians often point to this game as a showcase for the new athleticism in the game of basketball. There were many underlying themes to this game. There was the friendship of John Thompson and Dean Smith. There was the battle between the Big East and ACC. Most people remember it as the game when Michael Jordan made the shot, and Fred Brown threw the ball to James Worthy. Who can forget Coach Thompson hugging Fred Brown and assuring him that his mistake did not cost the Hoyas the game. Certainly Fred had won the Hoyas many games during his Georgetown career. It seemed as if the next two years flew by, and Thompson was hugging Fred Brown when Georgetown defeated Houston for the NCAA championship. I am not one who likes moral victories, but I do not think anyone could watch this game and not be proud of the Georgetown Hoyas. Indeed it was a classic--the largest crowd ever to see a game, and at the very beginning of ESPN, and the modern era of college basketball. Indeed it was not Michael Jordan against Patrick Ewing, or John Thompson against Dean Smith, but it was Georgetown against North Carolina. Indeed I believe it is only a matter of time before these two schools play for another national championship. It is now only one week before Midnight Madness--I cannot wait!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President & Director of Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to MM Week 9: Hail to the Georgetown Generations

Hail the Georgetown Generations was the name of the article written for the New York Daily News on March 26, 2007. It seems like yesterday when I walked the halls of the Meadowlands running into Danny Ainge the GM of the Celtics, and sportswriter Mike Lupica. In what has been the defining game of the JT III era, the Hoyas trailed by a few points most of the game. They played well throughout, but could not contain the massive front line of the UNC Tar Heels. In what proved to be a much faster paced game than Georgetown was usually comfortable in, DaJuan Summers played the best game of his Hoya career scoring 21 points against a true national championship contender. It was indeed a game of Homeric proportions as the two heavyweights went after each other. I remember my friend Dennis Lucey coming down and asking me to give a pep talk to my friends in the upper deck who were very depressed with Georgetown trailing. To my surprise my friends were as down as I have ever seen them. When I realized this we stood in the hallways talking about the game during halftime. I told them that this was our time, and that we would slowly take control of the game. They needed to keep the faith. After halftime, the Tar Heels came out on fire, and I began to really worry. However, the Heart Attack Hoyas had done this to me before. They slowly pulled to within 3 points, as they matched the speed of UNC point guard Ty Lawson. Then Jonathan Wallace made the shot! In the remaining time, and overtime the Hoya defense shut down the UNC Tar Heels as the Hoyas ran away with the game 96-84. What a night in New Jersey--Georgetown Alumni Central!

Happy 2007--Georgetown Basketball had returned. The Duke game in 2006 was wonderful, but not like this one. I was fortunate to sit in this game next to celebrities Alfred Bozzo, Pat Riley, and Patrick Ewing. Jeff Green had told the press that Georgetown was now back to where it belongs--the Final Four. As Mike Lupica states in his article, "If this is the last game to be played in this arena, this one will do!" Almost 25 years to the day when UNC and Michael Jordan made the shots to defeat Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA Championship, it was Georgetown that made the big shots. Roy Hibbert, Jeff Green, Jonathan Wallace, and DaJuan Summers came up big. As I rode with my brother and other friends back home, I was overcome by a sense of happiness. Getting to the arena 4 hours early was well worth it as we rode the bus from the Port Authority. I must have gotten a hundred calls that night as I obviously could not sleep. I ordered my Final Four tickets and made my travel arrangements. Happy 2007--Nest Stop the Final Four. Georgetown was back!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to MM Week 8: The Rise of Generation Burton

Generation Burton rises! Beware the Ides of March--Is what many schools fear when facing the Georgetown Hoyas. On this March 15, 2001, the Hoyas defeated Arkansas 63-61 to reach the Sweet Sixteen. In a game that was the highlight of the Escherick years, Nat Burton, the kid from PG County MD, became part of Georgetown basketball lore. It was a year when the Hoyas were undefeated early in the year behind the play of Lee Scruggs, Kevin Braswell, and Anthony Perry. It would see the Hoyas lose a close game to Maryland in the Sweet Sixteen. However, this March 15th, 2001 would belong to the Georgetown Hoyas. Facing a difficult opponent in the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Hoyas came out on fire. It was a close battle throughout with neither team taking control of the game. It seemed as if the Hoyas would go down to defeat, except for a last second sweeping layup by Nat Burton that kissed off the glass. After that shot, the Georgetown players piled up & dove on the court in great jubilation. After that great day in Boise, Idaho the legend of Nat Burton had begun.

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to MM Week 7: David Wingate Steals the Show against the BC Eagles

On January 29, 1983 Georgetown played the Boston College Eagles at Capital Centre. The Hoyas already had three losses at that time. They were coming off the historic loss to UNC in the National Championship game. With the loss of Eric "Sleepy" Floyd and Eric Smith, the Hoyas were much less experienced than the previous year. They had a very young backcourt of Michael Jackson, and David Wingate. On this evening, the Hoyas were not on their game. They were fortunate to be tied 67-67 with only a few seconds left. Michael Adams called time out and Boston College was in control. It was a very tense close game throughout. When BC inbounded the ball, the Hoya defensive pressure caused the ball to be tipped at mid-court. Out of nowhere, David Wingate raced in with his great speed and athleticism. He then dribbled the ball the length of the court swooping in for a long outstretched lay-up. The buzzer sounded as the ball went through the hoop; Wingate, and all the Hoya players raced off the court in jubilation. It was another last second Heart Attack Hoya win!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to MM Week 6: Pat Ewing, Jr blocks WVU Mountaineers

It is a long bus ride to Morgantown, West Virginia. On January 26, 2008 I took that bus trip to see the Hoyas face West Virginia with many of the Hoya Hoop Club faithful. I remember the bus driver getting lost when we got to Morgantown, and knowing we were in for a long evening. Much of the game was uneventful, as the Hoyas struggled against the Mountaineer offense. I knew after seeing WVU play in Birmingham earlier that year, bob Huggins' team would be a force in the Big East. Freshman sensation Joe Alexander played with unbelievable poise, and athleticism for a first year player. It was not until Pat Ewing Jr. entered the game, and got inside Joe Alexander's shirt did the Hoyas start making a comeback. His defense reminded me of former Hoyas Gene Smith, and Mike Riley as he was relentless.

At the two minute mark Jessie "NYC" Sapp had one of the great offensive outputs by a Hoya in recent memory as he scored at will from inside and outside. His NBA 3-ptr from the top of the key put Georgetown up by a point with only a few seconds left. The Hoya players were pumped. I was very concerned that the Mountaineers would get a good shot off before the buzzer. They passed the ball in, and one of their players drove the length of the court. It was apparent that he would get a good shot off before the buzzer. Then I was in shock as he turned the corner on the baseline, driving the lane for a layup. In one of the greatest blocks in Georgetown basketball history, Pat Ewing Jr. came out of nowhere and swatted the shot away. It appeared to me as if he blocked the shot just as it hit its peak. The crowd was stunned as the referees reviewed the instant replay. After a long minute, the block was called good and the Hoyas raced off the floor. I remember running back to the bus, and the happy HHC members as we took the long bus ride back to Georgetown. Thanks Pat, and the Hoyas for the memories!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to Midnight Madness Week 5: The Last Game at Manley Field House

GU wins the last game in Manley Field House. This was one of the most historic games in all of college basketball history. It was the game that launched the Georgetown-Syracuse rivalry. Even though Georgetown had upset Syracuse and the Louie-Bouie show a year earlier at Cole Field House, the Orange faithful were confident the #2 ranked Orange would dispose of the Hoyas in the frenzied atmosphere of Manley Field House. I remembered the Syracuse game in the prior year, as there were several fellow residents of 4th Loyola dormitory on 35th street from Syracuse, New York. They had grown up as die hard Syracuse basketball fans, but it would take this victory at Manley Field House to change them permanently to "Heart Attack Hoya" fans. The Orange came out on fire in the first half looking to avenge their loss to GU at Cole Field House. They played up to their #2 national ranking as Marty Headd and company could not miss in the first half. The Hoyas were caught by surprise and only shot a mere 21 percent from the field before halftime. In a brilliant move, Coach John Thompson, Jr. slowed the pace of the game at the end of the first half. Craig "Big Sky" Shelton, and "Fast Eddie" Spriggs scored some key inside baskets to close the half.

In the second half Syracuse came out hot again looking to extend the nation's leading 57 game home winning streak. All the emotions of the past great Syracuse teams led by Dave Bing, et al. fueled the crowd's emotions. Indeed the Orange fed off their great fans, and pushed the lead to 17 points. Georgetown dug down deep, and slowly chipped away at the lead. As I watched the game with my housemates in Village A I boldly predicted that the Hoyas would prevail. The Syracuse fans at Manley began to sing Auld Lang Syne prematurely. They taunted the Georgetown players at every opportunity. However, in one of JT, Jr.'s most brilliant coaching performances, he tightened the Georgetown defense knowing that if he could neutrallize Syracuse center Roosevelt Bouie the game was up for grabs in the final minutes. Sure enough the Hoyas closed the game to 49-44 with two minutes left. Those last two minutes seemed like two hours. Finally, Eric "Sleepy" Floyd knocked down two free throws to win the game as the Orange faithful sat stunned in Manley. I will never forget seeing Coach Thompson and the Hoyas walk off the court as Coach Thompson made the famed statement, "Manley Field House is officially closed." That game was a sign of the many heart attack moments to come in the inaugural year of the Big East Conference. It fueled the modern era's greatest college basketball rivalry. The Hoyas needed all of their experience, focus, and determination to prevail in this game of "Ruthian" proportions. That "Heart Attack Hoya" evening cemented Georgetown's place in college basketball history as the true "Beast of the East."

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to Midnight Madness Week 4: Georgetown Downs ACC Champ Georgia Tech

March 23, 1985, #1 ranked Georgetown outlasts #14 Georgia Tech in Providence to return to the Final Four. In 1985 the Hoya fans were often spoiled. It was rare that we did not win a game by at least 30 points. The Big East set a record that year sending 3 teams to the Final Four. If Syracuse did not unexpectedly falter it could have been 4 teams. I had an uneasy feeling going into the Georgia Tech game, as I suspected we were looking forward to a third meeting at the Final Four with the #2 ranked St. John's Redmen. Georgia Tech had a young team led by sharpshooter Mark Price, and John "Spider" Salley. Neither team shot well from the outside. The YellowJackets spread the floor not allowing the Hoyas to start their vaunted fast break. John Salley used his mobility to make Patrick Ewing chase him all over the court. Early in the second half Patrick Ewing, and Michael Jackson got their 4th fouls. Georgia Tech then started to use up the clock. Luckily, Mark Price was only 3-16 from the field. David Wingate led the defense, smothering Price and not allowing him to get good looks from the field. Coach Thompson smartly used his bench, as Horace Broadnax, and Grady Mateen helped pull the Hoyas ahead. Indeed the famed Hoya defense won this game. As the team cut down the nets, the Heart Attack Hoyas looked relieved. I can still picture Patrick Ewing lying on the floor, looking up to the heavens! It was one of those games when you could hear John Thompson, and Red Auerbach telling the team that if they could shut down their opponent during the key stretches of the second half, they would win the game! The defending national champion Hoyas had survived to reach another Final Four and fight another day.

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President & Director of Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to Midnight Madness Week 3 Georgetown outlasts Notre Dame in a Big East TN Classic

The Hoyas victory over Notre Dame in the semifinals of the 2007 BE Tournament will go down in the annals of MSG as one of the Garden's great college basketball games. Earlier that year, GU had routed the Irish 66-48 at Verizon Center as the Hoyas dominated Notre Dame in every aspect of the game. As I awaited the Friday night contest, I knew that we were in for a battle. The young and talented Notre Dame team had nothing to lose. They came out firing 3-ptrs from beyond the NBA 3-pt line. Every one of them seemed to be falling. Georgetown played well in the first half, but their 3-ptrs were not falling. In the second half Georgetown and Notre Dame went at each other. There were 13 lead changes and 9 ties in the second half alone. After Georgetown opened up a 7 pt lead late in the game, guard Tory Jackson went on a tear tying the game. It took a career performance from eventual Big East regular season & tournament MVP Jeff Green who had 30 pts and 12 rebounds to win the game. His jump hook with 13 seconds left, electrified the Garden crowd. Tory Jackson had a chance to win the game for the Irish, but some tough defense by Patrick Ewing, Jr. caused his shot to be off the mark. As the ball was tipped out to half court, Georgetown had survived a thriller to reach the finals of the Big East tournament. As I exited the Garden, I was relieved that Georgetown still had its "swagga," and had lived to fight another day. The Heart Attack Hoyas were back!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to Midnight Madness Week 2: Austin Freeman Rallies GU past UConn Huskies

In one of the greatest comeback wins in Hoya history, Austin Freeman propels the DC Hoyas Fantastic Four to a victory in a Verizon Center Classic. We rarely see this at Georgetown, but Austin Freeman became a One Man Gang in the second half. The Hoyas were very inconsistent in the first half falling behind by 15 points. The second half would be a sign of the many exciting games to come in 2010. After close losses to Marquette, and Old Dominion, the Verizon Center was quiet after the Hoyas fell behind by 17 early in the second half. However, Austin Freeman led the way as Georgetown tied the game with about 7 minutes remaining in the contest. The last few minutes saw several lead changes as the Hoyas would triumph 72-69. Julian Vaughn's two handed tip in late in the game would be a big key to the Hoyas' win. Greg Monroe scored the last basket, andwill be missed this year as he goes on to star for the Detroit Pistons. The Hoyas will be led in 2010-11 by four returning starters who are all local products and former Washington Post All-Metropolitan selections. Indeed the DC Hoyas Fantastic Four of Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, Jason Clark, and Julian Vaughn will lead Georgetown starting with Midnight Madness 2010. Come to see the Verizon Center Rock! I cannot wait!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Vice-President Hoya Hoop Club--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Countdown to Midnight Madness Week 1: Perry McDonald KO's the Orange

This is one of my all-time favorite Heart Attack Hoya games. A year after Reggie and the Miracles stole the hearts of the Georgetown faithful in Madison Square Garden, the Hoyas were rebuilding. Most people remember Charles Smith driving the length of the court with 6 seconds left to upset the Syracuse Orange in the Carrier Dome earlier that year. This Georgetown team was truly a blue collar team in between the Patrick Ewing era, and the arrival of Alonzo Mourning on the Hilltop. The Hoyas were having a very good 16-6 season but were reeling from recent losses on the road to Villanova and UCONN. Georgetown had an explosive backcourt of the emerging Charles Smith and Mark Tillmon. The front court was manned by Ben Gillery, Ronnie Highsmith, & Perry McDonald with Anthony Tucker, Sam Jefferson, Dwayne Bryant, Bobby Winston, Anthony Allen, and Jonathan Edwards coming off the bench. In fact the 6'4" Perry McDonald who was a defensive swingman for most of his Georgetown career was often playing center. Teams were taking advantabe of our frontcourt this year which was talented but very young. The Orange were hungry to defeat the Hoyas this year as they had a very powerful lineup with Sherman Douglas, Stevie Thompson, Rony Seikaly, Derrick Coleman, and Matt Roe. Rony Seikaly, and Derrick Coleman led what was probably the most imposing front line in college basketball.

At this point in time the Syracuse Orange had lost on all 9 of their visits to the DC area to play the Hoyas. The Orange came to the Capital Centre with a great deal of swagger, as nobody had been able to handle their massive front court. Everyone was predicting that the #11 Orange would defeat the Hoyas handily on this day, except for big John Thompson and Georgetown. As Georgetown was recovering from their Big East road losses, coach Thompson came up with a masterful game plan. Everyone was expecting Georgetown to spread the court and try to turn the game into a perimeter game. When the game started the Hoyas powered the ball inside for dunks and power moves by Ronnie Highsmith, and company. The Orange were caught completely by surprise as they did not expect for us to attack the strength of the Orange defense. The Hoyas led for most of the game with this strategy as they were fueled on by the sellout Capital Centre crowd. However, late in the second half the Orange finally took control of the game as Derrick Coleman, and Rony Seikaly powered the Orange back. It was remarkable to see Perry McDonald, the former Golden Gloves boxing champ from Louisiana, play center against the much taller Rony Seikaly for most of the game. Perry no longer had Reggie Williams or David Wingate with him. Perry was one of those players who could lose to anyone in "Horse," or a practice shoot around. He shot much better in big time situations especially when he was fouled or hit while shooting. Georgetown battled back to tie the game. In one of the most intense finishes of the Heart Attack Hoyas, Georgetown threw the ball directly into the post as they had done all day. Perry McDonald turned immediately into Rony Seikaly in the high post and banked in a 12 footer as the game ended. It was Syracuse's 10th straight loss in DC against Georgetown without a win. The Orange would break that streak the following season, but not on this night. It was evidence that if you gave John Thompson a few days to come up with a game plan, he and the Hoyas were almost unbeatable at home. Coach Boeheim has recently called the Georgetown-Syracuse rivalry during the 1980's as the greatest, most intense rivalry in college basketball history. When I heard him make this statement, I thought to myself: "Really! Bigger than Duke-Carolina or any other rivalry?" When I thought about Perry McDonald's game winning shot on February 13, 1988 in Landover, Maryland I realized he was right. When I saw Perry McDonald at the 100th anniversary of Georgetown Basketball in 2007 I enjoyed many Georgetown fans thanking Perry and telling him that the Syracuse Orange never want to see him again. Let's not forget it was a team effort by all of the Hoyas. Everyone on that team executed the game plan to perfection. Thanks for the memories--Heart Attack Hoyas!

We are Georgetown!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President--Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

If You're Lucky You'll Dream: A Lifetime on the Hilltop

We are only 30 days away from the arrival of new undergraduate students at Georgetown. I can still remember former GU President Tim Healey, S.J. saying, "If you're lucky, you'll dream. I remember Father Healey quoting Shakespeare where Caliban describes:

That if I then had wak'd after long sleep,

Will make me sleep again: and then in dreaming,

The clouds methought would open,

and show riches

Ready to drop me: that, when I wak'd,

I cried to dream again.

This summer, I have had the fortune of giving some GU tours to some prospective students. I made some new friends in London, UK including an incoming freshman. I have marvelled seeing Kenner Summer League Basketball games with the DC Hoya triplets: Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, and Jason Clark. I have enjoyed seeing the new Hoya freshman: Markel Starks, Nate Lubick, Moses Abraham, and Aaron Bowen bring energy and excitement to McDonough Arena. It reminded me of my student days as I often ran the floor at Yates Field House dreaming of throwing the alley-oop to Patrick Ewing and Michael Graham. I saw the movie tonight Inception for the second time, and was fascinated with their accounting of dreams. As I gave some campus tours this summer I could not get over the prospective students' fascination with the Exorcist steps. I was amazed today to realize we are at the 25th anniversary of the movie St. Elmo's Fire, that was not filmed on the Georgetown campus yet was fictitiously about some recent Georgetown graduates.

So, to all of my fellow Hoyas don't stop dreaming!

We are Georgetown! DC is our Playground!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President & Director of Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

DC Summer League BBall at Georgetown

DC Summer Basketball is something only New York City can rival. Seeing Chris Wright in McDonough reminds me of being at the Washington Metropolitan Basketball camp at St. John's College High School with counselors like DeMatha's Adrian Dantley. What games there must have been back in the time of John Thompson, Jr., Dave Bing, Austin Carr, and Elgin Baylor.

The Kenner League had a characteristic opening day with last minute schedule changes in full force. Please note that they have cancelled all games today on the 4th of July and have revised the schedule. The Tombs had a surprisingly easy time routing DCX in the second half behind Austin Freeman, and Hoya Frosh Markel Starks, and Moses Abraham. The out of town freshmen Nate Lubick and Aaron Bowen have not arrived yet. Former Kentucky freshman, and lottery pick DeMarcus Cousins provided additional inside strength to the Tombs. Mr. Cousins also played in the third game of the day with other Hoya standouts Julian Vaughn and Vee Sanford. Other Kenner League regulars Byron Mouton played in the first game, as well as "Coach Rodney" who coached in the third game with his signature passion.

So if you need your fix of basketball before Midnight Madness comes in 100+ days, please make your way to McDonough to see some summer league basketball. I know Chris Wright is anxious to get out on the court and have the referees throw out that opening jump ball: "Let's Play Ball." For the new updated schedule please go to: http://www.facebook.com/notes/hoya-hoop-club/updated-2010-kenner-summer-league-basketball-schedule/400041456121

***Please remember that the schedules change all the time! Have a great 4th of July 2010!

We are Georgetown!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President and Director of Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

The Greatest Game Ever Invented

We often forget during March Madness about all the hard work and conditioning that takes place during the summer and off-season. They call it the city game, but a quick look at the movie Hoosiers, reminds of the history of basketball and its roots in the heartland of America. The recent passing of Dennis Hopper, who plays Scooter in my favorite basketball movie Hoosiers, has played heavily on my mind. This past weekend that I spent in New York City, I was very saddened to hear about the passing of Coach John R. Wooden, one of the greatest coaches in history. I was very happy that Georgetown played in the last Wooden Classic attended by Coach Wooden this past year. My memories of meeting Coach as a young boy at the Washington Metropolitan Basketball camp at St. John's College High School is something I will never forget.

On my recent trip to London, I was fascinated by the passion for the sport of soccer in England. I was frequently corrected that I should call it futbol. When I asked my cab driver if he was excited about the Olympics coming to London in 2012, he told me that they really did not care. He was only concerned that London win the bid for the 2018 World Cup. The UK has not hosted the World Cup since 1966. It was with conviction that he told me that London was the best place in the World to host the World Cup. I was truly impressed with the love of the sport on my visit.

As I walked the streets of New York this weekend, I was reminded of the great love of baseball in New York. As you walk through the five boroughs of NYC you can feel the passion for America's Pastime. In fact at this very moment I am preparing to go to Nationals Stadium to see the major league debut of Steven Strasburg. However, my mind continues to drift towards summer league basketball. Indeed you can go out on many of the playgrounds of DC or New York and see some of the best basktball players in the world, like at Rucker Park. I will now make my case for basketball being the world's greatest game. Indeed it is a team sport that is truly the ultimate match-up sports where you can take advantage of individual match-ups. If you have a basketball and a court you can play a team game or one-on-one. Basketball requires tremendous hand-eye-coordination, and arguably the greatest amount of athleticism throughout the entire body. Indeed I concede that any declaration of the world's greatest sport is completely subjective, and this represents my own personal opinion. Indeed any argument for soccer, baseball, football, etc. is truly an exercise in what is pure and great about athletics.

I would like to make my last tribute to the great Coach John R. Wooden. People often forget that he grew up on a farm in Indiana. Indeed his life was the embodiment of integrity. Who can forget in the movie Hoosiers when Barbara Hershey tells coach Norman Dale that every basketball game her brother played was the most important thing that ever happened to her family, and that she just did not get it. If you come out to see the Kenner Summer League at McDonough Arena, and the 2010-11 Georgetown Basketball season you will experience why. My favorite scene in the movie has Dennis Hopper discussing basketball strategy with Gene Hackman telling him that he knows everything there is to know about "The Greatest Game Ever Invented!"

We are Georgetown!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President and Director of Communication

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

WJA Eye Exam Day III

I am proud to say for the third straight year I have had the privilege of organizing eye exams for the students at the Washington Jesuit Academy. If you are not familiar with the school please visit their website by clicking the link above. For those of you who strive for the Jesuit ideal of "Men and Women for Others," you will be truly inspired by a Day at the WJA . The WJA is a school formed under the auspices of the Society of Jesus to provide a quality, tuition-free education for disadvantaged middle school boys from low-income families. They provide a quality education for 11 months a year for 12 hour school days. I am still amazed at how wonderful and polite these students are. Two days before our "Eye Exam Day," I spent some time at the WJA with their school counselor, Ann Clark making sure we had our equipment ready, and that we had tables, extension cords, proper lighting, etc. for the day. I was truly touched to have a few of the boys come up to me and ask me if I was coming on Thursday to do their eye exams. When I said yes, it was great to see such wonderful smiles.

One of our partners for the day are the wonderful ladies from "The Prevention of Blindness Society of Metropolitan Washington ." I saw all of our regular volunteers, including my friends Marcy Babitz, and Barbara Terrace. Their group does the initial screening of the students including visual acuity, and provide a pair of free glasses to all of the boys. I also want to thank Lombart instruments for providing the visual acuity charts, and phoropter stands. My good friend from Lombart has been very helpful the last two years providing support for us. I always enjoy talking some Georgetown Basketball, with my good friend from Lombart, Mike Brown. Few people know that Mike was a former basketball player himself at the University of Massachusetts where he was a teammate of Louisville coach Rick Pitino, and former NBA superstar Julius Erving. I also want to thank my friend Greg Kloth from Marco Ophthalmics for providing us with a brand new autorefractor/non-contact tonometer for the screening and donating a used one to the WJA. I want to thank Drs. Christine King, Kevin King, and Mike Berhenaus for the use of their phoropters. Lastly, I want to thank my fellow colleagues from the Maryland Optometric Association, Drs. Lisa McGinn, John Burns, William Davis, and Charles Mitchell for volunteering and providing quality eye exams for the students. These four colleagues generously gave time out of their offices to make the day a success. This year we definitely had everything running smoothly, and none of the students had to wait as they progressed through the eye exams from the initial history and testing to the dilated fundus exams. Of the 23 students that we examined, we prescribed glasses to 22 of the students. Vision certainly is crucial to learning for these students.

I was truly thrilled to see the WJA's new 65 yard turf football/lacrosse field and new basketball courts. I truly cannot wait to return in a year, and hopefully during the year become more involved in the Washington Jesuit Academy. As Drs. Burns and Davis were new to the WJA, Ann Clark gave us a quick tour including a nice discussion with Mr. Robert Wassman who heads the WJA's reading program. I cannot name everyone but wanted to give a special mention to WJA President Bill Whitaker, and Ann Clark, Director of Counseling Services who I consider wonderful friends. I also want to mention my other friends at the WJA, Dawon Dicks, Merry Cavanaugh, Joe Powers, and Brian Ray. Lastly, I want to thank my friend Theresa DeGioia, the First Lady of Georgetown University for getting me invovled in the WJA. The school has really become a shining example of the Jesuit Ideal, "Men and Women for Others."

Dr. Thomas A. Wong (Georgetown College '82, Georgetown Prep '78)

Georgetown University Board of Governors

Director of Communications Hoya Hoop Club

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

The View from Table 16 at the Men's Basketball Banquet

It was with mixed emotions that I walked into the Leavey Center for the Men's Basketball Banquet 2010. The basketball season really flew by, and I am still experiencing withdrawals that will not end until the start of the Kenner Summer League. Just five days prior to the banquet, I got a chance to see Markel Starks, Nate Lubick, and Moses Abraham play in the Capital Classic. I know our future is bright. Greg Monroe's decision to enter the NBA draft left me both sad that he will be leaving, and happy for Greg's new opportunities. The HoyaNation is looking forward to following his NBA career. He will always be a Hoya, and loved on the Hilltop.

As I entered the ballroom I chatted with Hoyas Unlimited staff and fellow Georgetown alumni Ricky Schramm and Mara Vandlik. I could see that they had everything well prepared for the evening, as HHC President Al Bozzo, and Master of Ceremonies Joe Lonardo checked out the stage and microphones. As I stepped out to have a drink I met up with the Chvotkins: Rich, Evan, and Pam. We reminisced about the last time we were in the Leavey Center together, staying in the Georgetown Inn, and trudging through the blizzard to McDonough Gymnasium for the Old Dominion game. Who could forget all of the snowstorms of the 2009-10 season!

As we approached 7:00 PM, the players and coaches entered, and everyone slowly moved towards their tables. It always makes me proud to see how well our players and coaches are dressed--Proud to wear the Blue and Gray. It is always a special evening. After Joe Lonardo introduced the DAIS, Reverend William McFadden did the invocation. We then saw the first glimpse of the 2009-10 highlight film. That really got the crowd going. Two of my favorites were of course the Duke, and Villanova home games. Who could forget the Gray Out in front of President Obama, and VP Biden. The Hoyas rout of the Villanova Wildcats was certainly another highlight. I will never forget conquering the blizzard with another 12,000 plus Hoya fans to get to Verizon Center. However, my favorite game was Georgetown defeating the #1 ranked Syracuse Orange at the Big East Tournament in front of an electric crowd at Madison Square Garden. Indeed there were many great moments to the 2009-10 season.

It was entertaining to see each of the players "roasted" in good fun by assistant coach Matt Henry, as they each received their gifts and had their pictures taken. Dr. William Licamele, aka LicHoya, won the Anthony Fernicola Award for outstanding contributions to the Hoya Hoop Club and the Men's Basketball program. Congratulations to Bill, a great Hoya. Bill needs no further press on the internet as we all know! Coach JT III gave out two coaches awards to Ryan Dougherty, and Julian Vaughn. The cheerleaders, band, Hoya Blue, Hoyas Unlimited Staff especially Mara Vandlik for organizing the evening, were appropriately thanked. New Athletic Director Lee Reed received a warm welcome, as he mingled with the crowd through the evening.

As we completed our meal, our HHC Communications group at Table 16 had fun with Father Ray Kemp. It was great to have Father Kemp at our table as he has been a teacher and friend to many of our current and former Hoya basketball players. For those of you who know Father Kemp, he is always entertaining. The highlight of the evening for me though was JT III allowing Greg Monroe to speak. Greg was very gracious telling his teammates how much he loved them, and how he considered them to be family. He did break down and had to fight away the tears to tell us that these two years at Georgetown were the best years of his life. President DeGioia, coach JT III had said it earlier, but in his own way Greg Monroe had best summed up the emotions of the evening which can simply be stated as: "We Are Georgetown!"

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Vice-President Hoya Hoop Club-Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Capital Classic--The Post-Game Report

I believe the Capital Classic has found a home at Bender Arena on the campus of American University. I drove down Foxhall Road to Nebraska & Massachusetts Avenues to see High School basketball stars from across the country put on a show this April 15th for the 37th Annual Capital Classic. Having attended several Capital Classics in the past, I was impressed with the fierce competition on the floor. The game reflected the parity in college basketball today as Georgetown, Maryland, Duke, Villanova, et al had quality recruits playing. There was no Patrick Ewing, or LeBron James dominating the event. The first game with the DC All-Stars vs the US All-Stars was one of the best I have ever seen. Ray Gatling from Oxon Hill, and the combo of Justin Burrell, and Antonio Jennifer from Potomac High lost a closely fought game with the DC All-Stars. Denzel Primus-Devonish from St. John's, and Phillip Hawkins from Eastern HS led a very balanced attack from the DC All-Stars. It was one of the most competitive preliminary games I have ever seen. As we all know many a college star has been discovered in the preliminary game to the Capital Classic. Our own Brandon Bowman is just one example.

The transition between the two games was quick, and seamless. I got a chance to catch up with Rich and Evan Chvotkin between games. It always feels like home with Rich doing the announcing. The Capital Classic was a very entertaining game. As with most all-star games, the guards really dictated the game, and the offense was ahead of the defense. The Capital All-Stars started a very small line-up with Josh Hairston from Montrose Christian with four guards. Markel Starks showed great court-sense hitting from outside, and inside with slashing moves to the basket. When the second units came, in future Hoyas Nate Lubick and Moses Abraham battled against each other. Nate finished with eight points with some powerful inside dunks. Moses Abraham scored only two points but grabbed 6 rebounds and altered a few shots on defense. Both Nate and Moses impressed me with their ability to run the court, and their ability to bang on the boards. Florida State recruit Ian Miller, and Villanova recruit JayVaughn Pinkston led the US All-Stars with twenty-four points each. However it was local product and Hoya recruit Markel Starks from Georgetown Prep who won the MVP award. The HoyaNation looks forward to the new Capital Classic alumni Nate Lubick, Moses Abraham, and Markel Starks wearing the Blue and Gray as they arrive at the Hilltop!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Hoya Hoop Club Vice-President Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Capital Classic--The Tradition Continues

The Capital Classic has been a tradition for high school basketball in this area since 1974. It showcases a US All-Star team against the Washington Area's best high school players. Typically a few other players are added to the local roster. I remember growing up and hearing the stories, of Moses Malone, and Magic Johnson playing in the Capital Classic. I remember the excitement of Duke alumni prior to Coach K, as the top player in the nation, Gene Banks from West Philadelphia HS signed with the Blue-Devils and played in the Classic. I recall prior to my college days at Georgetown, the excitement in the DC area with the coming of Albert King to College Park, and the Capital Classic.

In my freshman year at Georgetown I remember talking my RA into helping me charter some GUTS buses to the Capital Centre. The end of the college basketball season had left us wanting to see more basketball. We were able to charter about 6 GUTS buses. As we sat in Healey circle, we talked about the just completed NCAA tournament, and then headed off to Landover, Maryland. It was one of the greatest Capital Classics ever as Ralph Sampson led the Capital All-Stars to a close victory over the US All-Stars led by Clark Kellogg (Ohio State), Sam Bowie (Kentucky), and Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins (the Human Highlight Film). In my sophomore year, the game was much less hyped, but a few of us still drove out to Capital Centre to see the Classic that featured future Celtic coach Doc Rivers. We all thought that we would never again see an event like the Ralph Sampson-Dominique Wilkins Capital Classic. Then came the 1981 Classic. Georgetown had already recruited a monster power forward Ralph Dalton, along with McDonald's All-Americans Bill Martin and Anthony Jones. Anthony Jones from DC Dunbar HS was the Washington Post Player of the Year and one of the primary targets of Dean Smith's UNC Tar Heels and every major college team. Hopes were high already for the 1981-82 Hoyas as in 1980 we had lost a close game to Iowa in the Elite 8. However, the big news came when Patrick Ewing, the most highly recruited HS player of that generation announced that he would attend Georgetown. Immediately the Capital Center was sold out. I gathered my old RA and freshman year floor-mates at Loyola (now LXR) to buy tickets for the game. We soon realized there were not enough GUTS buses to take all the students who wanted to go to the game. There were a few buses chartered and the Hoya students were on our way. I still remember the Capital All-Stars taking the court as Bill Martin, Anthony Jones, and Patrick Ewing did 360 dunks one after another. Little did I realize that seeing a late bloomer from North Carolina, Michael Jordan, have a break out game was a sign of things to come. Indeed Patrick Ewing was the MVP of the Capital Classic, and we all had seen the beginning of the Hoyas playing in three of four national championship games.

The Capital Classic has evolved over the years and has played in many different venues including the MCI Center, Smith Center, Patriot Center, Comcast Center, and Bender Arena. There are now many HS All-Star games across the country with the McDonald's All-American Game being the biggest. There have been many recent stars over the last few years including Shaquille O'Nell, and LeBron James who played in the last Classic at Verizon Center. After Michael Jordan parted ways with the Washington Wizards he took the now Jordan Brand Classic to NYC leaving Washington, DC. However, a group has kept the Capital Classic alive here. It is now a different event, but no other HS All-Star game can boast the tradition, and the alumni that the Capital Classic has. So if you have completed your taxes like I just did last night, and still long to see some good basketball head out to AU's Bender Arena on April 15th. For the HoyaNation we will see a glimpse of our future team as Markel Starks, Nate Lubick, and Moses Abraham take the court. Look for me as we lead the cheer of "Hoya Saxa!"

Remember to attend the Men's Basketball Banquet on April 20th at Georgetown University's Leavey Center. To register go to:https://alumni.georgetown.edu/default.aspx?Page=EVNTEventDetail&EventID=1918

For info on the Capital Classic go to:http://www.thecapitalclassic.com/site8.aspx

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Vice-President Hoya Hoop Club-Communications

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

One Shining Moment

Jennifer Hudson's New Version of One Shining Moment

Let the Hoya Madness Begin!

It seems like only yesterday when I was watching Kenner Summer League Basketball in McDonough. I spent many a summer night watching the Kenner league, as I have for many a year. Now after the Hoyas made a great run in the Big East Tournament, I found myself on the Acela train returning to DC to attend the NCAA Selection Show at Leo O’Donovan Hall with the Hoya faithful. It was quiet as I entered Leo’s and helped the Hoyas Unlimited staff place some Hoya towels, etc. on the tables. It was another great Selection Show. After missing the NCAA’s in 2009, the anticipation for the announcements ran high in the room. As we were making preparations, I had a nice chat with the chef at Leo’s a big Hoya fan himself!

The team slowly filtered into the room starting with Austin Freeman and Jason Clark. Next Chris Wright came followed by Greg Monroe and the rest of the team. Lastly, the coaches came in led by JT III. I had the opportunity to wish all of the coaches good luck in the NCAA’s. I also had brief chats with Austin, Chris, Jason, and Greg. I personally, was hoping for New Orleans, but we were sent to the Midwest Regional and Providence, RI. I sat in the corner watching the announcements with my HHC friends Rob Swain, and Art Yoon who came in from California. Seeing the Hoyas paired in the same draw with Ohio, Tennessee, and Ohio State brought out a surprised reaction from the crowd. Also, the Notre Dame matchup with Old Dominion caught the attention of our players. After the show ended the other students started to filter in for dinner. The players, coaches, and those who spent the week in NYC quickly left to catch up on some rest. The Hoyas Unlimited staff went back to their offices to begin travel plans. We all owe the Hoyas Unlimited & the rest of the Athletic Departments staffs a great deal of gratitude for their hard work in New York, and for the Selection Show.

I am hoping to see many Hoya fans in Providence. Our Hoya Hoop Club Communications team will be working hard in Providence to provide you with up-to-date information. Blogmaster John Hawkes will be joining me in Providence. I am still figuring out how the old NCAA office pools have evolved into this intense science of Bracketology? I will rely on my friends from Generations Burton and Roy to explain it to me. Well, I have my tickets, hotel, and flights all confirmed for Providence. It seems as if all the experts are calling the Midwest Region the most difficult region. That is okay, as we need to be ready to play any opponent. Any team in the NCAA tournament is an outstanding team. After all, it is March and that means Georgetown Time!

Good luck to our Georgetown Men’s Basketball Team!

We are Georgetown! Hoya Saxa!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

BET Finals 2010

The Friday night semifinals of the Big East Tournament are certainly an unparalleled event. I knew that I needed to get some rest and be prepared for the evening. I slept late until about 7:30 AM and then got all of my Facebook Big East Tournament work done over the next few hours. It was a little cold, and rainy but I met my friends the Lucey’s on the Upper East Side for breakfast. We then took a stroll along 57th Street. We ended up at America House visiting the Jesuits and former Georgetown President Leo O’Donovan, S.J. I felt better as I met the wonderful people at America House and Father O’Donovan gave us the blessing for the evening. As time was flying by I knew I needed to get to the Affinia for the Pep Rally. I ran into Sapporo East for a pre-game meal of Ramen Noodles and then stood out in the rain waiting for a cab. Our HHC Pep Rally was wonderful with the band, cheerleaders, and our Hoyas Unlimited staff doing a great job.

I will see fellow Hoya Fans tonight at our pre-game reception at Stout NYC from 6:00-8:30 PM Stout NYC is on West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue on the Uptown part of the street. Please come if you are in Manhattan. We need to get ready to make some noise at MSG tonight. The sound I want to hear echoing through the stairwells of Madison Square Garden-The World’s Most Famous Arena tonight is “Hoya Saxa.”

We are Georgetown

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

BET Semifinals 2010

The Friday night semifinals of the Big East Tournament are certainly an unparalleled event. I knew that I needed to get some rest and be prepared for the evening. I slept late until about 7:30 AM and then got all of my Facebook Big East Tournament work done over the next few hours. It was a little cold, and rainy but I met my friends the Lucey’s on the Upper East Side for breakfast. We then took a stroll along 57th Street. We ended up at America House visiting the Jesuits and former Georgetown President Leo O’Donovan, S.J. I felt better as I met the wonderful people at America House and Father O’Donovan gave us the blessing for the evening. As time was flying by I knew I needed to get to the Affinia for the Pep Rally. I ran into Sapporo East for a pre-game meal of Ramen Noodles and then stood out in the rain waiting for a cab. Our HHC Pep Rally was wonderful with the band, cheerleaders, and our Hoyas Unlimited staff doing a great job.

I will see fellow Hoya Fans tonight at our pre-game reception at Stout NYC from 6:00-8:30 PM Stout NYC is on West 33rd Street between 6th and 7th Avenue on the Uptown part of the street. Please come if you are in Manhattan. We need to get ready to make some noise at MSG tonight. The sound I want to hear echoing through the stairwells of Madison Square Garden-The World’s Most Famous Arena tonight is “Hoya Saxa.”

We are Georgetown!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Proud Member of Generation Ewing

Home Finale--Focus on Verizon Center

It seems like only yesterday that I was standing out in the rain in front of McDonough Gymnasium waiting for Midnight Madness to start. Playing in the Big East Conference is indeed like running a grueling marathon. In what was supposed to be a down year, the Big East has been as balanced and tough a conference as there is in the country. Yes, the Hoyas have had some thrilling victories, and some difficult losses. However, we now are in March, and everyone is hoping to catch fire at the end of the season. It is tempting to look to next week and the Big East Tournament in Madison Square Garden. Like the Frank Sinatra song, if you can make it there you can make it anywhere. I look forward to my trip next week to my second home, New York. However, looking to next week now would be a mistake. We have one big game left on Saturday, against a very physical, and talented Cincinnati team. It will be interesting to see the freshman phenom, Lance Stephenson of the Bearcats face the Hoya Triplets: Austin Freeman, Chris Wright, and Jason Clark. Please come out to Verizon Center and cheer on our Hoyas! We want some momentum going into next week’s tournament in New York.

As I mentioned in my last HHC Blog, we want to focus on making Verizon Center our House! We do not have any seniors on this team, so we need to come out and honor our team for playing their hearts out all season. Each one of us need to do everything we can to keep Georgetown fans only in the seats. It has been a long winter, so let’s finish the season right, and Rock the Verizon Center!

P.S. A Happy Belated Birthday to Dr. Bill Licamele (aka LicHoya)!

We are Georgetown!

Dr. Thomas A. Wong

Proud Member of Generation Ewing