1969-70 Men's Basketball Team Honored

On Sunday, January 23, 2005 before the GU-Notre Dame game, the Hoya Hoop Club celebrated the accomplishments of the 1969-70 Men's Basketball Team. Over the past several years, the Hoop Club has recognized the accomplishments of former teams and players and invited them back to play a role in the current program. Overall, this team won 18 of 24 regular season games, which included a record of 12 wins and one loss at home. The 18 victories also marked the most wins in a single season in 23 years. The 69-70 squad earned Georgetown's firstee post-season bid since 1953 making the then very prestigious NIT tournament. The team lost in the first round to Pete Maravich and the LSU Tigers 83-82. In the NIT game, Georgetown's defense held Pistol Pete Maravich who averaged 44 points per game to just 12 points. This was the most successful season under the coaching tenure of Jack Magee. The team upset 13th ranked Columbia at home, marking Georgetown's first victory over a Top 20 opponent in six years. The team averaged 80.4 points per game, which is still among the highest season scoring averages in Georgetown history.

Several members of this historic team came out to brunch with over 150 hoop club members the morning of January 23 at the Acela Club in MCI Center. Hoya Hoop Club President Michael Karam and Interim Director of Athletics welcomed the team back and presented them with a citation. The team was later again honored during a timeout at the game. A special thanks goes out to John Reagan who helped sponsor this great day.

Georgetown Baseball Kicks off 2005 Season with First Pitch Dinner

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The Georgetown University baseball team held its inaugural First Pitch Dinner on Friday, January 28 at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Va. More than 125 alumni, friends, and family of the Georgetown baseball program came out to help the Hoyas kick off their 2005 season.

The evening featured four speakers and was highlighted by the keynote address of Terry Francona, the manager of the World Champion Boston Red Sox. Mike Barnicle, a well- known print and broadcast journalist, served as the emcee for the dinner and kept the crowd laughing. The night also featured special guest Mickey Vernon who won two American League batting titles in 1945 and 1953. The crowd was treated to home videos of Vernon playing in the MLB.

Georgetown Head Baseball Coach Pete Wilk spoke about the Hoya baseball program, noting the progress they have made over the last five years. The program is coming off its best season in 19 years, has increased the size of the coaching staff, has expanded its recruiting and an annual spring break trip is now a reality. Wilk also emphasized the importance of alumni contributions to the program as a method of continual development and improvement of the program.

Tom Walter, a 1991 graduate of Georgetown?s Business School and current head baseball coach at University of New Orleans, gave a different perspective on the Georgetown baseball program. As a Georgetown baseball alum, Walter noted how important it is for the student-athletes to have a positive experience with Georgetown baseball because those are the memories which they will remember forever. Walter added that Georgetown is now competitive with any team, and he truly believes the Hoyas can become an elite team in the BIG EAST with an increased level of support by the alumni. He emphasized that the time to help springboard Georgetown baseball to be the best it can be is now.

Francona capped the night with one clear message: obstacles can be overcome. Francona reminisced about his days in the Major Leagues as a journeyman, enduring 12 surgeries and playing for six teams. He said he always tried to stay true to himself during that time, and knew that when his playing days were over, and his coaching career began. Francona spoke about the days of being the Philadelphia Phillies manager in the 1990's, those were times of learning and gaining confidence, despite being faced with various challenges. He expanded into his days in Boston, and experiencing the passion of Red Sox Nation. Francona spoke about his recent World Series victory, and overcoming the impossible to beat the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series. Francona emphasized how important communication within a team is, how becoming 25 guys with one goal, and how remaining positive and never doubting yourself can result in achieving the unimaginable.

Wilk and his team presented Francona with a Georgetown baseball jersey with the #16, the first number Francona wore as a player.

Baseball Alumnus Steve Iannini Inducted into Georgetown Hall of Fame

On Friday, October 1, the Georgetown Diamond Club hosted a baseball alumni reception to honor 2004 Hall of Fame inductee Steve Iannini (C'85). More than 75 alumni, friends, and family of Georgetown Baseball turned out to honor Steve, catch up with old teammates, and talk about the Hoya Nine.

Steve Iannini was a two-time All-America selection, ECAC-South player-of-the-year, a Big East all-star, and a four-time NCAA all-region selection. He captured the NCAA batting crown in 1984. Steve's .447 career batting average is still the highest all-time four-year average in NCAA baseball history. Twice named the team's most valuable player, Steve set 13 career batting records at Georgetown. His record of 179 (of 195) stolen bases still stands. In each of his four years, Steve and his teammates won 20 or more games, and in 1985, set the all-time record for wins in a season with 31.

Steve told a few old stories, thanked everyone for coming, and expressed his gratitude to Georgetown for the great honor of being inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Diamond Club President Tom Elliot ('71) kicked off the speaking portion with a tribute to Steve and by thanking all the alums for their support of Hoya baseball.

Among the surprise guests was former Hoya Head Coach Ken Kelly. Coach Kelly spoke about recruiting Steve to come to Georgetown, and how grateful he was for his time on the Hilltop. Alumni Kurt Kaull ('83), a Hall of Famer, Chris DeMarco ('84) and Tom Walter ('91) also each made remarks to the group. Beyond sharing tales of their time at Georgetown, all three called for the baseball alumni to take a vested interest in the current program. They saw this reunion as the starting point for the future of an active group of baseball alumni.

Current Head Coach Pete Wilk spoke about the current team, coming off their best season since 1985 and presented Steve with an engraved bat marking his Hall of Fame induction.

Other alumni who came back for this special night for Georgetown Baseball included Michael Lombardi ('04), who currently plays in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system.

The following night, Saturday, October 2, Hoyas Unlimited and the Georgetown Alumni Association hosted the formal Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner. Steve and four other outstanding former student-athletes were officially inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame. Steve was the fourth athlete in the modern era of Georgetown baseball to be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Georgetown Inducts Five Into Athletic Hall of Fame

On Saturday, October 2, 2004, the Georgetown University Alumni Association and Hoyas Unlimited hosted the 17th Georgetown Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Dinner. Steve Iannini (C'85), Brian McNelis (C'84), Justine Metz (B'88), Pia Palladino (C'83), and Mark Stuart (B'60) were officially inducted into the Hall of Fame during the ceremony.

More than 250 alumni, friends and family of Georgetown Athletics attended the induction ceremony held in the Leavey Center Ballroom on the campus of Georgetown University. Chairman of the Hall of Fame committee Rory Quirk (C'65, G?', L'80) served as the evening?s emcee, reading aloud the inductee's Hall of Fame citations. University President John J. DeGioia (C'79, G'95), Interim Athletic Director Adam Brick (B'86, L'90) and Alumni Association President Mark Siskin (F'71) participated in the induction ceremony. President DeGioia also spoke, giving the closing remarks for the evening.

Steve Iannini, College Class of 1985, is considered by many to be the best player in Georgetown baseball history. A two-time All-American, Iannini holds 11 Georgetown all-time records, including a .447 career batting average and 179 (of 195) stolen bases. As a junior, he won the NCAA batting title with a .470 average and stole 49 (of 54) bases, finishing second in the nation in that category. His Georgetown teams set seven all-time records that still stand, including wins in a season with 31 in 1985.

Justine Metz, Business Class of 1988, was dominant at net for the Georgetown volleyball team from 1984-88. After suffering an injury that forced her to miss most of her freshman season, as a sophomore Metz recorded a team-high 70 solo blocks and pounded 288 kills, the second highest on the team. Metz helped lead the Hoyas from their worst record in school history to their then-best in 1987 with a 22-10 record. The Hoyas? all-time leader in blocks with 225, Metz recorded 92 blocks during the 1986 and 1987 seasons. Justine was a 1987 Academic All-American.

Brian McNelis, Class of 1984, is one of the greatest 800 meters runners in Hoyas history. McNelis earned All-American honors in both the indoor and outdoor 800 meters. A two-time BIG EAST Champion, McNelis also earned All-American honors in 1981 on the two-mile relay. He was a member of two relay teams that won titles at the Penn Relays, including the distance medley that ended Villanova's 16-year domination of the event. A Robert A. Duffey Scholar-Athlete for excellence in academics and athletics, McNelis graduated from Georgetown's School of Medicine in 1988.

Pia Palladino, College Class of 1983, helped to put Georgetown women?s track and field on the map. Palladino became Georgetown's first female cross country All-American when she finished fifth at the NCAA Championships as a freshman. She took seventh at the National Championships in the outdoor 5,000 meters as a junior for her second All-America honors. Palladino is the only female three-time recipient of the Rev. Edmund Bunn Memorial Award given to the Outstanding Cross Country Runner and was awarded the Robert A. Duffey Scholar-Athlete award for excellence in academics and athletics as a senior.

Mark 'Buddy' Stuart, College Class of 1960, played in the number one position for the golf team throughout his Georgetown career and qualified for the Intercollegiate Championships in each of those years. At the1959 Eastern Intercollegiate Golf Association Championship, Stuart led the Hoyas with a 153 and finished tied for sixth place. A two-time captain, Stuart qualified for seven U.S. Amateurs, including three while a Georgetown student. He is a three-time recipient of the John Burke Memorial Trophy, awarded to Georgetown's most outstanding golfer.

Established in 1953, the Hall of Fame, under the auspices of the Georgetown University Alumni Association, recognizes the very best from the annals of Georgetown Athletics. Over 218 athletes, coaches, and athletic administrators have been inducted and all members are recognized in the prominent southwest gallery of the Leavey Center.

Hoya Hoop Club Reception to Meet Coach Thompson

On June 24, the Hoop Club held a special reception to introduce new head men's basketball coach John Thompson III. More than 100 Hoop Club members gathered in the McDonough Trophy Lobby to meet Coach Thompson, and enjoy food and beverages courtesy of the Hoop Club. Coach Thompson mingled among the guests before holding a question and answers session and getting the members excited for the upcoming season.