231 Days of Waiting...100 Years in the Making

It has been 231 days since the Georgetown Hoyas last took the court, coming up just short of knocking off eventual-national champion Florida in the Sweet 16 in Minneapolis. Even with the appetizer provided by the Kenner League, which saw Roy Hibbert and Jessie Sapp's Clyde's team dominate the summer hardwood on their way to a league championship, every Hoya fan we've talked to is hungry for another season and another run at the Final Four.

The opening day of any Georgetown basketball season, but especially this 100th Anniversary year, is cause for almost giddy celebration: a combination of Christmas morning, your birthday, and your first love. How does the saying about love go--you'll always remember your first?

With the first game of the 100th Anniversary season of Georgetown basketball upon us, we've decided to look back on our "first time" as Hoya fans:

Steve T
12/04/93 vs. Villanova, 75-76(OT), Loss

The Hoyas were ranked, but were beaten by several teams who were starting good runs and would go on to have great years. Maryland with Joe Smith was the first one, the day after Thanksgiving. Villanova was another.

This was a likable, scrappy Hoya team with Joey Brown and Othella Harrington (Iverson would arrive the following year). But they took some early-season lumps. December 4, 1993 against Villanova was one.

Kerry Kittles, Eric Eberz and Jason Lawson kept the matchup with the Hoyas close for most of the game. USAir Arena was on the edge of its collective seat; a Villanova team with a losing record the previous year was seriously challenging a better Hoya team.

In the end, the game went into OT, where Villanova was up three with three seconds left. They unwisely fouled freshman Eric Micoud shooting a 1/2-court three pointer, but the freshman missed the third free throw.

Despite a dispiriting loss, you saw the beginnings of the scrap and grit that would carry that Hoya team to the NCAAs and to the Final of the Big East Tournament. Joey Brown and the Hoyas would fall in the end to Arkansas in the second round of the NCAA tournament; but the foundation was laid that year for a four-year run to the Big Dance. If you could take a positive from a loss ... that team might not have been as talented, but showed the heart that it would need to reach the Dance four consecutive times (94-97) with that core.

Steve M
My first game was during Michael Sweetney's final (junior) season as a Hoya. Before the regular season opener against Grambling there was a well-attended preseason tune-up against Latvia Select. I am always curious as to exactly how the foreign traveling teams that scrimmaged many NCAA Division I men's basketball teams (before the NCAA changed its rules regarding pre-season games) were "selected." Let's say the selection of this Latvian team was especially suspect. The crowd was treated to its first game with Brandon Bowman in the starting line up. Not prominently featured was Drew Hall's heir-apparent, #21 Ashanti Cook, who would later miss a good portion of his freshman year with a bum ankle. I don't even remember what the final score was - I'd say something like Hoyas 120ish Latvia "Select" 20ish. I came to the Hilltop knowing about the history of Georgetown Basketball, but after seeing it in person, I was hooked.

John
Rough transcript of a phone conversation between my mother and I on the morning of December 20, 2000, prior to the first MCI Center game of my freshman year.

Mom: Hey John! What's going on?

Me: Well, I screwed up my ankle pretty bad playing ultimate Frisbee last night.

Mom: How bad is it?

Me: Really bad, it's about twice the normal size, I can't put weight on it, and I couldn't stand up in the shower this morning...I think I'm going to go to the hospital and have it X-rayed, it might be broken.

(pause)

Mom (incredulous): You're not going to miss the game are you?

Fifteen minutes later and wearing only one shoe, I was on a school bus headed downtown for my first game at the MCI Center. After hopping on one leg through the concourse past the "Dress Your Dog" sign for the first time, I spent the bulk of the game with my leg propped up on a railing--it remains the only time I've been seated during a Georgetown basketball game at the MCI/Verizon Center. The Hoyas defeated Howard 123-90, setting an all-time record for most points scored in a game against a Division I opponent. My injury turned out to be a severe sprain, which I fully recovered from about two weeks later.

....

Whether it's your first time or your five-hundredth time at a Hoya basketball game, here's some information to get you ready for Saturday's season opener.

BEFORE THE GAME
Hoya Hoop Club members can get a sneak peak at the new official 100th Anniversary merchandise! Trust us, we've seen the shirt and hats, and they are MUST HAVE items for the basketball season. All Hoop Club members are invited to the merchandise rollout and pre-game social at the Acela Club in the Verizon Center beginning at 11:00am. To get to the Acela Club, use the "Administrative" entrance on 7th and G streets, and take the escalator to the club level, floor 2.

DURING THE GAME
Speaking of shirts, every Hoya Hoop Club member and Georgetown fan should make sure to contribute to the Sea of Gray at the Verizon Center by wearing your official "We Are Georgetown" shirts. This year's slogan: 100 YEARS OF HOYA HOOPS. THE TRADITION CONTINUES.

There are several ways to get your hands on a new WAG shirt:

1. Click on the pop-up ad that appears when you arrive at GUHoyas.com

2. Go directly to the ordering page: http://guhoyas.cstv.com/ot/we-are-gtown-shirts.html

3. Order by phone at (202) 687-2449

4. Come by the McDonough ticket window during normal business hours.

WAG shirts will be sold at the Verizon Center this year; however, they will NOT be available at the Hartford game.

In addition to showing your support for the Hoyas, you'll also be showing your support for Hoya Blue, who will be getting a portion of the proceeds from online shirt sales.

THE ACTUAL GAME
The Hoyas open up the 2006-2007 campaign against the Hartford Hawks (who John thinks have the best nickname in Division I basketball). Last year, the Hawks finished the regular season with an overall record of 13-15 and a mark of 9-7 in the America East Conference, good for a third-place tie. This year, under new Head Coach Dan Leibovitz, a former assistant to John Chaney at Temple, Hartford is picked to finish last out of nine teams in the conference by America East coaches.

AFTER THE GAME
Be sure to check out two new websites after you get home:

1. The new interactive 100th Anniversary website, which will feature articles, photos, and countless memories from 100 years of Hoya basketball. In addition, fans will have the chance to vote for the Georgetown All-Century Team to be announced at the 100th Anniversary celebration on February 10th at the Verizon Center when Georgetown meets Marquette. Check out the announcement about the website rollout here: http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/110706aab.html

2. The new and constantly improving Hoya Hoop Club website here: http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/hoops-club.html

More specifically, be sure to check the Events Page here: http://guhoyas.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/hoya-hoop-club-activities.html in the coming days, as the Hoop Club Gamewatch locations in the DC Metro area and cities across the country are added in advance of the Vanderbilt game Wednesday night.

Happy 100th Anniversary to everyone! Here's to an historic season!

Hoya Saxa!!!

John Hawkes (F'04), Steve Medlock (F'06), and Steve Thomas (F'97)