weekend update...

ON DECK -- 10-22.

Deli ticket -- thanks Maggie.

Freshman Catholic League football in the rain: LaSalle at Msgr. Bonner with DC.

For those of you who must suffer like I do with the inferior South Jersey church architecture... the Church of the Gesu is your panacea.

Timothy Lannon, SJ was everywhere this weekend, at the Prep as longtime SJU professor Joseph Feeney, SJ. Teron Dow with Father and David Sauter, SJ Award winner Armando Martinez. Speedy Morris was also honored with the Charles Schnorr, SJ Award and was introduced by former Hawk player and coach John Griffin, whom Morris coached at Roman Catholic.

I know a little bit about the Jesuits and Ignatian spirituality but I heard perhaps the best speech on the subject, in both content and delivery, by Tony Braithwaite. If I get my hands on a copy I will include it in the blog.

Hagan Arena Dedication brings together Hawk history

The Saint Joseph's University community ushered in a new era in Hawk hoops with the unveiling of the new Michael J. Hagan, '85, Arena Saturday night in a celebration of both the new facility and 100 years of basketball at St. Joe's.

The guest list featured a number of former players and coaches, including Dr. Jack Ramsay, '49, Mike Bantom, '73, Susan Moran, '02, Tyrone Barley, '04, and Chet Stachitas, '06, and was highlighted by a Parade of Decades with players and family members representing each decade of St. Joe's basketball dating back to World War II. The celebration was led by Master of Ceremonies Neil Hartman of Comcast SportsNet, who was assisted by St. Joe's Assistant Vice President of Marketing Communications and color commentator Joe Lunardi, '82. Donors such as Denise and Mike McNulty, '85, Tom Wynne, '63, and Paul Hondros, '70, Chairman of the St. Joe's Board of Directors, were also in attendance.

Among the speeches given to commemorate the occasion were those given by Bantom, Moran, St. Joe's Athletic Director Don DiJulia, University President Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., and Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell. The night culminated with a blessing by Lannon, and a ribbon cutting, which officially marked the arena open for business.For more pictures, check out our blog at www.hawksports.wordpress.com.

Hawk Hill Hardwood: Hagan Dedication Recap

The dedication ceremony began just after 5 o'clock with a video commemorating 100 years of Hawk hoops. The video paid tribute to individual and team accomplishments of both players and coaches. From the Mighty Mites to Dr. Jack to Jameer, the video highlighted the accomplishments of the basketball programs, both men's and women's, over their time here on Hawk Hill.

The Phanatic Magazine: St. Joe's dedicates Hagen Arena over the weekend

A "Parade of Decades" took to the court, with representatives of each decade beginning with the 1930s. Leading the way as Grand Marshal was the legendary voice of sports, Jack Whitaker '47. Former men's players in the procession were: Matt Guokas III '92 (representing his grandfather, Matt Guokas, Sr.), Jack McEnroe '48, Jack Carney '49 and John Conway'75 (representing his son Bill Conway '43); Dan Dougherty '57 and Margaret Engelbert (representing her husband Kurt Engelbert '57); Joe Spratt '59; Harry Booth '62, Steve Courtin '64 and Steve Donches '66; Dan Kelly '70 and Pat McFarland '73; Geoff Arnold '86, Rodney Blake '88 and Tess Boyle '84 (representing her husband Jim Boyle '64); Rap Curry '95 and Mark Bass '96; Tyrone Barley '04 and Chet Stachitas '06.

Mike Hagan speaks while Dave Dorsey, former SJU Alumni Director, poses on the Hawk.

The rest... sheepdogs named O'Malley and talking great Philly b-ball legends: Herb Magee, Speedy Morris, Lefty Ervin and Soapy Guest ;-)