The Hoya’s final issue of the academic year is set to hit stands in just hours, and the lead sports story is a feature on the relationship between the head lacrosse coach, Dave Urick, and his son and assistant coach, Scott. It got me thinking about some of my favorite sports features of the year. Since it’s 4 or so in the morning now, I’ll use a completely unscientific method of choosing… namely, whatever comes to my mind right now. Here we go…
Men’s Basketball
A Coach and A Player by Harlan Goode
Does it get any better than the story of our favorite coach and point guard? I don’t think so. Check out the entire basketball preview for some other excellent stories.
Big Man High by Bailey Heaps
When Roy Hibbert was in high school at Georgetown Prep, the Little Hoyas’ frontcourt consisted of Big Roy (7-foot-2), Davis Nwankwo (6-foot-9) and Aris Williams (6-foot-9). That’s a big trio for college — to say it’s enormous for high school may be an understatement.
At West Virginia, Mountaineering is a Full-Time Job by Harlan Goode
Okay, so technically it’s a column. But I find it hilarious how serious West Virginia is about the guy they dress up and give a gun (it’s a real one, apparently).
Men’s Lacrosse
Senior Climbs Lacrosse Mountain by Ryan Travers
Make sure to scroll through the pictures (click on them). As a backcountry ranger during the summer, Dan Vinson squats logs to stay in shape. One time while lifting at Georgetown, Vinson cracked his own head open with the bar. After he got stitches… he finished his lift.
Football
Heavy Metal and Hard Knocks by Harlan Goode (ok, last Harlan story, I promise)
Even though the football team wasn’t so hot this year, Harlan’s coverage showed up every week. In this feature, he details the rise of star Charlie Houghton.
Sailing
Light Winds Keep Georgetown Tacking to a Title by Fiore Mastroianni
Did you know the sailing team won a national title in 2006? Yeah, they’re pretty good. Fiore took a ride with Coach Mike Callahan and got the inside scoop at a sailing practice on the waters of the Washington Marina. Callahan is one of our favorite coaches at The Hoya; He likes to do interviews, he’s great at explaining the often confusing college sailing circuit, and he’s damn funny. I’m trying to think of an example of his humor, but the only ones I can think of are unfit to print. I’ll keep trying.
Track and Field
GU Jumps Out to Lead in Sprints by Dave Baran
Dave’s been doing a great job with the track and field beat this year. (He even traveled to Philadelphia this past weekend to cover the Penn Relays.) This may not be his best feature (like I said, it’s late and my method of choosing isn’t the best), but it’s about how the sprinters have finally become a force at Georgetown. Just a week later, the group of four he wrote about won the 4X100m at the Penn Relays. Yeah, Dave knows his track.
So that’s my list… at least until I think of any I’ve forgotten. What do you guys think? Are any of these busts? Did I leave off a great read?
— Kevin Wessel