- Wilson Ruled Ineligible, Boumtje-Boumtje Injured
- Midnight Madness Highlights
- Thompson Inducted Into Hall of Fame
| Wilson Ruled Ineligible, Boumtje-Boumtje Injured | 10/18/99 |
Freshman center Wesley Wilson has been declared ineligible for the 1999-2000 season, according to a press release issued from Georgetown.
The NCAA Clearinghouse, which certifies high school transcript for a player's eligibility, did not give Wilson final certification by the onset of practice, leaving GU no choice but to sit the 6-11 freshman as a result. Wilson will also be barred from practicing with the team through the end of the season.
"We’ve looked into it carefully and exhausted our options," head coach Craig Esherick said. "We will simply have to be patient and wait until next season."
It's the third time in five seasons that the NCAA Clearinghouse has held back a Georgetown player for their freshman year. Center Jameel Watkins sat in 1995-96, while guard Anthony Perry sat in 1997-98. For Wilson, he'll be on the court in the fall of 2000.
"What I will tell Wesley is keep working hard, keep lifting weights, try to stay focused" Perry told the Washington Post in the link below. "Keep your academics up...keep doing the things that got [you] here."
In another damaging blow to the front line, Coach Esherick told the Washington Post Monday night that junior center Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje is suffering from a toe injury which may keep him out of the Maui Invitational.
"Ruben should be 100 percent by the first week in December," Esherick told the Post. Asked if Boumtje-Boumtje could play in a limited role by Nov. 22, when the Hoyas play Memphis, Esherick acknowledged it was theoretically possible, but added "right now, I'd say more no than yes."
| Midnight Madness Highlights | 10/16/99 |
The first "Midnight Madness" of the Craig Esherick era was greeted with lasers, a fog machine, and nearly 2,500 raucous students and alumni who packed McDonough Gymnasium Friday night.
The event featured an assortment of pre-event contests, music, and speeches, including a boisterous pep talk by head football coach Bob Benson that rallied the crowd before the arrival of the men's and women's teams.
The women's and men's players were each introduced to cheers from the crowd. Any "practice", though, was extremely limited--aside from some layups and a few weave drills, a three point exhibition among men's and women's players was the highlight of the 30 minute session.
Making early impressions were guard Demetrius Hunter, with a pair of nice dunks, as well as forward Courtland Freeman and guard Jason Burns.
Coach Esherick's comments were brief and low-key. Esherick thanked the students for attending and noted that he didn't want to see anyone drive home, a reference to the all-day block party on campus earlier on Friday.
John Thompson was seen in attendance at the event, but did not participate in any activities.
More substantive practices are now underway for the first exhibition game on Sunday, October 31 versus the Army team from Ft. Hood, TX. Congratulations to the Department of Athletics and Hoya Blue for organizing and executing a well received event.
| Thompson Inducted Into Hall of Fame | 10/2/99 |
An emotional John Thompson spoke to fans, friends, and fellow Basketball Hall of Fame enshrinees at ceremonies this past weekend in Springfield, Massachusetts.
"Patrick [Ewing] told me, 'Don't cry.' I can't help it. I want to say thank you to all of you."
A large number of former players made the trip to Springfield to see Thompson join the ranks of basketball's immortals, and were joined by many of Thompson's long time friends such as Red Auerbach, Dave Gavitt, and Dean Smith.
The Washington Post also weighed in on the changing nature of John Thompson over the past year. Both columns are recommended reading:
Thomas Boswell: "On The Air, Thompson Still Is Making Waves"
Michael Wilbon: "A Celtic's Soul, a Hoya's Heart"
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