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Georgetown Basketball: December 1998 News Archive

Long: Still Ineligible 12/30/98

A news release obtained by the Washington Post confirmed that Shernard Long's academics this past semester are insufficient for his return. According to the Post link below, Long "is not eligible and is out indefinitely."

This does not mean that Long has flunked out or has decided to transfer. But given a full semester to perform in the classroom and to step back into a leadership role for this team, he apparently did neither--and for that Thompson is justifiably frustrated. It appears that Shernard Long has missed a great opportunity, on and off the court.

Hoyas: 1998 In Review 12/30/98

In a major feature in the Dec. 30 Washington Post, veteran writer Ken Denlinger examines the state of the Hoyas in 1998. Denlinger paints a picture of a team eroded by transfers, injuries and a lack of impact recruiting. "It's the big men. They don't have real good ones," said a recruiting analyst who asked for anonymity. But while you may think you're reading a eulogy, the writer notes the impact of Georgetown's renewed recruiting efforts, the spark attributed to Ronny Thompson's arrival, and a feeling among the coaching fraternity that the elder Thompson is catching a second wind.

"He could be there for another 10 years," said Syracuse's Jim Boeheim, who will likely be around another 10 years himself.

No Hoya fan likes to see this team's RPI alongside that of Arkansas-Little Rock or Lafayette, to struggle past Bethune-Cookman, or to be labeled an also-ran before the first of the new year. But for however much we want to return the swagger to Blue and Gray Basketball and to let people know why this program is worth our time and our passion, remember that John Thompson wants it even more.

Millen Talks About His Problems 12/2/98

What was Kevin Millen thinking?

Here's a link to the Washington Post with an interview with Millen, and those around him who wonder what is going wrong with him right now.

"He's become obsessed that the university did not do enough for him," said a family friend, speaking to the Post. "But the university has no other obligation to him. Now he's got to knuckle under and get gainfully employed and make it in the real world."

Georetown Grad Rates Among Nation's Best 12/2/98

This quote from the Associated Press:

"According to NCAA statistics released during the weekend, 57 percent of Division I athletes who were freshmen in 1991 had graduated by 1997... Among big-time athletic schools, Duke and Georgetown showed particularly well. Of the 71 freshman athletes who enrolled at Duke in 1991, 97 percent graduated -- 5 percentage points better than the student body. At Georgetown, 92 percent of athletes and 89 percent of students in general got their degrees."

Dec. 1- This article discusses the annual report on NCAA graduation rates among student athletes, a report that Georgetown has long excelled in. Here's the top ten in Division I from the NCAA report cited by USA Today:

1. Xavier (I-AAA): 67% all students, 100% student athletes
2. Howard (I-AA): 54% all students, 100% student athletes
3. UNC-Asheville (I-AAA): 45% all students, 100% student athletes
4. Duke (I-A): 92% all students, 97% student athletes
5. Manhattan (I-AAA): 73% all students, 96% student athletes
6. Lehigh (I-AA): 81% all students, 94% student athletes
7. San Francisco (I-AAA): 61% all students, 92% student athletes
8. Georgetown (I-AA): 89% all students, 92% student athletes
9. William & Mary (I-AA): 89% all students, 90% student athletes
10. Dayton (I-AA): 71% all students, 89% student athletes

The Division I classification is listed with each school; "I-AAA" refers to a school without college football. The figures are for scholarship athletes only and transfers are counted against a school's total. More information on the top 10 and the bottom 10 can be found at this link.

Here are the totals among Big East schools:

Georgetown: 92% student athletes vs. 89% all students
Notre Dame: 88% student athletes vs. 93% all students
Villanova: 84% student athletes vs. 86% all students
Providence: 82% student athletes vs. 83% all students
Boston College: 71% student athletes vs. 85% all students
Seton Hall: 71% student athletes vs. 64% all students
Rutgers: 66% student athletes vs. 73% all students
St. John's: 66% student athletes vs. 64% all students
Syracuse: 65% student athletes vs. 69% all students
Pittsburgh: 64% student athletes vs. 61% all students
Connecticut: 62% student athletes vs. 68% all students
West Va.: 54% student athletes vs. 54% all students
Miami: 46% student athletes vs. 58% all students

 

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