hoya95
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,445
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Post by hoya95 on Oct 28, 2006 20:24:44 GMT -5
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 29, 2006 8:44:24 GMT -5
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 29, 2006 8:56:59 GMT -5
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Oct 29, 2006 9:11:42 GMT -5
can someone elaborate on his connection to Gtown? I know he went to games, and that JT was a Celtic, but nothing else.....
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KennaHoya
Century (over 100 posts)
Posts: 181
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Post by KennaHoya on Oct 29, 2006 9:13:32 GMT -5
After all his years with the Celtics, and after Feinstein's book, my most significant memory of Red Auerbach will be from this summer. I always try to catch at least one Kenner League game with the Tombs, just to see the Hoyas' freshman. This year I did catch one game, and I cannot remember much about the specific skills of Macklin, or Summers, or Rivers. But I do remember looking across the court and seeing Big John seated next to Red Auerbach. At first I did not recognize him, but it slowly dawned on me that it was Red, with JT II leaning over every now and then to say something to him, or to respond to one of his remarks. Red did not look well, but he was into the game; I recall wondering just how many years he had sat courtside, judging young talent. Even at 89, it was clear that this was what he loved to do.
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 29, 2006 9:24:21 GMT -5
can someone elaborate on his connection to Gtown? I know he went to games, and that JT was a Celtic, but nothing else..... I think it was more of a connection to Washington basketball in general, since he was a DC native (and commuted to Boston from DC while coaching the Celtics), but he was often a fixture on the baseline at Hoya games. The primary Hoya connection was through John Thompson, with whom he remained good friends through the years. www.hoyasaxa.com/sports/archives/archive0699.htmAuerbach's history of living in DC and commuting to Boston while coaching the Celtics is touched upon in this recent article about the father of one of the Hoya freshmen (linked somewhere in an earlier board thread): www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2006/10/01/family_doc/
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thebin
Diamond Hoya (over 2500 posts)
Posts: 3,848
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Post by thebin on Oct 29, 2006 9:27:39 GMT -5
thank you....
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Gold Hoya
Golden Hoya (over 1000 posts)
Posts: 1,578
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Post by Gold Hoya on Oct 29, 2006 10:52:42 GMT -5
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Post by StPetersburgHoya (Inactive) on Oct 29, 2006 12:54:13 GMT -5
I remember seeing Red in the stands and on the sidelines of Kenner League - you always got the feeling when you saw him that you were in the presence of greatness. He'll be missed.
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SirSaxa
Silver Hoya (over 500 posts)
Posts: 747
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Post by SirSaxa on Oct 29, 2006 13:16:29 GMT -5
As I understand it, Red's relationship with JT went back to -- at least -- JT's days as a High School star in DC, Red's home town.
Back in the day, each NBA team's first round draft pick was local/regional. That is, each team had first dibs on the best player in their region. After the first round, it opened up.
Red orchestrated JT's enrollment at Providence College because it was in Boston's Region. He knew he would be assured of getting to draft JT for the Celtics, which he later did.
JT only played a few years for Boston, but the relationship with Red -- and others -- was firmly cemented. JT left the Celts and moved to St. Anthony's HS in DC as the coach where he built a remarkably successful program.
When JT was hired by GU, the Celtic influence continued. During his very first season, it became apparent that things at Georgetown had changed significantly when Bill Russell walked into McDonough one night to catch a HOYA game. Russell got a standing "O". Red and JT maintained their friendship until Red's passing. I can only imagine how proud Red must have been when his protege became the first black coach to win the NCAA Basketball Championship with a standout center.
I can also only guess that Red has had a fair amount of influence on JT3 -- directly, and via the impact on Pops. I often think of this when people cite the two Hall OF Fame coaches from whom JT3 learned so much -- they mean Pops and Pete Carril. Perhaps Red should be listed as the third HOF coach in JT3's basketball family tree.
The Celtics were never my team, but you have to respect the tremendous job he did there, the way he changed the game, and the many former Celtics who went on to become very successful coaches.
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Post by Nitrorebel on Oct 29, 2006 15:43:03 GMT -5
A truly great man, a trailblazer, and an institution in DC. Will be greatly missed. Thoughts and prayers to the Auerbach family.
R.I.P.
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Post by 1984alloveragain on Oct 29, 2006 22:36:42 GMT -5
GOD rest his soul....Thanks for all the great memories...
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lichoya68
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
OK YOUNGINS ARE HERE AND ARE VERY VERY GOOD cant wait GO HOYAS
Posts: 17,438
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Post by lichoya68 on Oct 29, 2006 22:11:30 GMT -5
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 30, 2006 4:52:29 GMT -5
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 30, 2006 16:28:46 GMT -5
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Boz
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
123 Fireballs!
Posts: 10,355
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Post by Boz on Oct 30, 2006 16:46:06 GMT -5
can someone elaborate on his connection to Gtown? I know he went to games, and that JT was a Celtic, but nothing else..... It was either his grandniece or granddaughter, I can't remember which but it was one of the two. Anyway, she is a Hoya alum, 91 or 92, I think. So there's another small connection.
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 31, 2006 9:25:14 GMT -5
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Post by 37thstreet on Oct 31, 2006 10:16:50 GMT -5
Red is a GW alum and played his college ball there. He has been a GW season ticket holder forever. There is a seat in their gym painted red. He clearly has more ties to them. I wouldn't be suprised if they rename the gym or build a statue for him. He is clearly their most important basketball alum.
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DanMcQ
Moderator
Posts: 30,547
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Post by DanMcQ on Oct 31, 2006 10:23:44 GMT -5
What's your point, 37th? Nobody here would argue that Auerbach has more ties to GW. It's not a contest.
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SFHoya99
Blue & Gray (over 10,000 posts)
Posts: 17,743
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Post by SFHoya99 on Oct 31, 2006 10:38:37 GMT -5
Red is a GW alum and played his college ball there. He has been a GW season ticket holder forever. There is a seat in their gym painted red. He clearly has more ties to them. I wouldn't be suprised if they rename the gym or build a statue for him. He is clearly their most important basketball alum. You're correct he has more ties to GW, as he was an alum. Of course, it's pretty crass to turn this into a contest, isn't it? Seemed like a really great guy who couldn't get his fill of hoops, whether at GW, GU or some playground in DC.
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