Alumni Game A Big Success!

Once again, I want to thank all of the former BC men’s basketball players, coaches and their families for coming to our Alumni Game (Even years vs. Odd years) following the football game this past Saturday.

It was a close game that came down to the end with the ODD years defeating the EVEN years. Brad Williamson ’85 drained several 3-pointers, Ashley Watson ’93 is still jumping out the gym (yes, he can still dunk) and Dan Shomo ’97 showed off some nice post moves on the right block for a few points. Jay Strotman ’06 dropped a few “dimes”, Kris “Bulldog” Cecil ’09 was running the point for his squad and Michael Oblitey ’10 got two dunks on the fastbreak off of the VERTICAL (wow)!

Also, I want to thank coach Alvin Green, coach Tim Meyers and my wife Stephanie for all of their help behind the scenes to make this event successful.

We had a GREAT turnout that included Coach Leatherman and Coach Bobby Stevens ’74 (still Top 5 in assists at BC with 342), Lindsay Woolfolk '59, Jim Ellis ’67, Jim Upperman ’68 (BC's all-time leading scorer with 2,237 points), Wes Allen ’76, Tom Wright ’76 (BC's all-time leading rebounder with 1,112 boards), Brad Archer ’89, Craig Shoemaker ’90, Derek Hodge ’92, Matt Stevens ’02 and Matt Ross ’10.

Former players who played included Brad Williamson ’85, Ashley Watson ’93, David Brimmer ’94, Dan Shomo ’97, Jay Strotman ’08, Kris Cecil ’09, Rob Rice ’09, Matt Drewer ’09, Andrew Cathlin ’09, Segar Jordan ’10, Dominic Trawick ’10, Michael Oblitey ’10, Drew Maynard ’11, Mark Gibbs ’11, Justin Brake ’11 , Rick Maloney ’11 and Kyle Hammond ’11.

Next year please mark your calendar as we will have our second (Even vs Odd) Alumni game during the Homecoming weekend following the football game. I hope for this event to evolve for ALL of our BC former basketball players and their families to participate in some capacity. This is YOUR and OUR program!

Below you will see a couple photos from the event. Teammates and families had an opportunity to catch up on old times. We also had old uniforms, yearbooks and media guides on display. It was a sight to see how the game shorts have changed over the years.

Go EAGLES!

Coach Burgess

The Season Is Almost Here!

A couple of more days and our 2011-12 season officially begins. We will have our first official tryout on October 15th before the football game. Our lone senior Cody (Cooter) Griffith just stopped by the office and is just excited as the coaching staff (Tim Meyers and Alvin Green) is about the upcoming season. I will speak more about the team in my next blog once our roster is finalized after tryouts.
It has been an eventful past few weeks for the Burgess family and the men’s basketball program. My father and I were inducted into the Harrisonburg High School Hall of Fame along with eight other quality young men and women. I am truly honored and humbled by the selection to go into the Hall of Fame and entering the HOF with my dad leaves me speechless.
Also, Mark Gibbs ’11 got married to Erin Cartwright ’10 (a former BC Lacrosse player) and my wife and I attended. It was a beautiful wedding filled with lots of love and in attendance were several BC alums as well as several former student-athletes. I wish the couple much happiness!!!
Earlier this week, Coach Willi and I spoke at the Shenandoah Valley Athletic Club dinner which is an engagement I look forward to attending each October. The Club does a great job of supporting all of the athletes from each of the local colleges and high schools in the area. If you have not attended one of the dinners of the SVAC, you should.
This weekend is Homecoming weekend at BC. The Hall of Fame banquet is on Friday the 14th. Congratulations to all of the inductees and their families. Coach Bill Leatherman is being inducted on Friday and I am looking forward to seeing him and all of the former BC basketball players. On Saturday after the football game we will have an ALUMNI GAME beginning at 4 p.m. in Nininger Hall. I want to invite folks to come over after the football game and enjoy visiting with the alums.
Signed up to play are Brad Williamson ’85, Sean O’Connell ’85, Ashley Watson ’93, Jacobie Napier ’06, Kris Cecil ’09, Rob Rice ’09, Matt Drewer ’09, Matt Ross ’10, Segar Jordan ’10, Dominic Trawick ’10, Michael Oblitey ’10, Drew Maynard ’11, Mark Gibbs ’11, Justin Brake ’11, Rick Maloney ’11 & Kyle Hammond ’11. We are still looking for others to play.
Even if you are not interested in playing please stop in the gym to fellowship with your fellow teammates.
Best of luck to all of the BC teams competing this weekend.
GO EAGLES!!!!!