Anthony Francavilla

Sports

Sports Sermon

In 1983, ABC sports commentator Howard Cosell shocked the country during a Monday Night Football telecast when he referred to an African American player as a “little monkey.” Cosell had used the phrase before to refer to both white and black players who were smaller and quicker than others, but the backlash from this particular broadcast caused Cosell to resign from his position. Nearly a quarter-century later, controversial sports commentary has once again hit the news. But this most recent comment, made by radio personality Don Imus, has a much clearer intention than Cosell’s slip-up.

By April 12, 2007

Sports

Sports Sermon

Throughout this storybook basketball season, Georgetown has shown again and again the importance of team effort. The patient Princeton offense outlasted the lightning-fast transition game of UNC. As the Hoyas prepare to take on Ohio State in Saturday’s semi-final, however, they will face a new challenge in a team whose parts are very similar to their own.

By March 29, 2007

Sports

Hoyas outlast Tar Heels to earn Final Four trip

ONLINE ONLY, EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Georgetown�s past was prologue once more, as the Hoyas� storybook season continued into the Final Four following a hard-fought 96-84 win over the top-seeded Tar Heels of North Carolina.

By March 22, 2007

Sports

Hoyas slip past Vandy for Elite Eight Slot

ONLINE ONLY: EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ—Trailing Vanderbilt by one point with 14 seconds left, Georgetown came out of their final timeout. There was no confusion in sold-out Continental Airlines Arena about who would have the final touch for the Hoyas. The crowd held its collective breath as junior forward Jeff Green received the pass from junior guard Jonathan Wallace. The Commodores were as ready as anyone and quickly doubled Green with his back to the basket at the right-hand elbow.

By March 22, 2007

Sports

Sports Sermon

There is no better time in the sports calendar to kick back for an all-day television vigil than the opening rounds of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament. But year in and year out, the weekend that should be the sports fan’s dream is shrouded by frustration. This frustration is not the result of watching one’s bracket fall apart with each game, but by the March Madness monopoly of CBS.

By March 22, 2007

Sports

Sports Sermon

As college basketball moves into the pressure-packed months of the postseason, there is little margin for error. An unlucky bounce of the ball, an untimely foul or a questionable call could be all it takes to bring a devastating end to the season. But the 2007 season has introduced a very different sort of game-changing blunder that rests on the index finger of a seemingly irrelevant character: the clock operator.

By March 15, 2007

Sports

The Big East Loves NY

ADDITIONAL FEATURE—“Hoya Saxa!” proved to truly be the yell of all yells as the Hoya faithful sang unchallenged under the direction of an uncharacteristically emotional John Thompson III. Behind the proud conductor, the team basked in the glory of a Big East Tournament Championship. But it wasn’t the coaches or the players that captured my curiosity in the Big Apple. It was the fans.

By March 15, 2007

Sports

Georgetown dominates Pitt to take Big East trophy

ONLINE ONLY, March 11—Fans of the University of Pittsburgh made an early exit last night as the Hoya faithful were left alone to celebrate in the Big Apple as the 2007 Big East Tournament champions.

By March 1, 2007

Sports

Hoyas fend off Villanova in Big East game I

ONLINE ONLY, March 8—In their 2007 Big East Tournament debut, the top-seeded Hoyas were able to hold off a strong second-half run by the feisty Wildcats of Villanova, and secure a spot in the semi-finals with a 62-57 victory.

By March 1, 2007

Sports

Hoyas drop a heartbreaker

Hoya baseball (2-4) was riding a two-game winning streak going into yesterday’s game against Navy (9-2). The team got another very solid pitching performance from Jimmy Saris, but their bats let down the sophomore righty as the Hoyas dropped the close game 2-1.

By March 1, 2007