Source: Robert W Stowell Jr / Getty
Last month, Georgetown University fired their head basketball coach; John Thompson, III, after 12 years at the helm. He took over from his father John Thompson, II. It was Coach John Thompson II that led Georgetown to their first National Championship, and that team was led by All American Center Patrick Ewing.
Yesterday, Georgetown Athletic Department filled that Coaching vacancy when they announced that Patrick Ewing would be the next head coach at The University.
Ewing played at Georgetown from 1981-1985 making two National Championship appearances, losing one to Michael Jordan and the North Carolina Tar Heels, and winning one Championship.
Three decades later, Ewing is the Big Man on Campus again.
Source: Jesse D. Garrabrant / Getty
Ewing: “Georgetown is my home and it is a great honor for me to return to my alma mater and serve as the next head coach. I have been preparing to be a head coach for many years and can’t wait to return to the Hilltop.”
It was in 1981 when I first met Patrick Ewing. My first job here at WYCB was a Board Operator for The Emmy Award Winning Talk Show and TV Host Petey Green. At the time Patrick Ewing came to Georgetown as a Freshman. He was of course the biggest name in High School and then College Basketball. Petey Greene was a good friend of Coach John Thompson.
At the time with Ewing being the biggest name in College Basketball, every newspaper, Radio and TV Journalist wanted interviews with him. But Coach John Thompson said that the only person that could interview Patrick Ewing was Petey Greene.
So when I arrived at work on this particular day, already in the studio were Petey Greene, Coach John Thompson, Ralph Dalton (Ewing’s Backup Center) and Patrick Ewing. When Coach Thompson and Petey Greene were doing their interview I got a chance to sit and talk with Patrick Ewing and Ralph Dalton. We talked for about 30 minutes; just the three of us, never knowing that he would become the person and figure that he is today.
So congratulations to Patrick Ewing – becoming the new Head Coach at his Alma Mater – Georgetown University.
