Essay Submission from Mark Bagdon on March 22, 2006 [email protected]
I should be chosen for many reasons...
- I'm a senior and this is my last hurrah as an undergrad
- I've been with this senior class every step of the way, from MSG v. Marquette FR year, thru the injuries and underachieving, the Chaminade setback and the forgettable Holy War which saw Half Court Kid pull a T.O. crack #1 on SportsCenter's Top 10, seeing glimpses of greatness in Phog Allen Fieldhouse, finally turning the corner and shocking the country in a blizzard a year later, watching Jason come alive at the end of last year and seeing the smile on his face after beating Florida, seeing the birth of a superstar as Randy drilled 3 after 3 over Rashad McCants, the hurt in Curtis' eyes before Hoops Mania this year, watching ARay get hurt during my spring break in the Bahamas and not going to sleep all night while waiting to hear if he was OK, Sigma Chi parties where the whole team shows up and rocks out to Kelly Clarkson (think I'm joking...http://villanova.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30170715&id=6100850)
- I've taken the reigns and organized at least 10 people making the trip to Minneapolis
- I have won only 2 lotteries all year, but have used every resource possible to get into every home/palestra/trenton game except those over Winter Break when I was gone.
- I gathered up 4 other students in the middle of night in January and said we're going to Notre Dame, and proceeded to roadtrip out there at 4am
- I have been to Alumni functions in Chicago, South Bend, the Wach, and know how much fun they are to be amongst the VU Sports brethren
- I have coached a traveling baseball team back home in Chicago the last 4 summers and over that time have gotten more than 15 kids absolutely convinced that they want to go to Villanova when they get older
- I, along with many on this board and throughout the Villanova community, have long felt there is something special about this team and this particular group of young men. I want to be there for the entire journey.
- I firmly believe we will see the last line of this article come to fruition a week from Monday in Indianapolis, and I am not ashamed to admit I will be there crying when it happens... http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9147056
- Finally the "X" factor: Villanova is undefeated when I wear my Randy Foye jersey, Half Court Kid's lucky headband which he wore the night of his famous shot, and my light blue wristband to the game. My record currently stands at 14-0.
How will I "pay it forward"?
Every time Villanova plays at DePaul or Marquette for the next 5 years, I will return the favor and find 2 undergrads who want to go the game and Alumni reception for free. Villanova is not a school, it's a community and a family. That doesn't stop after 4 years.
Posted on 3/22 12:47 AM | IP: Logged
I should be chosen for many reasons...
- I'm a senior and this is my last hurrah as an undergrad
- I've been with this senior class every step of the way, from MSG v. Marquette FR year, thru the injuries and underachieving, the Chaminade setback and the forgettable Holy War which saw Half Court Kid pull a T.O. crack #1 on SportsCenter's Top 10, seeing glimpses of greatness in Phog Allen Fieldhouse, finally turning the corner and shocking the country in a blizzard a year later, watching Jason come alive at the end of last year and seeing the smile on his face after beating Florida, seeing the birth of a superstar as Randy drilled 3 after 3 over Rashad McCants, the hurt in Curtis' eyes before Hoops Mania this year, watching ARay get hurt during my spring break in the Bahamas and not going to sleep all night while waiting to hear if he was OK, Sigma Chi parties where the whole team shows up and rocks out to Kelly Clarkson (think I'm joking...http://villanova.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=30170715&id=6100850)
- I've taken the reigns and organized at least 10 people making the trip to Minneapolis
- I have won only 2 lotteries all year, but have used every resource possible to get into every home/palestra/trenton game except those over Winter Break when I was gone.
- I gathered up 4 other students in the middle of night in January and said we're going to Notre Dame, and proceeded to roadtrip out there at 4am
- I have been to Alumni functions in Chicago, South Bend, the Wach, and know how much fun they are to be amongst the VU Sports brethren
- I have coached a traveling baseball team back home in Chicago the last 4 summers and over that time have gotten more than 15 kids absolutely convinced that they want to go to Villanova when they get older
- I, along with many on this board and throughout the Villanova community, have long felt there is something special about this team and this particular group of young men. I want to be there for the entire journey.
- I firmly believe we will see the last line of this article come to fruition a week from Monday in Indianapolis, and I am not ashamed to admit I will be there crying when it happens... http://www.sportsline.com/collegebasketball/story/9147056
- Finally the "X" factor: Villanova is undefeated when I wear my Randy Foye jersey, Half Court Kid's lucky headband which he wore the night of his famous shot, and my light blue wristband to the game. My record currently stands at 14-0.
How will I "pay it forward"?
Every time Villanova plays at DePaul or Marquette for the next 5 years, I will return the favor and find 2 undergrads who want to go the game and Alumni reception for free. Villanova is not a school, it's a community and a family. That doesn't stop after 4 years.
Posted on 3/22 12:47 AM | IP: Logged