George Washington University Athletics
Fan Reaction to Coach Lonergan
5/9/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
May 9, 2011
Barbara Kahlow - Five-Year Season Ticket Holder
"First I want to talk about Patrick Nero, I hadn't seen him until today. Great energy, liked his energy, his attitude, and I feel very excited about him. As for the coach, I liked what I heard. I liked how well he did academically and that all his kids graduate, and that's fabulous. I like that he's local, maybe he'll get Georgetown per Mark Plotkin's traditional question. Maybe he'll get Georgetown to participate in the BB&T."
Kelliston McDowell ('09) - Season-Ticket Holder for past year
"I was definitely happy to see that the incoming coach appeared to be very excited. He seemed very happy to be back in DC, it seemed to mean a lot to him to be back in the area. More so, I was happy to see he had an appreciation and knowledge of GW basketball history. He was able to tell stories of times he had been to GW games in the past, him discussing previous coaches and [talking about] Red Auerbach was a nice thing to see. The excitement is really founded upon something directly tied to GW. He definitely has a genuine reason to be happy to be here, he knows what he's getting into in that effect. Let's just hope that it's really contagious, not just to the players, but to the community as a whole. Let's hope this excitement transcends more and leads to something good."
Andrew Alberg ('09) - Former GW Hatchet Sports Editor, GW Law Class of 2012
"Since I graduated I have been going to basketball games relatively frequently when I can and following the team very closely ... I am definitely happy that Coach Lonergan's teams have had success wherever he has went and it doesn't seem like GW will be an exception to that. I definitely like the whole atmosphere of change and energy that wasn't necessarily there a few years ago. Everything seems to be headed in the right direction."
Bob Poogach ('73) - Season-Ticket Holder since 1973
"I have Buff and Blue running through my veins. I was very impressed with the turnout today, especially the press turnout ... You get a sense that this is a generational turnover. Coach Lonergan is clearly steeped in this area. He expressed an affinity for GW and getting this job. He mentioned players that I remember watching when I was here like Chester Wood. It is just nice to hear these names because it is someone that knows GW and isn't just coming here because it is a head coaching job. He is coming back home ... It's also nice to hear him talk about Jack Bruen. He is clearly someone that the local giants have been mentors to - Joe Gallagher, Gary Williams ... It's a change, but you also feel the continuity that he sees the success of GW and the potential for GW. Obviously, when everyone starts out the sky is the limit, but he really seems like he has a good handle on what it takes to win at GW and what our aspirations are. Patrick Nero, it's the same thing, it's the revitalization of athletics at GW, continuing what we all want to see - a strong program ... It is encouraging to hear that he likes to play up-tempo, that's clearly a more exciting style of play. But the fact that his teams were noted for their rebounding and defense, it is like the whole package. We will see as he announces his coaching staff and what the team is going to look like. I think GW basketball fans are waiting with baited breath for the beginning of the season."
Mark Lerner ('74) - GW Fan since 1965
"I went to undergraduate here at GW and law school, I graduated in 1974 and have been following the program since 1965. I have quite a number of years watching the Colonials. My opinion is I am very excited, thrilled actually, about Mike Lonergan coming here. I think he is the right man at the right time for this program. I am ecstatic and am looking forward to good basketball."
Yegor Mescheriakov ('98) - Member of GW All-Century Basketball Team
"Obviously, the program saw wonderful success with Karl Hobbs, but the only thing constant in life is change, so we are looking into a new era ... It is clear that things are changing with GW Athletics ... GW is looking for players from the area and I understand Coach Lonergan was a coach at Catholic University prior to being at Vermont. It is definitely going to be an interesting season next year with most of the players coming back. The team was quite strong this year and with the new coach, usually what happens when a new coach comes in is he is trying to bring his best with him. So it puts more effort and intensity into the team."
