George Washington University Athletics
GW Magazine: Game Changer
9/15/2011 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Sept. 15, 2011
New George Washington men's basketball head coach Mike Lonergan and his coaching staff are featured in the latest edition of the GW Magazine.
When his day as a Catholic University student and basketball player came to an end, Mike Lonergan got on the red line at Brookland-CUA and rode the Metro to Foggy Bottom.
With tickets in hand from his coach, Jack Bruen, Lonergan walked the few blocks to the Charles E. Smith Center, where he climbed up to the back of the stands. From his seat he watched high school classmate Chester Wood running up and down the court; Colonials head coach Gerry Gimelstob getting animated on the sideline; and legendary Boston Celtics coach Red Auerbach, BA'40, Med '41, cheering his old team in his favorite seat.
Lonergan listened to the crowd of thousands scream and stomp their feet--when the crowd got loud, the gymnasium had a reputation as one of the toughest places to play in the Atlantic 10.
These games, in the mid-1980s, were Lonergan's introduction to the Colonials. The Bowie, Md., native never thought that one day he'd be off the bleachers and on the sidelines as the new coach of GW men's basketball.
To continue reading, please visit the GW Magazine home page, or click here to view the full PDF spread from the latest edition.
