Friday night will be special
If past history holds true, Friday night's Hall of Fame banquet at SIU will provide plenty of laughs and more than a couple of tears.
This year's class consists of John "Mouse" Garrett (basketball), Nate Hawthorne (basketball), Joel Sambursky (football), Sandy Blaha (women's golf), Gary Hunter (track) and Kristie Kemner (volleyball).
Again, if past history holds true one of the inductees will charm the crowd with self-deprecating anecdotes about his/her career. At least one of the inductees will elicit tears with poignant reminiscences from his/her career, or touching memories of teammates or coaches.
And, all of the inductees will express appreciation to the university for a laying a solid foundation for a successful like.
I expect Hawthorne's induction to be the most poignant. Hawthorne, a brilliantly talented guard/forward, played three seasons in the NBA. He died in 2005 at the age of 55.
Although I grew up near Hawthorne's hometown of Mount Vernon, I never saw him play until I was a freshman at SIU. An excellent perimeter shooter, Hawthorne also had an incredible vertical leap. Although just 6-foot-4, he was the Salukis' leading rebounder in 1971-72.
It wasn't until I watched Hawthorne play in 1972 that I understood how physically gifted good Division I players are.
I've spoken to members of Hawthorne's family since he was named as an inductee. I know Friday night is going to be a proud, emotional time for the family, as well it should be.
And, I'll look forward to seeing Garrett again.
Although Garrett and I never attended classes together, he schooled me in basketball for several seasons in the Clinton County League. Although it was 10 or 15 years after his collegiate playing days, Garrett still had remarkable game.
It will also be a pleasure to see Sambursky take his place among SIU's greatest athletes.
Saluki football was mired in mediocrity, and that is being polite, for two decades before Sambursky arrived on the scene in 2002. Obviously, he didn't do it himself, but as quarterback, Sambursky helped engineer SIU's rise to prominence in the world of FCS football.
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This year's class consists of John "Mouse" Garrett (basketball), Nate Hawthorne (basketball), Joel Sambursky (football), Sandy Blaha (women's golf), Gary Hunter (track) and Kristie Kemner (volleyball). Again, if past history holds true one of the
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