Spring Time In Athens, Ohio, For A Day

Being Feted Mid Court

Up early for coffee at 6:30, walked down the hall to the restaurant to get three cups to bring back to the room.  Glimpsed outside and it was not very inviting, dark and wet.  We are meeting the rest of the guys for breakfast around 8:00 and we hope to be on the road home by 9:00.  We will see how organized we can be.  By the way, Evie took most of the pictures this weekend, so we have lots to share and enjoy.

Yesterday, as I mentioned, we did not get up till late, so we didn't start walking over to the Convocation Center till about 11:30, though there was a team tour at 10:30, which we missed, alas.  We had special passes so we were able to socialize in the Bobcat Room, for donors to the Ohio athletic program.  It's really just a room to relax in before game time, to buy a beer, grab a pop or soda, some popcorn, and kibitz with each other.  We of course tried to get more team pictures as players kept coming and going, never quite getting a good one with everyone there.

Court Side Buddies, Before the Game

Thrill of Victory,  As Fans Rush The Floor

More Teammates

The 1964 Ohio University Bobcats,  A NCAA Final Eight Team

Michael V

They sat us all together for the game, and with less than eight minutes to go in the half, we players went downstairs, just off the court, to wait to be introduced to the crowd.  At the four minute commercial time out, we were trotted out on the floor, recognized for our achievement back in 1964, and as each player was introduced, we got a nice applause.  That was it for the day, at least for us.  The Bobcats pulled out a victory in overtime over league leading Toledo, so it was a great afternoon for fans and alumni alike.  We were honored in a similar fashion perhaps five years ago, but it was much nicer, as they put pictures of us up on the Jumbo Tron, took more time to talk about each player, and it was during halftime, not that I am complaining.  At our age, any time we can be remembered or recognized, we will take it.  And the best part is just gathering as a team, catching up with our lives, reminiscing about the old days.

Vi Buck, Enjoying Herself

Evie Joy The Life Of Any Gathering

Anita,  Jerry Jackson's wife

After the game, we relaxed back at the Inn for about an hour, then met in the bar for drinks around 5:00, dinner to follow at 6:00.  We had about sixteen of us for dinner, the largest group so far.  Great meals  for all, as most ordered the prime rib special, with Caesar salad and a side.  Evie and I also managed to drink a bottle of wine as we had a great evening of conversation, laughing hysterically as Evie and Vi described the night before, where two Toledo drunks tried picked them up until the guys realized Evie and Vi were old enough to be their mothers...bummer.  We ended the evening at Mary Lou and Joe's room, catching up on their lives because when you are in a large group it's difficult to get to talk with everybody.  It was a really good night and Mike Haley, the one guy who has really has it tough over the past few years, seemed to really enjoy himself, as did all of us.

Dinner at Ohio University Inn