“Our guys always looked at the two hours they get on the court as a way to get away from finals and enjoy themselves out there playing,” UD coach Brian Gregory said.
Like other seniors, London Warren, an electronic media major, is glad to be facing just one more round of finals in the spring.
“It feels good to be done and have only one more semester to go to be a college graduate,” he said.
Celebrating the past
UD is honoring four accomplished teams and former players from the 1930s, ’40s, ’50s and ’60s during halftime of the Presbyterian College game Saturday.
The squads being recognized are from 1949-50, which went 24-8 behind star sophomore Don Meineke; 1954-55, which finished as NIT runners-up with Bill Uhl leading the way; 1959-60, which had a 21-7 mark and made another NIT appearance; and the Hank Finkel-led 1964-65 squad that produced the program’s first NCAA Sweet 16 appearance.
The ceremony is part of the yearlong festivities for the 40th anniversary of UD Arena.
“We’re calling (that era) the foundation years,” said Doug Hauschild, UD’s sports information director. “It’s the arena’s 40th year, but we couldn’t have had an arena without those players.”
Meineke and Clete Oberst will represent the team from’ 49-50 at the event; Uhl, Bill Almashy and Chris Harris are honorees from ’54-55; Terry Bockhorn, Frank Case, Don Heller, Hank Josefczyk from ’59-60; and Dave Inderrieden, Gene Klaus, John Samanich and Jim Wannemacher from ’64-65.
Warren makes list
With Chris Wright already named to the watch list for the John Wooden and James Naismith awards, Warren was picked as one of 72 nominees for the Bob Cousy Award, which is given to the nation’s best point guard.
“It’s another great accomplishment for one of our players. ... And it’s another marker for our program, not only the type of players we have but, in London’s case, the work he’s put in and the progress he’s made,” Gregory said.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native averages 3.7 points per game and has 33 assists with 25 turnovers. His assist-turnover ratio last season was 154-66.
“I think it shows people understand that points aren’t necessarily the most important thing,” Gregory said. “It’s running the team. It’s creating opportunities for others to score. And where London separates himself is on the defensive end.”
Sellouts announced
The Flyers’ home game with Duquesne on Saturday, Jan. 9, is sold out. The Xavier game Feb. 6 also is sold out.
About the Author