Hope you don't mind me stopping by. . .

[gatorgael]

This is my first post. I may not be here often, but plan to stop by every now and again and root on the Gaels.
As you may see from the screenname, I am a Gator. . . graduated from UF in '97. But unlike most Gators, I am a basketball junkie rather than a football die-hard.
The Iona Gaels are the reason for that.
I grew up in New York. My dad graduated from Iona. . . and played for the team for a year. This was waaaaay back in the day (sorry dad).
Anyway, we attended EVERY home game as kid and often traveled with the team. When we didnt, we drove somewhere we could pick up the game on the car radio and listened while eating White Castle!
Among the maac venues, we travelled to 'cuse, hawaii, alaska and a host of other Gael road games. Still one of my more bitter sports memories was going to Alaska and seeing Iona lose to UK in the Great Alaskan Shootout. I despised UK from that day on, so it is only fitting I became a Gator.
I remember names some of the old-timers will recall . . . Steve Burtt, Gary Springer (the originals!), Tony Hargraves, Glenn Vickers, Ruland, Rory Grimes. And of course, J.B.. He was giving the horns back then! In the early years we sat next to Jimmy V's family. My mom and Mrs. V shared baby clothes for their kids!
Though we moved from NY, and left behind our season tickets... we rooted for the Gaels from afar.
Since becoming a Gator, I have to admit... Iona has been supplanted. But The Gaels were my intro to hoops and I have a TON of wonderful memories.
The last time I watched Iona play in person was in 2006 ncaa tourney. As fate would have it, both Iona and UF played in Jax. After the Gator game, I switched into an Iona shirt and sat in the Gaels section with my dad. We saw Burtt and Springer in the stands watching their sons, and even the season ticket holders we sat next too way back in the early 80s. It was like old times.
What brings me here now is the excitement for this season. I really think the Gaels can make some major noise this year . . .maybe even avenge that loss in Alaska come tourney time!
Anyway. . . just wanted to introduce myself, and hope you will be okay with a Gator-Gael stopping in on occassion.

Go Gaels!
Go Gators!

[Z-73]

gatorgael, thanks for stopping by and please come back often. I enjoyed your post very much.

That 2006 game was pretty exciting. I remember we had a 5 point lead at the half, but Big Baby and Tyrus Thomas were a little too much for us to handle down the stretch. The LSU folks had high praise for Steve Burtt, Jr, and Ricky Soliver. I hung around the LSU board as they went as far as the Final Four that year. They adopted me as a Tiger and I adopted LSU as my college football team (sorry).

I'm very excited about the upcoming season. I think that this team has the potential to be something very special. Feel free to come back and enjoy the ride!



Go Gaels!!!

[ic59]

gatorgael, thanks for posting. I'm sure I would know you and your father if we met. My wife and I used to travel to away games (that were in driving distance) like the game at Syracuse. I take it you're still in school and wish you the best. Hope your dad is in good health.

[gatorgael]

Hi guys... thanks for the welcome. No... not in school. I am 37 and graduated in '97. My dad is in good health! Thanks!

[St. Louis Gael]

gatorgael:

Please continue to make your Dad proud, and come by often. Ask your Dad to join us. You can help us out-of-towners bring perspective to this Board.

[hawaii bill]

Oct 24, 2011 22:35:15 GMT -5 gatorgael said:

This is my first post. I may not be here often, but plan to stop by every now and again and root on the Gaels.
As you may see from the screenname, I am a Gator. . . graduated from UF in '97. But unlike most Gators, I am a basketball junkie rather than a football die-hard.
The Iona Gaels are the reason for that.
I grew up in New York. My dad graduated from Iona. . . and played for the team for a year. This was waaaaay back in the day (sorry dad).
Anyway, we attended EVERY home game as kid and often traveled with the team. When we didnt, we drove somewhere we could pick up the game on the car radio and listened while eating White Castle!
Among the maac venues, we travelled to 'cuse, hawaii, alaska and a host of other Gael road games. Still one of my more bitter sports memories was going to Alaska and seeing Iona lose to UK in the Great Alaskan Shootout. I despised UK from that day on, so it is only fitting I became a Gator.
I remember names some of the old-timers will recall . . . Steve Burtt, Gary Springer (the originals!), Tony Hargraves, Glenn Vickers, Ruland, Rory Grimes. And of course, J.B.. He was giving the horns back then! In the early years we sat next to Jimmy V's family. My mom and Mrs. V shared baby clothes for their kids!
Though we moved from NY, and left behind our season tickets... we rooted for the Gaels from afar.
Since becoming a Gator, I have to admit... Iona has been supplanted. But The Gaels were my intro to hoops and I have a TON of wonderful memories.
The last time I watched Iona play in person was in 2006 ncaa tourney. As fate would have it, both Iona and UF played in Jax. After the Gator game, I switched into an Iona shirt and sat in the Gaels section with my dad. We saw Burtt and Springer in the stands watching their sons, and even the season ticket holders we sat next too way back in the early 80s. It was like old times.
What brings me here now is the excitement for this season. I really think the Gaels can make some major noise this year . . .maybe even avenge that loss in Alaska come tourney time!
Anyway. . . just wanted to introduce myself, and hope you will be okay with a Gator-Gael stopping in on occassion.

Go Gaels!
Go Gators!

Great stuff, welcome man.