John Condon

[tootie223]

While doing some research on the origins of the Gaelic Society and Irish sports at Iona (e.g. hurling - which was an Iona team), I came across the name of John Condon who was hired by Iona as Sports Publicity Director - which I guess is a precursor to the SID position.

I think that John Condon might be the same person as the John F.X. Condon who was the famed voice of Madison Square Garden and later their President of Boxing.

The Ionian does not include the middle initials, but their ages do seem to match up and both men did live in Queens.

If anyone can confirm or deny, I would appreciate it.

Also, I found it interesting that the Gaels nickname did not surface until some time in 1949 - at least in print in the Ionian. The paper had some articles claiming there were some meetings about selecting one, but I never did see an article proclaiming the results.

Prior to Gaels, Iona was referred to as the "Irish", the "Fighting Irish" and the "Maroon and Gold" in the Ionian. Also, the would use terms as McDermottmen (as in coach Jim McDermott) for the basketball team and Migginsmen (as in coach John Miggins) for the baseball team. They also used sports-specific terms as Cagers, Iona 9, Harriers and the such.

I have to say that pouring over the old Ionians has been a nice way to get caught up on some of Iona's earlier history.

By the way, if there are any people who might have some historical information on Iona's Irish sports in the 1940s and 1950s and their relationship with the Gaelic Society, please pass them along.

[ic59]

tootie, pretty sure the Condon, who was our SID and MSG's Condon were one and the same. Way back when the sid job at Iona was a part time one.

[tootie223]

It turns out they are one in the same. A Later Ionian article talked about him leaving Iona but staying on as the voice of the Garden. I guess that explains why Iona had such high prominence at MSG in the late 40s and early 50s - playing as many as three games a year at the Mecca.