A Jack Avina Memory from a Gael

by gaelhoopfreak Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:31 am

Thought you Pilots would like this story.

Years ago, when I was a student at SMC, I did stats at the game table for the Gaels.

I vividly remember Jack Avina. He always came out early unlike most head coaches.
He wore the slacks, a sportcoat, SHORT sleeve shirt, and tie.
He would be very friendly, and come over and shake all our hands, and then he'd
cram about 4 sticks of Wrigley's spearmint gum in his mouth. So one night,
he hands the rest of the gum, and the old wrappers to me and says "here son, take care of this"

Well, about a MINUTE INTO THE GAME .......and its Greg Anthonys freshman year there .......
The coat comes off as usual, the tie gets yanked down, and the top shirt button comes undone.
Avina's working on the gum bigtime, and screaming at a Ref named Ron Labetich.
After several bad calls, Avina gets T'd up. Then gets T'd up a second time, and gets tossed.
He walks halfway across McKeon Pavilion, headed towards the showers ...... then does an complete
180 and heads towards me.
The head Ref was Ben Pope ...... says "Jack, where are you going ? " he says ..........
" I'm going to get my gum ...... is that ok Ben ?? " And proceeds to come up to me and ask for the rest
of his gum back.

It was priceless. I'm sure you all have better, and more stories, but I always liked that dude.

FREAK