BLACK IN TIME: A Moment In OUR Hisotry
John Thompson
On April 2, 1984, John Thompson, Jr. Coached Georgetown University To An 84-75 Victory Over The University Of Houston. At That Moment, He Became The First Black Head Coach To Win An NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Ball Championship.
John Thompson Was Born September 2, 1941, In Washington, DC. He Attended Archbishop John Carroll High School, And Later Providence College. He Played With The NBA’s Boston Celtics, From 1964-1966 -- Backing Up Star Center, Bill Russell.
During His 27-Year Tenure At Georgetown, Thompson’s Hoyas Made 24 Postseason Tournament Appearances (20 In The NCAA, 4 In The NIT). His Teams Made Three Trips To The NCAA Final Four (1982, 1984 & 1985). The School’s Overall Winning Record, Under Thompson, Was 596-239 (.714).
In Addition, Thompson Coached Georgetown’s Teams To Six Big East Conference Championships, And He Coached The 1988 Olympic Team, --- Winning A Bronze Medal.
While At Georgetown, He Mentored Some Of Basketball’s Biggest Superstars, Including: Eric "Sleepy" Floyd, Allen Inverson, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning And Dikembe Mutombo.
Thompson Resigned As Head Coach From Georgetown University On January 8, 1999.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr. ;
The BLACK IN TIME ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER
FOR BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Hugh Gaddy
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On April 2, 1984, John Thompson, Jr. Coached Georgetown University To An 84-75 Victory Over The University Of Houston. At That Moment, He Became The First Black Head Coach To Win An NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Ball Championship.
John Thompson Was Born September 2, 1941, In Washington, DC. He Attended Archbishop John Carroll High School, And Later Providence College. He Played With The NBA’s Boston Celtics, From 1964-1966 -- Backing Up Star Center, Bill Russell.
During His 27-Year Tenure At Georgetown, Thompson’s Hoyas Made 24 Postseason Tournament Appearances (20 In The NCAA, 4 In The NIT). His Teams Made Three Trips To The NCAA Final Four (1982, 1984 & 1985). The School’s Overall Winning Record, Under Thompson, Was 596-239 (.714).
In Addition, Thompson Coached Georgetown’s Teams To Six Big East Conference Championships, And He Coached The 1988 Olympic Team, --- Winning A Bronze Medal.
While At Georgetown, He Mentored Some Of Basketball’s Biggest Superstars, Including: Eric "Sleepy" Floyd, Allen Inverson, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning And Dikembe Mutombo.
Thompson Resigned As Head Coach From Georgetown University On January 8, 1999.
"In Order For Black History To Live, We Must Continue To Breathe Life Into It." -- Hubert Gaddy, Jr. ;
The BLACK IN TIME ONLINE RESOURCE CENTER
FOR BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE
Hugh Gaddy
Create Your Badge
HI Mr. Gaddy:
This might be before your time--but I remember that '84 NCAA tournament very well. Georgetown's huge rival that year was St. Johns from the Big East.
the St. John's Coach Lou Carnesecca got into the habit of wearing a "lucky" sweater. It was an ugly sweater with a colorful geometric pattern across the chest.
Nobody else would wear such an ugly piece of clothing. He said he was wearing it because it was his "good luck charm" and would help his team win.
Well, late in the tournament, it may even have been the FINAL FOUR, St. Johns was facing their arch rival Georgetown. The Johnnies came out and there was coach with his ugly sweater.
When the HOyas came out, Coach Thompson was wearing a trench coat. Nobody thought anything about it. Until, just before tip off, he takes off his coat--and there it is--he is wearing the same UGLY SWEATER as Coach CArnesecca.
EVerybody had a good laugh over it!!!
It was one of the classic scenes in basketball!!!