Mar 24, 2023·edited Mar 24, 2023Liked by John Canzano
As a GU '87 grad - way before anyone knew what a "Zag" was - I can tell you that I still think of my friends from that era as family. My experience there was not only about intellectual growth but also growth in relationships. The Jesuit ethos is to educate/caretake the "whole" person (mind, body, spirit) and I think it permeates to why GU successful in BB. They tend to keep their players, play unselfishly, honor discipline and show gratitude to everyone who had a hand in the outcome. This is not the only place in the US that has this culture, but it is part of the reason I think they are successful.
Early on the streak started with kids from the PNW (Calvary, Dickau, Fromm, Morrison, Ravio to name a few) and head coaches with PNW ties (Monson, Few). Truly Cinderella stuff. The PNW and then the nation were hooked.
Then added some very good/likeable international kids. They were able to consistently compete on a national level. Then came the 4-5 star kids who wanted to be Zags and it just kept rolling.
What is it about Gonzaga? A dream built by/with “local” guys and leadership that has been able to grow/sustain the vision.
We most likely won’t see this type of again given the current landscape of college athletics.
Would be nice if, on the way out the door, UCLA could have baked some more bread for the Pac-10. Maybe next season if the Bruins can keep all hands on deck for the Tournament.
UCLA is in 'good' company. None of its future B1G brothers made the Elite 8 with Tom Izzo whining on the way out. The B1G with many teams in every Tournament has not won a basketball title since 2000 when Michigan State defeated Florida.
If you are in Spokane do take a walk on the Gonzaga campus. Sits next to the river and the statue of alum Bing Crosby is fun to take in. The campus resembles many of the New England small liberal arts schools.
My wife went to Gonzaga as did my daughter. Stockton Era and Olynek Era. It's a "right of passage" that makes it fun. When the team makes 8 straight "Sweets", there is something to be said for the culture. My sons (Cal Poly-SLO Mustangs and USD Toreros) watched last night. We're all SCREAMING as the 3 pointer went in... Palpable, Passionate, Poetic.. and Principled population of people.
Great story. I sat in a similar living room several miles North of the Mason’s. The grandmother of a Gonzaga assistant coach and former player, was hosting dinner and watch party for a handful of friends. This 86 year old listens to the Gonzaga radio broadcasts on her hearing aids while watching the game on TV. She is to say the least, an ardent fan. She had hoped for yet another Sweet Sixteen appearance and got her wish. As at the Mason’s screaming, shouting and jumps for joy as the three pointer found its way through the net. And then for the grandmother, tears of joy. What a great way to end the evening for a very proud grandmother.
Gonzaga’s team culture has been maintained since the 80’s. Their ability to keep that “there is no I in team” culture is foundational to everything else. They recruit for fit + talent, not just talent.
Another heartwarming turn, John. Thanks. In my business days I would stay at the Courtyard Inn across the river from Gonzaga, and many an early morning run would include a tour of the campus. How could someone not love a school that has a life size statue of Bing Crosby on the entry plaza to the auditorium/theatre? Go Zags!
It was a fantastic game and put a big time damper on the storied UCLA program of John Wooden's days. And.....I believe the PAC 12 needs to focus big time on bringing the ZAGS into the conference for basketball. Like Notre Dame and football has done. Most here are Duck fans, were it not for the Duck's investment into sports there would be zero interest of the BIG 10 in bringing them onboard. The ZAGS would rise all the conference ships in that game. But what do I know...I'm just a fan.
Thanks for the heartwarming story. We watched too. Avid fans of the Zags as two of our granddaughters go there, one just graduated. What a wonderful campus and community it is, not to mention a super basketball team!! Go ZAGS!!
Gonzaga typically gets athletes who stay four years, learn how to play together and become familiar to fans as part of the university family. The fascination elsewhere with recruiting one-and-done high school stars and transfers is nearly the opposite of that. Few is a great coach, but it starts with recruiting players who want to stay with the program. Imagine an Oregon team studded with players who had been with Altman and learned his style of basketball for three or four years.
Growing up in the 70’s and early 80’s in Spokane, nobody even knew GU had a sports program. In high school I played hoop in the old Kennel along with the team. Whoa, things have changed. Now living in Vancouver for the past 30 years I find myself a fan because it is my hometown and the fact that the meteoric riser was filed by Vancouver area plays like Santangelo, Fromm, Dickau, Gourde, etc.
Credit goes to Mark Few, this season he actually scheduled a decent OOC slate. The Zags are battle tested. If they punch a ticket to Houston, Gonzaga might be tough out.
As a GU '87 grad - way before anyone knew what a "Zag" was - I can tell you that I still think of my friends from that era as family. My experience there was not only about intellectual growth but also growth in relationships. The Jesuit ethos is to educate/caretake the "whole" person (mind, body, spirit) and I think it permeates to why GU successful in BB. They tend to keep their players, play unselfishly, honor discipline and show gratitude to everyone who had a hand in the outcome. This is not the only place in the US that has this culture, but it is part of the reason I think they are successful.
Early on the streak started with kids from the PNW (Calvary, Dickau, Fromm, Morrison, Ravio to name a few) and head coaches with PNW ties (Monson, Few). Truly Cinderella stuff. The PNW and then the nation were hooked.
Then added some very good/likeable international kids. They were able to consistently compete on a national level. Then came the 4-5 star kids who wanted to be Zags and it just kept rolling.
What is it about Gonzaga? A dream built by/with “local” guys and leadership that has been able to grow/sustain the vision.
We most likely won’t see this type of again given the current landscape of college athletics.
So happy Gonzaga won and even happier that one of the L.A schools lost. UCLA and USC are dead to me now and I hope they get buried in the B1G.
Terrific game. Terrific article.
Would be nice if, on the way out the door, UCLA could have baked some more bread for the Pac-10. Maybe next season if the Bruins can keep all hands on deck for the Tournament.
UCLA is in 'good' company. None of its future B1G brothers made the Elite 8 with Tom Izzo whining on the way out. The B1G with many teams in every Tournament has not won a basketball title since 2000 when Michigan State defeated Florida.
If you are in Spokane do take a walk on the Gonzaga campus. Sits next to the river and the statue of alum Bing Crosby is fun to take in. The campus resembles many of the New England small liberal arts schools.
Maybe this is the year the Zags win it all?
My wife went to Gonzaga as did my daughter. Stockton Era and Olynek Era. It's a "right of passage" that makes it fun. When the team makes 8 straight "Sweets", there is something to be said for the culture. My sons (Cal Poly-SLO Mustangs and USD Toreros) watched last night. We're all SCREAMING as the 3 pointer went in... Palpable, Passionate, Poetic.. and Principled population of people.
They are fun to watch 'cuz they play like they know what they're doing. And it is fun to follow a small school having success. Great column.
Great story. I sat in a similar living room several miles North of the Mason’s. The grandmother of a Gonzaga assistant coach and former player, was hosting dinner and watch party for a handful of friends. This 86 year old listens to the Gonzaga radio broadcasts on her hearing aids while watching the game on TV. She is to say the least, an ardent fan. She had hoped for yet another Sweet Sixteen appearance and got her wish. As at the Mason’s screaming, shouting and jumps for joy as the three pointer found its way through the net. And then for the grandmother, tears of joy. What a great way to end the evening for a very proud grandmother.
The little guy kicks UCLA right out of the tourney...you have to love March Madness...go ZAGS!!
Gonzaga’s team culture has been maintained since the 80’s. Their ability to keep that “there is no I in team” culture is foundational to everything else. They recruit for fit + talent, not just talent.
Another heartwarming turn, John. Thanks. In my business days I would stay at the Courtyard Inn across the river from Gonzaga, and many an early morning run would include a tour of the campus. How could someone not love a school that has a life size statue of Bing Crosby on the entry plaza to the auditorium/theatre? Go Zags!
It was a fantastic game and put a big time damper on the storied UCLA program of John Wooden's days. And.....I believe the PAC 12 needs to focus big time on bringing the ZAGS into the conference for basketball. Like Notre Dame and football has done. Most here are Duck fans, were it not for the Duck's investment into sports there would be zero interest of the BIG 10 in bringing them onboard. The ZAGS would rise all the conference ships in that game. But what do I know...I'm just a fan.
Thanks for the heartwarming story. We watched too. Avid fans of the Zags as two of our granddaughters go there, one just graduated. What a wonderful campus and community it is, not to mention a super basketball team!! Go ZAGS!!
Terrific piece, Mr. Canzano.
Gonzaga typically gets athletes who stay four years, learn how to play together and become familiar to fans as part of the university family. The fascination elsewhere with recruiting one-and-done high school stars and transfers is nearly the opposite of that. Few is a great coach, but it starts with recruiting players who want to stay with the program. Imagine an Oregon team studded with players who had been with Altman and learned his style of basketball for three or four years.
Good one, John.
Growing up in the 70’s and early 80’s in Spokane, nobody even knew GU had a sports program. In high school I played hoop in the old Kennel along with the team. Whoa, things have changed. Now living in Vancouver for the past 30 years I find myself a fan because it is my hometown and the fact that the meteoric riser was filed by Vancouver area plays like Santangelo, Fromm, Dickau, Gourde, etc.
Credit goes to Mark Few, this season he actually scheduled a decent OOC slate. The Zags are battle tested. If they punch a ticket to Houston, Gonzaga might be tough out.