At 4 a.m. this Saturday I will be leaving my house in Woodbury to make the trek to Whitewater, Wisconsin to cheer on our miraculous 2008 Johnnie Squad as they take on the U.W.W. Warhawks. Let’s be honest, with three truly unbelievable victories this year (against UST, St. Olaf and of course Carleton) how can anyone doubt that Rich Hall, SJU ’63 is indeed in Heaven bending God’s ear each Saturday afternoon screaming for victory! Dallas Cowboy fans like to say that they’re America’s Team. That’s fine with me as all in the Johnnie Nation are aware that St. John’s is God’s team! (Fr. Don gave him a “B” in Theology and Lurkin Durkin had him on double secret probation!)
For this week’s tilt I will be traveling with my very good friend and fellow Johnnie Football supporter Huy Tran. Many of you in the Johnnie Nation have been met Huy either at the S-festivities or via an introduction by Wick as he has Huy make the “rounds” at these events. And if you were at the Tommie or Auggie game you were introduced to Huy’s culinary expertise by sampling his now famous and top secret chicken wings! Therefore his newly minted moniker of “The Wingman”!
I met Huy roughly 4 years ago as we were standing (in what we now call our usual spot) next to each other at Clemens Stadium and struck up a conversation about who was what # on the team and so on. And now as my wife says I found a fellow soul mate in regards to support, knowledge and love of all that is SJU and Johnnie Football. Huy is not a graduate of SJU, rather he graduated from the University of Minnesota but saw the light and is now and forever a JOHNNIE! To this end we in the Johnnie Nation have “adopted” him into my graduating Johnnie Class of 1988.
Huy began following the Johnnies during John’s historic march to 409 victories and resulting 2003 National Championship. You see Huy is an avid follower of all historic sporting events and records. If you can “corner him” at the S-festivities you can hear about all of his prized possessions and times where he has been in attendance during a historic sporting event. You will be amazed at what he has witnessed! Huy attends EVERY game and is a season ticket holder. Heck, I’m an alumni and I don’t even own season tickets! But Huy does not even use these tickets; rather he keeps them, along with all of the game day programs as part of his historic sports memorabilia collection. Now that is what I call loyalty and devotion to all that is SJU! Therefore he is truly eligible to be an honorary Johnnie!
The fact that Huy has been so warmly welcomed into the Johnnie Nation (The Saladin’s, Sharpe’s, Stanton’s, and of course the JF.com/tailgating gang always warmly welcomes him at each game) speaks volumes about how truly great this unrivaled Nation is. We are and always will be a welcoming, friendly, devoted group. I say that all in the Nation should be proud of themselves. I thank you for your kindness and say that this is yet another example of why I am, and always will be proud to be a JOHNNIE.
