The court of history

And then, an upset.

On Feb. 18, a small blip of history grew on the Big 5 radar. It is a history filled with momentous victories and breathtaking defeats. It has become a rare occurrence, when almost 8,000 people packed into the small gym to see two local schools play.

It wasn't a home game for St. Joe's, although the program would say otherwise. It wasn't the renting of the floor by the University of Pennsylvania, although the center circle carried the UPENN insignia.

It was a neutral court in front of heated fans. It was something new to many, but strikingly ancient. To those who remember the glory days of the Palestra, it was refreshing.

And if you were present on that warm Monday night, you understood that this was basketball in Philadelphia, and, quite frankly, it shouldn't be any other way.

It pains me that this used to be the norm, and has become the rare. That this generation of students have only a handful of games to understand the traditions.

The resources are there to recapture the glory and passion that once existed.

The unity, existing inside each of us as Philadelphians, can be reclaimed. We just need to see that Monday night as the future and not the past - and make it the standard.

Joseph Fedorowicz

La Salle, Class of '08