:10 Here’s how small the world is. I am at the Savoy Saturday night with my alumni brothers from Slippery Rock University (Hoo-Ra!) Irv “I am Still Quick” Johnson and Hank “The Hammer” Williams. And no we weren’t upstairs. Cats over 50 don’t go upstairs, man! As I told ya, the Savoy is my spot and the wings and shrimp are second to none. As a matter of fact, the word on the street is “Chuck,” J.B. and Gary caught Colonel Sanders (no relation to Chuck Sanders) in the Savoy kitchen about 3 a.m. one night and…well let’s just say you won’t be seeing the Colonel hanging out in the Strip anymore.
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| BILL NEAL
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Anyway, we’re sitting there kickin’ it and who’s sitting next to us but Kevin Cato, the son of the late great Dr. Ralph Cato, one of the city’s first Black dentists, all around great guy and one of the original Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball League ballers …the master of old school soft bank shot if you will. Doc’s on Heaven’s Hoopers team to be sure along with Ken Durrett, Archie McGill and recent draft selections Ken West and Darryl Gissendanner. Dr. Cato is gone but not forgotten. And oh yeah, his young Kevin is now in “The Locker Room” but he doesn’t come in by his self. His lovely lady Nickki Lawson is in there, too. Word to the wise, speak softly cause Nikki will be all up in your business…Luv ya’ll !!!
:09 Keep talking bad about Pitt quarterback Sal Sunseri…yeah keep talking while he closes in on Rod Rutherford’s all-time single season passing record. Now shut up!
:08 While we’re talking about Pitt…and I was! The freshman class of 2012 is very good. If you think Rushel Shell is just ok, remember he broke the great Billy Simms’ (Oklahoma) all time high school consecutive 100-yard games record. (Thanks Smokin’ Jim, ya’ll know I don’t know this stuff.)
:07 Hey, Redskins and Packers. Them replacement refs don’t look so bad now! Cause ya both got jobbed pretty good!
:06 News alert, news alert, news alert …this just in RG III is the real deal. He’s not just a great athlete that’s a quarterback, he’s a quarterback that’s a great athlete!
:05 Listen…I know you think it’s over…it ain’t over till the fat lady or fat man sings! Get ready to get ready. VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Obama, Obama, Obama!
:04 A huge congratulations to Ron Hunt my lifelong friend, brother, leader, mentor, all around great guy and most importantly former coach and nationally recognized football and track star at Slippery Rock University, for being inducted into the Rock Athletic Hall of Fame this past weekend. Hunt, a native of New Castle was a three-time all Penn State Athletic Conference performer for the Rock’s 1972 championship team as well as team captain. He also won the PSAC Long Jump Championship and set the school record in 1972. Go Rock!
:03 A tip of the “Rock” goes out to former Slippery Rock All Americans Myron Brown and Bill Johnson along with their teammates including Rich Newell for their 1989-90 men’s basketball team being inducted into the Hall as well. Their squad was the first to record a perfect 12-0 record in PSAC Division competition. They also won a best ever 16 straight games and were ranked 2nd nationally, the highest ever by a Rock Team. Go Rock!! Brown, John & Newell were all Connie Hawkins Summer Basketball league All-Stars and Brown, who was voted the 2nd greatest dunker in Pittsburgh history, won numerous dunk titles during his playing days including back to back CBA titles. (I know, I know, but Nathan “Sonny” Lewis edged him out by a hair).
:02 And, yes, that brings me to another outstanding and well deserved awards ceremony. This past weekend I also witnessed the great Nathan “Sonny” Lewis being inducted into the Point Park University Athletic Hall of Fame. Lewis’ induction was presented posthumously, but he was well represented by his family. Sister Ann and her son, Richard Cruse, accepted on behalf of the family. Richard presented another side of “Lew” as he was well known on the asphalt courts as a kind and caring uncle who was very involved with his family and was always available for his nieces and nephews. Here’s what you may not know or may have forgotten about the great Sonny Lewis: All City All State High School All-American Super Star—Led Schenley Spartans to two city and one state championship while averaging 22 pp and 12 rebounds—Was MVP at both the P.A. Dapper Dan and Ohio All-Star Classics—before accepting a scholarship to Pitt, Sonny joined two other super star players Melvin Paul and Terry Peavy, under the direction of Coach Jerry Conboy and led the Pioneers to a one point loss to Henderson State in the national championship game—Scored more than 30 points six times as a senior—Only player to score over a 1,000 points in two years—Scored 626 points as a senior averaged 24 per game—Four-time Connie Hawkins League Slam Dunk Champion—Voted Pittsburgh No. 1 All Time Slam Dunk Champion. All that said here’s all you need to know. This school yard/summer league legend and brother of quite possibly the greatest player in the city league history…Robert “Jeep” Kelly…would simply embarrass you in a multitude of ways and here’s what everybody knew, “if he’s coming your way you better move cause “Sonny Lew” would viscously dunk on you!!” Yep you know it…he’s now playing for “Heaven’s Hoopers” with “K.D.” and the boys.
:01 Mark your calendars right now!!! Ya’ll know all the great parties Champion Enterprise has given you over the years? Baby you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Coming up Oct. 27 at the new and magnificent Le Maison Du Paix Bed and Breakfast in Penn Hills the Champions, Soul Pitt and the Allure Models will present an intimate evening with national jazz legend Kenny Blake. Only 60 tickets are available for this dress to impress VIP special evening that includes wine and light hors d’oeuvres, jazz performance by Kenny Blake, a fashion presence by the Allure Models, spoken word by Mr. Leslie Erza Smith, Jewelry Showcase by Tracy Lynn, special Halloween “Mask” done on site by Ernie Bey (this is not a Halloween party) and an open house walkthrough of the beautiful bed and breakfast owned by Mr. Bill Thompson. All this for only $25 per person. (Proceeds to benefit Champions Toys for Tots Christmas Party and Toy Giveaway for disadvantaged youth.
Yea…this is going to be nice!!
~Game Over~
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