UDC to Play GWU October 31, 2007
The University of the District of Columbia Firebirds will play the George Washington University Colonials in a pre-season exhibition game on Wednesday, October 31, 2007, at 7:30 p.m., at the GWU Charles E. Smith Center. This will be the first, ever, meeting of the two neighboring schools and quite a challenge for the NCAA Division II Firebirds.
George Washington, a NCAA Division I member of the Atlantic 10 Conference, won 23 and lost only 9 games during the 2006-07 season. According to the GWU Athletic Web Site, “The defending A-10 champion men's team returns 11 letterwinners, including 2007 A-10 Championship Most Outstanding Player Maureece Rice, from last year's 23-9 NCAA Tournament team.”
The University of the District of Columbia, a NCAA Division II, Independent, went 20-9 during the 2006-07 season, and returns 10 letterwinners and all 5 starters from last year’s team, including standouts Willie Shaw and Charlie Smallwood, both of whom were ranked high among NCAA Division II basketball players during the season. Shaw returned this year in the best shape of his career, after losing 6o pounds. Frank Petersen, the Firebird’s returning point guard is expected to provide exciting floor leadership for the team. Firebird newcomers include Edison High School (Springfield, VA) standout Timothy W. Ellison. Ellison is a 6’5” swing man who can play several positions, including shooting guard, point guard and small forward. He received Edison’s Most Valuable Player Award following the 2006-07 season during which they compiled a record of 18-3, to win their first regular season district championship since 1970. Ellison scored 20 points in Edison’s win over Wakefield High to give them the 2007 National District Championship.
UDC Head Coach Julius L. Smith, Jr., said about the up coming game, “This is an unbelievable opportunity for UDC to play a NCAA Division I team of the caliber of the George Washington University Colonials. I want to thank Coach Hobbs for the opportunity to play them. Hobbs has taken them to the tournament each year since he has been the GWU coach, and for him to play us speaks volumes about his character and willingness to reach out to the Washington community. ”
The Firebirds look to play extremely hard and be competitive on the boards hoping to collect as many rebounds as possible, and be tough on defense. They expect to use their scoring experience from last year to make the game interesting.