As you surely know being a discerning fan of sports and sports media, the game recap is essentially a dying form of sports journalism. Maybe last rites have already been given, in fact, when we can quickly get scores online and on television. We’ll read a reaction piece or column about the game which covers the pertinent moments later on.
But if the game recap is indeed an art form, some enterprising writers out there are determined to ensure that such articles remain an art form and occasionally aspire to greatness. Or maybe just quirkiness to make the piece a little bit memorable. Whomever wrote the recap of George Washington’s 65-46 win over San Diego State in Tuesday’s NIT semifinal was definitely having some fun.
Whoever wrote this GW-SDSU recap either lost a bet or REALLY loves Billy Joel:https://t.co/5QXBZcsGXI
— Jason Woodmansee (@jasonwoodmansee) March 30, 2016
Or maybe the author (or authors) were paying off a bet. Perhaps this was an attempt to prove to colleagues and friends that it couldn’t be done. You may be right.
Drawing the connection between GW playing at Madison Square Garden and Billy Joel, who’s played there so many times during his career, is too much of a stretch, isn’t it? Maybe not, since Joel has performed 65 shows at the venue, more than any other artist. (Elton John is second with 62.)
Don’t ask me why, the writer might say.
May we all just choose to believe that the person writing this recap simply loves Billy Joel’s music so much that the love weaved its way into the prose? Every paragraph of the story included at least one reference to a Joel song or lyric. Here’s but one example:
“In the penultimate game of his collegiate career, Patricio Garino also scored in double figures for the Colonials with 13 points on 6-of-12 shooting as the GW faithful in attendance told the Argentinian swingman we like you just the way you are.”
Another? And so it goes.
“And so it goes for the Colonials, as with the win GW is now movin’ out to the NIT Championship Game. Everybody has a dream as GW now looks for its first-ever NIT crown on Thursday night at 7:00 pm against Valparaiso on ESPN.”
The author of that recap needs to reveal him or herself. The sports information department at GW needs to take pride in its work, at least publicly.
Hey, we’re not above some appreciation of Billy Joel ourselves. Anyone up for “A Matter of Trust”? No? Then you probably shouldn’t click the video below. For those who dig a good rocker, open the windows and blast this one like they do in this five-minute piece of musical glory. Enjoy!
