HOOP HISTORIANS NEWS Committed to promoting goodwill for Volume # 66 – September, 2011

VETS GET TO VISIT KNOW YOUR HOOP CITY OF NEW ORLEANS: WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL HISTORIANS: DOUG FOLEY BACK ON THE REBOUND

Those that served One of the newest members of the Most of the Hoop Historians haven’t our country during Hoop Historians, Doug Foley, has been back to the Crescent City World War II are long basketball since the Final Four last played being recognized ties that have there in 2003. New Orleans has through the Honor brought him to managed to rebuild their arenas, Flight program the group. their city and most importantly their which takes veterans to the World Growing up in spirit after Hurricane Katrina War II Memorial in Washington DC. South Bend, devastated the city in 2005. The Friend of the Hoop Historians, John Foley was a Final Four is coming back in March McCann, went on the trip to the frequent visitor to and the Superdome is finishing its nation’s capitol. John, who served the University of Notre Dame, as his $85 million dollar makeover, in the Navy in World War II, is the family has had season football including adding 25,000 more seats father of Hoop Historian Kevin tickets for over 40 years, and are from the 2003 seating layout, McCann. Some additional Hoop basketball season ticket holders increasing concourse space at the Historians were also present at the since 1976. Doug was in facility, and improving many homecoming for the veterans at attendance for the infamous 1974 spectator amenities. In addition to Chicago’s Midway Airport, which UCLA basketball game, in which the the upcoming Final Four, the city featured a color guard, bagpipers Irish snapped the Bruins 88-game has hosted the 2007 NBA All-Star and a special ceremony. The winning streak. Without a doubt, Weekend and will host the Super National World War II Memorial that game got him hooked on Bowl and Women’s Final Four both commemorates the 16 million who college basketball – and Doug still in 2013. The city continues to served in the U.S. Armed Forces, has the ticket stub from that contest. rebuild and rebound, as its the more than 400,000 who died, He continued to follow Notre Dame unemployment rate is now lower and the millions who supported the through their 1978 Final Four run. than the national average. And of war effort at home. Honor Flight Another Final Four followed in 1979 course, the hospitality of New facilitates the all expenses paid trip and Doug managed to get his Orleans remains second to none as for veterans in their appreciation for championship game ticket signed it continues to be one of the most their patriotism and service to our by . In 1980 Doug got a fun places to party on the planet. country. In addition to his service to ticket from Coach Frank McGuire, The economic impact of hosting his country, John also served and in 1982 Foley and enjoyed a major events certainly will help the DePaul University as its Sports Final Four breakfast conversation city, but its media attention of Information Director from 1958 to with the entertaining , having “The Big Easy” being back 1973 and was the recipient of the where Coach told stories for about as major player in hospitality to school’s Dr. Robert Hamilton 45 minutes. Of course, besides hundreds of thousands of people Special Service Award in 2004. growing up in the basketball country will help it fully regain its image. of Indiana, Doug attended the University of Kentucky – another RAIL BIRDS IN ACTION basketball powerhouse – and WE’RE COMING BACK worked the Wildcats basketball camp from 1980-83. Doug always enjoys when his alma mater is in the title game. Currently Foley is employed in the aviation field and sells charter and fractional shares of aircraft. He resides in suburban Indianapolis and, of course, has

rooted for local hometown team Several Hoop Historians and Butler in the last two national Friends of the Hoop Historians MARCH 31 & APRIL 2 th championship games. In April of attended the group’s 4 Annual this past year Doug was inducted “Day at The Races” at Arlington into the Hoop Historians as a full International Racecourse in August. member.