Projo College Hoops

John Egan Day has begun here in Providence.

The Providence College community has just wrapped up a brunch in Egan's honor at the downtown Westin Hotel. He'll have his name retired at halftime of today's PC-Notre Dame.

Several of Egan's teammate and family members were in the crowd at the Westin. Ray Flynn, the former Mayor of Boston and backcourt star along with Egan in 1961, spoke to the crowd and helped introduce Egan.

``John, we are so very, very proud of what you've been able to achieve in life,'' said Flynn. ``I think that is more impressive than what you achieved on the court.''

Egan lives in Houston and serves as the director of the Houston Rockets' alumni group. He received a standing ovation from the crowd at the brunch. He was clearly choked up as he began to speak and said ``your life flashes before you at times like this.''

Egan said he cherished his years at Providence and thanked all his teammates and the priests who helped him get through school. He even urged PC to hang a banner at The Dunk with the numbers of all his ex-teammates on it in celebration of the 1961 NIT title.

``This is a wonderful experience,'' he said. ``I can only say `thank you' and hope all of the people who are not here with us can hear us.''

More on John Egan and the start of the PC-Notre Dame game at the half.

KEVIN McNAMARA

 Tags  John Egan PC basketball

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