Chris Matthews to Speak at Holy Cross April 7

Thursday, March 27, 2014

GoLocalProv News Team

Holy Cross graduate Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” will give a talk about his latest book Tip and the Gipper: When Politics Worked on Monday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Hogan Campus Center Ballroom.

The talk, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a book signing with Matthews. Copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.

“The purpose of the Student Government Association (SGA) is to represent the interests of the student body. One thing we have heard from students is that they want to hear more from their distinguished alumni,” said Natasha Giftos ’14 and Neema Hakim ’14, co-presidents of the SGA which is sponsoring Matthews’ visit. “Hearing from alumni allows students to develop a deeper insight into Holy Cross and to understand the staying power of their education. We are hosting Chris Matthews ’67 on campus to ensure that students have the opportunity to hear directly from alumni about how Holy Cross has contributed to their lifelong success.”

“As a prominent political journalist, he has dedicated his career to emphasizing the importance of politics and discussing the daily political issues in Washington,” said Makayla Humphrey ’15, a production intern at “Hardball” through the College’s Washington Semester Program during the Fall 2013 semester, who worked with the SGA to facilitate Matthews’ talk. “He taught me never be afraid to ask the difficult questions, and to pursue the questions until you get the right answer. Throughout all of his success, Chris has always made an effort to help his fellow crusaders, whether through internships at ‘Hardball’ or by taking the time to meet and answer the questions of students. In Washington, Chris is a kind spirit to all he encounters; he truly lives out the philosophy of men and women for others.”

Class of 1967

A 1967 graduate of Holy Cross, Matthews has distinguished himself as a journalist, Washington bureau chief, presidential speechwriter, congressional staffer and best-selling writer. He is the author of six books including “Hardball” (1988), “Kennedy & Nixon” (1996), “Now Let Me Tell You What I Really Think” (2001), “American: Beyond Our Grandest Notions” (2002), “Life’s a Campaign” (2007), and “Jack Kennedy: Elusive Hero”(2011). His most recent publication, “Tip and the Gipper,” explores the bipartisan relationship, both personal and professional, between President Ronald Reagan and House Speaker Thomas “Tip” O’Neill, Jr.

Before his career in television, Matthews worked for 15 years as a print journalist. He joined the San Francisco Examiner in 1987, serving as Washington Bureau Chief for 13 years, and as a national columnist for The San Francisco Chronicle for two years. Prior to entering journalism, he served as a speechwriter for President Jimmy Carter and a top aide to O’Neill.

Matthews has returned to campus several times in recent years, including as Commencement speaker in 2003, as Constitution Day speaker in 2009, and a book reading in 2012.

Related Slideshow: Top 10 Players in Holy Cross Crusader Basketball History

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10. Bob Kissane

Class of 1971

Kissane is one of 45 players in Holy Cross history to crack 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,362 points in three full seasons as a Crusader. For his career, Kissane averaged18.1 points per game, leading the Crusaders in scoring in both his Junior and Senior seasons. In those two seasons, Kissane also led the team in rebounding and in free throw shooting percentage. For his career, Kissane finished 10th all-time in scoring average at 18.1 points per game, 9th all-time in total rebounds (793) and rebounding average (10.6 per game) and 4th all-time in free throws made (444) for Holy Cross.

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9. Chris Potter

Class of 1978

Potter's dominance was spread out over a four-year career during the mid-to-late 70's. Potter is another member of the 1,000-point club at Holy Cross, finishing with 1,789 points. That number ties Potter for 5th all-time with legendary Crusader Tom Heinshon. The former Crusader captain was selected as Crusader of the Year during his Senior season, averaging 16.2 points per game and 10.2 rebounds per game. Each season of Potter's career ended in at least 20 wins for Holy Cross. Potter's career stats land him 5th all-time in points scored (1,789) and third all-time in total rebounds (1,019) in Holy Cross history.

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8. Keith Hochstein

Class of 1968

Hochstein was very undersized to be playing in the front court, but he dominated despite his smaller stature. Hochstein stood just 6-feet 4-inches yet managed to grab 11.5 rebounds per game in his three-year career. Hochstein finished his career with an amazing 20.2 points and 11.5 rebounds per game, making him one of a select few to average over 20-points and 10-rebounds per game. His career found Hochstein as another member of the 1,000-point club, finishing 29th all-time with 1,174 points. He finished 7th in scoring average (20.2) and 6th in rebounding average (11.5) in Holy Cross history.

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7. Ed Siudut

Class of 1969

Siudut was as revered off the court as he was on. Siudut was the first-ever Holy Cross player to earn a postgraduate scholarship. He was also an Academic All-American. Throughout his three seasons with the Crusaders Siudut led the team in scoring and rebounding. Siudut is a member of the 1,000-point club, finishing 11th all-time with 1,611 points. Siudut's career stats find him 3rd all-time in scoring average (22.4), 6th all-time in total rebounds (888) and 4th all-time in rebounding average (12.3).

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6. Dwight Pernell

Class of 1990

Pernell was an all-around dominant player for Holy Cross in the late 80's and into 1990. Pernell was a proficient scorer but also a great passer and strong defender. Pernell is one of only two Crusaders to ever score 30 points or more in one half, doing so by scoring 30 in the second half against Mount St. Mary's in 1988. Pernell is yet another member of the 1,000-point club, finishing with 1,891-points which is good for 4th all-time. Pernell also ranks 4th all-time in steals (204) and 6th in assists (430).

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5. Rob Feaster

Class of 1995

Feaster is the first player on our list that is part of the 2,000-point club. Feaster is one of only three players in the 2,000-point club and is 2nd all-time with 2,224 points. Feaster was a four-year player for the Crusaders, but his final two seasons were the ones Holy Cross fans remember. In those seasons he averaged 28.0 and 25.0 points per game respectively. On top of being 2nd all-time in scoring, feaster sits in the top-five in shots attempted and shots made.

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4. Jack Foley

Class of 1962

Jack "The Shot" Foley is another one of the three members of the 2,000-point club. Foley finished his career with 2,185 points in only three years of Varsity play (Freshman did not play Varsity in that time). He still holds the Crusaders career record for scoring average with 28.4 points per game. The season that best shows Foley's scoring ability was his Senior season of 1961-1962 where he averages 33.0 points per game on 50.4% shooting.

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3. Ronnie Perry

Class of 1980

Perry is the all-time leading scorer for the Crusaders. His astonishing 2,542 points are exactly 300 more points than second-leading scorer Rob Feaster. Perry averaged 23.2 points per game for his career with the Crusaders. His career landed him second all-time in scoring average (23.2) and 7th all-time in total assists (422).

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2. Tommy Heinsohn

Class of 1956

The top-two of the list are reserved for Holy Cross royalty. First up is Heinsohn. Heinshon ranks in the top 10 in eight categories all-time for the Crusaders. Heinsohn is most known for his tenacity on the boards, averaging over 15 rebounds per game on his career and over 1,250 for his career. Heinsohn was also a very skilled interior scorer, averaging 22.1 points per game in just three seasons as a Varsity player (Freshman did not play Varsity in their first year). Heinsohn's premier season came in his Senior campign when he averaged 27.4 points and an amazing 21.1 rebounds per game. The astonishing 20-20 average for Heinsohn is considered by some to be the best season ever by a Crusader. Heinsohn is the team's 5th leading scorer, 5th in scoring average, 1st in rebounds and rebounding average all-time for Holy Cross.

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1. Bob Cousy

Class of 1950

Widely considered to be one of the best pure point guards of all-time, Bob Cousy tops the list for best Crusaders. During his four years with the Crusaders, Cousy shattered nearly every standing record at the time. Cousy finished his career as the team's all-time leading scorer and was known as one of the best, and most skilled passers in the entire game.