"Eleven is eleven, and ten is ten."

Thus spake Matt Thurber, when asked whether we should postpone the St. John's Hoops 10-Year Anniversary celebration until next year, or try again to make it work this year.

And so: Announcing the return of our 10-year anniversary bash, complete with three-on-three tournament and post-tourney whoop-de-do!

It's a tad late in the year for an outdoor soirée, but let's not forget the thing that makes St. John's Hoops St. John's Hoops: Our access to the best gym in town. Thus, on Wednesday, October 20, we'll convene at 6:00 p.m. on our home court. We'll square off in a double-elimination 3-on-3 tourney and then retire to a nearby watering hole (likely Red's Savoy, pending confirmation they can take us) beers, pizza, and more.

To ensure a smooth-running affair we'll need an accurate headcount. Please let me know ASAP -- but no later than Monday, October 18 -- if you will or will not be there. Please also let me know if you want to participate but cannot make it by 6:00 p.m. I will be sure you get assigned a later start.

As in the past, a disinterested party (my wife) will pick the teams and fill in the bracket. I will provide her with minimal input -- just enough to keep her from putting, say, Dan, Tony, and Balza all on the same team.

If you've been absent from St. John's for a while, this is the night to return! If you're fretting that your game is a little rusty, give me a break. Most of us were past our primes when we started this 10 years ago. Let me repeat: UNLESS YOUR HOUSE IS BURNING DOWN YOU SHOULD BE THERE.

Watch for more details in the coming weeks.

Special thanks to the St. John's Hoops 10-Year Anniversary Celebration Working Group for participating in the first and only conference call in the history of SJH, and to Jeff Schoenherr for bending over backward to attend.