November 5-6th, 2021, saw both Gonzaga Classes of '70 and '71 gather for their 50th Jubilee Reunion Celebrations on Eye Street, (Covid delayed the '70 reunion). While the oldest Catholic School rivalry took place on Buchanan Field (#GGBSJ),  a rivalry between the Class of '70 and '71 was remembered, as well. It's not often when juniors outdo seniors, but on November 11, 1969, that’s just what happened.

And just like their 50th reunion celebrations, it all revolved around the 1969 Gonzaga vs St Johns Football game. The late Mark Smith '71 was truly the wizard behind the curtain who made magic on the National Mall that night. With science, stealth, and salesmanship, Mark and his fellow juniors outdid the seniors in the Beat St. John's PR battle by turning The Washington Monument Purple and White.

So many variables could have gone wrong, but they didn't.

Passing the hat to raise a whopping $300, $2200 by 2021 standards, for a special overseas shipment from England. This is long before Amazon.com. Who gave the a key faculty member signature (wink-wink)? It's all in Episode 9, as members of the Class of '71 Larry Heaney, Dennis Orsborn, Larry Vagnoni, and Tom Donohoe all share their memories of arguably the greatest "Go Gonzaga, Beat St. Johns!" stunt of all.

Oh and Tom and one of his buddies renewed another GGBSJ tradition that night, too on the 14th Street Railroad or Long Bridge. So much fun. Stay to the end as one of next week's guests shares a GGBSJ story from 2014, that if that doesn't give you  goosebumps, the last 30 seconds will.

GO GONZAGA, BEAT ST. JOHN'S!!