Nov. 4, 2004

Charleston, SC - He wasn't an all-star basketball player but was considered an all-star manager.

So claims author Pat Conroy '67, who in November of 2002 introduced the world to the late Capt. Joe W. Eubanks '69, the basketball team's assistant manager who was killed in action in Vietnam on June 2, 1972, when his Huey helicopter was shot down. Eubanks was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart for valor.

Conroy, in his book My Losing Season, chronicled The Citadel's 1966-67 basketball team's 8-16 record. The book reached No. 2 on the New York Times' bestseller list.

Shortly after the book hit the stores, members of the My Losing Season team, spearheaded by Green Weenie (the name given to the reserves) Dave Bornhorst '68, coordinated a fund-raising effort to refurbish the Bulldogs' locker room and team room in Eubanks' memory. The effort targeted former Citadel basketball players and supporters of the program.

This Friday at 4:45 p.m., as part of The Citadel's Homecoming activities, the Joe W. Eubanks '69 Locker Room and Team Room will be officially dedicated inside McAlister Field House. Bornhorst will deliver a brief message and a plaque, which was donated by former head manager and retired FBI agent Al Beiner '68, will be presented to Director of Athletics and former basketball coach Les Robinson and current head coach Pat Dennis. Members of the basketball team will also be on hand.