(05-02-2020 12:28 PM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-01-2020 08:10 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  To keep this thread going during the doldrums of spring/summer, I will "study" a Big East campus each week and post some thoughts. I will geographically move from east and move west. So the Providence campus should be my first "assessment." We've touched on the UConn campus but I might return with some final takes.

Enjoy your day, gents, and I shall be touch.

Hi Bill,
I can touch on the general PC area as you make your way around Google maps.

PC has a relatively small campus, pretty much square-shaped. It's in a working-class residential area on the north side of the city, like a couple of miles from downtown Providence. To what i'm gonna call the south and west are single family houses; to the east are typical 3 story tenement houses; to the north is a mix.

Generally, the city of Providence has a downtown, and then a series of roads heading out like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Two spokes border the campus-- Admiral Street to the north and Eaton Street to the south. But parallel and just to the south of Eaton, one block, is a high-traffic 2 lane road-- Route 44, aka Smith Street-- that is packed at rush hour heading to NW suburb towns of North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield.

On the north side is River Ave, just a cut-across road. To the east waa Huxley Ave (dog mascot named after it). Huxley was closed to traffic just in the past couple of years.

Historically, the area if heavy Irish, Italuan, and Armenian. The There is no real solid "main street" for PC... a couple if random bars are in the area, on Admiral (in Eagle Park), and on Smith. There's an excellent Italian bakery on Smith (LaSalle Bakery), amd another one named Zaccagnini's which is not far from a supermarket plaza. Mainly, the few restaurants in this area are used by locals as much as PC students. There are no chain restaurants in the general area. There's a Newport Creamery, the statewide burger-ice cream shop, on Smith Street.

The more popular college hangout area is on Thayer Street at the Brown campus, which is on the "East Side" of the city, up the hill from downtown. When on Thayer Street, i do see Friar students hanging out, along with Brown and RISD students. it's too far to walk from PC to Brown, with no good sidewalks, but i guess they drive. Sometimes after PC games, i take the kuds to eat on Thayer, and often see Friar players sitting in the next booth. After the Marquette win, Luwane Pipkins was with us at Shake Shack, and other Friars were at a smoothie bar.

The PC vampus entrance is ob the corner of River and Eaton, with the original building and current admun right there in Harkley Hall. The track is just to its north. The north side of campus also has, going clockwise, the new Ruane Center for PC hoops, Student Union and bookstore known as the Slavin Center, the lacrosse field, the gorgeous and renovated 3500 seat on-campus hockey rink (Schneider Arena) which is on the corner of Admiral and Huxley, the new soccer field and softball field (site of former baseball field). To the south side of campus are dorms, classrooms, the library, and that important academic stuff. There's a small chapel on campus, but the area church is really St Pius, on the south side of Eaton Street.

Ok, that's a quick rundown to help get you going. Safe area. As kids there were lemonade shops (Google up Mr Lemon on Hawkins Street just to the northeast), my dentist, drug store, supermarket, bakeries like i mentioned. My grandmother was born in a tenement on Hawkins in the mill area of Wanskuck. Our Italian church was St Anne's, also on Hawkins-- Google that, it loooks like something in Siena.

Also, PC gave kids of immigrants a chance for a college education, like some in my family the generation before me. Kids could live at home at go to school at PC. it's very well-respected in the community-- it's not some insular heavy-handed scholl that bullies the locals. I didnt even go there (i'm a RISD alum), but i'm a huge fan of the school going back to my childhood in the 70's.

Also, PC played on campus thru 1972. Then the Friars moved into the Dunk (back then, the Providence Civic Center), which fit 12k, the second largest arena in New England at the time, behind only the Boston Garden. Major national program, lot of NBA-ers, one of the few colleges in a major downtown arena (another groundbreaking PC idea).

Ok, enjoy. I can try to answer any other questions you have.

My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon building is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Good stuff.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 12:28 PM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-01-2020 08:10 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  To keep this thread going during the doldrums of spring/summer, I will "study" a Big East campus each week and post some thoughts. I will geographically move from east and move west. So the Providence campus should be my first "assessment." We've touched on the UConn campus but I might return with some final takes.

Enjoy your day, gents, and I shall be touch.

Hi Bill,
I can touch on the general PC area as you make your way around Google maps.

PC has a relatively small campus, pretty much square-shaped. It's in a working-class residential area on the north side of the city, like a couple of miles from downtown Providence. To what i'm gonna call the south and west are single family houses; to the east are typical 3 story tenement houses; to the north is a mix.

Generally, the city of Providence has a downtown, and then a series of roads heading out like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Two spokes border the campus-- Admiral Street to the north and Eaton Street to the south. But parallel and just to the south of Eaton, one block, is a high-traffic 2 lane road-- Route 44, aka Smith Street-- that is packed at rush hour heading to NW suburb towns of North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield.

On the north side is River Ave, just a cut-across road. To the east waa Huxley Ave (dog mascot named after it). Huxley was closed to traffic just in the past couple of years.

Historically, the area if heavy Irish, Italuan, and Armenian. The There is no real solid "main street" for PC... a couple if random bars are in the area, on Admiral (in Eagle Park), and on Smith. There's an excellent Italian bakery on Smith (LaSalle Bakery), amd another one named Zaccagnini's which is not far from a supermarket plaza. Mainly, the few restaurants in this area are used by locals as much as PC students. There are no chain restaurants in the general area. There's a Newport Creamery, the statewide burger-ice cream shop, on Smith Street.

The more popular college hangout area is on Thayer Street at the Brown campus, which is on the "East Side" of the city, up the hill from downtown. When on Thayer Street, i do see Friar students hanging out, along with Brown and RISD students. it's too far to walk from PC to Brown, with no good sidewalks, but i guess they drive. Sometimes after PC games, i take the kuds to eat on Thayer, and often see Friar players sitting in the next booth. After the Marquette win, Luwane Pipkins was with us at Shake Shack, and other Friars were at a smoothie bar.

The PC vampus entrance is ob the corner of River and Eaton, with the original building and current admun right there in Harkley Hall. The track is just to its north. The north side of campus also has, going clockwise, the new Ruane Center for PC hoops, Student Union and bookstore known as the Slavin Center, the lacrosse field, the gorgeous and renovated 3500 seat on-campus hockey rink (Schneider Arena) which is on the corner of Admiral and Huxley, the new soccer field and softball field (site of former baseball field). To the south side of campus are dorms, classrooms, the library, and that important academic stuff. There's a small chapel on campus, but the area church is really St Pius, on the south side of Eaton Street.

Ok, that's a quick rundown to help get you going. Safe area. As kids there were lemonade shops (Google up Mr Lemon on Hawkins Street just to the northeast), my dentist, drug store, supermarket, bakeries like i mentioned. My grandmother was born in a tenement on Hawkins in the mill area of Wanskuck. Our Italian church was St Anne's, also on Hawkins-- Google that, it loooks like something in Siena.

Also, PC gave kids of immigrants a chance for a college education, like some in my family the generation before me. Kids could live at home at go to school at PC. it's very well-respected in the community-- it's not some insular heavy-handed scholl that bullies the locals. I didnt even go there (i'm a RISD alum), but i'm a huge fan of the school going back to my childhood in the 70's.

Also, PC played on campus thru 1972. Then the Friars moved into the Dunk (back then, the Providence Civic Center), which fit 12k, the second largest arena in New England at the time, behind only the Boston Garden. Major national program, lot of NBA-ers, one of the few colleges in a major downtown arena (another groundbreaking PC idea).

Ok, enjoy. I can try to answer any other questions you have.

My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 12:28 PM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-01-2020 08:10 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  To keep this thread going during the doldrums of spring/summer, I will "study" a Big East campus each week and post some thoughts. I will geographically move from east and move west. So the Providence campus should be my first "assessment." We've touched on the UConn campus but I might return with some final takes.

Enjoy your day, gents, and I shall be touch.

Hi Bill,
I can touch on the general PC area as you make your way around Google maps.

PC has a relatively small campus, pretty much square-shaped. It's in a working-class residential area on the north side of the city, like a couple of miles from downtown Providence. To what i'm gonna call the south and west are single family houses; to the east are typical 3 story tenement houses; to the north is a mix.

Generally, the city of Providence has a downtown, and then a series of roads heading out like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Two spokes border the campus-- Admiral Street to the north and Eaton Street to the south. But parallel and just to the south of Eaton, one block, is a high-traffic 2 lane road-- Route 44, aka Smith Street-- that is packed at rush hour heading to NW suburb towns of North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield.

On the north side is River Ave, just a cut-across road. To the east waa Huxley Ave (dog mascot named after it). Huxley was closed to traffic just in the past couple of years.

Historically, the area if heavy Irish, Italuan, and Armenian. The There is no real solid "main street" for PC... a couple if random bars are in the area, on Admiral (in Eagle Park), and on Smith. There's an excellent Italian bakery on Smith (LaSalle Bakery), amd another one named Zaccagnini's which is not far from a supermarket plaza. Mainly, the few restaurants in this area are used by locals as much as PC students. There are no chain restaurants in the general area. There's a Newport Creamery, the statewide burger-ice cream shop, on Smith Street.

The more popular college hangout area is on Thayer Street at the Brown campus, which is on the "East Side" of the city, up the hill from downtown. When on Thayer Street, i do see Friar students hanging out, along with Brown and RISD students. it's too far to walk from PC to Brown, with no good sidewalks, but i guess they drive. Sometimes after PC games, i take the kuds to eat on Thayer, and often see Friar players sitting in the next booth. After the Marquette win, Luwane Pipkins was with us at Shake Shack, and other Friars were at a smoothie bar.

The PC vampus entrance is ob the corner of River and Eaton, with the original building and current admun right there in Harkley Hall. The track is just to its north. The north side of campus also has, going clockwise, the new Ruane Center for PC hoops, Student Union and bookstore known as the Slavin Center, the lacrosse field, the gorgeous and renovated 3500 seat on-campus hockey rink (Schneider Arena) which is on the corner of Admiral and Huxley, the new soccer field and softball field (site of former baseball field). To the south side of campus are dorms, classrooms, the library, and that important academic stuff. There's a small chapel on campus, but the area church is really St Pius, on the south side of Eaton Street.

Ok, that's a quick rundown to help get you going. Safe area. As kids there were lemonade shops (Google up Mr Lemon on Hawkins Street just to the northeast), my dentist, drug store, supermarket, bakeries like i mentioned. My grandmother was born in a tenement on Hawkins in the mill area of Wanskuck. Our Italian church was St Anne's, also on Hawkins-- Google that, it loooks like something in Siena.

Also, PC gave kids of immigrants a chance for a college education, like some in my family the generation before me. Kids could live at home at go to school at PC. it's very well-respected in the community-- it's not some insular heavy-handed scholl that bullies the locals. I didnt even go there (i'm a RISD alum), but i'm a huge fan of the school going back to my childhood in the 70's.

Also, PC played on campus thru 1972. Then the Friars moved into the Dunk (back then, the Providence Civic Center), which fit 12k, the second largest arena in New England at the time, behind only the Boston Garden. Major national program, lot of NBA-ers, one of the few colleges in a major downtown arena (another groundbreaking PC idea).

Ok, enjoy. I can try to answer any other questions you have.

My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

(05-03-2020 08:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 12:28 PM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-01-2020 08:10 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  To keep this thread going during the doldrums of spring/summer, I will "study" a Big East campus each week and post some thoughts. I will geographically move from east and move west. So the Providence campus should be my first "assessment." We've touched on the UConn campus but I might return with some final takes.

Enjoy your day, gents, and I shall be touch.

Hi Bill,
I can touch on the general PC area as you make your way around Google maps.

PC has a relatively small campus, pretty much square-shaped. It's in a working-class residential area on the north side of the city, like a couple of miles from downtown Providence. To what i'm gonna call the south and west are single family houses; to the east are typical 3 story tenement houses; to the north is a mix.

Generally, the city of Providence has a downtown, and then a series of roads heading out like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Two spokes border the campus-- Admiral Street to the north and Eaton Street to the south. But parallel and just to the south of Eaton, one block, is a high-traffic 2 lane road-- Route 44, aka Smith Street-- that is packed at rush hour heading to NW suburb towns of North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield.

On the north side is River Ave, just a cut-across road. To the east waa Huxley Ave (dog mascot named after it). Huxley was closed to traffic just in the past couple of years.

Historically, the area if heavy Irish, Italuan, and Armenian. The There is no real solid "main street" for PC... a couple if random bars are in the area, on Admiral (in Eagle Park), and on Smith. There's an excellent Italian bakery on Smith (LaSalle Bakery), amd another one named Zaccagnini's which is not far from a supermarket plaza. Mainly, the few restaurants in this area are used by locals as much as PC students. There are no chain restaurants in the general area. There's a Newport Creamery, the statewide burger-ice cream shop, on Smith Street.

The more popular college hangout area is on Thayer Street at the Brown campus, which is on the "East Side" of the city, up the hill from downtown. When on Thayer Street, i do see Friar students hanging out, along with Brown and RISD students. it's too far to walk from PC to Brown, with no good sidewalks, but i guess they drive. Sometimes after PC games, i take the kuds to eat on Thayer, and often see Friar players sitting in the next booth. After the Marquette win, Luwane Pipkins was with us at Shake Shack, and other Friars were at a smoothie bar.

The PC vampus entrance is ob the corner of River and Eaton, with the original building and current admun right there in Harkley Hall. The track is just to its north. The north side of campus also has, going clockwise, the new Ruane Center for PC hoops, Student Union and bookstore known as the Slavin Center, the lacrosse field, the gorgeous and renovated 3500 seat on-campus hockey rink (Schneider Arena) which is on the corner of Admiral and Huxley, the new soccer field and softball field (site of former baseball field). To the south side of campus are dorms, classrooms, the library, and that important academic stuff. There's a small chapel on campus, but the area church is really St Pius, on the south side of Eaton Street.

Ok, that's a quick rundown to help get you going. Safe area. As kids there were lemonade shops (Google up Mr Lemon on Hawkins Street just to the northeast), my dentist, drug store, supermarket, bakeries like i mentioned. My grandmother was born in a tenement on Hawkins in the mill area of Wanskuck. Our Italian church was St Anne's, also on Hawkins-- Google that, it loooks like something in Siena.

Also, PC gave kids of immigrants a chance for a college education, like some in my family the generation before me. Kids could live at home at go to school at PC. it's very well-respected in the community-- it's not some insular heavy-handed scholl that bullies the locals. I didnt even go there (i'm a RISD alum), but i'm a huge fan of the school going back to my childhood in the 70's.

Also, PC played on campus thru 1972. Then the Friars moved into the Dunk (back then, the Providence Civic Center), which fit 12k, the second largest arena in New England at the time, behind only the Boston Garden. Major national program, lot of NBA-ers, one of the few colleges in a major downtown arena (another groundbreaking PC idea).

Ok, enjoy. I can try to answer any other questions you have.

My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

The Brown campus is indeed beautiful. For the last couple of years I was there (early 1970's), I lived on Waterman Street about a block from Thayer Street....perfect location, and my room rent was $35/mo. including utilities.

(05-03-2020 10:58 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 08:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 12:28 PM)billyjack Wrote:  Hi Bill,
I can touch on the general PC area as you make your way around Google maps.

PC has a relatively small campus, pretty much square-shaped. It's in a working-class residential area on the north side of the city, like a couple of miles from downtown Providence. To what i'm gonna call the south and west are single family houses; to the east are typical 3 story tenement houses; to the north is a mix.

Generally, the city of Providence has a downtown, and then a series of roads heading out like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Two spokes border the campus-- Admiral Street to the north and Eaton Street to the south. But parallel and just to the south of Eaton, one block, is a high-traffic 2 lane road-- Route 44, aka Smith Street-- that is packed at rush hour heading to NW suburb towns of North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield.

On the north side is River Ave, just a cut-across road. To the east waa Huxley Ave (dog mascot named after it). Huxley was closed to traffic just in the past couple of years.

Historically, the area if heavy Irish, Italuan, and Armenian. The There is no real solid "main street" for PC... a couple if random bars are in the area, on Admiral (in Eagle Park), and on Smith. There's an excellent Italian bakery on Smith (LaSalle Bakery), amd another one named Zaccagnini's which is not far from a supermarket plaza. Mainly, the few restaurants in this area are used by locals as much as PC students. There are no chain restaurants in the general area. There's a Newport Creamery, the statewide burger-ice cream shop, on Smith Street.

The more popular college hangout area is on Thayer Street at the Brown campus, which is on the "East Side" of the city, up the hill from downtown. When on Thayer Street, i do see Friar students hanging out, along with Brown and RISD students. it's too far to walk from PC to Brown, with no good sidewalks, but i guess they drive. Sometimes after PC games, i take the kuds to eat on Thayer, and often see Friar players sitting in the next booth. After the Marquette win, Luwane Pipkins was with us at Shake Shack, and other Friars were at a smoothie bar.

The PC vampus entrance is ob the corner of River and Eaton, with the original building and current admun right there in Harkley Hall. The track is just to its north. The north side of campus also has, going clockwise, the new Ruane Center for PC hoops, Student Union and bookstore known as the Slavin Center, the lacrosse field, the gorgeous and renovated 3500 seat on-campus hockey rink (Schneider Arena) which is on the corner of Admiral and Huxley, the new soccer field and softball field (site of former baseball field). To the south side of campus are dorms, classrooms, the library, and that important academic stuff. There's a small chapel on campus, but the area church is really St Pius, on the south side of Eaton Street.

Ok, that's a quick rundown to help get you going. Safe area. As kids there were lemonade shops (Google up Mr Lemon on Hawkins Street just to the northeast), my dentist, drug store, supermarket, bakeries like i mentioned. My grandmother was born in a tenement on Hawkins in the mill area of Wanskuck. Our Italian church was St Anne's, also on Hawkins-- Google that, it loooks like something in Siena.

Also, PC gave kids of immigrants a chance for a college education, like some in my family the generation before me. Kids could live at home at go to school at PC. it's very well-respected in the community-- it's not some insular heavy-handed scholl that bullies the locals. I didnt even go there (i'm a RISD alum), but i'm a huge fan of the school going back to my childhood in the 70's.

Also, PC played on campus thru 1972. Then the Friars moved into the Dunk (back then, the Providence Civic Center), which fit 12k, the second largest arena in New England at the time, behind only the Boston Garden. Major national program, lot of NBA-ers, one of the few colleges in a major downtown arena (another groundbreaking PC idea).

Ok, enjoy. I can try to answer any other questions you have.

My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

The Brown campus is indeed beautiful. For the last couple of years I was there (early 1970's), I lived on Waterman Street about a block from Thayer Street....perfect location, and my room rent was $35/mo. including utilities.

I'm not familiar with Smith Restaurant unfortunately The cheap homestyle porcelain-table place on Federal Hill is still there, called Angelo's. If you're coming from the Dunk, walk under the pineapple arch, and within 4 buildings on the right is Angelo's.

Providence had 2 main Italian neighborhoods (then eventuslly the later generations moved away). One was Federal Hill like you mentioned, which had its base on Atwells Ave, and got the bad reputation (seemed every non-RI person wanted to talk about Buddy Cianci, for example dimwit Imus wouldn't STFU about him, holy cow).. The other was "Charles Street", which had its base in the St Anne's Church neighborhood that i mentioned, at the corner of Charles and Branch, and actually continued up Charles to my family's original nrighborhood, touching on Smithfield Road.

The Brown area is my favorite part of the city. You guys are familiar with the gorgeous green between the historic buildings, with old wide spreading trees. X-man, sounds like you were in a perfect spot... probably at Brook Street and Waterman, right in the heart of the area. My brother went to Brown in the early 80's.

Thayer still has the Brown Bookstore, which is a block up from Waterman on Angell Street. One block from Angell was the now closed College Hill Bookstore, which i miss a lot. The Avon Cinema is still there on that same block, a lot of great indy movies. Heading east on Waterman to Wayland Square was a former diner that was great named Rufful's

When i was at RISD in the late 80's, i lived on Angell, over the crest and halfway doen the hill near Benefit Street. Xman and Bill, you might remember in the early 70's Cianci restored the rundown Benefit Street historic houses. Most of my RISD classes wete down on South Main along the river. That entire area was restored in my years at school. Cool to see it transform. in the last 10 years, RISD has actually crossed the river and has dorms and studios and its library in the old Hospital Trust Bank Building, just to the east of the giant white "skyscraper" building. I always recommend that people check out the RISD Museum on Benefit. Small with a great collection.

Meehan is Brown's hockey rink, with a nice dome overhead. Brown's basketball is in the boring Pizzatola Center. Their hoops used to be at Marvel Gym, a small fieldhouse up to the north across from Brown Stadium (football). At Marvel you could sit a couple of rows back from the benches. Early 80's as a teenager i saw Boston College play ay Marvel, sittng right behind the BC bench. Pretty cool.

Anyway, i've kinda gone on longer that necessary. Hope you guys didn't fall asleep. Lol...

(05-03-2020 11:41 AM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 10:58 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 08:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

The Brown campus is indeed beautiful. For the last couple of years I was there (early 1970's), I lived on Waterman Street about a block from Thayer Street....perfect location, and my room rent was $35/mo. including utilities.

I'm not familiar with Smith Restaurant unfortunately The cheap homestyle porcelain-table place on Federal Hill is still there, called Angelo's. If you're coming from the Dunk, walk under the pineapple arch, and within 4 buildings on the right is Angelo's.

Providence had 2 main Italian neighborhoods (then eventuslly the later generations moved away). One was Federal Hill like you mentioned, which had its base on Atwells Ave, and got the bad reputation (seemed every non-RI person wanted to talk about Buddy Cianci, for example dimwit Imus wouldn't STFU about him, holy cow).. The other was "Charles Street", which had its base in the St Anne's Church neighborhood that i mentioned, at the corner of Charles and Branch, and actually continued up Charles to my family's original nrighborhood, touching on Smithfield Road.

The Brown area is my favorite part of the city. You guys are familiar with the gorgeous green between the historic buildings, with old wide spreading trees. X-man, sounds like you were in a perfect spot... probably at Brook Street and Waterman, right in the heart of the area. My brother went to Brown in the early 80's.

Thayer still has the Brown Bookstore, which is a block up from Waterman on Angell Street. One block from Angell was the now closed College Hill Bookstore, which i miss a lot. The Avon Cinema is still there on that same block, a lot of great indy movies. Heading east on Waterman to Wayland Square was a former diner that was great named Rufful's

When i was at RISD in the late 80's, i lived on Angell, over the crest and halfway doen the hill near Benefit Street. Xman and Bill, you might remember in the early 70's Cianci restored the rundown Benefit Street historic houses. Most of my RISD classes wete down on South Main along the river. That entire area was restored in my years at school. Cool to see it transform. in the last 10 years, RISD has actually crossed the river and has dorms and studios and its library in the old Hospital Trust Bank Building, just to the east of the giant white "skyscraper" building. I always recommend that people check out the RISD Museum on Benefit. Small with a great collection.

Meehan is Brown's hockey rink, with a nice dome overhead. Brown's basketball is in the boring Pizzatola Center. Their hoops used to be at Marvel Gym, a small fieldhouse up to the north across from Brown Stadium (football). At Marvel you could sit a couple of rows back from the benches. Early 80's as a teenager i saw Boston College play ay Marvel, sittng right behind the BC bench. Pretty cool.

Anyway, i've kinda gone on longer that necessary. Hope you guys didn't fall asleep. Lol...

One of my best memories of RISD was the Sunday afternoon buffet, which always featured a chef in full regalia carving up a Chicago round. We used to go most Sundays, and leave with pockets so full of food that we could get through half of the next week on what we walked out of there with. I also spent a lot of time at the new (at the time) grad center bar on Thayer. Ping pong, bridge games, and good cheap beer.

(05-03-2020 10:58 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 08:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 12:28 PM)billyjack Wrote:  Hi Bill,
I can touch on the general PC area as you make your way around Google maps.

PC has a relatively small campus, pretty much square-shaped. It's in a working-class residential area on the north side of the city, like a couple of miles from downtown Providence. To what i'm gonna call the south and west are single family houses; to the east are typical 3 story tenement houses; to the north is a mix.

Generally, the city of Providence has a downtown, and then a series of roads heading out like spokes on a bicycle wheel. Two spokes border the campus-- Admiral Street to the north and Eaton Street to the south. But parallel and just to the south of Eaton, one block, is a high-traffic 2 lane road-- Route 44, aka Smith Street-- that is packed at rush hour heading to NW suburb towns of North Providence, Johnston, and Smithfield.

On the north side is River Ave, just a cut-across road. To the east waa Huxley Ave (dog mascot named after it). Huxley was closed to traffic just in the past couple of years.

Historically, the area if heavy Irish, Italuan, and Armenian. The There is no real solid "main street" for PC... a couple if random bars are in the area, on Admiral (in Eagle Park), and on Smith. There's an excellent Italian bakery on Smith (LaSalle Bakery), amd another one named Zaccagnini's which is not far from a supermarket plaza. Mainly, the few restaurants in this area are used by locals as much as PC students. There are no chain restaurants in the general area. There's a Newport Creamery, the statewide burger-ice cream shop, on Smith Street.

The more popular college hangout area is on Thayer Street at the Brown campus, which is on the "East Side" of the city, up the hill from downtown. When on Thayer Street, i do see Friar students hanging out, along with Brown and RISD students. it's too far to walk from PC to Brown, with no good sidewalks, but i guess they drive. Sometimes after PC games, i take the kuds to eat on Thayer, and often see Friar players sitting in the next booth. After the Marquette win, Luwane Pipkins was with us at Shake Shack, and other Friars were at a smoothie bar.

The PC vampus entrance is ob the corner of River and Eaton, with the original building and current admun right there in Harkley Hall. The track is just to its north. The north side of campus also has, going clockwise, the new Ruane Center for PC hoops, Student Union and bookstore known as the Slavin Center, the lacrosse field, the gorgeous and renovated 3500 seat on-campus hockey rink (Schneider Arena) which is on the corner of Admiral and Huxley, the new soccer field and softball field (site of former baseball field). To the south side of campus are dorms, classrooms, the library, and that important academic stuff. There's a small chapel on campus, but the area church is really St Pius, on the south side of Eaton Street.

Ok, that's a quick rundown to help get you going. Safe area. As kids there were lemonade shops (Google up Mr Lemon on Hawkins Street just to the northeast), my dentist, drug store, supermarket, bakeries like i mentioned. My grandmother was born in a tenement on Hawkins in the mill area of Wanskuck. Our Italian church was St Anne's, also on Hawkins-- Google that, it loooks like something in Siena.

Also, PC gave kids of immigrants a chance for a college education, like some in my family the generation before me. Kids could live at home at go to school at PC. it's very well-respected in the community-- it's not some insular heavy-handed scholl that bullies the locals. I didnt even go there (i'm a RISD alum), but i'm a huge fan of the school going back to my childhood in the 70's.

Also, PC played on campus thru 1972. Then the Friars moved into the Dunk (back then, the Providence Civic Center), which fit 12k, the second largest arena in New England at the time, behind only the Boston Garden. Major national program, lot of NBA-ers, one of the few colleges in a major downtown arena (another groundbreaking PC idea).

Ok, enjoy. I can try to answer any other questions you have.

My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

The Brown campus is indeed beautiful. For the last couple of years I was there (early 1970's), I lived on Waterman Street about a block from Thayer Street....perfect location, and my room rent was $35/mo. including utilities.

It's hard to fathom a $35 per month rent.

(05-03-2020 11:41 AM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 10:58 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 08:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-02-2020 09:16 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  My take, BJack — as I ponder enjoying a veggie burger and craft beer at The Abbey on Admiral Street ...

The PC campus is compact and quite attractive. Saint Dominic's Chapel is one of the more unusual Catholic church designs I've see. The building around which Cunningham Square circles ... a masterpiece.

Yes, I definitely see the "wheel spokes element" of the city's layout. I remember this from my visit. I see the Zaccagnini's and LaSalle Bakery (across from The Abbey). The Newport Creamery is next to Milano's (likely fine pizza).

My brother and I walked Thayer (and ate there, too). A GREAT college strip (for Brown students). The Meehan Auditorium on Hope Street is a very distinctive structure.

The Saint Anne's church ... wow. Love it. Would enjoy seeing the nave. Beautiful. The Mr. Lemon buildings is classic. Tiny, quirky. The Google Streetview image shows three men (one in a suit, no less) enjoying a treat. Love it.

Atwells Avenue ... tremendous. My brother and I drove it and saw all the Italian restaurants. I called it Little Italy in my previous post but I see the name is Federal Hill.

The heart of downtown has a very quirky and historic feel. A wonderful vibe. Westminster is a studpendous street. The Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul is gorgeous.

I actually remember as a kid watching Memphis State play PC in 1973. Providence had Ernie D. and Marvin Barnes (the late first-half injury to Bad News killed the Friars' chances). That was a fine Providence team.

Providence is a vastly underrated city. I like the rivers, the ethnic neighborhoods, all the beautiful Catholic churches, the quirky downtown, the grand state house. Love the city.

Thanks for the tips.

When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

The Brown campus is indeed beautiful. For the last couple of years I was there (early 1970's), I lived on Waterman Street about a block from Thayer Street....perfect location, and my room rent was $35/mo. including utilities.

I'm not familiar with Smith Restaurant unfortunately The cheap homestyle porcelain-table place on Federal Hill is still there, called Angelo's. If you're coming from the Dunk, walk under the pineapple arch, and within 4 buildings on the right is Angelo's.

Providence had 2 main Italian neighborhoods (then eventuslly the later generations moved away). One was Federal Hill like you mentioned, which had its base on Atwells Ave, and got the bad reputation (seemed every non-RI person wanted to talk about Buddy Cianci, for example dimwit Imus wouldn't STFU about him, holy cow).. The other was "Charles Street", which had its base in the St Anne's Church neighborhood that i mentioned, at the corner of Charles and Branch, and actually continued up Charles to my family's original nrighborhood, touching on Smithfield Road.

The Brown area is my favorite part of the city. You guys are familiar with the gorgeous green between the historic buildings, with old wide spreading trees. X-man, sounds like you were in a perfect spot... probably at Brook Street and Waterman, right in the heart of the area. My brother went to Brown in the early 80's.

Thayer still has the Brown Bookstore, which is a block up from Waterman on Angell Street. One block from Angell was the now closed College Hill Bookstore, which i miss a lot. The Avon Cinema is still there on that same block, a lot of great indy movies. Heading east on Waterman to Wayland Square was a former diner that was great named Rufful's

When i was at RISD in the late 80's, i lived on Angell, over the crest and halfway doen the hill near Benefit Street. Xman and Bill, you might remember in the early 70's Cianci restored the rundown Benefit Street historic houses. Most of my RISD classes wete down on South Main along the river. That entire area was restored in my years at school. Cool to see it transform. in the last 10 years, RISD has actually crossed the river and has dorms and studios and its library in the old Hospital Trust Bank Building, just to the east of the giant white "skyscraper" building. I always recommend that people check out the RISD Museum on Benefit. Small with a great collection.

Meehan is Brown's hockey rink, with a nice dome overhead. Brown's basketball is in the boring Pizzatola Center. Their hoops used to be at Marvel Gym, a small fieldhouse up to the north across from Brown Stadium (football). At Marvel you could sit a couple of rows back from the benches. Early 80's as a teenager i saw Boston College play ay Marvel, sittng right behind the BC bench. Pretty cool.

Anyway, i've kinda gone on longer that necessary. Hope you guys didn't fall asleep. Lol...

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your assessments of what is a wonderful city, BJack. Have learned a lot. The Marvel Gym sounds very cool (I'm sure it was old school)

Sadly, I have not been able to travel much the past few years for various reasons. As such, I feel very fortunate that I got to see Providence (I recall it in 2004). My brother and I also stayed in Boston and drove to Maine. A fantastic trip.

Providence has so much history and wonderful traditional neighborhoods. We don't have alot of that here in Nashville.

thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

(05-04-2020 11:13 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 11:41 AM)billyjack Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 10:58 AM)X-man Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 08:27 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-03-2020 05:57 AM)X-man Wrote:  When I was at Brown, we used to go to Smith's Italian Restaurant on Federal Hill (Atwell's Avenue), as well as a place called Iavocco's (sp?). Are they still in existence?

I don't see (via Google Streetview) a place with that spelling but I'll defer to BJack. He knows the city well.

The Brown campus is beautiful, too. I was very impressed with it.

The Brown campus is indeed beautiful. For the last couple of years I was there (early 1970's), I lived on Waterman Street about a block from Thayer Street....perfect location, and my room rent was $35/mo. including utilities.

I'm not familiar with Smith Restaurant unfortunately The cheap homestyle porcelain-table place on Federal Hill is still there, called Angelo's. If you're coming from the Dunk, walk under the pineapple arch, and within 4 buildings on the right is Angelo's.

Providence had 2 main Italian neighborhoods (then eventuslly the later generations moved away). One was Federal Hill like you mentioned, which had its base on Atwells Ave, and got the bad reputation (seemed every non-RI person wanted to talk about Buddy Cianci, for example dimwit Imus wouldn't STFU about him, holy cow).. The other was "Charles Street", which had its base in the St Anne's Church neighborhood that i mentioned, at the corner of Charles and Branch, and actually continued up Charles to my family's original nrighborhood, touching on Smithfield Road.

The Brown area is my favorite part of the city. You guys are familiar with the gorgeous green between the historic buildings, with old wide spreading trees. X-man, sounds like you were in a perfect spot... probably at Brook Street and Waterman, right in the heart of the area. My brother went to Brown in the early 80's.

Thayer still has the Brown Bookstore, which is a block up from Waterman on Angell Street. One block from Angell was the now closed College Hill Bookstore, which i miss a lot. The Avon Cinema is still there on that same block, a lot of great indy movies. Heading east on Waterman to Wayland Square was a former diner that was great named Rufful's

When i was at RISD in the late 80's, i lived on Angell, over the crest and halfway doen the hill near Benefit Street. Xman and Bill, you might remember in the early 70's Cianci restored the rundown Benefit Street historic houses. Most of my RISD classes wete down on South Main along the river. That entire area was restored in my years at school. Cool to see it transform. in the last 10 years, RISD has actually crossed the river and has dorms and studios and its library in the old Hospital Trust Bank Building, just to the east of the giant white "skyscraper" building. I always recommend that people check out the RISD Museum on Benefit. Small with a great collection.

Meehan is Brown's hockey rink, with a nice dome overhead. Brown's basketball is in the boring Pizzatola Center. Their hoops used to be at Marvel Gym, a small fieldhouse up to the north across from Brown Stadium (football). At Marvel you could sit a couple of rows back from the benches. Early 80's as a teenager i saw Boston College play ay Marvel, sittng right behind the BC bench. Pretty cool.

Anyway, i've kinda gone on longer that necessary. Hope you guys didn't fall asleep. Lol...

I've thoroughly enjoyed reading your assessments of what is a wonderful city, BJack. Have learned a lot. The Marvel Gym sounds very cool (I'm sure it was old school)

Sadly, I have not been able to travel much the past few years for various reasons. As such, I feel very fortunate that I got to see Providence (I recall it in 2004). My brother and I also stayed in Boston and drove to Maine. A fantastic trip.

Providence has so much history and wonderful traditional neighborhoods. We don't have alot of that here in Nashville.

thanks again for sharing your thoughts.

If I am remembering Marvel correctly, there was also an overhead track that ran along the perimeter of the gym. You could run while watching the team practice. Another sports memory...at the Brown-Harvard football game, one year, Harvard brought only its band leader and announced at halftime that he would be leading Harvard's famed "invisible marching band". Of course they did (invisible) formations which the announcer helpfully described to the fans, including one of the Tal Mahal with a partial eclipse over the left turret. The finale was the band forming the face of God on the 50-yard line. Best halftime show ever.

I am now "studying" the St. John's University campus in Queens via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence and Connecticut campuses. As to St. John's ...

I've seen in person once (summer of 1991). The smallness (about 100 acres) struck me. Fairly charming but not quaint and not featuring lots of "grand" historic buildings — likely because this campus did not start to evolve until the 1950s (after having been moved). The campus offers a definite quirkiness, which I liked back then. I did walk to the entrance of Carnesecca Arena.

The athletic facilities are located on the fringes of the campus and are not "grouped" as often seen on university campuses.

The campus offers buildings home to the SJU Schools of Business and Law. Both structures, like the campus itself, are smallish.

There does not seem to be a "strip" (with bars, cafes, etc.) nearby.

A fun fact (and not related to the physical nature of the campus): Dr. Conrado Gempesaw (I like the name), who began his tenure in 2014, is the university's first lay president. A previous university statute required that SJU presidents must be priests from the Congregation of the Mission (Vincentians). The SJU Board of Trustees waived the requirement due to a limited number of candidates.

I am now "studying" the Seton Hall University campus in South Orange, N.J., via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut and Saint John's campuses. As to Seton Hall ...

A smallish campus (only 58 acres) with a modest number of classroom and office buildings. Of note, the campus is surrounded by residential areas. Very little commercial near SHU.

The Chapel of the Immaculate Conception structure is gorgeous (I'm a fan of traditional Catholic church buildings, so I'm biased).

In the center of the campus is a circular green space with sidewalks suggest the spokes of a wheel. Maybe one of the posters on this board and who knows the campus can provide insight.

On a positive note, the campus offers minimal surface parking and it's contained to the east segment of the overall space.;

I have never visited this campus and would like to as it seems quaint and well-manicured from on-high via Google Street View

I am now "studying" the Villanova University campus in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, Saint John's and Seton Hal campuses. As to Villanova ...

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Church is the centerpiece — and an architectural masterpiece — of what is a very suburban-sited (very lush/green) and geographically large campus (260 acres) for a Big East university. The campus has nodes/pockets of buildings (Main, West and South campuses) that are "severed" from one another by some dead space. The "feel" of the overall campus seems very low-key (almost pastoral). There are lots of very nice stone buildings — with each bearing a cross (I like that). The Grotto (lots of trees) seems to offer a nice vibe (as seen from on high via Google Maps).

Photos of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery and Corr Hall suggest very beautiful buildings.

The William B. Finneran Pavilion, the 6,501-seat arena used for some Wildcat basketball games, ranks as one of the more distinctive buildings I've seen on a college campus. In terms of the exterior design, it is alternatingly ugly yet oddly interesting.

The "old-school" entrance to the football stadium is tremendous. Strong.

There is no "strip" but, rather, a few eateries (Winger's, Nova Grille and Campus Corner Pizza) in quirky 1960s-era buildings and then a recent suburban development with a Starbucks and some other restaurants.

I would be curious to get the thoughts of any Villanova fans regarding the campus.

(05-30-2020 08:37 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  I am now "studying" the Villanova University campus in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, Saint John's and Seton Hal campuses. As to Villanova ...

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Church is the centerpiece — and an architectural masterpiece — of what is a very suburban-sited (very lush/green) and geographically large campus (260 acres) for a Big East university. The campus has nodes/pockets of buildings (Main, West and South campuses) that are "severed" from one another by some dead space. The "feel" of the overall campus seems very low-key (almost pastoral). There are lots of very nice stone buildings — with each bearing a cross (I like that). The Grotto (lots of trees) seems to offer a nice vibe (as seen from on high via Google Maps).

Photos of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery and Corr Hall suggest very beautiful buildings.

The William B. Finneran Pavilion, the 6,501-seat arena used for some Wildcat basketball games, ranks as one of the more distinctive buildings I've seen on a college campus. In terms of the exterior design, it is alternatingly ugly yet oddly interesting.

The "old-school" entrance to the football stadium is tremendous. Strong.

There is no "strip" but, rather, a few eateries (Winger's, Nova Grille and Campus Corner Pizza) in quirky 1960s-era buildings and then a recent suburban development with a Starbucks and some other restaurants.

I would be curious to get the thoughts of any Villanova fans regarding the campus.

Bill, nice recap. The growth at the school since I graduated in 81 is pretty remarkable.

You mentioned the chapel, which is beautiful. Right next to it are 2 of the most interesting buildings on the campus. First, is Tolentine Hall. A monstrosity of a building, houses multiple classrooms, offices and abuts to the residence of the Augustinians. The other building is Alumni Hall, the oldest on campus. At one point served as a hospital for the civil war and has a gym in it that the original teams played in. Became a dorm... prior to the campus going co-ed it housed a number of famous alumni / attendees-including Jim Croce and Don McClean. Became a Girls dorm--think it still is and most importantly that is where the future Mrs. lived.

On the west side of the campus is the law school and across the street from that is St. Mary's. That was the seminary for the Augies, but then it converted to the Nursing school (subsequently moved to its own new building) and a men's dorm. That used to be the border of the campus on that side. The school acquired the Morris (original signer of the Declaration of Independence) Estate and that became the seminary and allowed for a massive expansion of residences and athletic fields on that side of the campus.

As you said, lots of trees and an attractive campus. The pavilion is is an "interesting" building. Also known as the ski lodge it unfortunately can't be expanded due to local zoning but with the recent renovations inside, the game day experience is pretty cool. Just across the street from the Pavilion is the Davis Center--- the hub of Nova hoops. Practice facilities, courts, offices etc. Trophy cases. Newer building and very nice.

Really enjoyed my time there and get back out to campus whenever I can.

(05-31-2020 10:26 PM)novachap Wrote:  

(05-30-2020 08:37 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  I am now "studying" the Villanova University campus in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, Saint John's and Seton Hal campuses. As to Villanova ...

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Church is the centerpiece — and an architectural masterpiece — of what is a very suburban-sited (very lush/green) and geographically large campus (260 acres) for a Big East university. The campus has nodes/pockets of buildings (Main, West and South campuses) that are "severed" from one another by some dead space. The "feel" of the overall campus seems very low-key (almost pastoral). There are lots of very nice stone buildings — with each bearing a cross (I like that). The Grotto (lots of trees) seems to offer a nice vibe (as seen from on high via Google Maps).

Photos of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery and Corr Hall suggest very beautiful buildings.

The William B. Finneran Pavilion, the 6,501-seat arena used for some Wildcat basketball games, ranks as one of the more distinctive buildings I've seen on a college campus. In terms of the exterior design, it is alternatingly ugly yet oddly interesting.

The "old-school" entrance to the football stadium is tremendous. Strong.

There is no "strip" but, rather, a few eateries (Winger's, Nova Grille and Campus Corner Pizza) in quirky 1960s-era buildings and then a recent suburban development with a Starbucks and some other restaurants.

I would be curious to get the thoughts of any Villanova fans regarding the campus.

Bill, nice recap. The growth at the school since I graduated in 81 is pretty remarkable.

You mentioned the chapel, which is beautiful. Right next to it are 2 of the most interesting buildings on the campus. First, is Tolentine Hall. A monstrosity of a building, houses multiple classrooms, offices and abuts to the residence of the Augustinians. The other building is Alumni Hall, the oldest on campus. At one point served as a hospital for the civil war and has a gym in it that the original teams played in. Became a dorm... prior to the campus going co-ed it housed a number of famous alumni / attendees-including Jim Croce and Don McClean. Became a Girls dorm--think it still is and most importantly that is where the future Mrs. lived.

On the west side of the campus is the law school and across the street from that is St. Mary's. That was the seminary for the Augies, but then it converted to the Nursing school (subsequently moved to its own new building) and a men's dorm. That used to be the border of the campus on that side. The school acquired the Morris (original signer of the Declaration of Independence) Estate and that became the seminary and allowed for a massive expansion of residences and athletic fields on that side of the campus.

As you said, lots of trees and an attractive campus. The pavilion is is an "interesting" building. Also known as the ski lodge it unfortunately can't be expanded due to local zoning but with the recent renovations inside, the game day experience is pretty cool. Just across the street from the Pavilion is the Davis Center--- the hub of Nova hoops. Practice facilities, courts, offices etc. Trophy cases. Newer building and very nice.

Really enjoyed my time there and get back out to campus whenever I can.

Thanks for responding, N-Chap. I plan to check Tolentine, Davis Center and Alumni and will give you my thoughts this weekend.

I did not know Croce and McClean were VU grads. Very cool.

You attended an outstanding university.

(06-04-2020 09:35 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-31-2020 10:26 PM)novachap Wrote:  

(05-30-2020 08:37 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  I am now "studying" the Villanova University campus in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, Saint John's and Seton Hal campuses. As to Villanova ...

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Church is the centerpiece — and an architectural masterpiece — of what is a very suburban-sited (very lush/green) and geographically large campus (260 acres) for a Big East university. The campus has nodes/pockets of buildings (Main, West and South campuses) that are "severed" from one another by some dead space. The "feel" of the overall campus seems very low-key (almost pastoral). There are lots of very nice stone buildings — with each bearing a cross (I like that). The Grotto (lots of trees) seems to offer a nice vibe (as seen from on high via Google Maps).

Photos of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery and Corr Hall suggest very beautiful buildings.

The William B. Finneran Pavilion, the 6,501-seat arena used for some Wildcat basketball games, ranks as one of the more distinctive buildings I've seen on a college campus. In terms of the exterior design, it is alternatingly ugly yet oddly interesting.

The "old-school" entrance to the football stadium is tremendous. Strong.

There is no "strip" but, rather, a few eateries (Winger's, Nova Grille and Campus Corner Pizza) in quirky 1960s-era buildings and then a recent suburban development with a Starbucks and some other restaurants.

I would be curious to get the thoughts of any Villanova fans regarding the campus.

Bill, nice recap. The growth at the school since I graduated in 81 is pretty remarkable.

You mentioned the chapel, which is beautiful. Right next to it are 2 of the most interesting buildings on the campus. First, is Tolentine Hall. A monstrosity of a building, houses multiple classrooms, offices and abuts to the residence of the Augustinians. The other building is Alumni Hall, the oldest on campus. At one point served as a hospital for the civil war and has a gym in it that the original teams played in. Became a dorm... prior to the campus going co-ed it housed a number of famous alumni / attendees-including Jim Croce and Don McClean. Became a Girls dorm--think it still is and most importantly that is where the future Mrs. lived.

On the west side of the campus is the law school and across the street from that is St. Mary's. That was the seminary for the Augies, but then it converted to the Nursing school (subsequently moved to its own new building) and a men's dorm. That used to be the border of the campus on that side. The school acquired the Morris (original signer of the Declaration of Independence) Estate and that became the seminary and allowed for a massive expansion of residences and athletic fields on that side of the campus.

As you said, lots of trees and an attractive campus. The pavilion is is an "interesting" building. Also known as the ski lodge it unfortunately can't be expanded due to local zoning but with the recent renovations inside, the game day experience is pretty cool. Just across the street from the Pavilion is the Davis Center--- the hub of Nova hoops. Practice facilities, courts, offices etc. Trophy cases. Newer building and very nice.

Really enjoyed my time there and get back out to campus whenever I can.

Thanks for responding, N-Chap. I plan to check Tolentine, Davis Center and Alumni and will give you my thoughts this weekend.

I did not know Croce and McClean were VU grads. Very cool.

You attended an outstanding university.

Croce graduated in 1965.

Mcclean was only there a semester---finished with a degree from Ionia (night school) I believe. Just interesting they both were in that building.

(06-05-2020 10:17 AM)novachap Wrote:  

(06-04-2020 09:35 PM)bill dazzle Wrote:  

(05-31-2020 10:26 PM)novachap Wrote:  

(05-30-2020 08:37 AM)bill dazzle Wrote:  I am now "studying" the Villanova University campus in Radnor Township, Pennsylvania, via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, Saint John's and Seton Hal campuses. As to Villanova ...

The Saint Thomas of Villanova Church is the centerpiece — and an architectural masterpiece — of what is a very suburban-sited (very lush/green) and geographically large campus (260 acres) for a Big East university. The campus has nodes/pockets of buildings (Main, West and South campuses) that are "severed" from one another by some dead space. The "feel" of the overall campus seems very low-key (almost pastoral). There are lots of very nice stone buildings — with each bearing a cross (I like that). The Grotto (lots of trees) seems to offer a nice vibe (as seen from on high via Google Maps).

Photos of St. Thomas of Villanova Monastery and Corr Hall suggest very beautiful buildings.

The William B. Finneran Pavilion, the 6,501-seat arena used for some Wildcat basketball games, ranks as one of the more distinctive buildings I've seen on a college campus. In terms of the exterior design, it is alternatingly ugly yet oddly interesting.

The "old-school" entrance to the football stadium is tremendous. Strong.

There is no "strip" but, rather, a few eateries (Winger's, Nova Grille and Campus Corner Pizza) in quirky 1960s-era buildings and then a recent suburban development with a Starbucks and some other restaurants.

I would be curious to get the thoughts of any Villanova fans regarding the campus.

Bill, nice recap. The growth at the school since I graduated in 81 is pretty remarkable.

You mentioned the chapel, which is beautiful. Right next to it are 2 of the most interesting buildings on the campus. First, is Tolentine Hall. A monstrosity of a building, houses multiple classrooms, offices and abuts to the residence of the Augustinians. The other building is Alumni Hall, the oldest on campus. At one point served as a hospital for the civil war and has a gym in it that the original teams played in. Became a dorm... prior to the campus going co-ed it housed a number of famous alumni / attendees-including Jim Croce and Don McClean. Became a Girls dorm--think it still is and most importantly that is where the future Mrs. lived.

On the west side of the campus is the law school and across the street from that is St. Mary's. That was the seminary for the Augies, but then it converted to the Nursing school (subsequently moved to its own new building) and a men's dorm. That used to be the border of the campus on that side. The school acquired the Morris (original signer of the Declaration of Independence) Estate and that became the seminary and allowed for a massive expansion of residences and athletic fields on that side of the campus.

As you said, lots of trees and an attractive campus. The pavilion is is an "interesting" building. Also known as the ski lodge it unfortunately can't be expanded due to local zoning but with the recent renovations inside, the game day experience is pretty cool. Just across the street from the Pavilion is the Davis Center--- the hub of Nova hoops. Practice facilities, courts, offices etc. Trophy cases. Newer building and very nice.

Really enjoyed my time there and get back out to campus whenever I can.

Thanks for responding, N-Chap. I plan to check Tolentine, Davis Center and Alumni and will give you my thoughts this weekend.

I did not know Croce and McClean were VU grads. Very cool.

You attended an outstanding university.

Croce graduated in 1965.

Mcclean was only there a semester---finished with a degree from Ionia (night school) I believe. Just interesting they both were in that building.

From Wiki:

Croce did not take music seriously until he studied at Villanova, where he formed bands and performed at fraternity parties, coffee houses, and universities around Philadelphia, playing "anything that the people wanted to hear: blues, rock, a cappella, railroad music ... anything."

Seeing images of Tolentine Hall now. Strong. A stately and handsome building.

I see Alumni Hall now. Beautiful. So Jim Croce lived there as a student. Very cool. I liked some of his songs as a kid.

I see Saint Mary's from on high (Google Maps) and a few photos in Google images. The "steeple" is very distinctive.

The interior of the Davis Center suggests an outstanding vibe. However, and just being honest, I'm not a fan of the overall exterior design. The entrance seems very underwhelming.

Also worth noting on nearby Lancaster Avenue ... the Anthony Wayne Theater. Very nice.

And what about Rosemont College and Bryn Mawr College being located within such close proximity? That is a distinctive physical arrangement you don't see very often.

I am now "studying" the Georgetown University campus in Washington D.C. via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, St. John’s, Seton Hall and Villanova campuses. Now we look at GU.

But first, a disclosure (I have posted this in the past but some may not have read): A few years ago, a very close relative was accepted for admittance as an undergrad to Georgetown. But, due to a severe and life threatening health concern, my relative had to opt for a Plan B. As a show of support, I reached out to a key GU office and offered to undertake a volunteer task that was 1. helpful to the university and 2. very symbolic and important to me based on my professional and academic backgrounds. The Georgetown official with whom I worked was wonderful, and I was humbled by the experience. My relatives, after I told them, were so appreciative I had done this and that Georgetown had been so accommodating. I have since undertaken some Georgetown online course work and have a “soft spot” for the university. True, my personal connection to GU is very modest, but I always root for the Hoyas in Big East play unless they are facing DePaul.

Also, and worth noting: I do not consider Washington, D.C., a fully Northeast city. Rather, it is very Mid-Atlantic, with elements of the Southeast and Northeast.

That said … Georgetown is the most physically attractive Big East campus. Yes, I’m a bit biased. But all the building blocks are in place for a big-time campus: stellar architecture, the gorgeous setting on the Potomac River, and both a beautiful residential area and a vibrant commercial district adjacent to the campus. Just outstanding.

The main entrance with Healy Hall (an architectural masterpiece) and both Copley Lawn and Healy Lawn is awe-inspiring. Adjacent and to the immediate west of Healy Hall is Dahlgren Chapel of the Sacred Heart, completed in 1893 and one of the nation’s more noteworthy Catholic churches for those of us interested in the architecture of Catholic buildings (churches, schools, hospitals, etc.).

Like D.C. in general, the Georgetown campus is “building dense.” There is not much wasted space (that simply would not work). On this theme, perhaps the main physical flaw of the campus is the big surface parking lot sandwiched by the various GU hospital buildings to the west and the trio of Saint Mary’s Hall, the student health center and Darnall Hall to the east. In addition, the modernist Lauinger Library is not very attractive.

Still, and despite a few negatives, the GU campus is outstanding.

Overall grade: 9.5

I am now "studying" the Xavier University campus in Cincinnati via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova and Georgetown University campuses. Now we look at XU.

As some of you know, my brother attended the University of Cincinnati and I have visited the Queen City many times (though not since about 2014). I have driven past the Xavier campus twice (if I recall correctly).

XU is located in a fairly suburban area (and very nice, with lots of trees, tidy homes and sidewalks). It is also located near Listermann Brewing Co., the beers of which I have yet to sample but hear very positive reviews. As noted in a previous post, the Cintas Center might rank as the "dominant" building on the Xavier campus — and that might be a positive, a negative or both. It's a very blockish contemporary structure with a well-defined entrance.

Bellarmine Chapel is housed in a very modernist building in the center of campus. I do not find the exterior very appealing, but photos of the interior suggest a very nice Catholic worship space. Cleneay Avenue "terminates" at the chapel via a nice roundabout. The west segment of the campus offers the bulk of XU buildings. Overall, the XU campus seems a bit like that of Villanova: somewhat pastoral with nice landscaping and "separation" between buildings.

Our Lady of Peace Chapel is located in the southwest segment of the campus. Very diminutive, it looks beautiful.

The main XU entrance seemingly is located at Woodburn and Dana avenues. However, Victory Parkway (on the west border of the campus) offer pedestrian access, with very attractive buildings looming large on a prominent hill. Very visually impressive (reminds me somewhat of Belmont University's north segment, with traditional buildings positioned on a hill and overlooking Wedgewood Avenue here in Nashville).

The east half of the campus offers a good bit of surface parking, with some homes and small commercial buildings interacting with the XU Bookstore structure. Betta's Italian Oven might offer some tasty pizza. Any XU fans reading ... weigh in.

If I can get back to Cincinnati soon, I would like to quaff a few ales at Listermann and then walk the campus.

I am now "studying" the Butler University campus in Indianapolis via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova, Georgetown and Xavier campuses. Now we look at BU.

First, and worth noting, I like Indianapolis. It’s a very underrated city with lots more to offer than some folks realize. My brother spent six years in Bloomington attending IU and he and I took some trips to Indy. The downtown is strong. Very walkable with lots to do and see. For example, the zoo (located near downtown) offers one of the best polar bear exhibits I’ve seen.

As to the Butler University campus (I’ve visited it three times, if I recall correctly), three things stand out:

1. Physical orderliness. All the buildings are positioned in a cleanly symmetrical way in relation to one another. And the North, West and South malls adds to the symmetry. There are, for example, only a handful of buildings and interior campus roads that “angle,” “zig-zag,” curve, etc.

2. And similar to No. 1 … almost all the buildings are skinned in stone (likely Indiana limestone) of a very similar color (light to medium gray). The red-bricked Health and Recreational complex next to Hinkle Fieldhouse is an exception.

3. Hinkle Fieldhouse. I’ve noted on this board previously that HF is an architectural masterpiece. It is, hands down, my favorite college hoops arena/gym. The only negative to Hinkle is that it “addresses” a massive surface parking lot.

Butler is located in a fully residential area (Rocky Ripple), so there is no “commercial strip” that services the students with pizza, coffee, beer, books, etc. The campus does offer two cafes (a Starbucks and an indie shop) and a pub. Since Butler is not affiliated with the Catholic church (it once had a Methodist component), there is no religious building of note on the campus (from what I can tell).

I am curious to hear from any of you who know the campus well.

I am now "studying" the DePaul University campus in Chicago via Google Maps. As noted, and regarding Big East campuses, I am geographically moving from east to west. We've touched on the Providence, Connecticut, St. John’s, Seton Hall, Villanova, Georgetown, Xavier and Butler campuses. Now we look at DU.

First, and for context (I've posted before but for those who did not know):

When I moved to Chicago from Nashville in 1987, I “adopted” DePaul as my new college "home team." I lived about 1.5 miles from the campus and attended both some non-sports and athletics events there, including a few exhibition and intra-squad games in the now-gone Alumni Hall. I watched lots of Blue Demon games on WGN back in the day, often drinking cold Old Style beer while cheering DU. I wanted to attend DePaul for graduate school but did not have the grades. Instead, I attended Roosevelt U. and worked at Robert Morris College (which earlier this year was absorbed by Roosevelt). Since Roosevelt is loosely affiliated with DePaul via both the 18-story University Center of Chicago and some joint degree programs, the Blue Demons remain my “Chicago college team” (and pair nicely with the Cubs, for which I’ve cheered since the late 1960s). Relatedly, I wrote some DePaul basketball articles (I interviewed Joey Meyer a few times) for Athlon Sports when I loosely covered (along with Cincinnati, Memphis and Marquette) the Great Midwest Conference and C-USA in the 1990s. I have since done some online coursework and financially supported (modestly, admittedly) DePaul. I respect and appreciate the work of Catholic universities, grade schools, hospitals and charitable organizations — and DePaul represents the best of that.

Now to the DePaul main campus…

… it’s tiny. A mere 36 acres. As such, there is is very little wasted space (for example, surface parking) or open green space. Also, and on this theme, there is no “grand entrance” to the campus.

Saint Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, located on the south end of the campus at Sheffield and Webster, is a strong and handsome example of Western religious architecture.

University Hall (located, to an extent, in the center of the campus) is a very attractive structure.

Interestingly, the Red, Brown and Purple elevated train lines slice (north-south) through the east segment of the campus. The Red Line was the Howard Line during my time in Chicago.

A few interesting notes from Wiki:

* Approximately 2,400 students live on campus in 12 residence halls.

* The DePaul Art Museum, founded in 2011 and open to the public at no admission fee, is housed in a 15,000-square-foot building and features a collection of over 3,000 objects. The building straddles the elevated line.

* The Sullivan Center, originally named the DePaul Athletic Center, opened in 2000 and was renamed in 2006. It replaced Alumni Hall (I loved that old gem). The DePaul Blue Demons athletic department is housed in the Sullivan Center.

DePaul also offers a “vertical campus” located within Chicago’s famed Loop.

DU is a wonderful school and I feel humbled to have least had a small connection to it for more than 30 years.