F e at u r e in range. When the ball first came out of my hands I felt like I had put too much on it, but then I saw it in the air and I knew it was going to get there. They were wearing red and blue gloves, and we were wearing white. I saw John’s white gloves go up above everybody, and I just had a feeling deep down that he caught it.” Ken Meringolo, announcer for 1st Amendment Sports and Bishop McNamara Alumnus: “I have been asked a million times if I planned to say, ‘Is God Purple? We’re about to find out.’ On my honor as a Mustang, I had no such plan. It was only the third game we had ever broadcast and it was hard enough to remember to thank sponsors and other league folks. In my ear, I could barely hear my co-announcer Tim Strachan repeat the old line ‘God doesn’t care, but his mother does.’ That was right at the snap, and as Caleb put himself in position to heave the ball downfield, Tim’s thought kind of prompted mine. The funny part about it is that I didn’t hear myself say it, and immediately forgot I said it in the mayhem that ensued. It is crazy to me that on the broadcast, it comes through clean and timed perfectly.” Mark Howell ’73, faculty member: “I was standing on our sideline in the end zone during the final play. I remember seeing Caleb buying time, and thinking he’s going to get the pass off... this has a chance. I saw John Marshall jump as the ball arrived, surrounded by a crowd. He seemed to be reaching higher than anyone else. I remember shouting, ‘He caught it!’ Then, gonzaga.org
for a moment, I stood there, stunned, my mouth hanging open. I could sense the roar of the crowd, but it felt like a deafening silence for a few moments. I walked onto the field looking at faces, seeing shock, joy, tears, screaming, and hugging. I remember several people saying, ‘What just happened?’ Even now, I think, it is still sinking in.”
and it all payed off.”
Conrad Singh ‘00, Gonzaga Digital Media Manager, and Assistant Football Coach: “We had practiced the Hail Mary the night before, going in the same direction under the lights on Catholic’s field. Caleb to John is what we rehearsed, and it’s exactly what happened. It’s crazy how God blesses those who believe, and those who expect and prepare, with great faith and love, to do great things. There really were no other calls to make—the play before the Hail Mary and the Hail Mary are two plays we practice every single week. Our belief in Coach T and in everything we do allowed us to win in the most dramatic fashion conceivable. It all came down to that final play,
life was playing in that game and making that play.”
John Marshall, Gonzaga Wide Receiver: “I weaved through and went up for a perfectly thrown ball by Caleb. I don’t remember much about the moment I caught the ball, except coming out and seeing white jerseys run all over Catholic’s field. I’ll never forget that. One of the best experiences of my
Malcolm Johnson ‘94, former Gonzaga football player and Gonzaga Athletic Hall of Fame inductee: “I was in a gym in Los Angeles watching my son’s travel basketball game. Thanks to the blessing of livestream technology, I was able to see it live, and I couldn’t believe what I was watching! As the game wound down, each play was greater than the last. I had one eye on my son’s game and one eye on my phone. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty, I felt every up and down throughout—including ultimately the exhilaration of victory! It was amazing. Gonzaga l Spring 2019
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