Sure, last night’s Super Bowl was notable for its racial implications and for the fact that Bill Simmons’ mentions of the “Manning Face” will probably be cut in half, but the news of more concern to Movie Hawk was yesterday’s victory by Saint Joseph’s over Dayton, an historic victory in that it earned Hawk head coach Phil Martelli his 235th win, enough to make him the second winningest coach in school history. He’s now only 74 wins away from the all-time record - at his pace, it will only take 4 years.

It may not seem like a big number, especially considering the fact that both Bobby Knight and Herb Magee became the winningest coaches in Division I and II, respectively, with more than 800 wins, but for the past twelve years, Martelli has averaged almost 20 wins. More than that, he’s given the Hawk faithful a lifetime’s worth of memories, from his trip the NIT’s final game to winning the A-10 championship to the undefeated season. Martelli will dismiss the accomplishment, lavishing praise on the men that he’s surpassed - names like McKinney and Ramsay - but he’s deserving of every bit of the acclaim that will now be attached to his name. Martelli has become an integral part of Hawk hoops history. As an alumnus, employee, and a longtime friend of the Martelli family, I can’t imagine someone more fitting for the role.

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