Pat Boone Plays With Virginia Creepers in National Senior Games

The following story was submitted by Judy Massabny with the Northern Virginia Senior Olympics.

The Virginia Creepers, a 75-and-older men’s senior basketball team, competed recently in the National Senior Games in Cleveland — and singer Pat Boone made a surprise appearance with the team.

Boone was invited to play by James Martin of Arlington, a Creepers member and personal friend. Although seeded third out of the top eight teams in double elimination, the Creepers did not medal.

Del Wilson of Burke, team captain, said, “Even though we didn’t bring home a medal, it was a successful trip and a once in a lifetime experience to play with Pat Boone.”

He added: “Pat still draws the ladies and was so gracious to everyone. Plus, he’s not a bad player.”

Along with Wilson and Martin, the Virginia Creepers include Zip Rausa and Paul Spishak of Vienna; Al Cahill of Herndon; Dallas Chestnut and George Arvan of Fredericksburg; Colin Church of Bethesda, Md., and Bob Stroud of Hyattsville, Md.

The National Senior Games are held every two years.

Local members of the Creepers will compete in the 2013 Northern Virginia Senior Olympics, which will be Sept. 7 through 19. The basketball competition will be Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Thomas Jefferson Community Center in Arlington.

For Northern Virginia Senior Olympics information, call 703-228-4721, email nvso1982@gmail.com or check the website at www.nvso.us.