By SPIRO MOREKAS
TowsonTigers.com

Last weekend was a very special one and a very memorable one. It had to be the most activity-packed weekend that I can remember. 

Most of the memories of that weekend are great ones.

It all started last Friday night when Tiger Athletics held the Gridiron Gala at the Valley Mansion in Cockeysville. 

This was the night to honor the 2011 Colonial Athletic Association champion Tiger football team. Every player on the roster received a championship ring, along with members of the coaching staff and the support staff.

Mike Waddell, the Tigers' Director of Athletics has made a point to say "it is all about the R’s & D’s.  Rings and diplomas."

Well, the Tiger football team got their rings and are they beautiful.  

The whole night was just fantastic. It was a chance to see old friends like long-time assistant coach Rich Bader, who is now loving life as an assistant coach at Stevenson University. 

Former Tiger Head Coach and all around great guy Gordy Combs was also in attendance. Gordy was really excited, telling me all about the new jet ski he bought to use at his beach house on the New Jersey shore. 

It was also great to see former Tigers like Jim Holdridge and Gary Kimmel, two of the most loyal alumni the program has ever had.

Besides the ring ceremony, the highlight of the night was Mark Burlin’s 27-minute video review of the memorable season.  I don’t know what award competition Mark can put that in - but he ought to win something. 

If you have a chance go to youtube.com and type in 2012 Towson football gala feature. It is a well- produced feature and you won't see many more like it - anywhere. 

On a personal note, I'd like to extend special thanks to Mike Waddell for including me as a recipient of a championship ring.  I will treasure it. 

In addition, Assistant Director of Development Lindsay Peck and Hanna Cavey did a great job of putting the banquet together.  They should be proud of their work.

Prior to Tiger Bowl II, the Tiger football alumni held their annual Flag Football Game. My broadcast partner, Ron Meehan, was the star of the game as he led his team to a 30-22 victory, earning MVP honors.

On Saturday, the Tiger football team held Tiger Bowl II.  It was a great turnout by the fans, and they saw the Black uniforms beat the White 21-7.  Terrance West and Dominique Booker were standouts in this one, along with Ben Chroniger. 

I know everyone who is a fan or involved just can't wait for the Tigers opener against Kent State on August 30th.

On Saturday night, the weather turned lousy. After all the great fun of Friday night and Saturday morning, so did the Tiger results. The men’s lacrosse team was unable to snap its two-game losing streak as the Tigers fell to Drexel, 13-5. 

The start of the game was delayed by almost an hour due to lightning. The Tigers couldn’t get going offensively. Although the Tigers gave up 13 goals, Andrew Wascavage was phenomenal, making a career high 21 saves. 

The Tigers have to beat St. Joseph's on Saturday to qualify for the CAA Tournament. 

A win over the Hawks will earn the Tigers a trip to UMass on May 2nd to face the number two-ranked Minutemen. UMass beat Towson, 14-3, earlier this month.

On Sunday, things got back on track as the Tiger women's lacrosse team won the CAA regular season championship with a dramatic 10-9 win over James Madison in double overtime. 

Both teams came into the game with 6-0 records in conference play and it was that tight the whole game. JMU rallied from an 8-5 deficit to send the game into overtime and took a 9-8 lead in overtime.

However, the Tigers staged one of their patented comebacks, tying the game on a goal by Kelly Custer (below) and winning in sudden death. Junior Sarah Hogan was the hero as she scored the game-winner. 

It marks the second year in a row that the Tigers are top seeds and hosts of the CAA Tournament.

With the win, the Tigers will host Drexel at noon on Friday in the semi-finals of the CAA Tournament.  The tourney will be held at the Tigers' soccer complex. 

Don’t be surprised if Sunday’s final isn’t a rematch of the game we saw last week against the Dukes. Towson will be seeking its fourth CAA title.

Programming Note:  Zach Maskovich and I will bring you all the action of the women’s tourney action Friday which you can hear on TowsonTigers.com.  If you have an iphone, ipad or droid, and still haven’t gotten the free Towson Tigers app, please do so.  You can listen to all Tiger broadcasts and get all your Tiger news and video.

On Saturday, Hunter Lochte and I will broadcast the men's lacrosse game at St Joseph's.  We will be on the air onWNST (1570 AM) and TowsonTigers.com at 12:15 p.m.