GU Star Goes Fifth in Coffee Draft
Geoff Gray
NEW YORK – Following an incredibly successful junior year, standout Uncommon Grounds barista Geoff Gray (COL ’08) was drafted fifth overall in Saturday’s Major League Coffee Draft in New York, despite the hopes of many around campus that he would return to Georgetown for his senior year. In a lucrative, multi-barista draft-day deal, Seattle’s Best acquired Gray from Boston Bean, who drafted Gray. At Seattle, Gray will be brewing alongside the second overall pick, Keith Doran, a freshman from the University of Texas. “I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Gray said after the trade was announced. “I’ve dreamed of brewing coffee professionally all my life and I think Keith and I can add a lot to Seattle’s Best. I worked with him in the Starbucks Summer League last year, and we’ve got a lot of chemistry.”
The news came as a disappointment to Corp faithful, for whom the 2006-2007 season marked Uncommon Grounds’ return to competitive coffee. On the shoulders of Gray and fellow junior Ray Herbert (COL ’08), UG advanced to the national semifinals before a devastating loss to Ohio State. Both Herbert and Gray considered declaring their draft eligibility, though Georgetown students made active efforts petitioning the duo to return for their senior year, creating such Facebook groups as “The Petition for Ray and Geoff to Return to Georgetown for their Senior,” “Shit we fucked up, The Petition for Ray and Geoff to Return to Georgetown for their Senior Year,” “The Petition for Geoff and Ray to Return to the Corp for their Senior Year,” “The Official Petition for Gray and Herbert to Brew for UG One More Time,” “Geoff Gray: One More Year!” and “DAMN IT GEOFF YOU FUCKING SELLOUT.”
Ray Herbert
Ultimately, Herbert elected to remain at UG in his familiar slot taking orders and swiping GoCards, as he is considered by some top scouts to be too lanky and awkward to handle the real money in the pros. “I’m really looking forward to returning to the Corp for one more year,” said Herbert. “I’ve been working with Ripai on my swiping technique all summer and I’ve almost got that real cool wrist spin that he does. And Geoff taught me how to drain shots of espresso from the outside, which will really open up the counter.” UG Manager Joseph Thomas, III, famous for his Princeton-style cappuccino making (in which all five baristas pass the cup around, make quick cuts through the froth and elitist Ivy League bitches sit and watch), agreed. “Our opponents are expecting Ray down by the register so this will make him much more versatile. It really opens up our options behind the counter.”
The Corpies will begin their season with their first official practice at Midnight MUG on October 15. And in a related story, some kid who used to go here was drafted by a basketball team or something but refuses to leave campus.
