(Potomac) Thanksgiving Q&A: Whitman Coach Lun Started Alumni Basketball Game

Whitman to host alumni basketball game at 5 p.m. Friday.

Chris Lun has been the head coach of the Whitman boys’ basketball team for the last decade. He led the Vikings to the Maryland 4A state title in 2006, and finished state runner-up in 2014. In 10 years, he’s compiled a record of 141-103.

While Lun enjoys watching football and tossing the pigskin on Thanksgiving, it’s right back to hoops the following day as Whitman will host an alumni basketball game at 5 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 28. Lun started the event last year. Admission is free.

Lun recently participated in a Q&A via email, sharing some insight about his Thanksgiving plans.

*Q: What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

Lun: Every Thanksgiving, we (my wife, twin brother, and I) go to my dad's house in Gainesville, Va., for dinner. This year, we are moving it to my step-sister's new house in Clarksburg.

*Q: Does your team do anything on Thanksgiving?

Lun: MCPS policy doesn't let us practice on Thanksgiving Day, but we do have practice Wednesday and Friday, as well as a scrimmage on Saturday.

*Q: Do you or your family have any annual Thanksgiving traditions?

Lun: Last year I started the Coach Lun Thanksgiving Throwdown Alumni Basketball Game at Whitman. We had 20-plus players from my first 10 years coaching at Whitman come back to play in the game. The Second Annual game is Friday, Nov. 28, at 5 p.m. at Whitman. It is free admission for anyone who wants to come watch.

*Q: Does your family incorporate sports into Thanksgiving? If so, how?

Lun: We always watch the two NFL games on Thanksgiving Day, and my brother and I always manage to get outside and throw the football around on Thanksgiving morning.

*Q: What is your favorite thing to eat on Thanksgiving?

Lun: My ideal Thanksgiving plate is turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, corn, rolls, and gravy. For dessert, I like warm apple pie covered with vanilla ice cream.

*Q: The Whitman boys' basketball team finished state runner-up last season. What are your expectations for this season?

Lun: Obviously, we had a great run last year, and our goal is to get back to Comcast again. We know it will be a very difficult task, especially considering the losses of a few key returners (injury and transfer). But I love the guys in our program. I know they will work hard, play team ball, and compete hard every night. That's all you can ask for.

*Q: Who is your favorite music artist? Why?

Lun: I have an interesting taste in music, I guess. Teaching middle school and running a youth summer basketball camp, I get exposed to way too many pop songs, which I have to admit, can be kind of catchy. That being said, I've always been a Billy Joel fan. I'd probably rank him No. 1 on my

*Q: What is your favorite movie? Why?

Lun: It's nearly impossible to list the favorite movie, so I'll give you a few. “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Hoosiers,” “Wedding Crashers” are some of the ones that come to mind.

*Q: What location is the farthest you have traveled from the Washington, D.C. area?

Lun: Surprisingly enough, I have never been overseas to Europe or Asia. I guess that makes it either Barbados or Aruba as the farthest I've been from

*Q: Who are your favorite pro sports teams?

Lun: I'm a local sports fan, even though that can be tough to deal with. Washington Redskins, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Wizards, Washington Capitals.

*Q: Who are your favorite pro athletes?

Lun: I always root for Kevin Durant. I got to meet him in 2006 when we were both on the [Washington Post’s] All-Met team together. I was a big Larry Bird and Cal Ripken fan as a kid, and liked having LaVar Arrington in D.C. on the Skins (I was a student at PSU when he played football there).