An Open Letter to Chris Monasch/ St John's Admin

http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2014/4/2/5574824/an-open-letter-to-chris-monasch-and-the-st-johns-administation

Came across this online (whether you agree with the author or not) it's a breath of fresh air compared to the negativity around the program lately.
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Counting down to the first posters saying "He's in denial!", "He's a homer!"' "He's looking through rose-colored glasses!", and finally, "He doesn't know what he's talking about!"

My take? He's a fan with an opinion, just like all of us here.
 
http://www.rumbleinthegarden.com/2014/4/2/5574824/an-open-letter-to-chris-monasch-and-the-st-johns-administation

Came across this online (whether you agree with the author or not) it's a breath of fresh air compared to the negativity around the program lately.
Click to expand...

Counting down to the first posters saying "He's in denial!", "He's a homer!"' "He's looking through rose-colored glasses!", and finally, "He doesn't know what he's talking about!"

My take? He's a fan with an opinion, just like all of us here.
Click to expand...

Certainly entitled to his opinion.
 
Is there any truth to his statement about Lavin's illness causing Gathers to renege? I don't recall. No offense to the author, who meant well and is entitled to his opinion, but IMO he doesn't make a very persuasive argument on Lavin's behalf.
 
Is there any truth to his statement about Lavin's illness causing Gathers to renege? I don't recall. No offense to the author, who meant well and is entitled to his opinion, but IMO he doesn't make a very persuasive argument on Lavin's behalf.
 
Is there any truth to his statement about Lavin's illness causing Gathers to renege? I don't recall. No offense to the author, who meant well and is entitled to his opinion, but IMO he doesn't make a very persuasive argument on Lavin's behalf.
Click to expand...

Is Lavin getting well the reason Hooper, Sampson, and maybe Obekpa is leaving. Okay, just kidding.

Here's my two cents, a little different than the stuff I've posted before.

When Lavin arrived, so did a new era of SJU basketball. Suddenly, we also started to become a first class program. I don't attest all of this to Lavin, but I can tell you in that very first season, fans were invited to the NY Athletic Club for selection Sunday for a NO CHARGE cocktail hour with drinks and food. Keady was with the fans throughout the evening, and Lavin stayed with the team in another room, I guess just in case. HE then came in and addressed the crowd.

During the BET I was invited to a skybox that SJU paid for, again with food and beverage. I know that this wasn't going to be an every game and every year invite, but I was sure appreciative of their generosity. First class all the way.

Then in Denver, for the first round of the NCAA tournament, SJU again hosted a cocktail hour, again free, to thank all the fans who made the trip. It was such an upgrade from the old way of doing things, and even FH attended the Denver gathering. By all means SJU was and I believe is focused on the full restoration of our program.

I have questioned the in game decisions that Lavin has made, but to be honest, over all the years of watching Carnesecca, am still waiting for some clue that he knew how to manage the clock as a close game wound down. Mahoney, who seemed brilliant or at least the basketball brains behind the X's and O's of Lou's teams, looked lost as HC. Fraschilla had a shot at being something, if he didn't end his tenure looking like the kind of coach you wouldn't want your kids near. Add Jarvis to that mix as well. Well, you'd want Norm to be around your kids to teach them anything - except basketball.

So now we have a coach, who can recruit really really well, who appears to have not done so well this past year recruiting at a really bad time - when another very good class would have us break through the glass ceiling. Add the defections, and the teams poor showing this year, and I understand the dissatisfaction.

But - when you start to talk about how he's treated the kids - with warmth and compassion, and caring when they needed that, and with the firm hand of a disciplinarian when they needed that, and I'll tell you, I'm not sure I'd want anyone else from that prior group heading up the program in that regard.

I still hold onto the belief that Lavin's best days are ahead of him at St. John's. It may be ridiculous optimism, but I do think there is ample reason for that, as long as we don't run him out of town.
 
Is there any truth to his statement about Lavin's illness causing Gathers to renege? I don't recall. No offense to the author, who meant well and is entitled to his opinion, but IMO he doesn't make a very persuasive argument on Lavin's behalf.
Click to expand...

Is Lavin getting well the reason Hooper, Sampson, and maybe Obekpa is leaving. Okay, just kidding.

Here's my two cents, a little different than the stuff I've posted before.

When Lavin arrived, so did a new era of SJU basketball. Suddenly, we also started to become a first class program. I don't attest all of this to Lavin, but I can tell you in that very first season, fans were invited to the NY Athletic Club for selection Sunday for a NO CHARGE cocktail hour with drinks and food. Keady was with the fans throughout the evening, and Lavin stayed with the team in another room, I guess just in case. HE then came in and addressed the crowd.

During the BET I was invited to a skybox that SJU paid for, again with food and beverage. I know that this wasn't going to be an every game and every year invite, but I was sure appreciative of their generosity. First class all the way.

Then in Denver, for the first round of the NCAA tournament, SJU again hosted a cocktail hour, again free, to thank all the fans who made the trip. It was such an upgrade from the old way of doing things, and even FH attended the Denver gathering. By all means SJU was and I believe is focused on the full restoration of our program.

I have questioned the in game decisions that Lavin has made, but to be honest, over all the years of watching Carnesecca, am still waiting for some clue that he knew how to manage the clock as a close game wound down. Mahoney, who seemed brilliant or at least the basketball brains behind the X's and O's of Lou's teams, looked lost as HC. Fraschilla had a shot at being something, if he didn't end his tenure looking like the kind of coach you wouldn't want your kids near. Add Jarvis to that mix as well. Well, you'd want Norm to be around your kids to teach them anything - except basketball.

So now we have a coach, who can recruit really really well, who appears to have not done so well this past year recruiting at a really bad time - when another very good class would have us break through the glass ceiling. Add the defections, and the teams poor showing this year, and I understand the dissatisfaction.

But - when you start to talk about how he's treated the kids - with warmth and compassion, and caring when they needed that, and with the firm hand of a disciplinarian when they needed that, and I'll tell you, I'm not sure I'd want anyone else from that prior group heading up the program in that regard.

I still hold onto the belief that Lavin's best days are ahead of him at St. John's. It may be ridiculous optimism, but I do think there is ample reason for that, as long as we don't run him out of town.
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Since there are only about fifty of us, none of us will "run him out of town". He should be fairly evaluated by the AD & whoever else at SJU has legitimate input. Our word means nothing one way or another. Financial supporters obviously do. If the powers to be support him, give him an extension and he chooses to continue with us, so be it. As a long time fan, I may not agree with their decision, but will support it.
 
Is there any truth to his statement about Lavin's illness causing Gathers to renege? I don't recall. No offense to the author, who meant well and is entitled to his opinion, but IMO he doesn't make a very persuasive argument on Lavin's behalf.
Click to expand...

Is Lavin getting well the reason Hooper, Sampson, and maybe Obekpa is leaving. Okay, just kidding.

Here's my two cents, a little different than the stuff I've posted before.

When Lavin arrived, so did a new era of SJU basketball. Suddenly, we also started to become a first class program. I don't attest all of this to Lavin, but I can tell you in that very first season, fans were invited to the NY Athletic Club for selection Sunday for a NO CHARGE cocktail hour with drinks and food. Keady was with the fans throughout the evening, and Lavin stayed with the team in another room, I guess just in case. HE then came in and addressed the crowd.

During the BET I was invited to a skybox that SJU paid for, again with food and beverage. I know that this wasn't going to be an every game and every year invite, but I was sure appreciative of their generosity. First class all the way.

Then in Denver, for the first round of the NCAA tournament, SJU again hosted a cocktail hour, again free, to thank all the fans who made the trip. It was such an upgrade from the old way of doing things, and even FH attended the Denver gathering. By all means SJU was and I believe is focused on the full restoration of our program.

I have questioned the in game decisions that Lavin has made, but to be honest, over all the years of watching Carnesecca, am still waiting for some clue that he knew how to manage the clock as a close game wound down. Mahoney, who seemed brilliant or at least the basketball brains behind the X's and O's of Lou's teams, looked lost as HC. Fraschilla had a shot at being something, if he didn't end his tenure looking like the kind of coach you wouldn't want your kids near. Add Jarvis to that mix as well. Well, you'd want Norm to be around your kids to teach them anything - except basketball.

So now we have a coach, who can recruit really really well, who appears to have not done so well this past year recruiting at a really bad time - when another very good class would have us break through the glass ceiling. Add the defections, and the teams poor showing this year, and I understand the dissatisfaction.

But - when you start to talk about how he's treated the kids - with warmth and compassion, and caring when they needed that, and with the firm hand of a disciplinarian when they needed that, and I'll tell you, I'm not sure I'd want anyone else from that prior group heading up the program in that regard.

I still hold onto the belief that Lavin's best days are ahead of him at St. John's. It may be ridiculous optimism, but I do think there is ample reason for that, as long as we don't run him out of town.
Click to expand...

Since there are only about fifty of us, none of us will "run him out of town". He should be fairly evaluated by the AD & whoever else at SJU has legitimate input. Our word means nothing one way or another. Financial supporters obviously do. If the powers to be support him, give him an extension and he chooses to continue with us, so be it. As a long time fan, I may not agree with their decision, but will support it.
Click to expand...

I think the only thing that would run Lavin out of town would be the embarrassment (perceived or real) of not getting a long-term extension at this juncture.
 
Is there any truth to his statement about Lavin's illness causing Gathers to renege? I don't recall. No offense to the author, who meant well and is entitled to his opinion, but IMO he doesn't make a very persuasive argument on Lavin's behalf.
Click to expand...

Is Lavin getting well the reason Hooper, Sampson, and maybe Obekpa is leaving. Okay, just kidding.

Here's my two cents, a little different than the stuff I've posted before.

When Lavin arrived, so did a new era of SJU basketball. Suddenly, we also started to become a first class program. I don't attest all of this to Lavin, but I can tell you in that very first season, fans were invited to the NY Athletic Club for selection Sunday for a NO CHARGE cocktail hour with drinks and food. Keady was with the fans throughout the evening, and Lavin stayed with the team in another room, I guess just in case. HE then came in and addressed the crowd.

During the BET I was invited to a skybox that SJU paid for, again with food and beverage. I know that this wasn't going to be an every game and every year invite, but I was sure appreciative of their generosity. First class all the way.

Then in Denver, for the first round of the NCAA tournament, SJU again hosted a cocktail hour, again free, to thank all the fans who made the trip. It was such an upgrade from the old way of doing things, and even FH attended the Denver gathering. By all means SJU was and I believe is focused on the full restoration of our program.

I have questioned the in game decisions that Lavin has made, but to be honest, over all the years of watching Carnesecca, am still waiting for some clue that he knew how to manage the clock as a close game wound down. Mahoney, who seemed brilliant or at least the basketball brains behind the X's and O's of Lou's teams, looked lost as HC. Fraschilla had a shot at being something, if he didn't end his tenure looking like the kind of coach you wouldn't want your kids near. Add Jarvis to that mix as well. Well, you'd want Norm to be around your kids to teach them anything - except basketball.

So now we have a coach, who can recruit really really well, who appears to have not done so well this past year recruiting at a really bad time - when another very good class would have us break through the glass ceiling. Add the defections, and the teams poor showing this year, and I understand the dissatisfaction.

But - when you start to talk about how he's treated the kids - with warmth and compassion, and caring when they needed that, and with the firm hand of a disciplinarian when they needed that, and I'll tell you, I'm not sure I'd want anyone else from that prior group heading up the program in that regard.

I still hold onto the belief that Lavin's best days are ahead of him at St. John's. It may be ridiculous optimism, but I do think there is ample reason for that, as long as we don't run him out of town.
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Appreciate your 2 cents(insight) Beast. Agree with your assessment of our ex-coaches, even Louie. And I hear what you're saying about Lavin and the kids. Although I must tell you, I don't think his relationship with his kids is any stronger than Norm's was with his kids. In fact, I think Norm's was stronger. I really want to share in your optimism, if for no other reason than I have no faith that admin will get it right the next time. But what I've seen on the court and off tells me otherwise. I really hope I'm wrong and you're right.
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season. No we may not be where we all wanted to be or expected to be at this stage of the game but we never expected half of that first class to be ineligable, or for Lavin to miss a season, or even Dunlap's departure. I still hold out optimism that this program will see better days and is moving in that direction. If we can survive Eugene Lawrence we can definitely fight through the NIT years until we are a mainstay in the NCAA's.
 
My only problem with his letter is how he closes it..

"There is a lot of negativity out on twitter and the blogospheres. However, I don't believe this reflects the faith of true fans like myself who actually attend the games.."

He's entitled to his opinion, and as a long time fan I respect what he has to say. After all, we're all St Johns fans here. We have common experiences and a common bond.
But what makes him a "true fan"? That's an implication I've seen around here lately as well, and I think it's divisive.

As with most things in life, this isn't a black and white situation. There are things that Lavin has done right, there are things he's done wrong, and there are a whole slew of things that have occurred that are hard to attribute to any one cause. And let's face it, most things we debate fall into that latter category. Does the ball-movement suck because the players are selfish? Is it because Lavin hasn't coached them? Is the scheme to blame? Or, are the players just not that talented? I honestly don't know, and I challenge anyone to answer any of these types of questions with a definitive answer, because it's just not possible.
And because of that ambiguity in the causes of the program's current problems, there's bound to be a variety of opinions. But no one opinion makes you any more of a "true fan" than anybody else.
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season. No we may not be where we all wanted to be or expected to be at this stage of the game but we never expected half of that first class to be ineligable, or for Lavin to miss a season, or even Dunlap's departure. I still hold out optimism that this program will see better days and is moving in that direction. If we can survive Eugene Lawrence we can definitely fight through the NIT years until we are a mainstay in the NCAA's.
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Bingo. First off people are acting like SJU when 13-20. Wake Forest was coming off back to back NCAA teams under Dino Gaudio before they fired him. Only after 4years of not even a lousy NIT bid and a sparkling 2-32 record in conference on the road did Wake force Bzdelik to resign.

Look no one is happy about how the season ended specifically the performance against RM. But you understand that there are no games going on. The constant criticism of Coach as if they are in the midst of a 10 game losing streak is ridiculous. There are no games left. He cannot create something that does not exist. He can't win anymore games this season because the season is over. 'Well this time is running by us" or "DePaul is better then us" or this or that. We have not played a game yet in the next season yet all of these things are true evidently. Or "this team made a great hire (career assistant)." Based on what? The guy has not coached a game yet.

Relax.
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season. No we may not be where we all wanted to be or expected to be at this stage of the game but we never expected half of that first class to be ineligable, or for Lavin to miss a season, or even Dunlap's departure. I still hold out optimism that this program will see better days and is moving in that direction. If we can survive Eugene Lawrence we can definitely fight through the NIT years until we are a mainstay in the NCAA's.
Click to expand...

Bingo. First off people are acting like SJU when 13-20. Wake Forest was coming off back to back NCAA teams under Dino Gaudio before they fired him. Only after 4years of not even a lousy NIT bid and a sparkling 2-32 record in conference on the road did Wake force Bzdelik to resign.

Look no one is happy about how the season ended specifically the performance against RM. But you understand that there are no games going on. The constant criticism of Coach as if they are in the midst of a 10 game losing streak is ridiculous. There are no games left. He cannot create something that does not exist. He can't win anymore games this season because the season is over. 'Well this time is running by us" or "DePaul is better then us" or this or that. We have not played a game yet in the next season yet all of these things are true evidently. Or "this team made a great hire (career assistant)." Based on what? The guy has not coached a game yet.

Relax.
Click to expand...

People are not happy with the way the season began(did you forget?), the way the season ended, what has gone on since the season ended, the perceived lack of interest from high level recruits, and so on. So please don't try to make it seem like people are only complaining over us not making the tournament and our complete no show against RM, because that is simply not the case.
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season. No we may not be where we all wanted to be or expected to be at this stage of the game but we never expected half of that first class to be ineligable, or for Lavin to miss a season, or even Dunlap's departure. I still hold out optimism that this program will see better days and is moving in that direction. If we can survive Eugene Lawrence we can definitely fight through the NIT years until we are a mainstay in the NCAA's.
Click to expand...

Bingo. First off people are acting like SJU when 13-20. Wake Forest was coming off back to back NCAA teams under Dino Gaudio before they fired him. Only after 4years of not even a lousy NIT bid and a sparkling 2-32 record in conference on the road did Wake force Bzdelik to resign.

Look no one is happy about how the season ended specifically the performance against RM. But you understand that there are no games going on. The constant criticism of Coach as if they are in the midst of a 10 game losing streak is ridiculous. There are no games left. He cannot create something that does not exist. He can't win anymore games this season because the season is over. 'Well this time is running by us" or "DePaul is better then us" or this or that. We have not played a game yet in the next season yet all of these things are true evidently. Or "this team made a great hire (career assistant)." Based on what? The guy has not coached a game yet.

Relax.
Click to expand...

People are not happy with the way the season began(did you forget?), the way the season ended, what has gone on since the season ended, the perceived lack of interest from high level recruits, and so on. So please don't try to make it seem like people are only complaining over us not making the tournament and our complete no show against RM, because that is simply not the case.
Click to expand...

If we had won 2 or 3 more games against say PC, Depaul, and Xavier we would not be having these conversations at all, that's why I don't understand why people get so worked up. We were picked 5th and we finished 5th. There were very few games that looked like we had no chance to win, home or away. No it's not how any of us wanted to end the season but to say that people would be calling for Lavin's head had we made the tournament is off base IMO
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season. No we may not be where we all wanted to be or expected to be at this stage of the game but we never expected half of that first class to be ineligable, or for Lavin to miss a season, or even Dunlap's departure. I still hold out optimism that this program will see better days and is moving in that direction. If we can survive Eugene Lawrence we can definitely fight through the NIT years until we are a mainstay in the NCAA's.
Click to expand...

Bingo. First off people are acting like SJU when 13-20. Wake Forest was coming off back to back NCAA teams under Dino Gaudio before they fired him. Only after 4years of not even a lousy NIT bid and a sparkling 2-32 record in conference on the road did Wake force Bzdelik to resign.

Look no one is happy about how the season ended specifically the performance against RM. But you understand that there are no games going on. The constant criticism of Coach as if they are in the midst of a 10 game losing streak is ridiculous. There are no games left. He cannot create something that does not exist. He can't win anymore games this season because the season is over. 'Well this time is running by us" or "DePaul is better then us" or this or that. We have not played a game yet in the next season yet all of these things are true evidently. Or "this team made a great hire (career assistant)." Based on what? The guy has not coached a game yet.

Relax.
Click to expand...

People are not happy with the way the season began(did you forget?), the way the season ended, what has gone on since the season ended, the perceived lack of interest from high level recruits, and so on. So please don't try to make it seem like people are only complaining over us not making the tournament and our complete no show against RM, because that is simply not the case.
Click to expand...

If we had won 2 or 3 more games against say PC, Depaul, and Xavier we would not be having these conversations at all, that's why I don't understand why people get so worked up. We were picked 5th and we finished 5th. There were very few games that looked like we had no chance to win, home or away. No it's not how any of us wanted to end the season but to say that people would be calling for Lavin's head had we made the tournament is off base IMO
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We also could have just as easily lost another 2 or 3 games. We only beat Bucknell by 4 (at CA) and Columbia by 6. We also only beat SH by 1. All 3 of those games could have been losses. But that's neither here nor there. This team did not play like a cohesive unit all year. Many of us still have a really bad taste in our mouth over this season, not just the last few games. I am not one of those calling for Lavin's head., but the same time I've seen enough to be extremely skeptical that he's right man for the job. Time will tell.
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season.
Click to expand...

I could agree with this statement in isolation. However, the discontent goes far beyond wins and losses. The feeling (by most everyone) is that this team won 20 games in spite of poor coaching. As Monte mentioned, it's not just how the season ended. It's the beginning of the season, the end of the season, untimely time-outs, hard to understand line-ups, no offensive strategy, a recruiting hiatus, an ill-advised draft declaration, head-scratching substitutions, and the endless insulting excuses.

So, if you told me five years ago that I would be calling for our coach's firing after a 20 win season, I would not have believed you. However, I also never thought I would witness this level of dysfunction.
 
My only problem with his letter is how he closes it..

"There is a lot of negativity out on twitter and the blogospheres. However, I don't believe this reflects the faith of true fans like myself who actually attend the games.."

He's entitled to his opinion, and as a long time fan I respect what he has to say. After all, we're all St Johns fans here. We have common experiences and a common bond.
But what makes him a "true fan"? That's an implication I've seen around here lately as well, and I think it's divisive.

As with most things in life, this isn't a black and white situation. There are things that Lavin has done right, there are things he's done wrong, and there are a whole slew of things that have occurred that are hard to attribute to any one cause. And let's face it, most things we debate fall into that latter category. Does the ball-movement suck because the players are selfish? Is it because Lavin hasn't coached them? Is the scheme to blame? Or, are the players just not that talented? I honestly don't know, and I challenge anyone to answer any of these types of questions with a definitive answer, because it's just not possible.
And because of that ambiguity in the causes of the program's current problems, there's bound to be a variety of opinions. But no one opinion makes you any more of a "true fan" than anybody else.
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I think what is really at the heart of those comments, which incidentally have no bearing on your measure of a fan, is that many season ticket holders have endured disappointing campaign after disappointing campaign while forking over a considerable growing amount of money. In the very lean years, you sit in the Garden against a top 20 opponent (say WVU), and the total attendance was around 5,000. Even as the team improved, and this season provided plenty of competitive games, we struggled to put 10,000 of our own fans in the Garden. When there are so many empty seats, ticket holders who really struggle to come up with $1200 for a pair of season tickets sometimes out of sheer loyalty may even have some basis to consider themselves more loyal. Of course, it's not a valid measure of being a fan. Ticket purchases come out of discretionary dollars, and there are all sorts of reasons (age, health, financial status, family responsibilities, distance, to name a few) why other "true fans" don't attend games.
 
I think the letter was well written and pretty much hit the nail on the head.
 
Just to show the progress that the program is making, realize we are all debating whether or not we should buy out Lavin's contract after a 20 win season.
Click to expand...

I could agree with this statement in isolation. However, the discontent goes far beyond wins and losses. The feeling (by most everyone) is that this team won 20 games in spite of poor coaching. As Monte mentioned, it's not just how the season ended. It's the beginning of the season, the end of the season, untimely time-outs, hard to understand line-ups, no offensive strategy, a recruiting hiatus, an ill-advised draft declaration, head-scratching substitutions, and the endless insulting excuses.

So, if you told me five years ago that I would be calling for our coach's firing after a 20 win season, I would not have believed you. However, I also never thought I would witness this level of dysfunction.
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I can understand that, definitely. I guess I am more fearful of what our administration would do in regards to a replacement for Lavin. I have been one of the few in support of Lavin but I definitely see his flaws, I'm just not sure that firing him and pretty much starting all over again is the best answer. I haven't been a fan as long as many posters on this board but I have already seen 5 coaches at St. John's. There is nothing more i would like to see than some stability in this program, especially a stable program that wins constantly. I don't want to bring in someone who might succeed just as easily as he might fail. The only way I want Lavin gone is if they bring in someone with a proven track record who will be able to bring recruits into our program and of course win. I just don't see in anyway how we are in a position to make such a hire. Shaka Smart would be my ideal candidate but that is not going to happen. I would also like us to give Masiello a spot on our staff while he gets his degree and possibly set him up to be Lavin's successor. I don't see that happening either
 
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