How long have you been posting or watching this site ?

[quote="otis" post=299658].


I chose to attend St. John's because of its men's basketball team. When I left my admissions interview I asked the receptionist for directions to Alumni Hall and sat through one of Louie's practices, and I was sold on the school.

Fast forward to the pre- internet days when news moved much ... s- l- o- w- e- r ....... During the late 1980s, early '90s a newsletter "Big East Briefs” was published by a St. John's alum and was very good source of recruiting information within the Big East Conference. Through Big East Brief's I met an individual who formerly posted on this site under the name "Tom in Simsbury". Tom had made a connection with some guy named "Paul" on an A.O.L. sports site. Paul was in the process of starting a "message board" where St. John's fans could exchange their thoughts regarding the St. John's Red Storm basketball team. At that time the concept of what a "message board" was not as defined as it is today. I recall thinking that perhaps there would be "one or two" posts on the "message board" every day or so.

The "Paul" who Tom referred to was the "Paul" that owns this site. Paul created Redmen.com and it was an instant success. Hundreds of St. John's fans somehow found the site and began to post. Newspaper writers trolled the site for information.

Redmen.com was a pioneer in the field of sports message boards. Rivals and others courted Paul but Paul elected to keep his independence desiring to maintain the site free to users. I am not sure that anyone understands the money and time which Paul has invested in the Redmen.com Paul is very successful within his profession but purposely keeps a low profile.

Through the years Redmen.com has attracted passionate and informed posters. Unfortunately, we have lost a few valuable posters; "Alex of Woodside" comes to mind. In early years Alex was a big source of recruiting information. [NOTE: I would appreciate if posters could post the names of the former regular posters who have disappeared from the site to see if anyone can identify their whereabouts. Thanks.}

Because I do not live in the NYC metro area I have not personally met as many posters as I would like, but have made continuing telephone friendship with “The Honorable Panther2”, JSJ, JPM, Aubie, Monte, and others. I only make one or so games per year. If I lived in the NYC area I would be a season ticket holder.

Whenever I get annoyed at a poster I stop and think that there is not one regular poster on this site that does not have a sincere passion of St. John's basketball and who does not want our beloved team to succeed.

Thank you to Paul and my fellow posters for making Redmen.com the success it is.

Regards.
Otis.[/quote]

Fabulous post. Thanks Otis. I remember 'Big East Briefs' and subscribed to it.
I'm relatively new to this Board, maybe 3 years of posting, but am addicted to it.
A Hall of Fame Board!
Thanks again for the history recap, and thanks to Paul...very much.
 
I also started out on Big East Briefs and discovered the site by sheer luck. I don't know exactly when but it was just before or just after Jarvis came on board.
 
I too have been "lurking" around for many years, starting 1995 +/-. I think it was last year there was some computer update that required some cash from the "lurkers". That seemed like the first "ask" I had received from Paul. I gladly gave. I wouldn't mind more frequent requests for money. If someone wants to send me a link or some kind of hint as to how I could make monthly donations, I would probably contribute. The site is great, except for all the time that is lost "staying current".
 
[quote="Steve Knortz" post=299719]I too have been "lurking" around for many years, starting 1995 +/-. I think it was last year there was some computer update that required some cash from the "lurkers". That seemed like the first "ask" I had received from Paul. I gladly gave. I wouldn't mind more frequent requests for money. If someone wants to send me a link or some kind of hint as to how I could make monthly donations, I would probably contribute. The site is great, except for all the time that is lost "staying current".[/quote]

Ok so you just made me feel guilty. I had only contributed once before and I just did so now. At the top of the page there is a little heart with a dollar sign next to the word recent. You can make a one time or monthly contribution.
This is the link .https://donorbox.org/redmen-com
 
[quote="otis" post=299658].


I chose to attend St. John's because of its men's basketball team. When I left my admissions interview I asked the receptionist for directions to Alumni Hall and sat through one of Louie's practices, and I was sold on the school.

Fast forward to the pre- internet days when news moved much ... s- l- o- w- e- r ....... During the late 1980s, early '90s a newsletter "Big East Briefs” was published by a St. John's alum and was very good source of recruiting information within the Big East Conference. Through Big East Brief's I met an individual who formerly posted on this site under the name "Tom in Simsbury". Tom had made a connection with some guy named "Paul" on an A.O.L. sports site. Paul was in the process of starting a "message board" where St. John's fans could exchange their thoughts regarding the St. John's Red Storm basketball team. At that time the concept of what a "message board" was not as defined as it is today. I recall thinking that perhaps there would be "one or two" posts on the "message board" every day or so.

The "Paul" who Tom referred to was the "Paul" that owns this site. Paul created Redmen.com and it was an instant success. Hundreds of St. John's fans somehow found the site and began to post. Newspaper writers trolled the site for information.

Redmen.com was a pioneer in the field of sports message boards. Rivals and others courted Paul but Paul elected to keep his independence desiring to maintain the site free to users. I am not sure that anyone understands the money and time which Paul has invested in the Redmen.com Paul is very successful within his profession but purposely keeps a low profile.

Through the years Redmen.com has attracted passionate and informed posters. Unfortunately, we have lost a few valuable posters; "Alex of Woodside" comes to mind. In early years Alex was a big source of recruiting information. [NOTE: I would appreciate if posters could post the names of the former regular posters who have disappeared from the site to see if anyone can identify their whereabouts. Thanks.}

Because I do not live in the NYC metro area I have not personally met as many posters as I would like, but have made continuing telephone friendship with “The Honorable Panther2”, JSJ, JPM, Aubie, Monte, and others. I only make one or so games per year. If I lived in the NYC area I would be a season ticket holder.

Whenever I get annoyed at a poster I stop and think that there is not one regular poster on this site that does not have a sincere passion of St. John's basketball and who does not want our beloved team to succeed.

Thank you to Paul and my fellow posters for making Redmen.com the success it is.

Regards.
Otis.[/quote]

Tremendous post Otis and thank you for mentioning Alex of Woodside who was not only a friend but was just the nicest guy you will ever meet. I wish I knew what happened to him as he was a great contributor to this site . Redmen.com has been my vice since it's inception and has lasted through 5 girlfriends and one wife yelling at me that I " read that stupid message board too much" :) I don't contribute as much as I used to because I have 2 small children who occupy all of my time but it is the first website I check in the morning and the last one I read before I go to sleep each and everyday without fail. I am fortunate to have met some really great people from this site and hope we can have some more Redmen.com outings this year so I can meet some more of you guys. . Thank you Paul because this for me will always be the best message board to talk about St. John's basketball . :)
 
not wanting to embarrass myself on this board, I use to first post on the Syracuse and Georgetown boards and then after receiving comments on those boards, I would refine my comments onto the redmen board. one of the earliest comments I remembered was comparing erik barley to the Syracuse guards, that received a lot of Syracuse blowback. since erik played for sju from 1998 to 2000, I guess somewhere in there I started with redmen.com.
I had the pleasure of meeting Northshore.
I went to a well attended redmen.com bbq outing on the sju campus, many, many decades ago. it was organized by the maven. coach lou was there and the maven introduced me to coach lou. at that outing I met poster JOE, who was a regular for a long time.
I had the pleasure of meeting mr and mrs ohiofan. also met the tux who also was once a regular poster.
sat with jack of virginia at the alumni event in Orlando last season.
thank you paul very much for this wonderful site, especially the yankees thread.
 
I discovered this site back around 2002 or 2003 while sitting in class one day while I was at UConn. I had always followed St John's casually as a kid growing up, being from NY, but actually going to UConn and being around so many obnoxious fans and the Big East rivalry turned me into a die hard St John's fan.

Side note, does anyone have any history on who Maven is? I always knew him and his son are connected to the program but never knew how. I definitely remember heated arguments with his son!
 
[quote="Room112" post=299728]I discovered this site back around 2002 or 2003 while sitting in class one day while I was at UConn. I had always followed St John's casually as a kid growing up, being from NY, but actually going to UConn and being around so many obnoxious fans and the Big East rivalry turned me into a die hard St John's fan.

Side note, does anyone have any history on who Maven is? I always knew him and his son are connected to the program but never knew how. I definitely remember heated arguments with his son![/quote]

The Maven is legend. His son, not so much. He actually turned me on to this site many years ago. Was once very connected, then cut off, then connected, then cut off and now retired with a small pension. Seriously, Maven was a big time fan who produced the Big East weekly program. Unfortunately, he had a penchant to make things very personal and fell victim to his own arrogance. To his credit, he loves St. John's and Lou Carnessecca. His famous motto "it's not personal, it's just business" was pure B.S. It was always personal and some current posters should remember never to make it personal.
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=299707][quote="Porgyman" post=299693]I’ve been a fan of the program since the McCoy, Rencher, Carter days. In 1980,I was a junior in high school (Cardozo) and attended a Pre-College Summer Program at Syracuse. My heart was set on going there after my senior year, however my wallet said no. So, I ended up at St. John’s, graduating in 1985.
I lurked on this site for a few years, and began posting during the Norm years. I made one trip, with my son to UCLA during the Lavin years. I met a few of you then. (Sat with MJMaher and his fiancé. Nice folks).
Here’s to a great season![/quote] I remember that !! You sat right to our left ! What are the odds. I dont think we knew before the game we would be sitting near each other if my memory serves me corect we just figured it out during the game[/quote]

We had two games at Pauley, the first Dusty J (speaking of the missing) booked a block of tix for RM.com fans. The 2nd was the one MJM and Nat came too andhe introduced us as well. We had a small get together at a Westwood beer hall the night before. I remember meeting Oldfan (I think, Mr. Kelly) at the first and maybe Gman was there (or was that the 2nd)? OWCA and/or RedmanWest at the 2nd? Again, I got memory problems. Oh and of course Traczok both times and also at the Az St game last year. Hope that return game at Long Beach St. comes sometime soon!
 
Last edited:
I go back to the AOL board and remember Paul starting this site. For years I could only read here as I was not originally cleared for posting.

When you read my posts you can probably see why.
 
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=299583]The Kyle kid thread got me curious. When did you guys start either lurking or posting on this site. I think for me it was 99 or 2000. Definitely it was before Bush got elected because thats when we started arguing and then R&P forum was created

Our first party ? Mkras would maybe know. Mustang Sallys I guess in 2000 or 2001 it was after the election because I remember everyone who argued was there and that was when I see Kranmars and we used to debate but we didnt know who each other was but we actually knew each other and then we started sitting with each other at games. He had tix with omg Kranmars whats his screen name ? They would sit up top during Norms first lonely horrible beginning and actually thats when I started with Alfredo because I respect that no-one was up there but them[/quote]

Think it was 2004 or maybe 2005 - after I moved back to the city from law school (graduated in 2003). So, so long ago.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=299755][quote="Room112" post=299728]I discovered this site back around 2002 or 2003 while sitting in class one day while I was at UConn. I had always followed St John's casually as a kid growing up, being from NY, but actually going to UConn and being around so many obnoxious fans and the Big East rivalry turned me into a die hard St John's fan.

Side note, does anyone have any history on who Maven is? I always knew him and his son are connected to the program but never knew how. I definitely remember heated arguments with his son![/quote]

The Maven is legend. His son, not so much. He actually turned me on to this site many years ago. Was once very connected, then cut off, then connected, then cut off and now retired with a small pension. Seriously, Maven was a big time fan who produced the Big East weekly program. Unfortunately, he had a penchant to make things very personal and fell victim to his own arrogance. To his credit, he loves St. John's and Lou Carnessecca. His famous motto "it's not personal, it's just business" was pure B.S. It was always personal and some current posters should remember never to make it personal.[/quote]

A lot of the animosity back then really was half the fans were defending Norm irrationally and the other half rationally hated Norm as a coach.
On side note having met both of them I liked Mav and Chris for what that is worth.(Chris had too many user names to not just name him)
 
[quote="Happy" post=299723][quote="otis" post=299658].


I chose to attend St. John's because of its men's basketball team. When I left my admissions interview I asked the receptionist for directions to Alumni Hall and sat through one of Louie's practices, and I was sold on the school.

Fast forward to the pre- internet days when news moved much ... s- l- o- w- e- r ....... During the late 1980s, early '90s a newsletter "Big East Briefs” was published by a St. John's alum and was very good source of recruiting information within the Big East Conference. Through Big East Brief's I met an individual who formerly posted on this site under the name "Tom in Simsbury". Tom had made a connection with some guy named "Paul" on an A.O.L. sports site. Paul was in the process of starting a "message board" where St. John's fans could exchange their thoughts regarding the St. John's Red Storm basketball team. At that time the concept of what a "message board" was not as defined as it is today. I recall thinking that perhaps there would be "one or two" posts on the "message board" every day or so.

The "Paul" who Tom referred to was the "Paul" that owns this site. Paul created Redmen.com and it was an instant success. Hundreds of St. John's fans somehow found the site and began to post. Newspaper writers trolled the site for information.

Redmen.com was a pioneer in the field of sports message boards. Rivals and others courted Paul but Paul elected to keep his independence desiring to maintain the site free to users. I am not sure that anyone understands the money and time which Paul has invested in the Redmen.com Paul is very successful within his profession but purposely keeps a low profile.

Through the years Redmen.com has attracted passionate and informed posters. Unfortunately, we have lost a few valuable posters; "Alex of Woodside" comes to mind. In early years Alex was a big source of recruiting information. [NOTE: I would appreciate if posters could post the names of the former regular posters who have disappeared from the site to see if anyone can identify their whereabouts. Thanks.}

Because I do not live in the NYC metro area I have not personally met as many posters as I would like, but have made continuing telephone friendship with “The Honorable Panther2”, JSJ, JPM, Aubie, Monte, and others. I only make one or so games per year. If I lived in the NYC area I would be a season ticket holder.

Whenever I get annoyed at a poster I stop and think that there is not one regular poster on this site that does not have a sincere passion of St. John's basketball and who does not want our beloved team to succeed.

Thank you to Paul and my fellow posters for making Redmen.com the success it is.

Regards.
Otis.[/quote]

Tremendous post Otis and thank you for mentioning Alex of Woodside who was not only a friend but was just the nicest guy you will ever meet. I wish I knew what happened to him as he was a great contributor to this site . Redmen.com has been my vice since it's inception and has lasted through 5 girlfriends and one wife yelling at me that I " read that stupid message board too much" :) I don't contribute as much as I used to because I have 2 small children who occupy all of my time but it is the first website I check in the morning and the last one I read before I go to sleep each and everyday without fail. I am fortunate to have met some really great people from this site and hope we can have some more Redmen.com outings this year so I can meet some more of you guys. . Thank you Paul because this for me will always be the best message board to talk about St. John's basketball . :)[/quote]


There have many great posts on this board, but I think this post should go into the HALL OF FAME
 
[quote="mkras99" post=299760][quote="mjmaherjr" post=299583]The Kyle kid thread got me curious. When did you guys start either lurking or posting on this site. I think for me it was 99 or 2000. Definitely it was before Bush got elected because thats when we started arguing and then R&P forum was created

Our first party ? Mkras would maybe know. Mustang Sallys I guess in 2000 or 2001 it was after the election because I remember everyone who argued was there and that was when I see Kranmars and we used to debate but we didnt know who each other was but we actually knew each other and then we started sitting with each other at games. He had tix with omg Kranmars whats his screen name ? They would sit up top during Norms first lonely horrible beginning and actually thats when I started with Alfredo because I respect that no-one was up there but them[/quote]

Think it was 2004 or maybe 2005 - after I moved back to the city from law school (graduated in 2003). So, so long ago.[/quote] that makes sense because it was probably right after the re-election
 
Last edited:
Wow, what a great thread and boy did I have to think about this one. My first memory was an 8000 word breakdown (meltdown) from lawmanfan about a late season game and wondering “who are these people?” (Sometime around 2002?) “They are way better fans than I am”. I followed it up until it opened up membership and immediately signed up. I met Moose and Salty Dog a few years back and have always understood that any agency in the world could find me in 16 seconds because who else in Indianapolis would spend this much time with his St. John’s band of fanatics online. Love this site, thank you Paul for this insane and wonderful community.
 
Last edited:
[quote="indyredmen97" post=299769]Wow, what a great thread and boy did I have to think about this one. My first memory was an 8000 word breakdown (meltdown) from lawmanfan about a late season game and wondering “who are these people?” (Sometime around 2002?) “They are way better fans than I am”. I followed it up until it opened up membership and immediately signed up. I met Moose and Salty Dog a few years back and have always understood that any agency in the world could find me in 16 seconds because who else in Indianapolis would spend this much time with his St. John’s band of fanatics online. Love this site, thank you Paul for this insane and wonderful community.[/quote] Lawman has had some greeT long tirades but the best one ever IMO was Bobre’s “ a defining moment thread “ Norms first year after a loss at home I think maybe the st Francis loss or whatever loss it was the day we lost on the night we were renaming Alumni Hall. That post was legendary. We all gave him crap for a long time but on that one particular post he ended up being right and I was definitely wrong
 
Last edited:
Otis - your post made me think of the Blue Ribbon college basketball yearbook that I used to order when I was in high school. I just looked and saw that is still being published. Anyone know if it is still worth reading?
 
[quote="austour" post=299756][quote="mjmaherjr" post=299707][quote="Porgyman" post=299693]I’ve been a fan of the program since the McCoy, Rencher, Carter days. In 1980,I was a junior in high school (Cardozo) and attended a Pre-College Summer Program at Syracuse. My heart was set on going there after my senior year, however my wallet said no. So, I ended up at St. John’s, graduating in 1985.
I lurked on this site for a few years, and began posting during the Norm years. I made one trip, with my son to UCLA during the Lavin years. I met a few of you then. (Sat with MJMaher and his fiancé. Nice folks).
Here’s to a great season![/quote] I remember that !! You sat right to our left ! What are the odds. I dont think we knew before the game we would be sitting near each other if my memory serves me corect we just figured it out during the game[/quote]

We had two games at Pauley, the first Dusty J (speaking of the missing) booked a block of tix for RM.com fans. The 2nd was the one MJM and Nat came too andhe introduced us as well. We had a small get together at a Westwood beer hall the night before. I remember meeting Oldfan (I think, Mr. Kelly) at the first and maybe Gman was there (or was that the 2nd)? OWCA and/or RedmanWest at the 2nd? Again, I got memory problems. Oh and of course Traczok both times and also at the Az St game last year. Hope that return game at Long Beach St. comes sometime soon![/quote] Gman was definitely at the 2nd game I think his brother lived out there or something. OWCA was at the 2nd game too. Wait I could be wrong. I think I met OWCA when we played at San Fran on a different trip because thats when I met LJSA for the first time.

Darrin ( one of the 2 redstormrising posters ) came out for the UCLA game too and Cole and Shaun and another member who doesn't post Dr Pat C. Some others also I forget who all met us out at the bar that night before the game. I'd have to go find the picture and look
 
Last edited:
[quote="mjmaherjr" post=299782][quote="austour" post=299756][quote="mjmaherjr" post=299707][quote="Porgyman" post=299693]I’ve been a fan of the program since the McCoy, Rencher, Carter days. In 1980,I was a junior in high school (Cardozo) and attended a Pre-College Summer Program at Syracuse. My heart was set on going there after my senior year, however my wallet said no. So, I ended up at St. John’s, graduating in 1985.
I lurked on this site for a few years, and began posting during the Norm years. I made one trip, with my son to UCLA during the Lavin years. I met a few of you then. (Sat with MJMaher and his fiancé. Nice folks).
Here’s to a great season![/quote] I remember that !! You sat right to our left ! What are the odds. I dont think we knew before the game we would be sitting near each other if my memory serves me corect we just figured it out during the game[/quote]

We had two games at Pauley, the first Dusty J (speaking of the missing) booked a block of tix for RM.com fans. The 2nd was the one MJM and Nat came too andhe introduced us as well. We had a small get together at a Westwood beer hall the night before. I remember meeting Oldfan (I think, Mr. Kelly) at the first and maybe Gman was there (or was that the 2nd)? OWCA and/or RedmanWest at the 2nd? Again, I got memory problems. Oh and of course Traczok both times and also at the Az St game last year. Hope that return game at Long Beach St. comes sometime soon![/quote] Gman was definitely at the 2nd game I think his brother lived out there or something. OWCA was at the 2nd game too. Wait I could be wrong. I think I met OWCA when we played at San Fran on a different trip because thats when I met LJSA for the first time.

Darrin ( one of the 2 redstormrising posters ) came out for the UCLA game too and Cole and Shaun and another member who doesn't post Dr Pat C. Some others also I forget who all met us out at the bar that night before the game. I'd have to go find the picture and look[/quote]

I was at the same game as Darrin. I was there with my brother lives in SoCal.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top