Joe Lapchick

Beasts of the East

Beasts of the East

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Because Joe Lapchick's name came up in the story of Bob Knight's passing (Knight was close to and revered Lapchick), I did a little research.

This is a great article that shows just what a great man Joe Lapchick was. St. John's is a richer university for the association with this exceptional man. Enjoy!

apnews.com

Lapchick family felt backlash due to Knicks coach's views

(EDITOR'S NOTE: Richard E. Lapchick shares some of the backlash his family felt that was directed at his father, former Knicks coach Joe Lapchick, for signing the first Black player to an NBA contract in 1950.
apnews.com apnews.com
 
Shame that the Lapchick Tournament went by the boards because it was a chance to honor and remember him annually and let the following generations understand who he was and what he did for basketball.
 
sjc88 said:
For those interested you might want to read his biography. He had a profound impact but this was the only book I found. I read it several years ago. I was interested because I would always attend the Lapchick Tournament during Thanksgiving weekend and became curious because I knew so little about Lou’s mentor and predecessor.

Amazon product ASIN 1592288693
Click to expand...
Written by former SJU player and my HS coach Gus Alfieri.
 
Joe Lapchick was a great BB player for the Original Celtics and a HOF member since the entire team was inducted .

Joe , at 6’5” was the tallest BB player on the Celtics and because he was that height took a lot of heat being the “ Big Man “ ,

When St John’s was , at the time , the odds on
favorite to land Kareem ( Lew Alcindor ) it
was Joe Lapchick as lead Recruiter . I believe Kareem has said he would have likely gone to St John’s if Lapchick has not been retired by the University . Kareem identified with Joe because of their shared Height stature of being the biggest player on the Court .

It’s not been mentioned but , Joe Lapchick had been a leading figure in attempting to lead the
NBA into being a Integrated League for quite some time .

I’m sure Kareem knew that too.

Joe Lapchick was a great Player, Great Coach for St John’s but , any one who knew him knew him as a Better Person .

And , Bobby Knight , was in awe of Joe . Always called him Mr. Lapchick . He learned a lot about Coaching and a lot about Life from Joe .

Thanks , Beast for getting the Lapchick story going here . I recommend the Gus Alfieri book to everyone .
 
If I remember the story correctly SJU had a “mandatory” retirement age Of 65. After he retired he also wrote a book before he passed away.
 
sjc88 said:
If I remember the story correctly SJU had a “mandatory” retirement age Of 65. After he retired he also wrote a book before he passed away.
Click to expand...
Yes the University had a age 65 Retirement age of 65 . The intent was more directed at Faculty , Staff , etc .

The NY Media loved Lapchick and they didn’t take lightly the “ forced Retirement “ of Joe . They blistered St John’s .

They said Coaching BB is not the same as lecturing on Principles of Management 101 .

They could have put Lapchick on Retired Employee status and give him his pension and benefits , etc
Then continued him as a Independent Contractor . With a non Employee contract .

But , this was 1965 and managing People was much different than today .

Just an aside , Father Cahill was not yet President as I recall . He might have come up with a different solution for Joe .

Maybe not? Who knows .?
 
I think the Yankees had the same age issue with Casey Stengel.
 
With a good chance of getting the greatest high school basketball of all time you could probably count on one hand the number of other colleges who would have forced the coach to retire.
 
sjc88 said:
For those interested you might want to read his biography. He had a profound impact but this was the only book I found. I read it several years ago. I was interested because I would always attend the Lapchick Tournament during Thanksgiving weekend and became curious because I knew so little about Lou’s mentor and predecessor.

Amazon product ASIN 1592288693
Click to expand...
Amazing book
 
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