Lapchick statue initiative
- Thread starter jerseyshorejohnny
- Start date
It's been a long time since Joe Lapchick graced the world of basketball so his accomplishments tend to be forgotten but there are few if any who first raised the the consciousness of college basketball in the mind of the public while at SJU and then did the same for pro basketball when he went to the Knicks.
Both games had very few followers when Joe came on their scene and both benefitted from his presence. He was very influential in the Knicks and pro basketball moving from playing in dance halls to major arenas and yet while there are all sorts of banners hanging in MSG I don't know of any tribute to Lapchick.
Both games had very few followers when Joe came on their scene and both benefitted from his presence. He was very influential in the Knicks and pro basketball moving from playing in dance halls to major arenas and yet while there are all sorts of banners hanging in MSG I don't know of any tribute to Lapchick.
redmen1969
Active member
Great job Kevin. Thanks to your efforts the great history of St. John's influence on Basketball, through a truly great coach and humanitarian will be forever memorialized. Thanks, Kevin.
Couldn't be happier. Not recognizing Coach Lapchick the way he deserves to be recognized has long been a thorn in my side. So, yes, kudos (upon kudos upon kudos) to JSJ/Kevin! You've done an incredible job, and those of us who remember Coach Lapchick and what he means to New York basketball can't thank you enough!
Reading about the ’14 Spring unveiling of the statue warmed my heart.
It is very important that this giant of a coach and even more giant of a man be recognized in this way. I hope all that this will cause the younger people who do not know Coach, will pause and ask questions and learn about our legendary Coach, most especially for his ahead-of-his-time promotion of integration, despite all the discomfort that caused when he did it.
I cannot thank JSJ/Kevin enough for spearheading this initiative. Many, many heartfelt thanks go to Kevin Reed. There is no better ambassador for this university than Kevin.
Great job, well done, sir.
It is very important that this giant of a coach and even more giant of a man be recognized in this way. I hope all that this will cause the younger people who do not know Coach, will pause and ask questions and learn about our legendary Coach, most especially for his ahead-of-his-time promotion of integration, despite all the discomfort that caused when he did it.
I cannot thank JSJ/Kevin enough for spearheading this initiative. Many, many heartfelt thanks go to Kevin Reed. There is no better ambassador for this university than Kevin.
Great job, well done, sir.
beast of the east
Active member
We really need a HOF, where we could have interactive exhibits, such as video displays, or even documentaries about some key figures in our history. It would take a decent amount of money, and maybe more importantly, space to do it, but it would be great if it happened.
MarkRedman
Well-known member
Good question
While I absolutely love Looie, it never made sense to me that both the court and the arena would be named for him
One or the other could have been named for Lapchick
While I absolutely love Looie, it never made sense to me that both the court and the arena would be named for him
One or the other could have been named for Lapchick
This is the first time I've seen this topic. My wife and I are both alumni. I own a art casting foundry that we recently moved from Manhattan to Long Island City.
If it isn't too late, I'd love to be involved with this project. Sculpting, casting, and installing statues is what I do for a living. Does anyone know who I could contact about this?
Thanks!
If it isn't too late, I'd love to be involved with this project. Sculpting, casting, and installing statues is what I do for a living. Does anyone know who I could contact about this?
Thanks!
tom in salem
Well-known member
jerseyshorejohnny.
jerseyshorejohnny
Well-known member
At the request of the Lapchick family we are planning a Friday afternoon, November 21 unveiling.
The day before is The Lapchick Character Award luncheon at The NYAC and Dr. Richard Lapchcik would prefer not to fly back to NY again from Florida , which is a very reasonable request IMO.
Also, Joe Lapchick Jr. (a former West Point football captain) lives in Virginina and this will give him the opportunity to attend both events.
In addition, John Kresse will be coming up from South Carolina. He will be honored at the Thursday NYAC luncheon and this will give hime the opportunity to be at the unveiling as well.
The day before is The Lapchick Character Award luncheon at The NYAC and Dr. Richard Lapchcik would prefer not to fly back to NY again from Florida , which is a very reasonable request IMO.
Also, Joe Lapchick Jr. (a former West Point football captain) lives in Virginina and this will give him the opportunity to attend both events.
In addition, John Kresse will be coming up from South Carolina. He will be honored at the Thursday NYAC luncheon and this will give hime the opportunity to be at the unveiling as well.
NYCRedmen
Well-known member
Great news indeed. Words can't express the tremendous job JSJ has done to make this happen. Lets hope the University does not stop here. Maybe one day there will be a plaque or ceremony honoring Buck Freeman or the Helms National Champion team, somewhere in Carnesecca Arena or in the "Legends Plaza" where the statute will be going.