Lavin parting ways with St.John's
- Thread starter REDMEN8091
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Borzello just tweeted about the president of SJU and pitino connection
boo haarvey
Active member
Today is truly a dismal day for our once proud program. We have hit rock bottom -- and that's saying a lot considering where we've been.
It is my belief that we have an administration that is not committed to winning. I've held season tickets for 16 years and been a diehard fan for 30. For the first time ever, I am seriously contemplating giving up my tickets.
Unlike some of you, I don't have sources or inside connections. I don't know exactly how things "went down" with the contract negotiations or if there even were contract negotiations.
I do know, however, that the administration's silence for a week speaks volumes.
If the issue was money, the figures should have been floated between coach and University before the end of the season. At a minimum, the school should have sent out feelers to gauge where both sides were. If they let Lavin go for a reason beyond money, it stains credulity to comprehend why it took the administration so long to act.
Lavin was far from perfect, but too many of us -- you know who you are -- harbor unrealistic expectations borne of an age that has long passed. The Big East as we know it is dead and SJU is no longer a first tier basketball school. Indeed, it's not even a second tier basketball school.
Lavin created a buzz. He made us competitive and brought in top talent. Three twenty win seasons in four years of coaching, the post-season every year. Let's see how long it takes us to sniff that level of success with the new coach.
Some say the administration was turned off by the disciplinary issues and the ineligibilities that accompanied Lavin's tenure. Well, let's see just how much the University values ethics. Masiello, the consummate fabricator -- is a frontrunner to replace Lavin. If that man becomes our coach, you all can count on one less poster on this forum. I will be done.
It is my belief that we have an administration that is not committed to winning. I've held season tickets for 16 years and been a diehard fan for 30. For the first time ever, I am seriously contemplating giving up my tickets.
Unlike some of you, I don't have sources or inside connections. I don't know exactly how things "went down" with the contract negotiations or if there even were contract negotiations.
I do know, however, that the administration's silence for a week speaks volumes.
If the issue was money, the figures should have been floated between coach and University before the end of the season. At a minimum, the school should have sent out feelers to gauge where both sides were. If they let Lavin go for a reason beyond money, it stains credulity to comprehend why it took the administration so long to act.
Lavin was far from perfect, but too many of us -- you know who you are -- harbor unrealistic expectations borne of an age that has long passed. The Big East as we know it is dead and SJU is no longer a first tier basketball school. Indeed, it's not even a second tier basketball school.
Lavin created a buzz. He made us competitive and brought in top talent. Three twenty win seasons in four years of coaching, the post-season every year. Let's see how long it takes us to sniff that level of success with the new coach.
Some say the administration was turned off by the disciplinary issues and the ineligibilities that accompanied Lavin's tenure. Well, let's see just how much the University values ethics. Masiello, the consummate fabricator -- is a frontrunner to replace Lavin. If that man becomes our coach, you all can count on one less poster on this forum. I will be done.
@jeffborzello: Note: the new St. John's President used to work under/is still close with David Roselle -- who was President of UK when Rick Pitino coached.
I find it interesting that Gempesaw did not acknowledge Lavin in his prepared remarks.
St. John's University Statements on Men's Basketball Program
March 27, 2015
Chris Monasch, Director of Athletics
On the Steve Lavin Era:
"Coach Lavin returned high expectations to our men's basketball program and represented St. John's in a positive way. We appreciate his commitment to the program and to our student-athletes over the past five years. Our student-athletes represented the University well, especially our five-member senior class who excelled on the court, inside the classroom and within the community."
"We thank Coach Lavin for his leadership and all of his contributions to the University. He infused excitement back into the program, brought us to the postseason four times and recruited student-athletes who excelled on the court, inside the classroom and within the community."
On the coaching search:
"A national search is underway for a candidate who possesses the characteristics to give our program an opportunity to successfully compete at the national level. We will be aggressive in our search for a coach who has a track record of success, understands all the requirements of running a high major basketball program in New York City, including the media demands within this market. We are seeking someone who embraces the St. John's mission and tradition, including the ability to attract the top talent both nationally and internationally."
On the current and future student-athletes:
"We are committed to our current and future student athletes, including those who have signed a National Letter of Intent. We will meet with our student-athletes individually to discuss this change and the future of the program, and any concerns they may have with the direction of the program."
On the expectations for St. John's basketball:
"Our goal is to be competitive at the highest level of Division I. We expect to do that with student-athletes who achieve academically and enrich our University community."
Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D., President, St. John's University
"I enjoyed celebrating our student-athletes' accomplishments in my first year at St. John's. We look forward to building on this foundation as we strive to continue the tradition of success that the St. John's basketball program has achieved for more than 100 years."
Steve Lavin
"In life change is inevitable, so I take the long view. I'm grateful for my time teaching at St. John's University. I will take with me the lasting friendships forged during my tenure as Head Coach. I'm proud of our results both on and off the court - in particular our memorable runs to the NCAA tournament in 2011 and 2015. Most importantly, I take pride in our performance in the classroom having graduated our student athletes who will represent the institution in a first class manner."
St. John's University Statements on Men's Basketball Program
March 27, 2015
Chris Monasch, Director of Athletics
On the Steve Lavin Era:
"Coach Lavin returned high expectations to our men's basketball program and represented St. John's in a positive way. We appreciate his commitment to the program and to our student-athletes over the past five years. Our student-athletes represented the University well, especially our five-member senior class who excelled on the court, inside the classroom and within the community."
"We thank Coach Lavin for his leadership and all of his contributions to the University. He infused excitement back into the program, brought us to the postseason four times and recruited student-athletes who excelled on the court, inside the classroom and within the community."
On the coaching search:
"A national search is underway for a candidate who possesses the characteristics to give our program an opportunity to successfully compete at the national level. We will be aggressive in our search for a coach who has a track record of success, understands all the requirements of running a high major basketball program in New York City, including the media demands within this market. We are seeking someone who embraces the St. John's mission and tradition, including the ability to attract the top talent both nationally and internationally."
On the current and future student-athletes:
"We are committed to our current and future student athletes, including those who have signed a National Letter of Intent. We will meet with our student-athletes individually to discuss this change and the future of the program, and any concerns they may have with the direction of the program."
On the expectations for St. John's basketball:
"Our goal is to be competitive at the highest level of Division I. We expect to do that with student-athletes who achieve academically and enrich our University community."
Conrado "Bobby" Gempesaw, Ph.D., President, St. John's University
"I enjoyed celebrating our student-athletes' accomplishments in my first year at St. John's. We look forward to building on this foundation as we strive to continue the tradition of success that the St. John's basketball program has achieved for more than 100 years."
Steve Lavin
"In life change is inevitable, so I take the long view. I'm grateful for my time teaching at St. John's University. I will take with me the lasting friendships forged during my tenure as Head Coach. I'm proud of our results both on and off the court - in particular our memorable runs to the NCAA tournament in 2011 and 2015. Most importantly, I take pride in our performance in the classroom having graduated our student athletes who will represent the institution in a first class manner."
@nybuckets: Last offseason I requested Dan Hurley's contract at URI. Here is the PDF is #sjubb fans are interested:http://t.co/QeXfDgygBn
Every post on here about rick has either been a shared tweet or sharing what was said on the radio. Chill out
Why? Overall, the city isn't producing the same type of talent that it did in the past. Louie, Mahoney, Fran, and even Jarvis could just load up off of NYC players and be competitive on a national level. Those days are gone.
There is still some solid, NYC talent, but it isn't the same as it was 15 years or more ago. The previous coaches had HS talent left and right at their disposal. For this program to ascend to the levels many of us would like, then they are gonna have to continue to land blue-chip prospects throughout the nation, and even abroad, when opportunity knocks.