HBO has a well-done 90-minute documentary on Alcindor/Jabbar now showing. Rich Lapchick was one of those interviewed. I was a bit disappointed they had only a brief mention on Alcindor's decision to select UCLA over SJU. Narrator stated every college in the country wanted him. That recruiting loss, however it happened, impacted the future of SJU basketball for years.
Lew Alcindor documentary
- Thread starter Las Vegan
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Not years, forever. Most important recruit in the history of College Basketball. Without a doubt would have
changed the fortunes of everyone and everything involved in College Basketball in the NY Metropolitan area,
Monumental loss for St. John's, the Garden and New York.
beast of the east
Active member
Jabbar is one of a handful of former athletes that I respect as an intellectual. His opinions are often opposed to mine, but I find in his writings a well thought out defense of his positions. I also respect him immensely for not following the crowd in terms of a position. His positions are his own, and sometimes he takes a position contrary to popular, politically correct train of thought. He writes well and thinks critically, and is not just a read because he was a superstar basketball player.
It's been 50 years but I still find it totally mind boggling that SJU forced Lapchick to retire when SJU had a chance to recruit Alcindor because of his connection to Joe. Alcindor was either the first or second greatest recruit of all time along with Wilt and to lose any chance of getting him because Lapchick was 65 remains probably the dumbest decision in the history of college basketball.
fan since 65
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That may be true but rumor has it that there were other "interesting" considerations from that West Coast school that may have helped greatly in the decision.
beast of the east
Active member
Having been around Catholic institutions and the church my entire life, there is a constant (and growing) sentiment to not allow laypeople too much exposure or control. I'm not saying that this figured into Lapchick's forced retirement at 65, but some clergy (*see the Marianists at Chaminade and Kellenberg) who are totally inflexible and unyielding when it comes to bending the rules, even when common sense would dictate to do so.
In Nassau, I had a growing sense that Bishop Murphy was put off by the fact that Father Tom Hartman was a superstar personality known nationally. At the beginning of Father Tom's diagnosis of Parkinson's, Murphy pulled him off the air and replaced him (which if I recall was not Hartman's initial wish). Murphy also refused Father Lisante's request to be relieved of parish duties when the Paulist's asked if he would host the popular TV show "Christopher Closeup." Sometimes egos among church hierarchy override common sense - in my interactions with Marianists the prevailing subliminal message is "We are smarter than you, and know better then you, so how dare you question our rigidity and sometimes stupid policies"
I don't know what factored into the Vincentians not allowing Lapchick a couple of extra years as coach, but wouldn't rule out pure, dumb rigidity fueled by a sentiment that no one or no issue is bigger than our rules
Professor Jack Clarke who has been at St. John's since the 50's told me personally that the climate at St. John's at the time may have been more interested in the health of Joe Lapchick than Alcindor. They would have had to change the rule of mandatory retirement and they would have had to have a meeting with Lapchick , Looie , Alcindor and his parents about transitioning the stewardship to Looie. This may have satisfied all involved as Joe died in 1970 a mere four years later. Ned Irish from the Garden would have to be involved, finding a job for Alcindor's father. This would allow a big picture to be presented to all parties regarding how large this was going to be. Finally they would have to get prominent black leaders to preach the values of NY and St. John's, much like UCLA did with Ralph Bunche and Jackie Robinson showering Alcindor with the virtues of UCLA. Not an easy task but certainly by today's standards very doable.
beast of the east
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Like many of you I met Professor Clarke at SJU events. He was a close friend of Mario Cuomo's and would watch SJU games on TV with him up to the time of his serious illness and demise. Really great guy and huge Johnnies fan.
beast of the east
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http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york...-children-gallery-1.1095744?pmSlide=1.1373044
FYI - Dad's name was Ferdinand, and Lew Alcindor's full name was Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor Jr.
[attachment]kareem-abdul-jabbar-father-ferdinand-alcindor-1971.jpg[/attachment]
westchesterjoe
Active member
I believe you are correct. I worked in a Bank in Manhattan part time going to school and, often cashed Alcindor Sr's NY Transit Police paycheck.
I know little of the Marianist Order as outlined by BOE except their management of Chaminade, a great school.
I was always told to watch out for the Jesuits as they were political troublemakers and were tossed out of several countries as a result. Growing up in the 60's the Berrigan Bros certainly lived up to that troublemaker status and, were eventually ex communicated I believe?
That being said, Most Jesuit Universities in the US, are usually fine Academic schools know for delivering a quality Education. That being said, I know i received a fine Business Education at St John's and, am proud to be a graduate.It seems though the University had higher Academic standards in the 60's and 70's and, that did not seem to continue under FH. Pity.
I know little of the Marianist Order as outlined by BOE except their management of Chaminade, a great school.
I was always told to watch out for the Jesuits as they were political troublemakers and were tossed out of several countries as a result. Growing up in the 60's the Berrigan Bros certainly lived up to that troublemaker status and, were eventually ex communicated I believe?
That being said, Most Jesuit Universities in the US, are usually fine Academic schools know for delivering a quality Education. That being said, I know i received a fine Business Education at St John's and, am proud to be a graduate.It seems though the University had higher Academic standards in the 60's and 70's and, that did not seem to continue under FH. Pity.
Alcindor's dad definitely not NYPD from what I remember.
Agree that St. John's academic hay day is behind it, Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, George Duekmejian, et al.
Agree that St. John's academic hay day is behind it, Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, George Duekmejian, et al.