Norm Roberts retiring

[dalydoseofhoops]

Announced by Kansas this morning. Spent the last 14 years there after his run at SJU.

Say what you want about his record, and I know some people will and have, but a first-class gentleman every step of the way from taking over at the lowest of the low after the Pittsburgh incident and restoring the image of the program. He was the first coach I ever covered in my own career when I was the sports director at WSJU, and always made sure all of us in the media got whatever we needed to do our jobs without making things difficult or anyone getting in the way.

Wishing him all the best in a well-deserved retirement.

 

[mjmaherjr]

I’m not going to mention his head coaching here but nice guy wish him the best in retirement. He had a great long run as an assistant coach with Self. Damn we are getting old

 

[Chriscin33]

I’m not going to mention his head coaching here but wish him the best in retirement. Damn we are getting old

He was my high school gym teacher and he was a good dude back then. Best of luck to him.

 

[IDRAFT]

Thought about him the other day when I heard the Van Macon news. There does not seem to be a role at high majors anymore for the guy who built relationships over years with High School players. Anyway, met and spoke to Norm a bunch of times while he was SJU coach and made sure to never bring up his job. Seemed like a genuine good guy. I've been clear what I thought of his tenure but wish him the best of luck.

 

[redmanwest]

Good luck, good health and God bless Coach Roberts.

 

[sjc88]

Weird story. One morning I am going for coffee at my local Starbucks here on Long Island. It was early and lo and behold a familiar face walks in the door behind me. It’s Norm Roberts. At that point he was our Head Coach. Of course we were struggling. I couldn’t resist and he spent about twenty minutes or so talking to me about the Program. He also knew Jack Curran who I knew well from Molloy. He was there because one of his kids had an early morning game at the local Parish.

Norm was a very good man who was just in over his head as the Head Coach. That conversation always made me temper my criticism of him . Good guy but sometimes that is not enough.

Enough said. I wish him the best of luck in Retirement.

 

[MainMan]

Give Norm credit.

He coached hard. He battled all the way.

His career came up a bit short. Other careers came in and made some tough shots. That's the way it goes sometimes.

But he will get better. He's just gotta get back to working hard.

Retirement is a legendary name in life decisions. He will bring Retirement back to where it should be.

 

[L J S A]

I wonder if this means Self is thinking of moving on soon, or if Norm just felt it was time to enjoy being at home.

 

[L J S A]

Kansas also still recruits high schoolers, so I wonder if Van would be willing to relocate . . .

 

[espken]

Good luck to Norm, despite the tribulations always handled himself with class. Thankful for him signing DJ Kennedy, Paris Horne, Justin Burrell, Sean Evans and later Dwight Hardy and Justin Brownlee. Key pieces for Lavin’s first year in making the tournament.

 

[newsman13]

He was a gentleman. Best of luck to him!

 

[bucketshardy]

always grateful for Norm recruiting my screename's sake lol...

 

[BrookJersey Redmen]

Classy and kudos to a good guy. I hope his retirement goes well, and his health and family life is great as he moves towards his twilight years.

St. John's community surely feels that way towards Norm Roberts.

 

[BrookJersey Redmen]

Thankful for him signing DJ Kennedy, Paris Horne, Justin Burrell, Sean Evans and later Dwight Hardy and Justin Brownlee.

Great players, thank you Norm Roberts.

 

[queenstocali]

Best of luck Coach Roberts. Hopefully retirement will be a Home Run!

 

[Section9]

I remember meeting Norm at a Red White function at the Fox Hollow in Woodbury before his first season. He gave a short talk and made sure he spoke to all the attendees, patiently listening to us and answering some of the inane questions he was being asked.

He really impressed me as a first class, humble and down to earth guy.

Wish him and his family a long and pleasant retirement.

 

[Marillac2]

Weird story. One morning I am going for coffee at my local Starbucks here on Long Island. It was early and lo and behold a familiar face walks in the door behind me. It’s Norm Roberts. At that point he was our Head Coach. Of course we were struggling. I couldn’t resist and he spent about twenty minutes or so talking to me about the Program. He also knew Jack Curran who I knew well from Molloy. He was there because one of his kids had an early morning game at the local Parish.

Norm was a very good man who was just in over his head as the Head Coach. That conversation always made me temper my criticism of him . Good guy but sometimes that is not enough.

Enough said. I wish him the best of luck in Retirement.

I'll reshare this funny story too. There was an event at the New York Athletic Club when were deep in the middle of his struggles. I lived extremely close at the time -- like I could hit the building with a baseball from where I lived close. I finished reading this site and walked over to the event.

It look like 2 minutes. I get in the elevator at the NYAC alone. The doors closed 95% of the way and then a hand reaches in and the doors open. It was Norm Roberts. The ENTIRE staff gets on the elevator with me. This is literally 180 seconds after I probably just posted about him.

They start joking around about who would be attending. They starting rattling off names of posters and Marillac is like in the first 5 of who they say. They knew like 15-20 posters in detail. They were joking "hope ____ doesn't attack me" and "we need to find _____ because they love us" etc.
Norm was great all night. Spoke with everyone at length...never felt rushed. Very good assistant and even better guy, but He just couldn't make it work as a head coach.

 

[hardytime]

Always seemed like a great guy. From afar he was a class act. Never questioned the work ethic. He tried his best to make it work. His first year out, when Lavin was taking all those kids on a fun ride, he never sought to steal the thunder or take credit (kudos to Lavin too, who would also give Norm props on his own).

Another guy who seems to fall into the very good assistant but not a HC category.

 

[Moose]

I'll reshare this funny story too. There was an event at the New York Athletic Club when were deep in the middle of his struggles. I lived extremely close at the time -- like I could hit the building with a baseball from where I lived close. I finished reading this site and walked over to the event.

It look like 2 minutes. I get in the elevator at the NYAC alone. The doors closed 95% of the way and then a hand reaches in and the doors open. It was Norm Roberts. The ENTIRE staff gets on the elevator with me. This is literally 180 seconds after I probably just posted about him.

They start joking around about who would be attending. They starting rattling off names of posters and Marillac is like in the first 5 of who they say. They knew like 15-20 posters in detail. They were joking "hope ____ doesn't attack me" and "we need to find _____ because they love us" etc.
Norm was great all night. Spoke with everyone at length...never felt rushed. Very good assistant and even better guy, but He just couldn't make it work as a head coach.

If anyone doesn't know this story they should have posting privileges revoked.
Nothing will ever top this story. Ever.

 

[rcatalano]

If anyone doesn't know this story they should have posting privileges revoked.
Nothing will ever top this story. Ever.

I’m sure Norm was a great guy and a wonderful person but unfortunately in this world we live today it comes down to winning!
Wish him a healthy and wonderful retirement!