Ponds

[quote="JackofVirginia" post=286884][quote="Chicago Days" post=286789][quote="Beast of the East" post=286783][quote="Class of 72" post=286754][quote="Beast of the East" post=286724][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=286700]I think a big Thumbs Up to Mr. Shawn Ponds and the Family for advising and supporting Shamorie in his Decision . And, I am sure it was a very difficult decision for the Family to reach since it likely disappointed Shamorie not to go this Year . And , it was noticeable that Mr. Ponds Sr., commented the importance of Shamorie getting his Degree in 3 Years ... Some Parents do it right and some don’t . Yeah, the Ponds Family did it right .[/quote]

Just a random sick thought for any here that think the worst. Ponds gets his degree in 3 years, and rather than opt for the NBA draft, goes to a school with national championship aspirations.[/quote]

I think we also have national championship aspirations should Shamorie spend a 4th year in college.;)
What is really sick is that we have some studious student athletes at St. John's rather than non-qualifiers. These kids are getting their degrees in 4 years which puts them above many of their peers. That is a big challenge given the number of hours players have to dedicate to their sport. That said, unless Shamorie took college courses at Jeff, I doubt he is taking 18 credits a semester along with summer credits all three years.[/quote]

When i worked at st johns a number of players took summer courses. Basketball being a 2 semester sport is really difficult for all student athletes[/quote]

I'm proud of these kids.
Major college hoops is a grind, the practices, the games, the travel, the pressure--compounded by maintaining academic standards.
Hats off.[/quote]



Thank God for Sports Administration.[/quote]

Two of my SJU brothers have their degrees in Sports Administration (management) you jerk. One now works for Roc Nation sports and the other went back home to Prince George County ( Maryland) and works for the Washington Wizards.
 
Last edited:
[quote="Chicago Days" post=287273][quote="RedStormNC" post=286968]Elaine Weddington was one of the previous graduates who is a huge success story. worked her way up as asst GM w/ Red Sox and now VP / club counsel for all legal matters

[URL][URL]https://www.mlb.com/news/red-sox-exec-elaine-steward-paved-unique-path/c-216802366[/URL][/URL][/quote]

Why does it have to be with the Red Sox?!?[/quote]

Kind of confused why this is posted on Ponds thread. Is Ponds leaving school to play for the BoSox?
 
[quote="Knight" post=287291]
Kind of confused why this is posted on Ponds thread. Is Ponds leaving school to play for the BoSox?[/quote]

Yes, he is.
 
[quote="Sju grad 13" post=287276][quote="JackofVirginia" post=286884][quote="Chicago Days" post=286789][quote="Beast of the East" post=286783][quote="Class of 72" post=286754][quote="Beast of the East" post=286724][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=286700]I think a big Thumbs Up to Mr. Shawn Ponds and the Family for advising and supporting Shamorie in his Decision . And, I am sure it was a very difficult decision for the Family to reach since it likely disappointed Shamorie not to go this Year . And , it was noticeable that Mr. Ponds Sr., commented the importance of Shamorie getting his Degree in 3 Years ... Some Parents do it right and some don’t . Yeah, the Ponds Family did it right .[/quote]





Just a random sick thought for any here that think the worst. Ponds gets his degree in 3 years, and rather than opt for the NBA draft, goes to a school with national championship aspirations.[/quote]

I think we also have national championship aspirations should Shamorie spend a 4th year in college.;)
What is really sick is that we have some studious student athletes at St. John's rather than non-qualifiers. These kids are getting their degrees in 4 years which puts them above many of their peers. That is a big challenge given the number of hours players have to dedicate to their sport. That said, unless Shamorie took college courses at Jeff, I doubt he is taking 18 credits a semester along with summer credits all three years.[/quote]

When i worked at st johns a number of players took summer courses. Basketball being a 2 semester sport is really difficult for all student athletes[/quote]

I'm proud of these kids.
Major college hoops is a grind, the practices, the games, the travel, the pressure--compounded by maintaining academic standards.
Hats off.[/quote]



Thank God for Sports Administration.[/quote]

Two of my SJU brothers have their degrees in Sports Administration (management) you jerk. One now works for Roc Nation sports and the other went back home to Prince George County ( Maryland) and works for the Washington Wizards.[/quote]


Read my reply to Moose smart ass millennial if that's possible. BTW, my son majored in Sports Administration while also working for Louie as a basketball manager. Obviously not downgrading Sports Management majors.
 
Last edited:
[quote="JackofVirginia" post=287340][quote="Sju grad 13" post=287276][quote="JackofVirginia" post=286884][quote="Chicago Days" post=286789][quote="Beast of the East" post=286783][quote="Class of 72" post=286754][quote="Beast of the East" post=286724][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=286700]I think a big Thumbs Up to Mr. Shawn Ponds and the Family for advising and supporting Shamorie in his Decision . And, I am sure it was a very difficult decision for the Family to reach since it likely disappointed Shamorie not to go this Year . And , it was noticeable that Mr. Ponds Sr., commented the importance of Shamorie getting his Degree in 3 Years ... Some Parents do it right and some don’t . Yeah, the Ponds Family did it right .[/quote]





Just a random sick thought for any here that think the worst. Ponds gets his degree in 3 years, and rather than opt for the NBA draft, goes to a school with national championship aspirations.[/quote]

I think we also have national championship aspirations should Shamorie spend a 4th year in college.;)
What is really sick is that we have some studious student athletes at St. John's rather than non-qualifiers. These kids are getting their degrees in 4 years which puts them above many of their peers. That is a big challenge given the number of hours players have to dedicate to their sport. That said, unless Shamorie took college courses at Jeff, I doubt he is taking 18 credits a semester along with summer credits all three years.[/quote]

When i worked at st johns a number of players took summer courses. Basketball being a 2 semester sport is really difficult for all student athletes[/quote]

I'm proud of these kids.
Major college hoops is a grind, the practices, the games, the travel, the pressure--compounded by maintaining academic standards.
Hats off.[/quote]



Thank God for Sports Administration.[/quote]

Two of my SJU brothers have their degrees in Sports Administration (management) you jerk. One now works for Roc Nation sports and the other went back home to Prince George County ( Maryland) and works for the Washington Wizards.[/quote]


Read my reply to Moose smart ass millennial if that's possible. BTW, my son majored in Sports Administration while also working for Louie as a basketball manager. Obviously not downgrading Sports Management majors.[/quote]

Jack,
My heartfelt apologies for some of our younger fans for insulting you here on redmen.com. The anonymity of the internet-based fan sites sometimes leads good fans like Moose and young SJUgrad13 to say things they normally would not say to a fellow fan in person. Especially someone like you who has more experience in coaching and playing basketball than 99% of the folks who visit this site.
I knew you didn't mean to disparage those with Sports Administration degrees and were joking.
That said, there is much to criticize about some of the faculty at St. John's. The Sports Administration degree is all about contacts and internships while one is still a student and I think they could do a better job of placement than their record over the years.
Over a dozen years ago a relative was all ready to choose St. John's and major in Sports Administration only to be talked out of it by Professor Missere who served as the Director of the Sport Management Program at the time. Even though his other choice, NYU, was only offering a partial scholarship while St. John's offered a full ride. His explanation was based on "his" experience at NYU and the name recognition and connections that supposedly St. John's could not match. I was flabbergasted.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=287349][quote="JackofVirginia" post=287340][quote="Sju grad 13" post=287276][quote="JackofVirginia" post=286884][quote="Chicago Days" post=286789][quote="Beast of the East" post=286783][quote="Class of 72" post=286754][quote="Beast of the East" post=286724][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=286700]I think a big Thumbs Up to Mr. Shawn Ponds and the Family for advising and supporting Shamorie in his Decision . And, I am sure it was a very difficult decision for the Family to reach since it likely disappointed Shamorie not to go this Year . And , it was noticeable that Mr. Ponds Sr., commented the importance of Shamorie getting his Degree in 3 Years ... Some Parents do it right and some don’t . Yeah, the Ponds Family did it right .[/quote]





Just a random sick thought for any here that think the worst. Ponds gets his degree in 3 years, and rather than opt for the NBA draft, goes to a school with national championship aspirations.[/quote]

I think we also have national championship aspirations should Shamorie spend a 4th year in college.;)
What is really sick is that we have some studious student athletes at St. John's rather than non-qualifiers. These kids are getting their degrees in 4 years which puts them above many of their peers. That is a big challenge given the number of hours players have to dedicate to their sport. That said, unless Shamorie took college courses at Jeff, I doubt he is taking 18 credits a semester along with summer credits all three years.[/quote]

When i worked at st johns a number of players took summer courses. Basketball being a 2 semester sport is really difficult for all student athletes[/quote]

I'm proud of these kids.
Major college hoops is a grind, the practices, the games, the travel, the pressure--compounded by maintaining academic standards.
Hats off.[/quote]



Thank God for Sports Administration.[/quote]

Two of my SJU brothers have their degrees in Sports Administration (management) you jerk. One now works for Roc Nation sports and the other went back home to Prince George County ( Maryland) and works for the Washington Wizards.[/quote]


Read my reply to Moose smart ass millennial if that's possible. BTW, my son majored in Sports Administration while also working for Louie as a basketball manager. Obviously not downgrading Sports Management majors.[/quote]

Jack,
My heartfelt apologies for some of our younger fans for insulting you here on redmen.com. The anonymity of the internet-based fan sites sometimes leads good fans like Moose and young SJUgrad13 to say things they normally would not say to a fellow fan in person. Especially someone like you who has more experience in coaching and playing basketball than 99% of the folks who visit this site.
I knew you didn't mean to disparage those with Sports Administration degrees and were joking.
That said, there is much to criticize about some of the faculty at St. John's. The Sports Administration degree is all about contacts and internships while one is still a student and I think they could do a better job of placement than their record over the years.
Over a dozen years ago a relative was all ready to choose St. John's and major in Sports Administration only to be talked out of it by Professor Missere who served as the Director of the Sport Management Program at the time. Even though his other choice, NYU, was only offering a partial scholarship while St. John's offered a full ride. His explanation was based on "his" experience at NYU and the name recognition and connections that supposedly St. John's could not match. I was flabbergasted.[/quote]




SJU13, if you had ever met Jack of Virginia, you would know that he is a die hard Redman fan. Additionally, It is not necessary to take offense to everything. I also know that while some Sports Management graduates find gainful employment, there are a lot who have a difficult time when seeking employment.

We can agree to disagree without calling each other names. There is no need for that.
 
As 72 said you are what you do with your degree. I managed in SPM and I've had a very good career from it. But to be honest yes the vast majority of my classmates don't work in sports now. Most never did. Some fizzled out quickly. It's not for everyone and you need to make contacts and connections. But same goes for any major.

Yes I took offense to the comment. Throw on a smiley face after it and the joke would have been received better. But as for the players yes most major in it. Because most have a passion and interest in it and when their career is over they would probably like to stay in the area. They aren't majoring in English.
 
Woah there. A couple of things

1) I never questioned Jack fandom, so I don’t understand that correlation.

2) He did disparage the sports management ( I guess it use to be called sports administration) major buy saying thank god for it. It was offensive to people who actually took that major. You think the statistics and analytics part of that degree is easy? No it isn’t? I have seen plenty of my dorm brothers stay up to 2 in the morning in that D’angelo center wondering, “Damn this is annoying as hell”. Those 24 hour library week sessions were a hassle. So pardon me if I come off defensive.

3) Another thing, Jack maybe a nice person ( I don’t know him enough to challenge this assessment); however it doesn’t change the fact he made that statement.
 
As a psychology major during undergrad, my business friends would joke around and say "What did you do, ask about someone's feelings for your final?"...I remember all too well. Then the psych majors would make fun of the sports management majors and the sports management majors would make fun of the communications majors. It was sort of like a totem pole of perceived rigor but of course it's silly. Me and my friends would always mess with each other about it. At the end of the day just do you...I'm a school psychologist now (thanks to SJU) and it's a good career...happy where I'm at. I guess the message is to not take it too seriously...trust me I've taken many jabs as a psych major! FWIW one of my communication major friends had an assignment to go to Stop N Shop to get them to donate a package of water bottles and be a sponsor for a charity softball game. He got his jabs of course for that one...good-hearted of course. That same guy doesn't even work in the field remotely after finding difficult job prospects. Another buddy of mine who was also a communications major now works at NBC and is doing very well. I've learned quickly in life not to take things like that too seriously even if it briefly peeved me.
 
It's time to cast aside our differences and unite in making fun of sociology, because that's what all Duke players major in. Or at least they used to when they actually stayed long enough to have to declare a major.
 
Last edited:
Insofar as choice of majors, we are in a different era. When I attended Sju most of my peers had parents who did not have college degrees. I felt privileged to be here, and compelled to make the most of it with as little risk as possible. While i chose an academically rigorous and perilous major (from year 1 to graduation 50% of my class failed out) successful graduation and licensure meant a solid paycheck.

Today, with many kids coming from families where parents have degrees or are more middle class than blue collar working class, kids can chase their dreams in sports, film, or any number of risky propositions. Oh yah, business schools are still packed and this time of year some new grads are rethinking choice of majors.

The reality is that today some really bright kids are majoring in the classics, divinity, and yes, even English. The President of Nova told me that their liberal arts majors are in as much demand as their business majors. The dean of the honors college at Hofstra advised me that an English major at a great school learns critical thinking, a life and career changing skill.

While the old disparaging jokes will persist about certain majors, the truth is that top graduates will emerge from each and embark on highly successful careers.
 
[quote="L J S A" post=287367]It's time to cast aside our differences and unite in making fun of sociology, because that's what all Duke players major in. Or at least they used to when they actually stayed long enough to have to declare a major.[/quote]
:woohoo:
I think the Dookies now mostly major in Parapsychology.
 
If people don't find the balance between what they love and what they are good at all the status stuff doesn't mean much. One of my sons is a physician and I am certain that if his car breaks down on the way to the hospital and there is not a decent mechanic nearby, his patient will be seen by someone else.
 
[quote="Sju grad 13" post=287360]Woah there. A couple of things

1) I never questioned Jack fandom, so I don’t understand that correlation.

2) He did disparage the sports management ( I guess it use to be called sports administration) major buy saying thank god for it. It was offensive to people who actually took that major. You think the statistics and analytics part of that degree is easy? No it isn’t? I have seen plenty of my dorm brothers stay up to 2 in the morning in that D’angelo center wondering, “Damn this is annoying as hell”. Those 24 hour library week sessions were a hassle. So pardon me if I come off defensive.

3) Another thing, Jack maybe a nice person ( I don’t know him enough to challenge this assessment); however it doesn’t change the fact he made that statement.[/quote]

I think you went overboard when you said "Two of my SJU brothers have their degrees in Sports Administration (management) you jerk".
All you had to do was remind him he forgot to attach a smiley face as some of you young turks seem lost without emoticons.
Finally, kudos to you for tackling the statistics and analytics part of that degree. My nephew, a math wiz, found them to be the easiest part of his major at NYU. Each student has their strengths and each major has its weaknesses. I've met Sports Administration/Management majors that chose the major simply because they were sports fans and had no clue what a challenge it would be to find a financially rewarding position after graduation. If you fail to secure an internship and do well you may be selling ad space or Kia's. I majored in Economics and minored in French. My MBA was in Marketing Management but drifted, after the military, into education administration. I had many Ivy League colleagues who majored in History but got MBA or Law degrees. A classmate of mine that was on the basketball team, Joe DePre, I recall majored in History. Most of the athletes at St. John's in my day had traditional majors. Frankly, I would not recommend the sports major to a student not directly involved in sports at their school. There is a certain passion and direct involvement needed to make the all important connections. Some of those kids could have majored in education and gone on to get their masters and by the time they are 27 years old be earning 6 figures in the northeast.
 
Last edited:
I've stated this in past discussions about the sports mgt major..

It maybe (hopefully) got more challenging, but in my experience the courses actually within the major were all easy...too easy to the point that most middle schoolers could have got more than a passing grade. Missere's History of Sport, Lou Rossini 's Psychology of Coaching, and some Intro to Sports Medicine (where final contained multiple choice between a sprain and strain) and intro to Facilites Mgt (where the process of making ice in arena was on a test) were a waste of my parents hard earned money and my part time pennies. The two internships I had, one w/ NY Mets that was paid, we're the only value I saw within the major.

I could have stuck it out and tried for a single A minor league gig at $20K tossing tshirts into stands, in Chatanooga or the like, but I couldn't do it.

The general courses like Eco, Accounting, Philosophy, History etc. We're all way more intellectually challenging at 18-20 years old.

I switched gears before graduation, and luckily those easy courses partly assisted to achieve summa cum lauded honors and the NY Mets internship a great topic of discussion for many years.

Credit to those that pursue their dreams with that major, but I would not recommend it unless they were willing to start anywhere, and have relentless work ethic or can afford grad school. My guess, but it's got to be one of the highest % of professional/non liberal arts majors with graduates who are not with a career in that field.

If it helps recruit a player, or keeps their GPA up, great..and good for them to get a degree.
 
Last edited:
Per Zach B
St. John's guard Shamorie Ponds turns 20 today. Huge year coming up for the rising junior. #sjubb
 
[quote="fuchsia" post=287406]If people don't find the balance between what they love and what they are good at all the status stuff doesn't mean much. One of my sons is a physician and I am certain that if his car breaks down on the way to the hospital and there is not a decent mechanic nearby, his patient will be seen by someone else.[/quote]

A couple of reflections Fuchsia, Beast et a.
1.My daughter majored in History and Philosophy and as a Dad I wondered how practical that was. At her graduation the speaker , a successful business woman, mentioned that students in that History and Philosophy program had read, analyzed and written more than students in many MBA programs. She went on to being a fine, new young attorney - so does the major in college really matter (other then Chemistry and hard sciences perhaps).
2.Booker T. Washington (T for Taliaferro 1856-1915) wrote:
"No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem"!!!
So does the specific profession really matter if one finds dignity in what life leads one into - (including basketball).
To me that says it all in regard to college and the like.
all the best -
Ulysses:)
 
Last edited by a moderator:
SS&G wrote:
fuchsia wrote: If people don't find the balance between what they love and what they are good at all the status stuff doesn't mean much. One of my sons is a physician and I am certain that if his car breaks down on the way to the hospital and there is not a decent mechanic nearby, his patient will be seen by someone else.

A couple of reflections Fuchsia, Beast et a.
1.My daughter majored in History and Philosophy and as a Dad I wondered how practical that was. At her graduation the speaker , a successful business woman, mentioned that students in that History and Philosophy program had read, analyzed and written more than students in many MBA programs. She went on to being a fine, new young attorney - so does the major in college really matter (other then Chemistry and hard sciences perhaps).
2.Booker T. Washington (T for Taliaferro 1856-1915) wrote:
"No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem"!!!
So does the specific profession really matter if one finds dignity in what life leads one into - (including basketball).
To me that says it all in regard to college and the like.
all the best -
Ulysses:)

Perfectly put SS&G. I was an English major with an MBA in computer methodology; didn't decide to pursue law school and change careers until I was 36 years old. Life takes us on some circuitous paths, but hopefully we learn & benefit from all of them. All the best.
 
And my son the doctor was a philosophy major at U Chicago, worked as a paralegal at a high end midtown law firm, and came home one day and said "I don't want to be like these guys," took all his science courses and got in to med school.
 
Back
Top