Quick Lavin Story

The President G. made the decision to hire Chris and Chris et al are well within the ongoing budget. No one is wearing rose glasses; it's a good and popular business decision.
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I'm just curious as to whether you've seen the budget, or if one even exists. Does that budget include staff reductions and frozen salaries? Honest question, just wondering if you are saying that with badis or not.
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
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Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
 
All in all this is just further confirmation that there is no such thing as a "Quick Lavin Story". :)
 
Could be worse. He could've taken them out like Tiger went out to dinner with those SEALS and then stiffed em with the check cause of his social impotence.
 
The President G. made the decision to hire Chris and Chris et al are well within the ongoing budget. No one is wearing rose glasses; it's a good and popular business decision.
Click to expand...

I'm just curious as to whether you've seen the budget, or if one even exists. Does that budget include staff reductions and frozen salaries? Honest question, just wondering if you are saying that with badis or not.
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Unsolicited impressions of Athletic Department;

*High degree of turnover and morale issues perhaps.

*Obviously a major leadership deficit at the top. The need for an experienced & talented AD is a must IMO.

* Enormous fundraising challenges in face of high overhead & lofty revenue expectations. Hopefully the coaching staff will have crystal clear roles and goals in the process.

When SJU does hopefully conduct a search for an AD, one would hope that in addition to the usual search firm approach, there is a highly knowledgeable committee to take the process to a successful conclusion. Thst may entail infusion of some fresh perspectives & input beyond the board and committee structure of the University. Just my two cents fwiw.
 
The President G. made the decision to hire Chris and Chris et al are well within the ongoing budget. No one is wearing rose glasses; it's a good and popular business decision.
Click to expand...

I'm just curious as to whether you've seen the budget, or if one even exists. Does that budget include staff reductions and frozen salaries? Honest question, just wondering if you are saying that with badis or not.
Click to expand...

Unsolicited impressions of Athletic Department;

*High degree of turnover and morale issues perhaps.

*Obviously a major leadership deficit at the top. The need for an experienced & talented AD is a must IMO.

* Enormous fundraising challenges in face of high overhead & lofty revenue expectations. Hopefully the coaching staff will have crystal clear roles and goals in the process.

When SJU does hopefully conduct a search for an AD, one would hope that in addition to the usual search firm approach, there is a highly knowledgeable committee to take the process to a successful conclusion. Thst may entail infusion of some fresh perspectives & input beyond the board and committee structure of the University. Just my two cents fwiw.
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One thing, at least to me, is certain. In a major conference such as the Big East, the AD position cannot be filled by hiring the least expensive guy out there. You need someone with high level business experience to negotiate contracts and increase revenue, and someone with administrative experience in building and nurturing an infrastructure commensurate with the level that your school competes. There is no way we should have chief counsel run the department, and the current interim should have had the sense to advise the president as such.
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

Your opinion is these kids were mishandled - in my opinion, neither were Big East caliber players. That opinion doesn't really matter, but if either felt as strongly as some do on here that Lavin mistreated them, why did they show up to dinner?

At face value, taking former players out to dinner and enjoying an evening with them is a nice gesture, and maybe much more than that simply is an indication that he has strong relationships with his guys that will endure for a long time. Bobby Knight used to tell players that in the future they can call him at any hour of the day, any day of the year if they need any help whatsoever, and he will be there for them as a friend. Then he would say, "But we aren't friends now. I'm the coach and you are my player, and you will do as I tell you."

I wouldn't even disagree strongly with the way some people around here feel about Lavin. To a large extent - a very large extent - most college coaches are snake oil salesmen. I wouldn't buy a used car from Pitino, or Calipari, or any number of guys.

All in all, I take it as a nice thing until I learn otherwise. It does make me feel better about human nature, and I always in my relationships think the best about someone until I have a reason to think otherwise. You are probably the same, and I understand your beef with Lavin.
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

Your opinion is these kids were mishandled - in my opinion, neither were Big East caliber players. That opinion doesn't really matter, but if either felt as strongly as some do on here that Lavin mistreated them, why did they show up to dinner?

At face value, taking former players out to dinner and enjoying an evening with them is a nice gesture, and maybe much more than that simply is an indication that he has strong relationships with his guys that will endure for a long time. Bobby Knight used to tell players that in the future they can call him at any hour of the day, any day of the year if they need any help whatsoever, and he will be there for them as a friend. Then he would say, "But we aren't friends now. I'm the coach and you are my player, and you will do as I tell you."

I wouldn't even disagree strongly with the way some people around here feel about Lavin. To a large extent - a very large extent - most college coaches are snake oil salesmen. I wouldn't buy a used car from Pitino, or Calipari, or any number of guys.

All in all, I take it as a nice thing until I learn otherwise. It does make me feel better about human nature, and I always in my relationships think the best about someone until I have a reason to think otherwise. You are probably the same, and I understand your beef with Lavin.
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I think if it had been left as simply a "nice gesture" by posters, then that would have been that. But when posters start gushing over Lavin, yet again, and claiming to understand his motivation, it touches a nerve in many. FWIW I am in total agreeance about Cal, Pitino and a host of other coaches. All have elements of snake oil salesmen. The big difference being their ability to build and sustain successful programs.
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

Your opinion is these kids were mishandled - in my opinion, neither were Big East caliber players. That opinion doesn't really matter, but if either felt as strongly as some do on here that Lavin mistreated them, why did they show up to dinner?

At face value, taking former players out to dinner and enjoying an evening with them is a nice gesture, and maybe much more than that simply is an indication that he has strong relationships with his guys that will endure for a long time. Bobby Knight used to tell players that in the future they can call him at any hour of the day, any day of the year if they need any help whatsoever, and he will be there for them as a friend. Then he would say, "But we aren't friends now. I'm the coach and you are my player, and you will do as I tell you."

I wouldn't even disagree strongly with the way some people around here feel about Lavin. To a large extent - a very large extent - most college coaches are snake oil salesmen. I wouldn't buy a used car from Pitino, or Calipari, or any number of guys.

All in all, I take it as a nice thing until I learn otherwise. It does make me feel better about human nature, and I always in my relationships think the best about someone until I have a reason to think otherwise. You are probably the same, and I understand your beef with Lavin.
Click to expand...

I think if it had been left as simply a "nice gesture" by posters, then that would have been that. But when posters start gushing over Lavin, yet again, and claiming to understand his motivation, it touches a nerve in many. FWIW I am in total agreeance about Cal, Pitino and a host of other coaches. All have elements of snake oil salesmen. The big difference being their ability to build and sustain successful programs.
Click to expand...

I understand how you feel. For me, I react similarly when NR's name is evoked in a similar way. I'm guessing the mere mention of his initials will be a segue into another topic in this thread.
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

He didn't take just those 2 players. He took kids ( students ) that worked for him while at sju and their families too. It was a lot of people that he took to Phillipe Chow and he booked the private room so they could all just hang and relax and eat together. BTW in the private room at Chow no one even eating in the dining room knows you are there other than the staff. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the private room

I know my restaurants :)
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

He didn't take just those 2 players. He took kids ( students ) that worked for him while at sju and their families too. It was a lot of people that he took to Phillipe Chow and he booked the private room so they could all just hang and relax and eat together. BTW in the private room at Chow no one even eating in the dining room knows you are there other than the staff. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the private room

I know my restaurants :)
Click to expand...

I'm starting to get sense that you were there. You and the 3 dudes from Boston :)
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

He didn't take just those 2 players. He took kids ( students ) that worked for him while at sju and their families too. It was a lot of people that he took to Phillipe Chow and he booked the private room so they could all just hang and relax and eat together. BTW in the private room at Chow no one even eating in the dining room knows you are there other than the staff. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the private room

I know my restaurants :)
Click to expand...

I'm starting to get sense that you were there. You and the 3 dudes from Boston :)
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Haaa. That was funny :) Let's just say while I wasn't there I can tell you what people ate and what was talked about :)
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

He didn't take just those 2 players. He took kids ( students ) that worked for him while at sju and their families too. It was a lot of people that he took to Phillipe Chow and he booked the private room so they could all just hang and relax and eat together. BTW in the private room at Chow no one even eating in the dining room knows you are there other than the staff. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the private room

I know my restaurants :)
Click to expand...

I'm starting to get sense that you were there. You and the 3 dudes from Boston :)
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Haaa. That was funny :) Let's just say while I wasn't there I can tell you what people ate and what was talked about :)
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Hey good for you if you were .Trust me, if lavin had bought me a steak diner and a few drinks at Chow, I'd be praising him too. It don't take much to buy my allegiance. lol.
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

He didn't take just those 2 players. He took kids ( students ) that worked for him while at sju and their families too. It was a lot of people that he took to Phillipe Chow and he booked the private room so they could all just hang and relax and eat together. BTW in the private room at Chow no one even eating in the dining room knows you are there other than the staff. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the private room

I know my restaurants :)
Click to expand...

I'm starting to get sense that you were there. You and the 3 dudes from Boston :)
Click to expand...
Haaa. That was funny :) Let's just say while I wasn't there I can tell you what people ate and what was talked about :)
Click to expand...


Hey good for you if you were .Trust me, if lavin had bought me a steak diner and a few drinks at Chow, I'd be praising him too. It don't take much to buy my allegiance. lol.
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I wish I was there for that but for me to buy my allegiance I need lobster or at least surf and turf :) Although just drinks could do it also
 
It is a slippery slope when we begin to question the apparently good and charitable things people do, especially those things that get recognition. AA members live by certain life principles, one of which is "Don' t take somebody ekse's inventory". Certainly that principle is much easier said than done,especially when we factor in such biased notion as like and dislike.
Click to expand...

Beast you and I have both been around the block and back. Over the course of our lifetime we've both encountered people who's every move is calculated. These people are often times charming, funny, generous, etc, but also calculating. I honestly have no idea what Lavin's motivation was for taking Felix and CJ out to diner. Maybe it was altruistic, maybe it was guilt, maybe it was yet another photo-op(posting pix on Instagram would lend credence to that notion), maybe it was a combination of things. I don't have a clue.......and neither do the posters on here who tout the move as "purely from the goodness of his heart", and call out the validity-and in some cases, the sanity-of those that disagree with that premise. At the very least, Lavin mishandled both kids at periods during their time here. Certainly it's fair to question his motivation for taking the 2 of them out to diner, and at a high profile restaurant no less and then posting pix on social media. And with all due respect to the OP, who I like and respect, you cannot post something like this and not expect to elicit conflicting viewpoints and some venomous comments. Lavin is still far to much of a polarizing figure around here, and will probably continue to be one for a while.
Click to expand...

He didn't take just those 2 players. He took kids ( students ) that worked for him while at sju and their families too. It was a lot of people that he took to Phillipe Chow and he booked the private room so they could all just hang and relax and eat together. BTW in the private room at Chow no one even eating in the dining room knows you are there other than the staff. You have to walk through the kitchen to get to the private room

I know my restaurants :)
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Yes, very private. He really wanted to stay under the radar on this. #Instagram
 
What is the over/ under on this thread getting to 10 pages?
 
What is the over/ under on this thread getting to 10 pages?
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Nothing like a good Lavin thread during the off season/dead period to get the fan base riled up. Thanks Maher lol.
 
What is the over/ under on this thread getting to 10 pages?
Click to expand...

Nothing like a good Lavin thread during the off season/dead period to get the fan base riled up. Thanks Maher lol.
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Hey its slow. Should I talk about meeting weatherman and ralph and olv72 at belmon in a a few weeks ? :)
 
What is the over/ under on this thread getting to 10 pages?
Click to expand...

Nothing like a good Lavin thread during the off season/dead period to get the fan base riled up. Thanks Maher lol.
Click to expand...

As I've told you many times, I'm not pro Lavin at all, but I can recognize the good things he accomplished. Really, no one cares a heck of a lot if a coach is a good guy or not - else Pitino and Cal would never find work. It's all about winning, so compared to the prior guy, at least Lavin re-stablished SJU as a Big East competitor.

I always felt, especially after meeting NR a few times, that he made a career out of being a nice guy, most especially to people who could help him out. I don't think he made a lot of friends among fans or students, which was strange considering his public good guy persona. The guy over in Philly makes friends in every conversation with a stranger.

Pretty certain that if Lavin won a bit more here, the handful of Lavin haters here would be completely on board, lazy or not. The survey on here at the end of 2015 campaign overwhelmingly wanted him back, but I think it was still a lukewarm endorsement.

In the end, the record shows that Lavin reversed nearly a decade of being the laughing stock of the Big East, and revived a moribund program. NR for his part, couldn't have won if he had Villanova's NCAA championship team.
 
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