Remembering Sonny Dove

Thanks, JSJ, even though it saddened me to read it -- Sonny is my all-time favorite Johnnie. I was a year behind him at St. John's, and had the pleasure of watching him in all three varsity years. I remember feeling like I'd been kicked in the stomach when I heard the news of his horrific death on the radio.
 
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Only saw him in person one time, when I was a high school frosh. We blew out #3 Kansas at Alumni Hall. The players of that era were penalized by having so few of the games on television. He was one of our best.
 
[quote="redken" post=379260]Thanks, JSJ, even though it saddened me to read it -- Sonny is my all-time favorite Johnnie. I was a year behind him at St. John's, and had the pleasure of watching him in all three varsity years. I remember feeling like I'd been kicked in the stomach when I heard the news of his horrific death on the radio.[/quote]

Redmen
If I recall correctly, Sonny was getting his
life together, he actually board cast the SJU game on radio the night before he died - driving into the “Gowanas” canal.
Tragic.
RIP always.
 
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Sonny was one of the All Time greats of Redmen Basketball . One of his memorable games was the Championship of the NIT vs Villanova in Joe Lapchick’s final game . I too, was a year behind him in school . He was rail thin at 6’8” but , could handle the work underneath . He had a great handle for a guy his size . Number 55, St John’s . Also a number 1 pick of the Pistons and 4 th overall . He made us a better team all 3 years he played . Freshman weren’t eligible to play Varsity .
 
Thanks for sharing the Tablet story JSJ. I remember Sonny’s color commentary for SJU games on WNYE like it was yesterday. He had a distinctive way of saying “Lou Carnesecca,” and I was proud of one of our own who not only went on to play in the NBA and ABA, but had the gumption to return to SJU and finish his degree while working to launch his broadcasting career. I can well imagine him being one of Coach C’s favorites. He was one of mine.
 
As one can see by my screen name, I saw him play. He was at St. Francis Prep and SJU a year before my brother went to both places.
 
[quote="fan since 65" post=379413]As one can see by my screen name, I saw him play. He was at St. Francis Prep and SJU a year before my brother went to both places.[/quote]

Played with Brian Hill and the late
Tim Leary on St Francis team that battled, but lost to incredible Lou Alcindor led Power Memorial team in CHSAA playoffs at Fordham which I was fortunate to attend.
 
He was a soph on the first St. John's team I ever saw play in person (the McIntyre brothers were juniors and seniors on that team). I was about 12 or 13 and my dad bought season tickets to the Johnnies beginning with the year he was a senior for about 6 or 7 years after that. He and John Warren are two of my old time favorite Johnnies. I still remember that unstoppable baseline jumper and that great win over Michigan in the Holiday Festival. God Bless!
 
in 1965 fordham won the mythical city championship with a 6'5" center. you could see a month worth of games and never see a dunk. along comes sonny. a 6'8" power forward that could dunk a few times a game. i was a big fan of both sonny & johnny warren.
 
I only saw him play once, in person. Post NBA life there was an unlimited CYO division, and he played in my parish gym. I don't know if he had substance problems, but that night he was ridiculously bad as if he was under the influence. Some crude guys in the stands started to mock him as a waste of NBA level talent. I was really angry at the time that they were so rude.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=379504]I only saw him play once, in person. Post NBA life there was an unlimited CYO division, and he played in my parish gym. I don't know if he had substance problems, but that night he was ridiculously bad as if he was under the influence. Some crude guys in the stands started to mock him as a waste of NBA level talent. I was really angry at the time that they were so rude.[/quote]. I think it was known in the under the radar network that Sonny had issues with some substances . And , that it limited his NBA career as a result . Being possessed by the demons of drug or alcohol addiction is sometimes a one way path to self destruction . It’s a disease for sure and not easy to overcome for many . That fact notwithstanding, Sonny was a great Basketball Player and truly belongs among our Legends. Those who criticized him as you witnessed needed to walk in Sonny’s shoes before heaping such abuse . I’m sure it agonized him greatly to know how his BB career was short circuited .
 
[quote="Sherman, Sheridan & Grant" post=379368][quote="redken" post=379260]Thanks, JSJ, even though it saddened me to read it -- Sonny is my all-time favorite Johnnie. I was a year behind him at St. John's, and had the pleasure of watching him in all three varsity years. I remember feeling like I'd been kicked in the stomach when I heard the news of his horrific death on the radio.[/quote]

Redmen
If I recall correctly, Sonny was getting his
life together, he actually board cast the SJU game on radio the night before he died - driving into the “Gowanas” canal.
Tragic.
RIP always.[/quote]
And at the time, he was working on getting his SJU degree.
 
[quote="Paultzman" post=379421][quote="fan since 65" post=379413]As one can see by my screen name, I saw him play. He was at St. Francis Prep and SJU a year before my brother went to both places.[/quote]

Played with Brian Hill and the late
Tim Leary on St Francis team that battled, but lost to incredible Lou Alcindor led Power Memorial team in CHSAA playoffs at Fordham which I was fortunate to attend.[/quote]

If Lew Alcindor had chosen SJU, he and Sonny might have had one season together on the varsity, and Sonny could have played power forward. That team would have been rather difficult to beat.
 
[quote="Las Vegan" post=379576][quote="Paultzman" post=379421][quote="fan since 65" post=379413]As one can see by my screen name, I saw him play. He was at St. Francis Prep and SJU a year before my brother went to both places.[/quote]

Played with Brian Hill and the late
Tim Leary on St Francis team that battled, but lost to incredible Lou Alcindor led Power Memorial team in CHSAA playoffs at Fordham which I was fortunate to attend.[/quote]

If Lew Alcindor had chosen SJU, he and Sonny might have had one season together on the varsity, and Sonny could have played power forward. That team would have been rather difficult to beat.[/quote]
John Warren, class of '69 like Alcindor, would have been on that team as well. Oh, what might have been.
 
I saw him a couple of times. I know the students at games loved him. Those were the days when we would chant NIT NIT in the stands. And at that time the NIT was formidable
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=379507][quote="Beast of the East" post=379504]I only saw him play once, in person. Post NBA life there was an unlimited CYO division, and he played in my parish gym. I don't know if he had substance problems, but that night he was ridiculously bad as if he was under the influence. Some crude guys in the stands started to mock him as a waste of NBA level talent. I was really angry at the time that they were so rude.[/quote]. I think it was known in the under the radar network that Sonny had issues with some substances . And , that it limited his NBA career as a result . Being possessed by the demons of drug or alcohol addiction is sometimes a one way path to self destruction . It’s a disease for sure and not easy to overcome for many . That fact notwithstanding, Sonny was a great Basketball Player and truly belongs among our Legends. Those who criticized him as you witnessed needed to walk in Sonny’s shoes before heaping such abuse . I’m sure it agonized him greatly to know how his BB career was short circuited .[/quote]
Word was that Sonny got off to a bad start with the Pistons when he started hanging with the troubled teammate Reggie Harding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Harding) and the Detroit native's homies, which seemingly led to Sonny's drug abuse problems. After two seasons and a total 52 minutes with the Pistons (3.1 ppg, .394%, 2 rpg -- including an awful .293% as a rookie), he was gone. He eventually signed with the ABA Nets and the change of scenery seemed to work: he averaged 14 ppg, & 7.5 rpg in his first two seasons, but suffered a career-ending broken leg in his third.
 
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[quote="redken" post=379589][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=379507][quote="Beast of the East" post=379504]I only saw him play once, in person. Post NBA life there was an unlimited CYO division, and he played in my parish gym. I don't know if he had substance problems, but that night he was ridiculously bad as if he was under the influence. Some crude guys in the stands started to mock him as a waste of NBA level talent. I was really angry at the time that they were so rude.[/quote]. I think it was known in the under the radar network that Sonny had issues with some substances . And , that it limited his NBA career as a result . Being possessed by the demons of drug or alcohol addiction is sometimes a one way path to self destruction . It’s a disease for sure and not easy to overcome for many . That fact notwithstanding, Sonny was a great Basketball Player and truly belongs among our Legends. Those who criticized him as you witnessed needed to walk in Sonny’s shoes before heaping such abuse . I’m sure it agonized him greatly to know how his BB career was short circuited .[/quote]
Word was that Sonny got off to a bad start with the Pistons when he started hanging with the troubled teammate Reggie Harding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Harding) and the Detroit native's homies, which seemingly led to Sonny's drug abuse problems. After two seasons and a total 52 minutes with the Pistons (3.1 ppg, .394%, 2 rpg -- including an awful .293% as a rookie), he was gone. He eventually signed with the ABA Nets and the change of scenery seemed to work: he averaged 14 ppg, & 7.5 rpg in his first two seasons, but suffered a career-ending broken leg in his third.[/quote]. I did not know the Reggie Harding , Sonny Dove relationship but , it reminds me of a Reggie Harding story , I think from Sports Illustrated back in the day . Reggie was over 7’ tall and huge plus highly regarded as a BB player . I think he might have jumped to the NBA right from HS . Anyway as mentioned , Reggie was definitely not hanging with the right crowd and eventually got into Criminal Activity , drugs , etc . One time , he and some buddies held up a local Liquor Store and wore masks . The Owner of the store , seeing this giant of a Man robbing his business asked him , “ Reggie is that you robbing me ?” Harding replies , “ No, it’s not me.” True story . Funny but , sad as well .
 
[quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=379621][quote="redken" post=379589][quote="SLYFOXX1968" post=379507][quote="Beast of the East" post=379504]I only saw him play once, in person. Post NBA life there was an unlimited CYO division, and he played in my parish gym. I don't know if he had substance problems, but that night he was ridiculously bad as if he was under the influence. Some crude guys in the stands started to mock him as a waste of NBA level talent. I was really angry at the time that they were so rude.[/quote]. I think it was known in the under the radar network that Sonny had issues with some substances . And , that it limited his NBA career as a result . Being possessed by the demons of drug or alcohol addiction is sometimes a one way path to self destruction . It’s a disease for sure and not easy to overcome for many . That fact notwithstanding, Sonny was a great Basketball Player and truly belongs among our Legends. Those who criticized him as you witnessed needed to walk in Sonny’s shoes before heaping such abuse . I’m sure it agonized him greatly to know how his BB career was short circuited .[/quote]
Word was that Sonny got off to a bad start with the Pistons when he started hanging with the troubled teammate Reggie Harding (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Harding) and the Detroit native's homies, which seemingly led to Sonny's drug abuse problems. After two seasons and a total 52 minutes with the Pistons (3.1 ppg, .394%, 2 rpg -- including an awful .293% as a rookie), he was gone. He eventually signed with the ABA Nets and the change of scenery seemed to work: he averaged 14 ppg, & 7.5 rpg in his first two seasons, but suffered a career-ending broken leg in his third.[/quote]. I did not know the Reggie Harding , Sonny Dove relationship but , it reminds me of a Reggie Harding story , I think from Sports Illustrated back in the day . Reggie was over 7’ tall and huge plus highly regarded as a BB player . I think he might have jumped to the NBA right from HS . Anyway as mentioned , Reggie was definitely not hanging with the right crowd and eventually got into Criminal Activity , drugs , etc . One time , he and some buddies held up a local Liquor Store and wore masks . The Owner of the store , seeing this giant of a Man robbing his business asked him , “ Reggie is that you robbing me ?” Harding replies , “ No, it’s not me.” True story . Funny but , sad as well .[/quote]

I don't think the player was Reggie Harding. That was from the Pete Axthelm book, "The City Game" The player was 7 feet tall and perhaps his name was Tom something...
 
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