"Thank you" Mike Repole

Just ask yourself this. Everyone tweeted SJU top choice was Hurley after Mullin stepped down. They pursued him for the rest of that week. Everyone knew it.

Are we saying Moser and his agent were in a cave that whole time, got out just in time to fly to NY go to dinner with Cragg and co get offered an 8 year contract by the AD call local coaches to inquire about a potential staff, go back to Chicago and then decide at that point he was offended. Come on. Cragg was 100% on board with Moser and he actually is a very highly thought of coach who has rebuilt ULC.

CMA is terrific hire so it's all moot.
 
This is a hoot. The Board is arguing over ‘what Cragg did and when did he do it’, ‘Cragg called Iron Mike at 430, no it was 5pm, no earlier’, ‘what Repole said to Francesca’ ‘and the Administration is so pee-oed about that, that SJU would turn down $10mm and no they wouldn’t’, ‘that Moser knew he wasn’t Cragg’s Choice and that’s why he turned down an 8-year $17mm deal’, or ‘that Moser found out Hurley was Cragg’s first choice and so he dissed SJU’.
Very funny stuff.
All I can say is I hope real good solid perfect news on St. John’s hoops breaks soon, or this Board may have a nervous breakdown. Lol.
Oh yeah, ULC is known as LUC, but I digress and argue also, while we wait for news!
Lol.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=346410][quote="Las Vegan" post=346362][quote="fordham96" post=346358][quote="Las Vegan" post=346343]The only decision maker, with regard to athletics, should be Mike Cragg. Without him, our coach would be Porter Moser, with an eight year contract.[/quote]

Not sure what this means. Mike Cragg was the AD when SJU offered him. If he had said yes, and he was thisclose to saying yes, Moser would be here as would Cragg.[/quote]

Moser turned down the offer, and one reason that has been mentioned more than once, was he knew he was not the choice of the AD. He was the choice of the others in administration. Whether Cragg would have stayed with the school had they made this hire is open to question.[/quote]

That's a crock of shit...Francesa started that he's a moron.

Had zero to do with that. The idea Moser "discovered" this once he was offered has zero truth to it. SJU was publicly known to pursue Hurley before Moser came in picture. The idea he "disvovered" this AFTER he was offered is absurd.[/quote]

I don't think anyone knows what actually transpired after the interview but I think coach Moser made a "family" decision from blurbs I have read from Chicago folks. I also do not think there was an 8 year contract offer. I also don't think Mr. Repole had any influence in the CMA hire. Cragg was led to him via coach Capel and his Duke pipeline.
That said, I do know Mike Repole has been critical of the current administration since Lavin was fired and he has a particular dislike for our current President who has been underwhelming in his leadership role. While many of us filter everything St. John's through the basketball program, what really matters is academic reputation for an institution as large as SJ to have long term growth in light of tuition free programs that State and City schools now offer.
While this President may have financial problem solving skills he has made no real progress in improving our academic reputation. Academically, after 4 years of his bean counting, we are still the lowest academically ranked Big East school.
I also happen to agree with Mike about some Trustees. Still too many old line Vincentians and older traditionalists with insular thinking. Thus, 4 years ago, when Mike was pushing for Hurley, our parochial think tank came up with Chris Mullin. No coaching experience and detached from the program for 30 years. But he was family and it made sense........but only to them. So it is sad that one of our richest and most successful alums who loves sports with a passion had to publicly address the mediocrity of the SJ leadership but let's not make believe that what he said is not what many alums have been saying for a few years now. To quote the original Maven "The fish stinks from the head".
 
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I'm happy that Mike R. blew everything up. Someone prominent needed to show their outrage and speak for the Redmen family.
 
[quote="fordham96" post=346411]Just ask yourself this. Everyone tweeted SJU top choice was Hurley after Mullin stepped down. They pursued him for the rest of that week. Everyone knew it.

Are we saying Moser and his agent were in a cave that whole time, got out just in time to fly to NY go to dinner with Cragg and co get offered an 8 year contract by the AD call local coaches to inquire about a potential staff, go back to Chicago and then decide at that point he was offended. Come on. Cragg was 100% on board with Moser and he actually is a very highly thought of coach who has rebuilt ULC.

CMA is terrific hire so it's all moot.[/quote]


Yes, it is moot, but there seem to be two narratives re Porter Moser. He came to NYC, met with people from SJU, and received a very generous, long-term offer. The narrative I read here and in the Post concluded that he felt AD Cragg did not concur with his being hired, and Moser didn't want to work for an AD who didn't want him. It had nothing to do with Hurley. Tim Cluess was the other name at this point, but that apparently was not going to happen.
So, what I'm asking is did Cragg want Moser to be our coach? Does Cragg get to hire and fire coaches? It is relevant for how things will be done in the future. The last AD didn't last one year.
 
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[quote="Beast of the East" post=346318][quote="SJU14" post=346154][URL]https://www.stjohns.edu/about/...university-board-trustees-honored-stewardship[/URL]

Our “yes men” win an award[/quote]

Our "yes men" had the collective strength to remove Harrington from the school, something unprecedented at St. John's in terms of a BOT being the catalyst to remove a Vincentian priest from leadership. You are likely unaware that in smaller schools in remote places, the board of trustees often have had little of the enormous career success that many of our lay board (SJU alums) have had. Many of them have risen to the very top of some of the largest and most prestigious corporations in the world. To call them yes men is just idiotic.

If you want to take reasonable shots at Gempeshaw, at least don't be ignorant and myopic, like Repole. I've heard from several SJU administrators that top notch academics like Norean Sharpe and Katerina Paserini would not have come to St. John's except for the deep respect they had for Gempeshaw. This is helping to transform the university into a school that superior students will attend.

For the record, spoke to some decision makers at SJU last night, who expressed that the decision to hire Anderson was very far along when Repole went on his rant. So thank him all you want, but because of it, we will likely not being seeing Repole or his money around SJU for a very long time, if ever again.[/quote]

Ignorant and myopic is kinda harsh considering I posted an article about an award the BOT had won.
 
[quote="SJU14" post=346450][quote="Beast of the East" post=346318][quote="SJU14" post=346154][URL]https://www.stjohns.edu/about/...university-board-trustees-honored-stewardship[/URL]

Our “yes men” win an award[/quote]

Our "yes men" had the collective strength to remove Harrington from the school, something unprecedented at St. John's in terms of a BOT being the catalyst to remove a Vincentian priest from leadership. You are likely unaware that in smaller schools in remote places, the board of trustees often have had little of the enormous career success that many of our lay board (SJU alums) have had. Many of them have risen to the very top of some of the largest and most prestigious corporations in the world. To call them yes men is just idiotic.

If you want to take reasonable shots at Gempeshaw, at least don't be ignorant and myopic, like Repole. I've heard from several SJU administrators that top notch academics like Norean Sharpe and Katerina Paserini would not have come to St. John's except for the deep respect they had for Gempeshaw. This is helping to transform the university into a school that superior students will attend.

For the record, spoke to some decision makers at SJU last night, who expressed that the decision to hire Anderson was very far along when Repole went on his rant. So thank him all you want, but because of it, we will likely not being seeing Repole or his money around SJU for a very long time, if ever again.[/quote]

Ignorant and myopic is kinda harsh considering I posted an article about an award the BOT had won.[/quote]

Suggestion - we all need to "get over it" which in time we will. There are so many more important things in each of our lives - our families, careers, our passions and yes to include just enjoying the team we love and we follow.

all the best
 
[quote="otis" post=346404]In the scheme of things does it really matter when Mike Cragg contacted Coach Anderson ?

Does it really matter whether or not Mr. Repole played any part in Coach Anderson being hiring ?

Count me among those that are pleased with the fact that nSTJohn's finally has an experienced head coach.[/quote]

Well said OTIS!
As for Mike Repole and any other benefactors in the million $ club, this BOT better pay closer attention to the progress of St. John's academic reputation because when we eliminate the basketball perception the only important reason for 99% of students wanting to attend St. John's is academics and when we surpass DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall in academic attractiveness then and only then should alums sing the praises of a President or the leadership.
 
otis wrote: In the scheme of things does it really matter when Mike Cragg contacted Coach Anderson ?

Does it really matter whether or not Mr. Repole played any part in Coach Anderson being hiring ?

Count me among those that are pleased with the fact that nSTJohn's finally has an experienced head coach.

Great post Otis. Enough of 'he said / she said'.
Let's be happy with our new coach, support his efforts to stabilize our roster and produce consistent winning teams here as well as be grateful to Mike Cragg for being an AD who steps into the 'politics' of it and emerges with the ultimate goal intact: the capability to set St. John's back on the road to once again become an elite men's basketball program.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=346471][quote="otis" post=346404]In the scheme of things does it really matter when Mike Cragg contacted Coach Anderson ?

Does it really matter whether or not Mr. Repole played any part in Coach Anderson being hiring ?

Count me among those that are pleased with the fact that nSTJohn's finally has an experienced head coach.[/quote]

Well said OTIS!
As for Mike Repole and any other benefactors in the million $ club, this BOT better pay closer attention to the progress of St. John's academic reputation because when we eliminate the basketball perception the only important reason for 99% of students wanting to attend St. John's is academics and when we surpass DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall in academic attractiveness then and only then should alums sing the praises of a President or the leadership.[/quote]

This is just my observation, although JSJ may be able to back it up with fact: Because of 40% of our students being Pell eligible, a great number of those are not of high academic prowess. The university is, however helping to transforming their lives by providing an opportunity at a private college education. I'm about to hire one of those students who came through with flying colors in an interview and who will graduate in May.

As for the upper 20% or more, I would say we compare very favorably to that segment at DePaul, Providence, and Seton Hall. While nearly all schools have some Pell eligible students, St. John's offers admission to such a large number of students from disadvantaged families that it's doubtful that our overall academic ranking will ever be as high as other Catholic schools who don't have the same demographics.

On the high end our pharmacy students and physician assistant students AVERAGE more than a 1400 SAT, which accounts for as many as 2500 undergrad students, so when you add to that number the growing number of high performing students in other disciplines, I am pretty sure our high end are more academically qualified than the schools you mention. To that end Bobby G., along with some influential board members have increased our Catholic student enrollment with the addition of scholarships for any students attending a Catholic HS, and additional scholarships for targeted students at Catholic and secular schools.

The school also offers immediate response and no application fees to select honor level students across this region. By not having to pay an application fee to a school not on their list, superior academic students take a good hard look at St. John's because the result of no application fees often results not only in admission but significant scholarships.

You are likely unaware that St. John's also offers a 40% tuition reduction for Catholic elementary and high school teachers seeking a graduate degree. By having better teachers in our catholic schools, the overall product, some of which will apply and attend st. John's will be improved in the long view.

You are also likely unaware that St. John's also create a board comprised of educations from all threee NY Metro diocese to improve the quality of Catholic education and provide material support for endeavors as the board (comprised of superintendents and leading education from the university and dioceses) recommends.

ST. John's is always looking for bright people such as yourself to get involved to help transform the university. It's so much easier to take pot shots from afar, but when you begin to take a close look at St. John's you begin to realize that there are some serious improvements implemented with more to come.
 
[quote="Knight" post=346416]I'm happy that Mike R. blew everything up. Someone prominent needed to show their outrage and speak for the Redmen family.[/quote]

That was rage that was building up for 25 years of incompetent decision making. We are very lucky we have an alum as concerned as MR is.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=346488][quote="Class of 72" post=346471][quote="otis" post=346404]In the scheme of things does it really matter when Mike Cragg contacted Coach Anderson ?

Does it really matter whether or not Mr. Repole played any part in Coach Anderson being hiring ?

Count me among those that are pleased with the fact that nSTJohn's finally has an experienced head coach.[/quote]

Well said OTIS!
As for Mike Repole and any other benefactors in the million $ club, this BOT better pay closer attention to the progress of St. John's academic reputation because when we eliminate the basketball perception the only important reason for 99% of students wanting to attend St. John's is academics and when we surpass DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall in academic attractiveness then and only then should alums sing the praises of a President or the leadership.[/quote]

This is just my observation, although JSJ may be able to back it up with fact: Because of 40% of our students being Pell eligible, a great number of those are not of high academic prowess. The university is, however helping to transforming their lives by providing an opportunity at a private college education. I'm about to hire one of those students who came through with flying colors in an interview and who will graduate in May.

As for the upper 20% or more, I would say we compare very favorably to that segment at DePaul, Providence, and Seton Hall. While nearly all schools have some Pell eligible students, St. John's offers admission to such a large number of students from disadvantaged families that it's doubtful that our overall academic ranking will ever be as high as other Catholic schools who don't have the same demographics.

On the high end our pharmacy students and physician assistant students AVERAGE more than a 1400 SAT, which accounts for as many as 2500 undergrad students, so when you add to that number the growing number of high performing students in other disciplines, I am pretty sure our high end are more academically qualified than the schools you mention. To that end Bobby G., along with some influential board members have increased our Catholic student enrollment with the addition of scholarships for any students attending a Catholic HS, and additional scholarships for targeted students at Catholic and secular schools.

The school also offers immediate response and no application fees to select honor level students across this region. By not having to pay an application fee to a school not on their list, superior academic students take a good hard look at St. John's because the result of no application fees often results not only in admission but significant scholarships.

You are likely unaware that St. John's also offers a 40% tuition reduction for Catholic elementary and high school teachers seeking a graduate degree. By having better teachers in our catholic schools, the overall product, some of which will apply and attend st. John's will be improved in the long view.

You are also likely unaware that St. John's also create a board comprised of educations from all threee NY Metro diocese to improve the quality of Catholic education and provide material support for endeavors as the board (comprised of superintendents and leading education from the university and dioceses) recommends.

ST. John's is always looking for bright people such as yourself to get involved to help transform the university. It's so much easier to take pot shots from afar, but when you begin to take a close look at St. John's you begin to realize that there are some serious improvements implemented with more to come.[/quote]

Thanks Beast for your informative comments. Being retired for many years now I longer am involved as you. My investment over 30 years was with School of Education graduates and not business such as yourself.
That said, our demographics when it comes to students is similar to DePaul, Seton Hall and other Catholic colleges in urban areas. The Pell grants are the result of targeting those students which imo is a strategy that has dragged us down and will continue to do so in an era of free tuition and open admissions in CUNY schools. Personally I don't think it is a product of Vincentian generosity and inclusiveness as it was in the early days. It is a tuition generating strategy that burdens many lower performing students who should be in State or City schools. The Providence, Xavier and DePaul academic visions are lacking. But all your points are valid and much appreciated.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=346518][quote="Beast of the East" post=346488][quote="Class of 72" post=346471][quote="otis" post=346404]In the scheme of things does it really matter when Mike Cragg contacted Coach Anderson ?

Does it really matter whether or not Mr. Repole played any part in Coach Anderson being hiring ?

Count me among those that are pleased with the fact that nSTJohn's finally has an experienced head coach.[/quote]

Well said OTIS!
As for Mike Repole and any other benefactors in the million $ club, this BOT better pay closer attention to the progress of St. John's academic reputation because when we eliminate the basketball perception the only important reason for 99% of students wanting to attend St. John's is academics and when we surpass DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall in academic attractiveness then and only then should alums sing the praises of a President or the leadership.[/quote]

This is just my observation, although JSJ may be able to back it up with fact: Because of 40% of our students being Pell eligible, a great number of those are not of high academic prowess. The university is, however helping to transforming their lives by providing an opportunity at a private college education. I'm about to hire one of those students who came through with flying colors in an interview and who will graduate in May.

As for the upper 20% or more, I would say we compare very favorably to that segment at DePaul, Providence, and Seton Hall. While nearly all schools have some Pell eligible students, St. John's offers admission to such a large number of students from disadvantaged families that it's doubtful that our overall academic ranking will ever be as high as other Catholic schools who don't have the same demographics.

On the high end our pharmacy students and physician assistant students AVERAGE more than a 1400 SAT, which accounts for as many as 2500 undergrad students, so when you add to that number the growing number of high performing students in other disciplines, I am pretty sure our high end are more academically qualified than the schools you mention. To that end Bobby G., along with some influential board members have increased our Catholic student enrollment with the addition of scholarships for any students attending a Catholic HS, and additional scholarships for targeted students at Catholic and secular schools.

The school also offers immediate response and no application fees to select honor level students across this region. By not having to pay an application fee to a school not on their list, superior academic students take a good hard look at St. John's because the result of no application fees often results not only in admission but significant scholarships.

You are likely unaware that St. John's also offers a 40% tuition reduction for Catholic elementary and high school teachers seeking a graduate degree. By having better teachers in our catholic schools, the overall product, some of which will apply and attend st. John's will be improved in the long view.

You are also likely unaware that St. John's also create a board comprised of educations from all threee NY Metro diocese to improve the quality of Catholic education and provide material support for endeavors as the board (comprised of superintendents and leading education from the university and dioceses) recommends.

ST. John's is always looking for bright people such as yourself to get involved to help transform the university. It's so much easier to take pot shots from afar, but when you begin to take a close look at St. John's you begin to realize that there are some serious improvements implemented with more to come.[/quote]

Thanks Beast for your informative comments. Being retired for many years now I longer am involved as you. My investment over 30 years was with School of Education graduates and not business such as yourself.
That said, our demographics when it comes to students is similar to DePaul, Seton Hall and other Catholic colleges in urban areas. The Pell grants are the result of targeting those students which imo is a strategy that has dragged us down and will continue to do so in an era of free tuition and open admissions in CUNY schools. Personally I don't think it is a product of Vincentian generosity and inclusiveness as it was in the early days. It is a tuition generating strategy that burdens many lower performing students who should be in State or City schools. The Providence, Xavier and DePaul academic visions are lacking. But all your points are valid and much appreciated.[/quote]

You make good points about Pell eligible students often being saddled with some student loan debt, and not being provided with enough academic support to insure success. OUr board is often vilified but a number of board members are upset at the high sticker price tag of tuition at St. John's and believe the school can do better.

I guess at the end of the day, the question really becomes whether it is really so important to have an academically superior student population top to bottom, or is there really a vital mission of providing catholic educational opportunities to disadvantaged students - both socially and economically. If we become elitist about it, and let's face it, we are concerned about academic rankings as if they were a prize to be attained, if we became just a little more selective, the person whose name is on this thread would not have gotten in here.

PS. I know you were involved, and I know you came out of the school of ed. I'm aware of the family issues that are taking your time, and hope there is a point where you can re-engage with the university. Our strength is in unity and numbers, not necessarily ncaa bids (although I know the importance of branding)
 
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[quote="Double J" post=346798]Bobby G named one of the 50 most powerful people in NY Higher Education (Came in at 32)

Think Repole presented him the award?

http://bit.ly/NYCPower50[/quote]

When Bobby G. was hired, I was hoping that we'd hire a layperson along the lines of Molloy College's Drew Bogner. Bogner, who just announced his retirement in 2020 after 20 years at the Molloy, helped transform that school by adding dormitories, increasing course offerings, and greatly expanding the school beyond the predominantly women's school it originally was.

However, despite what people think who critique Bobby solely based on what others say his role is in basketball operations, he has done a very good job focusing on improving academics. While Harrington invested in physical improvements to the campus and related capital projects, Gempeshaw has focused on academics, and ironically since he is a layperson, on the Catholic identity of the school.
 
[quote="Beast of the East" post=346801][quote="Double J" post=346798]Bobby G named one of the 50 most powerful people in NY Higher Education (Came in at 32)

Think Repole presented him the award?

http://bit.ly/NYCPower50[/quote]

When Bobby G. was hired, I was hoping that we'd hire a layperson along the lines of Molloy College's Drew Bogner. Bogner, who just announced his retirement in 2020 after 20 years at the Molloy, helped transform that school by adding dormitories, increasing course offerings, and greatly expanding the school beyond the predominantly women's school it originally was.

However, despite what people think who critique Bobby solely based on what others say his role is in basketball operations, he has done a very good job focusing on improving academics. While Harrington invested in physical improvements to the campus and related capital projects, Gempeshaw has focused on academics, and ironically since he is a layperson, on the Catholic identity of the school.[/quote]

We have to agree to disagree in this case. Every college president focuses on academics. That's part of the job description. This list is meaningless in that area even though the the usual educational leaders of Columbia and NYU are in the top ten of university presidents. Bobby is listed in the bottom quadrant with Deans of schools. His mission is no different than the presidents of DePaul and Seton Hall. Those presidents have done a better job of raising the academic profiles of their respective schools imo. Bobby's use of analytics is more focused on the financial end than academics.
He is a good Catholic lay President and I wish him luck in his next job.
BTW, I personally know Rudy Crew the now President of Medgar Evers. His being on this list degrades the list imo. He is a horrible administrator. Also an arrogant sob.
 
[quote="Class of 72" post=346832][quote="Beast of the East" post=346801][quote="Double J" post=346798]Bobby G named one of the 50 most powerful people in NY Higher Education (Came in at 32)

Think Repole presented him the award?

http://bit.ly/NYCPower50[/quote]

When Bobby G. was hired, I was hoping that we'd hire a layperson along the lines of Molloy College's Drew Bogner. Bogner, who just announced his retirement in 2020 after 20 years at the Molloy, helped transform that school by adding dormitories, increasing course offerings, and greatly expanding the school beyond the predominantly women's school it originally was.

However, despite what people think who critique Bobby solely based on what others say his role is in basketball operations, he has done a very good job focusing on improving academics. While Harrington invested in physical improvements to the campus and related capital projects, Gempeshaw has focused on academics, and ironically since he is a layperson, on the Catholic identity of the school.[/quote]

We have to agree to disagree in this case. Every college president focuses on academics. That's part of the job description. This list is meaningless in that area even though the the usual educational leaders of Columbia and NYU are in the top ten of university presidents. Bobby is listed in the bottom quadrant with Deans of schools. His mission is no different than the presidents of DePaul and Seton Hall. Those presidents have done a better job of raising the academic profiles of their respective schools imo. Bobby's use of analytics is more focused on the financial end than academics.
He is a good Catholic lay President and I wish him luck in his next job.
BTW, I personally know Rudy Crew the now President of Medgar Evers. His being on this list degrades the list imo. He is a horrible administrator. Also an arrogant sob.[/quote]

I always question lists that rank anything - players, schools, people. The presumption is that it is quantitative by a verifiable and agreable method. Often it is just a single author writing whatever comes to mind.

Not going to comparatively assess Bobby, because frankly the article doesn't go into any details of the methods used, and I don't know any of the other schools and what those Presidents did to change the trajectory.

Final word, though. Bobby G. is 68. I doubt there will be another school for him after St. John's. He appears vigorous, but couldn't see him staying past 72 at the latest.
 
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