Geno Auriemma: "Mr. Women's Basketball"

[Vowelguy]

What does Sally's accusation about Pat Jordan using Jackie MacMullen's work without giving proper credit, have anything to do with Pat? Sally is sticking up for Jackie, who authored the book about Geno/UConn.

Actually, she co-authored it with Geno.

 

[Vowelguy]

I bet CD doesn't let the players talk like that.

Yeah, and when they're full adults and aren't getting a free college education, they can talk however they want.

 

[UConnCat]

Actually, she co-authored it with Geno.

True, and the original source of the anecdotes is Geno, not Jackie MacMullen. Why would Jordan need to credit MacMullen when he's interviewing the co-author of the book and, btw, the original source of the stories? I thought it odd that Jordan didn't refer to MacMullen by name, (he referred to her as "a Boston sportswriter"), but maybe that's a sportswriter thing. There has to be something else behind Jenkins' tweet.

 

[Icebear]

No, not all men talk that way. I surely don't, and most of the people I associate with don't. I'm no saint, but I never use foul language. It really isn't necessary to make a point.

Very true. Mostly it is an indication of limited vocabulary or an attempt at shock value.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

I didn't either!! I didn't even know she left without getting her degree... that seems crazy to me.. 4 years and a sociology major, how in God's name do you not get your degree?!

"4 years and a sociology major, how in God's name do you not get your degree?!"

...that cracked me up.

 

[Ozzie Nelson]

Great baseball stuff...

http://www.amazon.com/False-Spring-Pat-Jordan/dp/0803276265

 

[DobbsRover2]

"Since UConn is in no way a fun place to play for."

Nonsense! They have a lot of fun playing at Conn. It's not always a picnic -- that's for sure -- but there are plenty of fun and funny times. Basketball is one of those sports where the better you do it, the more fun it is. The kids pay a price to learn/develop excellence. But they enjoy the end results.

When they travel, they visit all kinds of museums, and historical sights, and fine restaurants.

They "horse around" in the locker room. They make funny movies of themselves. They smile when they do lay-up drills and press interviews. They have treasure hunts in far away places. They have HUGE hugs with teammates after well played games.

In short, the UConn girls stretch every day to get over some high bars; but they are hardly abused.

I like the frankness of the article -- BUT, Geno is not a grump. He knows how to have a good time. He is great friends with many opposing coaches of both genders. He has a soft side which the author really failed to project. He has fun not only with his own players; but often with opposing players. Look at all the compliments he gets from Non-UConn players on the Olympic Team. He is a fun guy to be around before and after practice -- and for many years after his players graduate. When the whistle blows to begin practice, Geno is all about hard work and high standards. But he has great friendships and warm personal skills with his assistant coaches, the team managers, and the players.

Well, as Shea Ralph says in the piece, "UConn basketball wasn't for fun. There was a bigger picture here."

The Huskies find ways to get their fun, but let's not kid ourselves that it's fun and games most of the time. Playing BB for UConn requires intense sacrifice, effort, dedication, and the willingness to absorb a lot of pain. The goal is the NC, and that's what's required.

 

[DobbsRover2]

I didn't either!! I didn't even know she left without getting her degree... that seems crazy to me.. 4 years and a sociology major, how in God's name do you not get your degree?!

In defense of DT, that was an incredibly hectic time in the spring of 2004 for her. Besides leading UConn to the NC, receiving tons of awards and having to be hopping between ceremonies, being picked 1st by the WNBA and the resulting plane flights for all of that, there was one other major thing. She was selected in May for the 2004 Olympic team, and I'm sure there must have been some tryout sessions and ceremonies about that. Then it was off to juggle her time for the USA Olympic champions and Phoenix, so with the 7 major awards in 2004 and all, she probably needed a breather at the end of the year. She often seemed close to superhuman, but she isn't Superwoman.

But yeah, the academics took a bit of a second seat there. Good that she completed the job.

 

[BigErnMcCracken]

Very true. Mostly it is an indication of limited vocabulary or an attempt at shock value.

You've done a study of some sort? Plenty of educated people just enjoy the occasional f-bomb or c___s____.

 

[Cheddie]

I believe that Diana came back in the following spring and attended classes to receive her degree. It is, however, possible, with the professor's permission, to take some classes on line.

Online classes were clearly an option. I was really commenting on the hyperbole of Geno having the power to ban a student from campus.

 

[Scotter]

Online classes were clearly an option. I was really commenting on the hyperbole of Geno having the power to ban a student from campus.

What Geno actually did is a little less grandiose than banning her from campus. The story has been told numerous times, and there is a version that named things he did have power over without any hyperbole of a campus ban. He told she would no longer be welcome around the team, and that he was going to have all her pictures and memorabilia taken down from Gampel and the offices. Geno like a good storyteller never lets the truth get in the way of a better story so the tale gets taller, but there were actionable consequences.

 

[meyers7]

Yeah, and when they're full adults and aren't getting a free college education, they can talk however they want.

Pretty sure when the coaches aren't around, they talk however they want. Mostly likely like most every other college kid.

 

[PacoSwede]

Sally Jenkins (sallyjenx) recently tweeted; "The main anecdotes in Pat Jordan's piece on Geno Auriemma come from Jackie MacMullen's book. Only, he never mentions that. Pure class."

I haven't read all through this thread yet, but I agree with Jenkins about the 'pure class' writer who is being praised to the high heavens by so many BYers. It is NOT a well-done piece. He does have some good quotes and decent info, but it's poorly written. And while it may be an accurate portrait of Geno in some areas, it's misleading in others.

 

[VAUConnFan]

Great interview. Covered a lot of bases.

 

[PacoSwede]

In defense of DT, that was an incredibly hectic time in the spring of 2004 for her. ... She often seemed close to superhuman, but she isn't Superwoman.

But yeah, the academics took a bit of a second seat there. Good that she completed the job.

Yeah. Plus, I'm pretty confident D learned an adequate amount in college to make the experience a success. Getting a diploma really shouldn't be the be-all, end-all of it, should it? I think simply growing your place in the world is a great payoff.


Getting the degree is right and good for the purpose of setting an example or making parents happy or whatever, but that doesn't mean it's particularly right and good for the recipient herself. Does having a fancy piece of paper really make her better in some way?

 

[DobbsRover2]

Yeah. Plus, I'm pretty confident D learned an adequate amount in college to make the experience a success. Getting a diploma really shouldn't be the be-all, end-all of it, should it? I think simply growing your place in the world is a great payoff.


Getting the degree is right and good for the purpose of setting an example or making parents happy or whatever, but that doesn't mean it's particularly right and good for the recipient herself. Does having a fancy piece of paper really make her better in some way?

Nope, with NCAA rules the way they are, you better get that degree. If Calhoun had been harder on this point, the UConn men's team wouldn't be in the pickle it is. Whether you've learned life's lessons in college or not, you owe it to your team to get that piece of paper.

 

[PacoSwede]

Nope, with NCAA rules the way they are, you better get that degree. If Calhoun had been harder on this point, the UConn men's team wouldn't be in the pickle it is. Whether you've learned life's lessons in college or not, you owe it to your team to get that piece of paper.

D no doubt felt she owed it to the team, to UConn, to kids who admire her and probably others, and that's a real good reason to come back to get that piece of paper. But, for herself? She didn't need it ... as is true with many folks. And, ya know, isn't that kind of sad? That you must have this piece of paper simply because others demand that you have it? Guess getting it could be seen as a righteous exercise of self-discipline, though.

Your point is certainly accurate, of course.

 

[Vowelguy]

D no doubt felt she owed it to the team, to UConn, to kids who admire her and probably others, and that's a real good reason to come back to get that piece of paper. But, for herself? She didn't need it ... as is true with many folks. And,

How do you know she didn't need it? She's not gonna play basketball forever, and unlike an NBA star I highly doubt she's set for life.
At some point she's probably going to need another career.

 

[Scotter]

How do you know she didn't need it? She's not gonna play basketball forever, and unlike an NBA star I highly doubt she's set for life.
At some point she's probably going to need another career.

She's been making in the neighborhood of 1 million per year for about 5 years now. If she wanted to be set for life, she could be. I'm sure she'll find something to occupy her time, but I doubt it will involve sociology. Having her degree is good if she wants to coach college ball, but we have learned you can be the head coach at USC without being a college graduate.

 

[Kait14]

In defense of DT, that was an incredibly hectic time in the spring of 2004 for her. Besides leading UConn to the NC, receiving tons of awards and having to be hopping between ceremonies, being picked 1st by the WNBA and the resulting plane flights for all of that, there was one other major thing. She was selected in May for the 2004 Olympic team, and I'm sure there must have been some tryout sessions and ceremonies about that. Then it was off to juggle her time for the USA Olympic champions and Phoenix, so with the 7 major awards in 2004 and all, she probably needed a breather at the end of the year. She often seemed close to superhuman, but she isn't Superwoman.

But yeah, the academics took a bit of a second seat there. Good that she completed the job.

I can't really feel bad when Emeka had one less year and was an economics major

 

[Icebear]

I can't really feel bad when Emeka had one less year and was an economics major

I believe he was a double major.

 

[HuskyNan]

She's been making in the neighborhood of 1 million per year for about 5 years now. If she wanted to be set for life, she could be. I'm sure she'll find something to occupy her time, but I doubt it will involve sociology. Having her degree is good if she wants to coach college ball, but we have learned you can be the head coach at USC without being a college graduate.

Maybe you can get a job as a coach without a resume at some places but there are probably others that do require one. Why limit your opportunities?

And there are other reasons that have nothing to do with earning a paycheck...

 

[PacoSwede]

How do you know she didn't need it? She's not gonna play basketball forever, and unlike an NBA star I highly doubt she's set for life.
At some point she's probably going to need another career.

Well, she's not likely to be paid to play basketball forever, sure. Let's say she needs another career. It's really pathetic that despite all that D brings to the table -- her ability to lead, for example, is astounding -- people/society believe she must have a college degree in order to be productive. How freakin' absurd.

Lots and lots of talent is submerged because of that norm. We're lucky that Dickens, Picasso, Lennon and many others didn't have to meet the standard.

 

[phil sampieri]

She's been making in the neighborhood of 1 million per year for about 5 years now. If she wanted to be set for life, she could be. I'm sure she'll find something to occupy her time, but I doubt it will involve sociology. Having her degree is good if she wants to coach college ball, but we have learned you can be the head coach at USC without being a college graduate.

There is a great quote by Calvin Coolidge- titled Press On which addresses
education. wish I could find it.

 

[Icebear]

And there are other reasons that have nothing to do with earning a paycheck...

An older but good friend of mine has had an amazing life. One of his great sources of pride is that he has never used his undergraduate degree in civil engineering for a single day of his livelihood. He became a journalist for the Navy during the Korean War. He still works as a professional hypnotist with contracts going back 30 years. He has been a union organizer and has taught union law as a college professor. He worked with James Michener at Time magazine and was a bureau chief for them in Central and South America. He grew up on the Mississippi Delta and went to school with Charlie Connelly former quarterback and star with the NY Giants.

One of his favorite friends earned his PHD in philosophy and then went back to work on the farm. The friend's explanation was he thought it would be good to have something to think about all day on the tractor.

 

[CL82]

Yeah. Plus, I'm pretty confident D learned an adequate amount in college to make the experience a success. Getting a diploma really shouldn't be the be-all, end-all of it, should it? I think simply growing your place in the world is a great payoff.


Getting the degree is right and good for the purpose of setting an example or making parents happy or whatever, but that doesn't mean it's particularly right and good for the recipient herself. Does having a fancy piece of paper really make her better in some way?

Does scoring the winning basket make a team better in some way? I mean if they fought the good fight what does it matter if the chuck it out bounds on the last play?

Not finishing what you start is a bad habit.

 

[Icebear]

There is a great quote by Calvin Coolidge- titled Press On which addresses
education. wish I could find it.

Is this it?

“Nothing in the world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan Press On! has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.”

 

[PacoSwede]

Does scoring the winning basket make a team better in some way? I mean if they fought the good fight what does it matter if the chuck it out bounds on the last play?

Not finishing what you start is a bad habit.

I don't understand your first paragraph.

Regarding he second, I wrote earlier in this thread regarding finishing up a degree: "Guess getting it could be seen as a righteous exercise of self-discipline, though."

Maybe you missed that?

 

[PacoSwede]

Maybe you can get a job as a coach without a resume at some places but there are probably others that do require one. Why limit your opportunities?

And there are other reasons that have nothing to do with earning a paycheck...

There are indeed other reasons, real good ones, for getting an education besides securing a paycheck.

Thing is, most of them can be accomplished without ever seeing a sheepskin. Diploma = Education is a defective equation. But, it is a big profit center for the academic-industrial complex (and I have a feeling there are a fair number of BYers working in it).

From a practical standpoint, I agree that it's wise not to limit opportunities. But, perhaps the price of maximizing opportunities is too high for some people, and in the process the best opportunities may be squandered.

 

[Vowelguy]

Well, she's not likely to be paid to play basketball forever, sure. Let's say she needs another career. It's really pathetic that despite all that D brings to the table -- her ability to lead, for example, is astounding -- people/society believe she must have a college degree in order to be productive. How freakin' absurd.

Society sets lines all over the place.

I'm sure there are med students who fail the boards that could be good doctors. Would you trust your surgery to one?

Or a non-certified electrician. Or an unlicensed trucker. Or about a zillion other examples.