DON'T TELL ME HOW TO SPEND MY MONEY THAT I MADE.
Jeff Jacobs spends too much time on the boneyard.
This.The column was fine. This board has a knee-jerk reaction to anything he writes that just assumes every column is looking to bring the program through the mud.
He asked Ray about it and the answer was long and convoluted, but what I gathered from it is that Ray and other players took an active role in going to fundraisers, reaching out to boosters, behind-the-scenes stuff. Which is what I think JC preferred they do, although I don't know why he gets to decide this issue.There must be a reason none of our former players donated. We know many of them are passionate about UCONN basketball and care about the university. Has Jeff interviewed any of our alum in the NBA for comment? My gut tells me there is a good explanation as to why Ray's name along with others is not on the donation list.
Who knows whether the players have or have not contributed anonymously. JJ certainly wouldn't have access to that information.
I guess I'm the only one who is scratching my head regarding this column and the recent walk that JJ took. He contributed to a charity that had nothing to do with UConn bb even though his bet was about UConn bb. It was a noble gesture on his part. I admired him for doing it but this column only reinforces why I don't read him. It panders to the baseness in us. I strongly believe in charity. Where and how much we give should be from our hearts and not to appease someone else.
There are many ways to be ambassadors for the program. Several players fund charities in the communities where they grew up or for charities that deal with important issues. They are vocal about their relationship with UConn. IMM this is just as great a PR boost for UConn and the bb program as giving to a practice center. It might even be more of a boost.
Lot's of the best recruits understand these gestures far more than a razzle dazzle super facility. So do casual fans and most of society. It's why most of us had a distaste for the Calipari show vs. the UConn first night. We perceive one as superficial and the other as having substance.
Am I saying The Werth Family Champions center is frivolous? Not by any means. It has a very important value. It keeps the goose that's laying the golden egg alive. Not only for the superficial satisfaction of providing an advantage for the continued success to a program we follow for entertainment but more importantly to get kids into the program who have a greater chance to do more for their communities. I'm not saying kids going to Cal aren't good kids but I am saying kids going to KO will more likely come out as better people for it than going to Cal. And that means more charitable contribution to needy causes. JC understands this. It's no surprise to me JJ doesn't.