So Jeff Jacobs call out the NBA Alums... | Page 2 | The Boneyard

So Jeff Jacobs call out the NBA Alums...

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fleudslipcon said:
How much has JJ helped the university financially or with PR. It's not even close because there have been several times, including this one, that he's creating negative publicity towards the university and UConn bb.
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1. UConn PR isn't JJ's job.
2. In what world is everyone cool with someone possibly discouraging donations to UConn? Specifically, someone who is paid a high salary in a semi-fundraising role? How does that make sense to anyone?
 
Why would they donate to a school that let them sleep hungry at night?!?! Just ask Bazz!
 
Kitaman said:
If I was an alumni with NBA loot I surely would be donating a huge ton of money. The thing is I don't have NBA loot, so I (like JJ) can easily say that.
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NBA Career earnings for former UConn players

Ray Allen 1997 2014 $184,356,410
Richard Hamilton 2000 2013 $109,166,043
Emeka Okafor 2005 2013 $89,578,416
Ben Gordon 2005 2014 $80,117,019
Caron Butler 2003 2014 $77,125,677
Rudy Gay 2007 2014 $73,499,210
Donyell Marshall 1995 2009 $72,417,867
Clifford Robinson 1990 2007 $61,579,625
Charlie Villanueva 2006 2014 $48,761,810
Travis Knight 1997 2003 $22,622,500
Kevin Ollie 1998 2010 $20,131,418
Hasheem Thabeet 2010 2014 $16,779,840
Jake Voskuhl 2001 2009 $12,321,407
Hilton Armstrong 2007 2014 $9,494,478
Kemba Walker 2012 2014 $7,457,640
Scott Burrell 1994 2001 $7,200,000
Josh Boone 2007 2010 $5,456,088
Andre Drummond 2013 2104 $4,818,720
Marcus Williams 2007 2010 $4,395,789
Jeremy Lamb 2013 2014 $4,131,360
A.J. Price 2010 2014 $2,959,292
Jeff Adrien 2011 2014 $2,333,323
Tate George 1991 1995 $2,073,260
Donny Marshall 1996 2003 $1,190,000
Chris Smith 1993 1995 $825,000
Khalid El-Amin 2001 2001 $782,819
 
Robertelamin said:
Not that is any of my business anyway.
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This. Best insight in the thread I think.

We'd all be proud to see other names on that list. But it comes off as sanctimonious to criticize other people for not giving away the money they've earned in a manner that pleases you. Lower those horses fellas.
 
husky8273 said:
NBA Career earnings for former UConn players

Ray Allen 1997 2014 $184,356,410
Richard Hamilton 2000 2013 $109,166,043
Emeka Okafor 2005 2013 $89,578,416
Ben Gordon 2005 2014 $80,117,019
Caron Butler 2003 2014 $77,125,677
Rudy Gay 2007 2014 $73,499,210
Donyell Marshall 1995 2009 $72,417,867
Clifford Robinson 1990 2007 $61,579,625
Charlie Villanueva 2006 2014 $48,761,810
Travis Knight 1997 2003 $22,622,500
Kevin Ollie 1998 2010 $20,131,418
Hasheem Thabeet 2010 2014 $16,779,840
Jake Voskuhl 2001 2009 $12,321,407
Hilton Armstrong 2007 2014 $9,494,478
Kemba Walker 2012 2014 $7,457,640
Scott Burrell 1994 2001 $7,200,000
Josh Boone 2007 2010 $5,456,088
Andre Drummond 2013 2104 $4,818,720
Marcus Williams 2007 2010 $4,395,789
Jeremy Lamb 2013 2014 $4,131,360
A.J. Price 2010 2014 $2,959,292
Jeff Adrien 2011 2014 $2,333,323
Tate George 1991 1995 $2,073,260
Donny Marshall 1996 2003 $1,190,000
Chris Smith 1993 1995 $825,000
Khalid El-Amin 2001 2001 $782,819
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Interesting, if you add all that up, it could be used as evidence. For what I don't know but it sure looks incriminating. And there is at least is a couple more million out there with JC and the WNBAers. I almost wish I didn't see this because 1 or 2% of this total is a nice healthy chunk.

I blame Selvie for not passing around a hat.
 
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If I was a wealthy basketball player who could impact the world in real, meaningful ways with my money, donating to a practice facility - which is the very essence of a first-world luxury, regardless of how much it may help with recruits - would be pretty far down my list. That's not to say people who did donate are misguided in their charitable dispersal of money, just that everybody should be able to give at their own discretion.

Additionally - did we ever think that possibly, one of the reasons these guys haven't donated to the practice facility is because they don't think it's important? They didn't have first-class facilities when they were here, and it didn't stop them from generating millions of dollars of revenue and fulfilling their dreams anyway. I understand the importance of it, but if they don't, it's hard to blame them.
 
I have graduated from UConn as have my brother and sister. My son will be graduating from UConn next spring. I have been a basketball season ticket holder from 1985 and a football season ticket holder from 1998. Been to Notre dame , Michigan , Maryland, Army and Charlotte for away football games ( just to name a few) . I named my cat Calhoun.

My point being ( A Calhoun favorite saying) is that I love UConn sports and bleed American Flag blue. But it bothers me to no end that these UConn NBA alumni have not donated back to their university. Make up all the excuses you want ( behind the scenes work, volunteerism, helped in other ways) , to me it is a bunch of BS.

Many people with less means and less ties to the university have stepped up and to have none ( Steve Pikiell excluded) of our past players help is beyond ridiculous.

Unless someone proves that these players have done things behind the scenes or anonymously that make up for this, it is a total embarrassment. Hope I am proven wrong on this.
 
husky8273 said:
NBA Career earnings for former UConn players

Ray Allen 1997 2014 $184,356,410
Richard Hamilton 2000 2013 $109,166,043
Emeka Okafor 2005 2013 $89,578,416
Ben Gordon 2005 2014 $80,117,019
Caron Butler 2003 2014 $77,125,677
Rudy Gay 2007 2014 $73,499,210
Donyell Marshall 1995 2009 $72,417,867
Clifford Robinson 1990 2007 $61,579,625
Charlie Villanueva 2006 2014 $48,761,810
Travis Knight 1997 2003 $22,622,500
Kevin Ollie 1998 2010 $20,131,418
Hasheem Thabeet 2010 2014 $16,779,840
Jake Voskuhl 2001 2009 $12,321,407
Hilton Armstrong 2007 2014 $9,494,478
Kemba Walker 2012 2014 $7,457,640
Scott Burrell 1994 2001 $7,200,000
Josh Boone 2007 2010 $5,456,088
Andre Drummond 2013 2104 $4,818,720
Marcus Williams 2007 2010 $4,395,789
Jeremy Lamb 2013 2014 $4,131,360
A.J. Price 2010 2014 $2,959,292
Jeff Adrien 2011 2014 $2,333,323
Tate George 1991 1995 $2,073,260
Donny Marshall 1996 2003 $1,190,000
Chris Smith 1993 1995 $825,000
Khalid El-Amin 2001 2001 $782,819
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Most surprising thing on that list:
1) Gordon has earned more than Caron, Gay and Donyell - that totally shocked me.
 
champs99and04 said:
If I was a wealthy basketball player who could impact the world in real, meaningful ways with my money, donating to a practice facility - which is the very essence of a first-world luxury, regardless of how much it may help with recruits - would be pretty far down my list
Expand ...

Boom.
 
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keep in mind how many sacrifices these hoopsters have made to put UCONN on the map

their contributions have been worth multimillions to the UCONN cause indirectly

deducting the cost of full boat scholly to each playa; still UCONN could never ever repay them even if endowment > 1 bil some day

UCONN has been very blessed by their appearances: playas and coaches are the reason and only reason UCONN is not thought of by all folks outside storzz as YUKON

ironically; tangible revenue by both hoop progs combined last yr did not come close to 11.1 mil generated by foosballers

N.B. wash dc still has not gotten it; wash post only gazeteer in nation that still writes headlines U-Conn; maybe they could use their massive powers of observation to note the front of hoop jerseys; it says UCONN but you cannot blame them when bone guys don't know correct spelling, cant read the univ letterhead which says UCONN and some bone guys have stated they detest posters who type UCONN when they prefer UConn which according to univ is misnomer
 
husky8273 said:
NBA Career earnings for former UConn players

Ray Allen 1997 2014 $184,356,410
Richard Hamilton 2000 2013 $109,166,043
Emeka Okafor 2005 2013 $89,578,416
Ben Gordon 2005 2014 $80,117,019
Caron Butler 2003 2014 $77,125,677
Rudy Gay 2007 2014 $73,499,210
Donyell Marshall 1995 2009 $72,417,867
Clifford Robinson 1990 2007 $61,579,625
Charlie Villanueva 2006 2014 $48,761,810
Travis Knight 1997 2003 $22,622,500
Kevin Ollie 1998 2010 $20,131,418
Hasheem Thabeet 2010 2014 $16,779,840
Jake Voskuhl 2001 2009 $12,321,407
Hilton Armstrong 2007 2014 $9,494,478
Kemba Walker 2012 2014 $7,457,640
Scott Burrell 1994 2001 $7,200,000
Josh Boone 2007 2010 $5,456,088
Andre Drummond 2013 2104 $4,818,720
Marcus Williams 2007 2010 $4,395,789
Jeremy Lamb 2013 2014 $4,131,360
A.J. Price 2010 2014 $2,959,292
Jeff Adrien 2011 2014 $2,333,323
Tate George 1991 1995 $2,073,260
Donny Marshall 1996 2003 $1,190,000
Chris Smith 1993 1995 $825,000
Khalid El-Amin 2001 2001 $782,819
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For the record, that's a total of $921,575,011.
An average of $35,445,193 per player (26).
We are about 2 years away from going over a Billion dollars earned by UConn players in the NBA.
 
jleves said:
For the record, that's a total of $921,575,011.
An average of $35,445,193 per player (26).
We are about 2 years away from going over a Billion dollars earned by UConn players in the NBA.
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Don't overlook that many players on and off this list had lucrative careers overseas.

What is most surprising is that not even an independent few of these alumni have stepped up. Wasn't Jake announced as the liaison to the men's alumni to generate donations? The fact no one except for Donyell's $100,000 to the library years ago has stepped up suggests a concerted decision not to do so.
 
Did JC donate? This really may stem from his opinion but I don't get it.

I give to various things and it I still donate a little to UCONN. I think it is great our stars have charitable causes they donate to, but I don't see where that precludes a donation to their Alma Mater.
Some are quick to defend, w/o any facts.
But it is a legitimate question.
I know some helped raise funds. When I have done that for various causes, I always felt I would have been bogus asking others to give money if I hadn't
 
David 76 said:
Did JC donate? This really may stem from his opinion but I don't get it.

I give to various things and it I still donate a little to UCONN. I think it is great our stars have charitable causes they donate to, but I don't see where that precludes a donation to their Alma Mater.
Some are quick to defend, w/o any facts.
But it is a legitimate question.
I know some helped raise funds. When I have done that for various causes, I always felt I would have been bogus asking others to give money if I hadn't
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And I can see some are here to throw stones without any facts either!..........I think it's been fairly obvious to all of us over the years you can be very supportive to UConn basketball and it's surroundings/family without directly dropping a mil on the basketball center. Unless someone tells me otherwise I like our guys and view them as very thoughtful and proud. This sudden need to throw daggers amazes me!
 
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David 76 said:
Did JC donate? This really may stem from his opinion but I don't get it.

I give to various things and it I still donate a little to UCONN. I think it is great our stars have charitable causes they donate to, but I don't see where that precludes a donation to their Alma Mater.
Some are quick to defend, w/o any facts.
But it is a legitimate question.
I know some helped raise funds. When I have done that for various causes, I always felt I would have been bogus asking others to give money if I hadn't
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JC gave probably 10 years of his natural life to UCONN.

Then again, knowing JC, he'll likely live to 100.
 
There is a lot to get on Jeff Jacobs case about but this isn't one of them. It's weird, nobody knows what's going on and it's now time to move along.
 
I think that it is great that the guys want to come back to the program, scrimmage, hang out with their old coaches and buds, present themselves to recruits, advise current players, play in golf tourneys to raise money, and in general be worshipped on their old college campus. It just seems that coming back to the program while greatly appreciated by all is fun for them and what they want to do, not some kind of burden or sacrifice that would have Jim Calhoun telling them as a reason not to donate to the program. I can't imagine him telling them to close their wallets to UCONN. Their lack of donation makes this subject touchy and Jacobs has rightly struck a raw nerve. I would think he looked hard for extenuating reasons but didn't find them so far. Not saying these guys have not been charitable to other causes but tell me that UCONN fans would not feel better if their names were on that list?
 
mauconnfan said:
And I can see some are here to throw stones without any facts either!.....I think it's been fairly obvious to all of us over the years you can be very supportive to UConn basketball and it's surroundings/family without directly dropping a mil on the basketball center. Unless someone tells me otherwise I like our guys and view them as very thoughtful and proud. This sudden need to throw daggers amazes me!
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To be fair UConn should have seen this coming and nipped it in the bud. They didn't and questions are going to be asked. Is what it is.
 
First off, I agree that we can't tell anyone how to spend their money. But every other big program that's built a facility like this has gotten donations from their NBA alums. Big donations. And UConn has had more successful NBA players than almost every other school as evidenced by the almost $1 billion in career NBA earnings. And all of them seem to still have a rooting interest in the program as evidenced by the showing of NBA alums at the 2011 and 2014 Final Fours. None of them contributed? I just find that impossible to believe.

Are they waiting to announce the locker room addition for the NBA alums and the last $5.5 million of donations from the NBA alums? Could be.

And to straighten out the people who believe Calhoun said he didn't think the NBA alums should contribute. Yes, he did mention that early on when UConn first announced they were going to build this facility. But then he must have changed his mind. See this article, which is the last time I remember him commenting on this topic. So with all this I just find it impossible to believe all these NBA alums didn't donate.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...-huskies-not-planning-name-center-jim-calhoun

From October 2012:

Calhoun, 70, retired as coach last month, after a 40-year career that included 26 seasons at Connecticut, three national championships and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is raising money for the center as part of his new job as a special assistant to Manuel.

He said he will be visiting NBA training camps this fall and plans to ask former UConn players for their help with the center, which he said will also celebrate the history of Husky basketball.

"Some of the kids have expressed some interest, and those who haven't are going to become more interested," Calhoun said.

Calhoun said he's talked to planners about including a locker room just for basketball alumni, who will be able to use the facility.

"That in turn, in my opinion, will keep, five years, 10 years, 20, down the line, all those guys connected," he said. "And as guys graduate and go on to their careers, obviously they will be able to do more -- maybe one guy will want a room named after him, et cetera."
 
Here's the thing: Can't tell anyone how to spend their money - but if someone is going to tell some pretty rich fellas how to not spend theirs... good luck the next time you ask me.
 
.-.
What helps the program more?

A slew of former UConn players saying positive things about the program onwhere recruits are likely to see/hear them (post game interviews, social media, ESPN, etc)? Or putting their name on a donation board somewhere?

The ideal answer is probably both but if they can help the university in one way and their communities another, then I don't see the problem.
 
It was no secret that while Hathaway was in charge (and nothing of substance had been raised towards the practice facility) that JC was adamant that he did not want his players contributing, allowing JH to take credit for something he put no effort in (fundraising for the new facility).

I don't know what happened afterwards but this isn't a situation where there will no longer be fundraising required by the school (or athletic department). There will be many opportunities for NBA players to do something (with or without attention).
 
zls44 said:
1. UConn PR isn't JJ's job.
2. In what world is everyone cool with someone possibly discouraging donations to UConn? Specifically, someone who is paid a high salary in a semi-fundraising role? How does that make sense to anyone?
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1). It isn't JJ's job. But his article isn't balanced because he's not pointing out all the positives that the players are doing with their charitable endeavors. And that one sided presentation damages the players and JC's reputation. In this forum people are presenting balanced arguments, albeit in multiple posts. I have no problem with people agreeing with JJ. What people may not be realizing is that in their support for JJ, they are inadvertently condemning the players and JC. I don't see any transgression on the part of the players over this issue to join in this bandwagon. The players won't be changing their minds as long as JC holds firm, so joining the JJ bandwagon will only be detrimental to the very thing we are passionate about. We are just piling on the damage. That seems illogical to me!

2.)Not everyone is cool with JC's decision obviously. I can go either way with this discussion because I understand the framework of the various points of view. I would guess that the majority in the Boneyard either cannot understand JC and/or have an unfavorable position regarding his point of view. I would guess that the majority of non passionate fans or non sports fans would be puzzled/and or have a favorable view.

Why the dichotomy? Because most of us have loyalties to that which we are most connected. It is alien for us to think of the kid starving in Zimbobwe to the same degree as someone in our family. We may care about Alzheimers but it becomes personal if someone we are close to develops this affliction. It isn't necessarily that people aren't caring. It just becomes overwhelming for us to think about all the problems in the world, so we become selective.

Why the puzzlement? JC has taken the position that athletes at any school contribute far more to the university than they are compensated. We've debated this point of view, minus JC's position, many times in these forums, with some arguing the players are getting a free ride and that is enough compensation, to those who feel the compensation is inadequate. It comes down to how we value things. There never will be an agreement regarding the value of people.

Nonetheless it is an odd viewpoint on the part of JC to have the guys who have the extra income not offer some of the monies to a cause that would help the players who have are not receiving "adequate compensation" as students. It seems illogical. But is it? Most of us frame things selectively. Hence all the arguments over any issue. Each and every one of us has a different set of factors supporting our opinion and each and every one of us weighs them differently. JC has decided that his athletes have contributed enough and it would be wrong for them, and us, not to acknowledge that. By contributing, or demanding they contribute to the bb program, it would be a statement that their contributions were inadequate.

Edit: Didn't see @HooperScooper's post before. It appears someone (President Herbst?) has changed JC's stance because that article shows a change of position. I expect big contributions are forthcoming making all these posts redundant.
 
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Bottom line, there are those who feel because UCONN is the place they made their home and made their names they owe something back. I would love to see all the more financially qualified guys donate to the new hoops building but by no means will I judge them for what they think is the right thing to do with their money.

And as a side note, big side note, they made UConn what it is not visa versa. They are the one's who brought us all of this happiness, all of this excitement leading into each and every season. And now you want more?:rolleyes:
 
HooperScooper said:
First off, I agree that we can't tell anyone how to spend their money. But every other big program that's built a facility like this has gotten donations from their NBA alums. Big donations. And UConn has had more successful NBA players than almost every other school as evidenced by the almost $1 billion in career NBA earnings. And all of them seem to still have a rooting interest in the program as evidenced by the showing of NBA alums at the 2011 and 2014 Final Fours. None of them contributed? I just find that impossible to believe.

Are they waiting to announce the locker room addition for the NBA alums and the last $5.5 million of donations from the NBA alums? Could be.

And to straighten out the people who believe Calhoun said he didn't think the NBA alums should contribute. Yes, he did mention that early on when UConn first announced they were going to build this facility. But then he must have changed his mind. See this article, which is the last time I remember him commenting on this topic. So with all this I just find it impossible to believe all these NBA alums didn't donate.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...-huskies-not-planning-name-center-jim-calhoun

From October 2012:

Calhoun, 70, retired as coach last month, after a 40-year career that included 26 seasons at Connecticut, three national championships and induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. He is raising money for the center as part of his new job as a special assistant to Manuel.

He said he will be visiting NBA training camps this fall and plans to ask former UConn players for their help with the center, which he said will also celebrate the history of Husky basketball.

"Some of the kids have expressed some interest, and those who haven't are going to become more interested," Calhoun said.

Calhoun said he's talked to planners about including a locker room just for basketball alumni, who will be able to use the facility.

"That in turn, in my opinion, will keep, five years, 10 years, 20, down the line, all those guys connected," he said. "And as guys graduate and go on to their careers, obviously they will be able to do more -- maybe one guy will want a room named after him, et cetera."
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Didn't see this! Wish I did. My post just prior to this one was missing this important piece.

I agree with you. The players will be making a major contribution in the near future.

You know what will happen then. There will be a debate over whether the players should have made the contribution sooner to avoid this negative publicity. :cool:
 
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