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Post by ndgradbuthcfan on Apr 21, 2019 8:36:28 GMT -5
Not able to read it w/o subscribing. Does he take the "high road".
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Post by HCFC45 on Apr 21, 2019 8:43:01 GMT -5
Posted Apr 20, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Updated Apr 20, 2019 at 3:43 PM
Former Holy Cross women’s basketball coach Bill Gibbons on Saturday issued this statement, a reflection on his Holy Cross career, which spanned nearly four decades:
“As I leave Holy Cross I am very grateful for being able to have coached basketball here for the last 38 years, the past 34 as the head coach of women’s basketball. In some ways it doesn’t seem that long ago that I was an assistant men’s coach from 1981-85 under George Blaney. I will always be thankful to him for not only teaching me the X’s and O’s of coaching, but also helping me to understand what it means to be a coach and teacher on and off the floor. For all my years at Holy Cross, Coach Blaney has been — and will continue to be— a genuine mentor and friend.
“I’m thankful too for the athletic director who hired me, Ron Perry Sr. He instilled in me the true importance of player development as students first, and athletes second, and emphasized that they were student-athletes at the College of the Holy Cross, teaching that faith, tradition and pride matter.
“Most especially, I will be forever indebted to the late president of Holy Cross, Father John E. Brooks, SJ. Fr. Brooks was such a mentor as a superb and talented Jesuit priest. He taught me the importance of the ideals of Jesuit education, from how to care for the personal development of each student to finding God in all things. He stressed that my goal was to strive to make our players ‘women for and with others,’ and that was my hope and the prayer that I recited every day as I drove up College Street to coach/teach for all those years.
“As a program, we were able to compete against the country’s best teams, and fortunate to achieve memorable wins, league championships, and NCAA Tournament appearances, including the upset win over Maryland (in 1991). But to me, my fondest memory will always be of the players, managers and staff that I was blessed with at Holy Cross, and the strong, close, loyal alumni base that we have built. Our players entered as young bright, talented teenagers, and left as character rich and faith-filled women who were ready for any and ALL challenges upon graduation. Together we did more than have successful teams; we built a program nationally recognized for its on-court and off-court success. We have an unmatched record of community service. HC women’s basketball was not just a program, but a family, and I look back with joy and pride to the unforgettable memories and those strong lifelong ties.
“There are so many people to thank — the players and their families, and the many hardworking, thoroughly supportive assistant coaches who have moved on from Holy Cross. Also, the passionate and loyal alumni, faithful fans, the thousands of girls who came to my camp, the awesome students and basketball players at the Mercy Centre and the people who care for them, the many radio listeners over the years, and the viewers of the HC Women’s Basketball Show, the advertisers, our donors and ALL of you who have shown your support to me and our program over the past 34 years.
“Along with my wife Lisa, we raised our boys here. I worked with passion here, I worshiped here, and I lived my life here. Nothing, even the most unfair circumstances, will ever diminish this. I have been truly blessed, and for that, I am sincerely grateful.”
Late last month, Holy Cross announced that Gibbons will not return as coach of the HC women’s basketball program.
Gibbons, who won 613 games, the second-most of any coach in Holy Cross history, had been suspended since Jan. 31, following the result of an internal investigation into a personnel matter, according to a release issued by the school.
HC was 11-9 (3-6 in the Patriot League) at the time of Gibbons’ suspension and finished the season 18-13 (9-9).
The Crusaders had four straight sub-.500 seasons, from 2014-18, and this year posted their most wins since going 20-14 in 2013-14, while also advancing to the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament for the first time since that season.
“The record, the performance of the team in the past few seasons has not been where we think it needs to be in terms of being competitive throughout the Patriot League and providing the opportunity for our team, which we think is really talented,” Holy Cross interim director of athletics Brendan Sullivan said about what went into the decision to part ways with Gibbons during a news conference on March 28.
Ann McInerney, who was named interim coach at the time of Gibbons’ suspension, will remain as interim coach and lead the program through the 2019-20 season.
Gibbons has declined comment about his departure from Holy Cross.
“It is really necessary for me at this time to remain silent on the issue of my suspension and termination,” Gibbons said. “When I am allowed to (discuss), please know that I will.”
Gibbons and his wife, Lisa, were in attendance at Thursday night’s Worcester Area College Basketball Association banquet, held at WPI’s Alden Hall.
Gibbons is a past president of WACBA and the 2009 recipient of the association’s Paul N. Johnson Award for contributions to Worcester area basketball.
“Since I was a young coach, this organization has opened so many doors, and more importantly, fostered so many friendships,” Gibbons said. “The camaraderie and the relationships we have built as coaches, players and media have been uplifting. Also, the way WACBA honors with memorial awards, both a contributor to our game like the legendary sportswriter Paul Johnson and a player and coach who exemplified so much courage and class like Pat Oroszko, is truly exemplary. This association is a tremendous asset for Worcester area basketball, and I am extremely honored to be a part of it.”
—Contact Jennifer Toland at jennifer.toland@telegram.com. Follow her on Twitter @jentandg.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 21, 2019 8:57:14 GMT -5
Read the three comments after the article all posted by the same person. The commenter names another person as a certified (nickname for Richard). If you Google that name it is the same name as a department head in a non-Athletics Dept. at HC.
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Post by rgs318 on Apr 21, 2019 9:00:21 GMT -5
Typically, Coach Gibbons' statements are classy and positive. I thank him for all he gave to the Cross and I wish him well in the future.
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Post by gks on Apr 21, 2019 17:12:34 GMT -5
Pure Class.
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Apr 22, 2019 7:00:24 GMT -5
Read the three comments after the article all posted by the same person. The commenter names another person as a certified (nickname for Richard). If you Google that name it is the same name as a department head in a non-Athletics Dept. at HC. A classy statement by FCBG. With respect to the three comments in the T&G by the same person, the commenter appears to be quite familiar with certain aspects of HC operations, and believes the college has gone downhill since Fr. Brooks. The employee he criticizes has been at HC for 17 years in that position, a position unrelated to athletics..
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Post by purplehaze on Apr 22, 2019 8:20:21 GMT -5
Agree that this what the right way to go out for BG - I think this is the right time to move on to the next chapter for women’s hoops. I’m still amazed how these last few months have not been even a blip on the basketball scene, I.e. not a mention in ‘transactions’ and not a mention on the PL website - even the coaching change at Hartford made the espn page - proves we are less relevant than ever
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Post by trimster on Apr 22, 2019 9:36:20 GMT -5
Unfortunately, HC stopped being relevant in athletics a long time ago. Maybe the next school year will bring a change.
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Post by HCFC45 on Apr 22, 2019 11:04:46 GMT -5
Agree that this what the right way to go out for BG - I think this is the right time to move on to the next chapter for women’s hoops. I’m still amazed how these last few months have not been even a blip on the basketball scene, I.e. not a mention in ‘transactions’ and not a mention on the PL website - even the coaching change at Hartford made the espn page - proves we are less relevant than ever Really wish it were the END!
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Post by crusader12 on Apr 22, 2019 12:07:34 GMT -5
I think clearly HC is holding some sort of severance package over his head. IMO he will speak on the matter once HC has paid him every penny of this deal. Good for him, HC is a drain to the abyss. Best to just get the heck out of there.
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Post by rgs318 on Apr 22, 2019 12:30:37 GMT -5
Agree that this what the right way to go out for BG - I think this is the right time to move on to the next chapter for women’s hoops. I’m still amazed how these last few months have not been even a blip on the basketball scene, I.e. not a mention in ‘transactions’ and not a mention on the PL website - even the coaching change at Hartford made the espn page - proves we are less relevant than ever Really wish it were the END! End of what? Are you hoping to see the end of women's hoops?
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Post by rgs318 on Apr 22, 2019 12:32:20 GMT -5
I think clearly HC is holding some sort of severance package over his head. IMO he will speak on the matter once HC has paid him every penny of this deal. Good for him, HC is a drain to the abyss. Best to just get the heck out of there. I don't see HC as a "drain" to anywhere and certainly not to an abyss. Perhaps new leadership will bring HC back as a solid program in women's hoops. They certainly played like that could be possible at the end of last season.
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Post by HCFC45 on Apr 22, 2019 12:40:41 GMT -5
Really wish it were the END! End of what? Are you hoping to see the end of women's hoops? Come on Rob, you know me better than that! ! I'm talking about the end of the last chapter in the BG book as the women's basketball coach at HC!
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Post by rgs318 on Apr 22, 2019 12:42:52 GMT -5
I thought it was something like that,..but these days I ask because it is hard to be certain about much. Just look at the post that followed yours.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 22, 2019 14:51:37 GMT -5
I think clearly HC is holding some sort of severance package over his head. IMO he will speak on the matter once HC has paid him every penny of this deal. Good for him, HC is a drain to the abyss. Best to just get the heck out of there. I don't see HC as a "drain" to anywhere and certainly not to an abyss. Perhaps new leadership will bring HC back as a solid program in women's hoops. They certainly played like that could be possible at the end of last season. Of the five revenue sports (F, M&W H, M&W BB) I would place WBB behind only football in progress towards becoming a league champion. If they succeed this year, BG has to receive some credit for recruiting the players and hiring the staff.
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Post by hchoops on Apr 22, 2019 15:01:23 GMT -5
Women’s hockey is a revenue sport ?
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 22, 2019 15:05:48 GMT -5
I believe they charge admission now that they are D-1/Hockey East. If one ticket is sold that is revenue. If two are sold that's a celebration.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 22, 2019 15:13:54 GMT -5
Just called the ticket office. A gentleman named Anthony answered on the first ring. They do sell tickets now for Women's Hockey. Most responsive customer service I've had in a while. HC is staffed up for success.
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Post by timholycross on Apr 22, 2019 18:11:23 GMT -5
If the person/title mentioned in the T&G comments is the "personnel" involved in the suspension, then BG's relationship with his coaching staff may have been solid all along; and the entire matter had nothing to do with basketball.
Of course, it does beg the question: was Sullivan telling the truth that he didn't get renewed because he didn't win enough, which I actually hope was true.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 22, 2019 19:59:13 GMT -5
Agree. Also think it would be in HC's interest to initiate a salute of some kind to BG's 38 years. They spend a ton on PR but a sincere gesture to a Worcester native would reach locals like slicker videos such as "We are Worcester's Team" doesn't.
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Post by Tom on Apr 23, 2019 7:45:21 GMT -5
If the person/title mentioned in the T&G comments is the "personnel" involved in the suspension, then BG's relationship with his coaching staff may have been solid all along; and the entire matter had nothing to do with basketball. Of course, it does beg the question: was Sullivan telling the truth that he didn't get renewed because he didn't win enough, which I actually hope was true. Without re-listening to the entire press conference, Sullivan said it was about wins and losses. I believe Jen Toland asked if the suspension had anything to do with it, and his reply was that the school wasn't satisfied with the direction of the program as a whole. If the non-renewal was all about wins and losses, the answer to Toland would have been "no". My interpretation of the answer was that the other situation played some role. Perhaps a minor factor, but still a factor.
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coachrt
Climbing Mt. St. James
Posts: 93
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Post by coachrt on Apr 23, 2019 8:24:07 GMT -5
I'm sure the personnel decision was the icing on the cake. Employees generally don't come back from a 2nd suspension. I will say this in regards to how this matter was handled. The interim AD has shown to the entire Worcester community that he is not experienced enough to lead this department.
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Post by Sons of Vaval on Apr 23, 2019 8:49:22 GMT -5
The interim AD has shown to the entire Worcester community that he is not experienced enough to lead this department. That was very apparent after he announced Gibbons would not be returning.
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Post by longsuffering on Apr 23, 2019 9:19:26 GMT -5
I'm sure the personnel decision was the icing on the cake. Employees generally don't come back from a 2nd suspension. I will say this in regards to how this matter was handled. The interim AD has shown to the entire Worcester community that he is not experienced enough to lead this department. Or are the lawyers telling both Sullivan and Father B. what to say and do involving investigations?
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Post by rf1 on Apr 23, 2019 10:38:10 GMT -5
The interim AD has shown to the entire Worcester community that he is not experienced enough to lead this department. That was very apparent after he announced Gibbons would not be returning.
The decision on Gibbons not returning was in all likelihood made well before the new AD was ever hired. Most around Holy Cross were of the thought before the season started that this would be the last year for Gibbons. Not enough recent court success and too much off court baggage.
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