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Post by hc6774 on Jan 25, 2018 12:10:03 GMT -5
If there was any friction, doubtful, it had nothing to do with Lew not going to HC. We were never seriously considered. that visit scared off Terry Driscoll...a myth?? |
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Post by hchoops on Jan 25, 2018 12:11:34 GMT -5
Probably a myth
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Post by rickii on Jan 25, 2018 13:01:26 GMT -5
After playing only 27 games in his varsity career at HC (none after the second game of his jr. yr.), he was drafted by the Oakland Oaks of the ABA. After he left the team, he would workout at the fieldhouse and lift weights with a heavy leather waist belt similar to those used by the competitors in The World’s Strongest Man competition.
Became a fanatic at this....went from 225lbs. as a frosh to a jacked 265-270lbs. as a Senior.
There was an extensive article about him in the Worcester Magazine about 25 yrs. ago—a “where have they gone” piece. I believe that the article said that he was a graduate of Harvard Business School and, for a time, the Financial VP of the Norton Company, certainly accomplishments which would support his espoused interest in his grades and academics while at HC.
He was the second string Parade Magazine All American center from Catholic Memorial HS in the year (1965) that Lew Alcindor was first team—perhaps along with RP Jr. the highest rated recruit to come to HC in the last 50+ yrs. He was an effective shot blocker and rebounder but had small hands for a person of his size and had limited shooting range.
A distant second team AA. He was athletic but not a banger....effective finesse player.
Always felt that if RP Sr. (who may have been his HS coach at CM) or George Blaney had been his coach at HC, he would have played out his 3 yrs. on the varsity and been more successful. Don’t think that he and Jack Donohue saw eye to eye and certainly Teix (as would anyone) paled in comparison to Alcindor.
They didn't and Donohue didn't hide that in off-court conversations. Unfortunately, Donohue also had a similar situation with local star Hugh O'Malley whose Dad was a legendary Worcester hoops coach and an HC grad. That didn't endear Donohue to the locals at all.
As the posters of my vintage know, the UCLA-HC game at MSG in 1968 was scheduled as a potential marquee rematch of Alcindor and Teixeira who had squared off once in high school and had then been part of the top 2 freshmen teams in the country in 1965-66. But, as we know, the rematch never occurred.
AIR, MSG scheduled UCLA's appearance as 2-night showcase with HC in the first game and versus BC the following night.
In the last 50+ yrs. of HC sports, Teixeira’s departure and the “real” reasons for it remain one of the biggest “mysteries”.
In years past, I used his “story” a number of times when speaking to prospective recruits and their families—indicating that, while his career on the court undoubtedly fell short of his and others expectations, he nevertheless graduated in 4 yrs. with a degree that meant something and provided him with the start to grad school and business success. In short, the message to the prospective student athlete is that, no matter how disappointing your career at HC on the court may turn out to be vis-a-vis your expectations (because of injuries, playing time issues, etc.) you’ll still walk away in 4 yrs. with a degree and alumni support that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Some added comments....
- Just after HC hired Donohue, the NYT had a big article on Alcindor's pending visit to HC with mention of the 6'10 1/2" Teixeira as well as Ed Siudit. Turned out Teixeira was barely 6'9" as a frosh.
- On Alcindors visit, he Teixeira and Donohue walked into the dining hall for lunch and were immediately greeted with a rousing standing ovation amid chants of 'GO CROSS GO' from hundreds of students.
- Teixeira's frosh team, with 6'7" Siudit, 6'4" Bob Foley, 6'1"Jim Moore and 6'2" Chuck Mullane, went 20-1 with the lone loss to star Terry Driscoll's BC team. Their home games at the Worcester Auditorium ( before Varsity games ) were sell-outs.
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Post by hchoops on Jan 25, 2018 13:21:17 GMT -5
We avenged that one loss to BC in the rematch at the Auditorium. Beat them pretty badly, I recall.
The night before that game there was a large rally in the field house where HC frosh coach, Jim Herrion(yes , the father of Bill and Tom) used his screechy voice to drive the crowd into an anti BC frenzy.
Those were the days
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 25, 2018 13:41:58 GMT -5
He was the second string Parade Magazine All American center from Catholic Memorial HS in the year (1965) that Lew Alcindor was first team—perhaps along with RP Jr. the highest rated recruit to come to HC in the last 50+ yrs. He was an effective shot blocker and rebounder but had small hands for a person of his size and had limited shooting range. When talking about highly rated recruits coming to Holy Cross don't forget another CM product: King Gaskins, an unbelievable talent, very highly rated when in HS |
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Post by breezy on Jan 25, 2018 14:04:43 GMT -5
I feel a real sadness reading these posts about my classmate, Ron Texeira. After the freshman team went through the season with only one loss to BC -- which was "avenged" when HC beat BC in the return match at the end of the season** -- there were high expectations when the freshmen became eligible to play varsity as sophomores. Ed Siudut showed he was ready to play right from the start, but Ron started out very slowly. However, by the end of his sophomore year, he seemed to be hitting his stride. Then, as noted, shortly after the junior year began, he left the team. I never really understood why -- most likely the public explanation of wanting to focus on academics was merely a cover.
** In the locker room prior to the end-of-the-season game with BC, Coach Herrion called the team together and told then he wanted to tell them his game plan. Then he raised his fist in the air and shouted "REVENGE!"
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Post by hcnation on Jan 25, 2018 14:23:46 GMT -5
He was the second string Parade Magazine All American center from Catholic Memorial HS in the year (1965) that Lew Alcindor was first team—perhaps along with RP Jr. the highest rated recruit to come to HC in the last 50+ yrs. He was an effective shot blocker and rebounder but had small hands for a person of his size and had limited shooting range. When talking about highly rated recruits coming to Holy Cross don't forget another CM product: King Gaskins, an unbelievable talent, very highly rated when in HS Here is a 2015 detailed article ( maybe posted before) digboston.com/throwback-special-for-march-madness-in-mass-the-king-of-boston-basketball/ |
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Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 25, 2018 14:59:28 GMT -5
Very interesting story about a tragic figure. King came to HC my sophomore year, George Blaney's first as coach. With him joining a team with Gene Doyle and Jim Schnurr as stars, with Bruce Grentz an able playmaker and Mal Moulton a junior who could score, we fans thought we'd have a great team, even with Buddy Venne and Stan Grayson having graduated. So I think many were surprised at how poorly the team played. King was a remarkable talent. I remember the last basket he made--a buzzer beater from 30 feet to beat Rhode Island 119-117 in the last game of the year. |
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Post by hchoops on Jan 25, 2018 15:06:45 GMT -5
Before all-American teams were chosen, Bob Cousy was first team all-City at Andrew Jackson in Queens
and before Cooz, George Kaftan was the top scorer in the city at Xavier HS
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Post by timholycross on Jan 25, 2018 16:36:17 GMT -5
After playing only 27 games in his varsity career at HC (none after the second game of his jr. yr.), he was drafted by the Oakland Oaks of the ABA. After he left the team, he would workout at the fieldhouse and lift weights with a heavy leather waist belt similar to those used by the competitors in The World’s Strongest Man competition.
Became a fanatic at this....went from 225lbs. as a frosh to a jacked 265-270lbs. as a Senior.
There was an extensive article about him in the Worcester Magazine about 25 yrs. ago—a “where have they gone” piece. I believe that the article said that he was a graduate of Harvard Business School and, for a time, the Financial VP of the Norton Company, certainly accomplishments which would support his espoused interest in his grades and academics while at HC.
He was the second string Parade Magazine All American center from Catholic Memorial HS in the year (1965) that Lew Alcindor was first team—perhaps along with RP Jr. the highest rated recruit to come to HC in the last 50+ yrs. He was an effective shot blocker and rebounder but had small hands for a person of his size and had limited shooting range.
A distant second team AA. He was athletic but not a banger....effective finesse player.
Always felt that if RP Sr. (who may have been his HS coach at CM) or George Blaney had been his coach at HC, he would have played out his 3 yrs. on the varsity and been more successful. Don’t think that he and Jack Donohue saw eye to eye and certainly Teix (as would anyone) paled in comparison to Alcindor.
They didn't and Donohue didn't hide that in off-court conversations. Unfortunately, Donohue also had a similar situation with local star Hugh O'Malley whose Dad was a legendary Worcester hoops coach and an HC grad. That didn't endear Donohue to the locals at all.
As the posters of my vintage know, the UCLA-HC game at MSG in 1968 was scheduled as a potential marquee rematch of Alcindor and Teixeira who had squared off once in high school and had then been part of the top 2 freshmen teams in the country in 1965-66. But, as we know, the rematch never occurred.
AIR, MSG scheduled UCLA's appearance as 2-night showcase with HC in the first game and versus BC the following night.
In the last 50+ yrs. of HC sports, Teixeira’s departure and the “real” reasons for it remain one of the biggest “mysteries”.
In years past, I used his “story” a number of times when speaking to prospective recruits and their families—indicating that, while his career on the court undoubtedly fell short of his and others expectations, he nevertheless graduated in 4 yrs. with a degree that meant something and provided him with the start to grad school and business success. In short, the message to the prospective student athlete is that, no matter how disappointing your career at HC on the court may turn out to be vis-a-vis your expectations (because of injuries, playing time issues, etc.) you’ll still walk away in 4 yrs. with a degree and alumni support that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Some added comments....
- Just after HC hired Donohue, the NYT had a big article on Alcindor's pending visit to HC with mention of the 6'10 1/2" Teixeira as well as Ed Siudit. Turned out Teixeira was barely 6'9" as a frosh.
- On Alcindors visit, he Teixeira and Donohue walked into the dining hall for lunch and were immediately greeted with a rousing standing ovation amid chants of 'GO CROSS GO' from hundreds of students.
- Teixeira's frosh team, with 6'7" Siudit, 6'4" Bob Foley, 6'1"Jim Moore and 6'2" Chuck Mullane, went 20-1 with the lone loss to star Terry Driscoll's BC team. Their home games at the Worcester Auditorium ( before Varsity games ) were sell-outs.
Mullane played for Winthrop against my high school in the old Tech Tournament. Nothing like those days in Massachusetts basketball any more. The old Garden had a solid 10K (more if it was Somerville playing) in there for the Semis and Finals....and I mean in the seats at one time, not just people walking in and out. Of course the old Garden seated 13,909 and 10K now would just be a little over half of the TD Garden. Back to the topic of "Lew", there was a show this week about the 50th anniversary of The Game of The Century, UCLA vs Houston in the Astrodome in January of 1968. I believe it's on the CBS Sports channel; in fact, was on right after the HC game. Game was one of the big events that put college basketball on the map, especially in terms of it's potential as a tv ratings winner. |
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Post by timholycross on Jan 25, 2018 16:59:30 GMT -5
Very interesting story about a tragic figure. King came to HC my sophomore year, George Blaney's first as coach. With him joining a team with Gene Doyle and Jim Schnurr as stars, with Bruce Grentz an able playmaker and Mal Moulton a junior who could score, we fans thought we'd have a great team, even with Buddy Venne and Stan Grayson having graduated. So I think many were surprised at how poorly the team played. King was a remarkable talent. I remember the last basket he made--a buzzer beater from 30 feet to beat Rhode Island 119-117 in the last game of the year. I was the manager the year he played. The only thing I thought was inaccurate was the part about him getting arrested. It was not on campus; somewhere else in the city. The guy he mentioned might have been with the program (jv team) at the beginning of the season, I won't mention his name because it might not be the same person. (edit: either he got arrested elsewhere AND he broke in a dorm room too, entirely possible) In later years I felt real bad about his experiences at HC, it was a terrible fit. No one knew how awful the environment was he grew up in except probably Mr.Perry. There was no infrastructure at HC to keep a kid like that going in the right direction. Maybe he belonged there, maybe he didn't, but it sure seemed like he was set up to fail. On the other hand, Bill Raynor came pretty much from the same background and succeeded. Wonder why he did and it took poor King many years to find himself. One other thing. I was a grad student at BC, remember there were rumors of him going there. Seemed to make sense with Will Morrison, Smooth Carrington and Billy Collins (Boston 6 guys) doing well at that school. Then it got in the Globe and he was not brought in. Always felt someone connected to BC didn't want him there and made sure it got made public before he got on campus. |
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Post by jkh67 on Jan 25, 2018 20:41:30 GMT -5
I feel a real sadness reading these posts about my classmate, Ron Texeira. After the freshman team went through the season with only one loss to BC -- which was "avenged" when HC beat BC in the return match at the end of the season** -- there were high expectations when the freshmen became eligible to play varsity as sophomores. Ed Siudut showed he was ready to play right from the start, but Ron started out very slowly. However, by the end of his sophomore year, he seemed to be hitting his stride. Then, as noted, shortly after the junior year began, he left the team. I never really understood why -- most likely the public explanation of wanting to focus on academics was merely a cover. ** In the locker room prior to the end-of-the-season game with BC, Coach Herrion called the team together and told then he wanted to tell them his game plan. Then he raised his fist in the air and shouted "REVENGE!" I was in Kimball the night Texeira and Alcindor walked in. The place erupted...and I thought right then and there that any chance we might have had to land Alcindor was gone. Big Lew clearly made the right choice for him. As for Texeira, he didn't like playing the low post and he didn't have good hands for a big man. That freshman squad was going to be the salvation of HC basketball in 1966 or so: Texeira, Siudut, and Foley up front; Mullane and Moore in the backcourt. Siudut turned out to be a stud and Foley had a very nice (and unappreciated career). The other three not so much. As for Texeira, he never gave me the sense that he had any "fire in the belly" for playing b'ball. For what it's worth. |
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Post by Crosser on Jan 25, 2018 23:57:51 GMT -5
After playing only 27 games in his varsity career at HC (none after the second game of his jr. yr.), he was drafted by the Oakland Oaks of the ABA. After he left the team, he would workout at the fieldhouse and lift weights with a heavy leather waist belt similar to those used by the competitors in The World’s Strongest Man competition.
Became a fanatic at this....went from 225lbs. as a frosh to a jacked 265-270lbs. as a Senior.
There was an extensive article about him in the Worcester Magazine about 25 yrs. ago—a “where have they gone” piece. I believe that the article said that he was a graduate of Harvard Business School and, for a time, the Financial VP of the Norton Company, certainly accomplishments which would support his espoused interest in his grades and academics while at HC.
He was the second string Parade Magazine All American center from Catholic Memorial HS in the year (1965) that Lew Alcindor was first team—perhaps along with RP Jr. the highest rated recruit to come to HC in the last 50+ yrs. He was an effective shot blocker and rebounder but had small hands for a person of his size and had limited shooting range.
A distant second team AA. He was athletic but not a banger....effective finesse player.
Always felt that if RP Sr. (who may have been his HS coach at CM) or George Blaney had been his coach at HC, he would have played out his 3 yrs. on the varsity and been more successful. Don’t think that he and Jack Donohue saw eye to eye and certainly Teix (as would anyone) paled in comparison to Alcindor.
They didn't and Donohue didn't hide that in off-court conversations. Unfortunately, Donohue also had a similar situation with local star Hugh O'Malley whose Dad was a legendary Worcester hoops coach and an HC grad. That didn't endear Donohue to the locals at all.
As the posters of my vintage know, the UCLA-HC game at MSG in 1968 was scheduled as a potential marquee rematch of Alcindor and Teixeira who had squared off once in high school and had then been part of the top 2 freshmen teams in the country in 1965-66. But, as we know, the rematch never occurred.
AIR, MSG scheduled UCLA's appearance as 2-night showcase with HC in the first game and versus BC the following night.
In the last 50+ yrs. of HC sports, Teixeira’s departure and the “real” reasons for it remain one of the biggest “mysteries”.
In years past, I used his “story” a number of times when speaking to prospective recruits and their families—indicating that, while his career on the court undoubtedly fell short of his and others expectations, he nevertheless graduated in 4 yrs. with a degree that meant something and provided him with the start to grad school and business success. In short, the message to the prospective student athlete is that, no matter how disappointing your career at HC on the court may turn out to be vis-a-vis your expectations (because of injuries, playing time issues, etc.) you’ll still walk away in 4 yrs. with a degree and alumni support that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Some added comments....
- Just after HC hired Donohue, the NYT had a big article on Alcindor's pending visit to HC with mention of the 6'10 1/2" Teixeira as well as Ed Siudit. Turned out Teixeira was barely 6'9" as a frosh.
- On Alcindors visit, he Teixeira and Donohue walked into the dining hall for lunch and were immediately greeted with a rousing standing ovation amid chants of 'GO CROSS GO' from hundreds of students.
- Teixeira's frosh team, with 6'7" Siudit, 6'4" Bob Foley, 6'1"Jim Moore and 6'2" Chuck Mullane, went 20-1 with the lone loss to star Terry Driscoll's BC team. Their home games at the Worcester Auditorium ( before Varsity games ) were sell-outs.
Gerry Foley, not Bob |
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Post by rickii on Jan 26, 2018 13:27:55 GMT -5
Thanks....I think Jack came first, then Bob and then Gerry....we're way overdue for another
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Post by Tom on Jan 26, 2018 14:33:21 GMT -5
Thanks....I think Jack came first, then Bob and then Gerry.... we're way overdue for anotherBob Foley's son Sean was a walk on late in the Coach Blaney era |
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Post by hcnation on Jan 26, 2018 16:07:11 GMT -5
Before all-American teams were chosen, Bob Cousy was first team all-City at Andrew Jackson in Queens and before Cooz, George Kaftan was the top scorer in the city at Xavier HS All time Holy Cross team from New York vs New Jersey vs Massachusetts - which region would win out ? |
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Post by hchoops on Jan 26, 2018 16:20:16 GMT -5
Before all-American teams were chosen, Bob Cousy was first team all-City at Andrew Jackson in Queens and before Cooz, George Kaftan was the top scorer in the city at Xavier HS All time Holy Cross team from New York vs New Jersey vs Massachusetts - which region would win out ? This was done a few years ago in the summer on the old board. It was a spirited debate. Most thought that NY and Nj were somewhat stronger than Mass.(Foley, Perry, Perry, Siudut, Vicens, etc) I also argued (prejudiced for my NYC) that Cooz, Kaftan, Potter, Shea, Doyle, Greaney, O’Connell, Liebler etc, were slightly better than NJ- Heinsohn, Togo, Hochstein, Wendelken, Markey, Blaney, Witts, Doran, etc. I know i have left some greats out. |
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Post by hcnation on Jan 26, 2018 16:22:37 GMT -5
All time Holy Cross team from New York vs New Jersey vs Massachusetts - which region would win out ? This was done a few years ago in the summer on the old board. It was a spirited debate. Most thought that NY and Nj were somewhat stronger than Mass.(Foley, Perry, Perry, Siudut, Vicens, etc) I also argued that Cooz, Kaftan, Potter, Shea, Doyle, Greaney, O’Connell, Liebler etc, were slightly better than NJ- Heinsohn, Togo, Hochstein, Wendelken, Markey, Blaney, etc. I know i have left some greats out. Thanks |
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