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Post by sader1970 on Jul 9, 2019 15:20:17 GMT -5
Just back from the press conference with a small contingent of Crossporters. Have not had time to read other posts but assume most have seen the live stream. I have pictures and video as well. Some things not seen or heard. We met wife Jamie and son Eli. The whole family excited to be at Holy Cross (in fairness, they'd probably be excited at any place Brett became head coach). Jehyve was "in the building" and a little anecdote from BN: He met Jehyve with Eli and both he and Eli were VERY impressed with Jehyve and after a 20 minute conversation, Eli told his father, "we need to keep him on the team!!" Brett had to explain that he couldn't be on the team. Eli at 8 years old is a mini-me of Brett as they were dressed in the same blue suit, blue shirt and purple tie. Jamie is a sweetheart and will make the transition easier for Brett. Eli will be going to the 3rd grade but too early to know where they will settle. After Brett shared the Jehyve story, I told him, "you know, it is perfectly permissible to recruit a player who is taller than 6'8"" and he chuckled and said "that will be one of my priorities." He was asked when the recruiting would commence and he said Thursday but he would NOT be hitting the road because that is the last day of the summer session and he wants to meet and get to know the players better who are on campus. He talked to the whole team already but many, by necessity, by phone. He did say that his recruiting has been changed (implying we are losing some players) Not from Brett but another source, that seemed to imply we were NOT going to lose any players. So, many mixed signals here. Bob Chesney was at the post-game reception but I did not have a chance to speak with him as he was tied up with a staffer and left before I could collar him. Now having met both Chesney and Nelson, they have a lot of similarities being young, up & comers, that will likely be strong recruiters and get people to run through brick walls for them. That said, Chesney won't be holding second place to him for excitement. Here is a pic:
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Post by sader1970 on Jul 9, 2019 15:29:53 GMT -5
Oh, also met Marcus Blossom. As impressive or more so than Brett - and that's saying something. Yeah, I gave him a hard time about the "blemish" on his otherwise sterling resume - the stain of being associated with the school in Chestnut Hill. He took it in the light vein in which it was intended. What I really liked was that he seemed very close to Jehyve with lots of hugs and good cheer. They obviously bonded in a very short time.
You all have already seen it but what struck me in the presser was that Marcus said one of the things that impressed him about Brett was that he knows that he doesn't "know it all" and will to work on those areas that need development. It also came across that he will be much more flexible with his players and game plans that the past regime.
I don't think anyone in the media hit either Brett or Marcus up with any hardball questions but in fairness, neither did any of us post press conference.
My memory is such that someone needs to "prime the pump" on a subject for me to remember any more specifics right now.
Bottom line: I am as excited about Brett Nelson as I was with Bob Chesney. I think the leadership of our top two sports is in good hands and I believe Marcus Blossom will be an outstanding AD.
[Ask me again in 5 years, I hope I won't have to eat my words!!]
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Post by matunuck on Jul 9, 2019 15:30:41 GMT -5
Excellent comments by Coach Nelson today. But I do find it ironic that our new coach noted that he knew about HC precisely because of our basketball history. Who says athletic entertainment is irrelevant
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 9, 2019 15:31:32 GMT -5
Those are old guys in the pic. Where's the Crossporters?
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Post by CHC8485 on Jul 9, 2019 15:31:42 GMT -5
He was asked when the recruiting would commence and he said Thursday but he would NOT be hitting the road because that is the last day of the summer session and he wants to meet and get to know the players better who are on campus. He talked to the whole team already but many, by necessity, by phone. He did say that his recruiting has been changed (implying we are losing some players) Want to jump in here real quick. I took that quote to mean something VERY different. Paraphrasing here, but I heard it as recruiting starts Thursday but he'll be going on the road with a different recruiting plan now. I thought he was referring to who he'd be recruiting at Holy Cross vs. Marquette. Not his plan today vs. 5 days ago. In fact I said to him, we'd be glad to have a player or two he was recruiting at Marquette come to Holy Cross. He laughed, nodded and said he'd be making a few phone calls. More impressions from me later, but ultimately positive reviews from me.
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Post by DiMarz on Jul 9, 2019 15:31:56 GMT -5
A few thoughts from the presser.. Coach Nelson is full of enthusiasm and energy....I firmly believe that will carry to his team.... He is a M2M guy, but didn't say they will play that...He talked about evaluating every part of the team and then moving forward... He did indicate the team will play quick and used the word relentless regarding D.... He got smiles from the players in attendance when he mentioned playing fast on offense.. He did respond in the positive with a big smile when a Crossporter mentioned it was ok to recruit players bigger than 6'8"....and that felt like a priority to me in his response, He is going to recruit some size.... Coach mentioned all the talent between DC and Boston, and the prep schools..His feeling is there are plenty of very good player to recruit in this part of the country... AD Blossom seems like a classy guy...came over and introduced himself before the presser...seems very confident.. Overall, he is a breath of fresh air.....and he knew it was Woostah, not Worcester...He learned that quickly when he was recruiting in the area years ago...
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Post by CHC8485 on Jul 9, 2019 15:35:22 GMT -5
Those are old guys in the pic. Where's the Crossporters? I think Jehyve would object to being called old. So do I. To quote Monty Python and the Holy Grail, sort of - I'm 56. I'm not old.
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Post by breezy on Jul 9, 2019 15:37:25 GMT -5
First question for me is whether the assistants will be retained or replaced. Does the comment that they will be out on the road recruiting mean that they will remain as assistants?
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Post by hchoops on Jul 9, 2019 15:42:11 GMT -5
My questions is which players were there ? Were Green or Grandison there ?
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Post by longsuffering on Jul 9, 2019 15:42:48 GMT -5
First question for me is whether the assistants will be retained or replaced. Does the comment that they will be out on the road recruiting mean that they will remain as assistants? The staff hitting the road could be either the current assistants or new ones, but he probably would have introduced any new ones. It appears the current assistants are being productive for Holy Cross.
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Post by hchoops on Jul 9, 2019 15:44:31 GMT -5
From the posters who were there, what is your take ?
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Post by sader1970 on Jul 9, 2019 15:44:53 GMT -5
Ya know, Bob, when I was investigating accidents it was amazing how 2,3,4 witnesses seeing the same thing had different interpretations of what they saw. You may be right. I hope so. See my post above in which a source in the Athletic Department (no, not Blossom) strongly implied that our roster has not/will not lose anyone. Since that was second hand, I'll actually believe it when I see it. In which case, your interpretation would make a lot more sense. But I was especially pleased to hear he was looking for players with some altitude.
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Post by sader1970 on Jul 9, 2019 15:46:08 GMT -5
That it would be the current assistants. But, then again, you might want 8485's take on it.
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Post by southernsader on Jul 9, 2019 15:46:52 GMT -5
At 56 on this board, no you are not old!
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Post by hchoops on Jul 9, 2019 15:47:03 GMT -5
Which players were there ? Please
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Post by sader1970 on Jul 9, 2019 16:02:17 GMT -5
They were on the other side of the room from where I was sitting and between people and the cameras, I did not get a good look but the players I saw were not recognizable to me so assume they were freshmen. I did see Verbeek at the post game reception but did not see him sitting during the press conference.
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Post by DiMarz on Jul 9, 2019 16:16:08 GMT -5
They were on the other side of the room from where I was sitting and between people and the cameras, I did not get a good look but the players I saw were not recognizable to me so assume they were freshmen. I did see Verbeek at the post game reception but did not see him sitting during the press conference. Verbeek looked like he has bulked up a bit..Yeutter was with him, they came in late and hit the refreshment table and exited quickly....
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jul 9, 2019 16:17:52 GMT -5
If the players were on campus for summer session, they probably could ill-afford on the next-to-last-days of summer session to be at a presser. Almost certainly they were in class at 11AM ______________
JF probably continuing to work out at HC prior to crossing the pond. .
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Post by sader1970 on Jul 9, 2019 16:19:07 GMT -5
Start of press conference:
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Post by Pakachoag Phreek on Jul 9, 2019 16:26:50 GMT -5
I don't know oi Billy Donovan is generous or sparing with his praise, but this, IMO, is highly complimentary.
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Post by purplehaze on Jul 9, 2019 16:34:23 GMT -5
Did Brett say if he's met Ann McDermott - he talked a lot about relationships and this one might be the most important one (and I bet he never had to be concerned with the dir of admissions at Marquette !) Seriously this admissions matter is huge going forward if we're really going to climb to the top of the PL
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Post by Crucis#1 on Jul 9, 2019 16:42:17 GMT -5
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Post by timholycross on Jul 9, 2019 16:46:01 GMT -5
Did Brett say if he's met Ann McDermott - he talked a lot about relationships and this one might be the most important one (and I bet he never had to be concerned with the dir of admissions at Marquette !) Seriously this admissions matter is huge going forward if we're really going to climb to the top of the PL I'd think the relationship with Fr. Burroughs might be even more important than that. Or someone else, trustee, etc.; who might be deemed one of the "TPTB".
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Post by ts1970 on Jul 9, 2019 16:51:29 GMT -5
At 56 on this board, no you are not old! Hey, I'll gladly take 56 again.....hell for that matter, I'd take 66 if it was possible.
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Post by WorcesterGray on Jul 9, 2019 17:16:24 GMT -5
Verbeek looked like he has bulked up a bit..Yeutter was with him, they came in late and hit the refreshment table and exited quickly.... Thanks for all the reports, DiMarz.
I would think Yeutter is going to get a shot to back up the point. When was the last time a walk-on got significant time here? Geo?
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