|
Post by jkh67 on Jan 16, 2023 17:56:19 GMT -5
No matter what you think of Clarence Thomas '71 now, when he was getting the kitchen sink thrown at him during his confirmation hearing, Father Brooks stood up for him and it made me feel very proud of Father and Holy Cross. I can't recall any of the three Jesuit successors defending Holy Cross or an alumnus in quite the same way. It's mostly due to the times but it seemed the most recent Jesuit Presudent, Father B. was on a long apology tour during his tenure. He did not have the gravitas of Father Brooks but Catholic Priests in general don't occupy the same moral high ground as Priests did prior to the Church sex abuse scandal. As others have pointed out on this thread, Brooks did lots of good things at HC, but I've always been ambivalent about his two key sports decisions -- declining to join the Big East in basketball and opting for the Patriot League in all sports. All things considered, however, I think he made the right calls in both cases. As for his support of Clarence Thomas in 1991, I wonder whether he might regret that support were he here today.
|
|
|
Post by KY Crusader 75 on Jan 16, 2023 18:11:23 GMT -5
Here come the politics
|
|
|
Post by hcpride on Jan 16, 2023 18:58:13 GMT -5
No matter what you think of Clarence Thomas '71 now, when he was getting the kitchen sink thrown at him during his confirmation hearing, Father Brooks stood up for him and it made me feel very proud of Father and Holy Cross. I can't recall any of the three Jesuit successors defending Holy Cross or an alumnus in quite the same way. It's mostly due to the times but it seemed the most recent Jesuit Presudent, Father B. was on a long apology tour during his tenure. He did not have the gravitas of Father Brooks but Catholic Priests in general don't occupy the same moral high ground as Priests did prior to the Church sex abuse scandal. As others have pointed out on this thread, Brooks did lots of good things at HC, but I've always been ambivalent about his two key sports decisions -- declining to join the Big East in basketball and opting for the Patriot League in all sports. All things considered, however, I think he made the right calls in both cases. I finally watched the wonderful (2014) 30 for 30 Requiem for the Big East. While the film spends a great deal of time and footage delving into the creation of the league it does not mention Holy Cross as a possible member. It is as if Holy Cross simply did not exist. (Other invitations and declinations/acceptances are described in great detail.) I don't kill Fr Brooks for that one because I don't know how much the Big East/Dave Gavitt actually pursued us for a new league and I don't think Father Brooks was that interested in sports in any case. The Colonial League/ Patriot League decision is one I'd chalk up to unrequited Ivy envy and leave it at that.
|
|
|
Post by A Clock Tower Purple on Jan 16, 2023 19:31:33 GMT -5
^
It was indeed excellent. ESPN screws up a lot, but the 30for30 series is outstanding.
That being said it was focused on the schools that were actually in the BE, and the breakup triggered by the defectors to the ACC. Sorry, but no reason whatsoever for HC to be included in it.
If you want to watch a 30for30 that includes HC, watch Playing for the Mob.
|
|
|
Post by efg72 on Jan 16, 2023 19:52:39 GMT -5
No matter what you think of Clarence Thomas '71 now, when he was getting the kitchen sink thrown at him during his confirmation hearing, Father Brooks stood up for him and it made me feel very proud of Father and Holy Cross. I can't recall any of the three Jesuit successors defending Holy Cross or an alumnus in quite the same way. It's mostly due to the times but it seemed the most recent Jesuit Presudent, Father B. was on a long apology tour during his tenure. He did not have the gravitas of Father Brooks but Catholic Priests in general don't occupy the same moral high ground as Priests did prior to the Church sex abuse scandal. As others have pointed out on this thread, Brooks did lots of good things at HC, but I've always been ambivalent about his two key sports decisions -- declining to join the Big East in basketball and opting for the Patriot League in all sports. All things considered, however, I think he made the right calls in both cases. As for his support of Clarence Thomas in 1991, I wonder whether he might regret that support were he here today. I doubt any supporters regret their actions which I believe will be emphasized in a book written by those close to Orrin Hatch , and after Sen Dodd, Orrin was one of Kennedy’s closest friends- and remember the current President was Chairman of the Judiciary Committee the committee opposed his nomination 9-5 the committee voted 13-1 to report to the floor without a recommendation, which was big given the political narrative of the moment the Democratic Senate supported the nomination 52-48 regrets would not be around Thomas as a person, but the vote the left lost on the Court the rest of the politics is left for others to discuss
|
|
|
Post by mm67 on Jan 16, 2023 20:36:10 GMT -5
To set the record straight: Fr. Brooks was an avid fan of HC sports. He opposed what he considered the overemphasis on sports which worked to the detriment of the education of students.
|
|
|
Post by HC92 on Jan 19, 2023 18:53:38 GMT -5
|
|