cto
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Providence coach Ed Cooley -- my favorite Big East coach -- was my seat mate today at a charity breakfast in Bridgeport where he was the guest speaker. Ed, whom I know from his coaching stint at Fairfield University, began our conversation by saying: "Syracuse will have a scary good team this year." As Ed is very friendly with Jim Boeheim, I suspect Jim may have had input into that assessment.
Ed's response when I asked him what we can expect this season from Paschal Chukwu (our transfer from Providence): "He won't score much, but he will be a fabulous defensive presence for you around the basket."
When I complimented Ed on Providence's great season this year, he responded: "We were doing pretty well until we ran into North Carolina in the tournament." When I reminded him the same thing happened to SU (running into UNC), he replied: "Yes, but we ran into them in Raleigh, not at the Final Four." We then both thanked the Basketball Gods for banning NCAA post-season play in North Carolina this season (thereby depriving both Duke and UNC of two "home games").
And he shared something newsy (which has not been announced publicly): Ed told me he will be one of the assistant coaches for the 2020 USA Olympic basketball team under new head coach Gregg Popovich).
Ed is a dynamic and moving speaker. For anyone planning a charitable event in New England, especially for a charity that benefits inner city children, I could not think of a better speaker. He was essentially raised in an inner-city foster home, and he can really relate to the mission and successes of organizations such as the Cardinal Shehan Center.
Ed's response when I asked him what we can expect this season from Paschal Chukwu (our transfer from Providence): "He won't score much, but he will be a fabulous defensive presence for you around the basket."
When I complimented Ed on Providence's great season this year, he responded: "We were doing pretty well until we ran into North Carolina in the tournament." When I reminded him the same thing happened to SU (running into UNC), he replied: "Yes, but we ran into them in Raleigh, not at the Final Four." We then both thanked the Basketball Gods for banning NCAA post-season play in North Carolina this season (thereby depriving both Duke and UNC of two "home games").
And he shared something newsy (which has not been announced publicly): Ed told me he will be one of the assistant coaches for the 2020 USA Olympic basketball team under new head coach Gregg Popovich).
Ed is a dynamic and moving speaker. For anyone planning a charitable event in New England, especially for a charity that benefits inner city children, I could not think of a better speaker. He was essentially raised in an inner-city foster home, and he can really relate to the mission and successes of organizations such as the Cardinal Shehan Center.
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