"I promised Joyce I wouldn't cry...."

[cto]

For those who were not at the Hardwood Club dinner tonight, that was how Scoop Jardine (final speaker of the evening) began his remarks.

Probably 99 percent of the 1000 folks there had no idea what (or whom) he was talking about, but since everyone here seems to know my name is Joyce, I decided to sort of share the story.

"Love Him or Hate Him"... the headline on Mike Waters lead story in the PS basketball preview edition last fall...sort of summed up the fans' feelings about Scoop at the time (including the fans here). No one quite knew what to make of the team at the time, but Mike's points were 1) Scoop was the team's heart and soul and 2) the team would go as Scoop went.

So here we are, 31 games later, with a 30-1 record, a potential #1 seed, and a point guard who doesn't care whether or not he scores a single point as long as the team wins. (See Bud P's column in the Sunday paper).

Scoop's had a rocky road at SU, at least at the beginning, and I'm not telling stories out of school because he has publicly discussed it. He was almost kicked out school twice his freshman year, he didn't like redshirting during what would have been his sophomore year, he was accused of point-shaving last year by a bunch of s who chose to believe a jokester on a Missouri poker site (!!!!), and he had some personal issues as to whether he would return for a 5th year after graduating last June.

Due to an odd combination of circumstances (and I do mean odd) I was sort of "with Scoop" during all of the above (except for the redshirt year question).

Anyhow, I sat next to Scoop tonight at the Hardwood Club dinner. It was a very emotional evening for him as he listened to speaker after speaker discuss the team and what it has meant to them. Then it was Scoop's turn. As he left the table to go to the stage, I mumbled something to him, including "try not to cry." Hence... the beginning of his unwritten, unscripted, emotional remarks which went on to describe his five years here... and his hopes for the next month.

Okay, for those not there... he came sort of close to crying but he didn't. And he had hugs for everyone at the table when he returned.

And for those who asked for a report on the dinner, I will leave the details to others who were there (and there were a lot of posters there; for example, see Tomcat's report). I will just say this: It was a remarkable evening of love all around by the starters, the reserves, the walk-ons, the managers and the coaches. And a lot of talk of "on to New Orleans.' FUN NIGHT. More of you should try to attend these events.

 

[CuseGrad94]

Hahaha Joyce thank you for not calling me out for stalking you! My wife thought I was insane, but I wanted to thank you for everything you do with this site. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you in NYC.

 

[PeteCalvin]

For those who were not at the Hardwood Club dinner tonight, that was how Scoop Jardine (final speaker of the evening) began his remarks.

Probably 99 percent of the 1000 folks there had no idea what (or whom) he was talking about, but since everyone here seems to know my name is Joyce, I decided to sort of share the story.

"Love Him or Hate Him"... the headline on Mike Waters lead story in the basketball preview edition last fall...sort of summed up the fans' feelings about Scoop at the time (including the fans here). No one quite knew what to make of the team at the time, but Mike's points were 1) Scoop was the team's heart and soul and 2) the team would go as Scoop went.

So here we are, 31 games later, with a 30-1 record, a potential #1 seed, and a point guard who doesn't care whether or not he scores a single point as long as the team wins. (See Bud P's column in the Sunday paper).

Scoop's had a rocky road at SU, at least at the beginning, and I'm not telling stories out of school because he has publicly discussed it. He was almost kicked out school twice his freshman year, he didn't like redshirting during what would have been his sophomore year, he was accused of point-shaving last year by a bunch of s who chose to believe a jokester on a Missouri poker site (!!!!), and he had some personal issues as to whether he would return for a 5th year after graduating last June.

Due to an odd combination of events (and I do mean odd) I was sort of "with Scoop" during all of the above (except for the redshirt year question).

Anyhow, I sat next to Scoop tonight at the Hardwood Club dinner. It was a very emotional evening for him as he listened to speaker after speaker discuss the team and what it has meant to them. Then it was Scoop's turn. As he left the table to go to the stage, I mumbled something to him, including "try not to cry." Hence... the beginning of his unwritten, unscripted remarks which went on to describe his five years here... and his hopes for the next month.

Okay, for those not there... he came sort of close to crying but he didn't. And he had hugs for everyone at the table when he returned.

And for those who asked for a report on the dinner, I will leave the other details to others who were there (and there were a lot of posters there). I will just say this: It was a remarkable evening of love all around by the starters, the reserves, the walk-ons, the managers and the coaches. And a lot of talk of "on to New Orleans.' FUN NIGHT. More of you should try to attend these events.

Great story, Joyce. Thanks for sharing. I wish I could have gone, but my son and I had previous basketball engagements. The one downside of coaching is missing things like this.

 

[TinyManInside]

and he had some personal issues as to whether he would return for a 5th year after graduating last June.

Due to an odd combination of events (and I do mean odd) I was sort of "with Scoop" during all of the above (except for the redshirt year question).

huh? Hadn't heard anything about that...

Nice post Joyce, as always.

 

[orangehomer]

these are great stories, thank you for sharing.

 

[samspann1]

I'll miss Scoop.

 

[rstone7727]

For a kid from the streets of Philly to come here and persevere through all that has gone on, he has earned my respect and admiration.

 

[OrlandoCuse]

Hahaha Joyce thank you for not calling me out for stalking you! My wife thought I was insane, but I wanted to thank you for everything you do with this site. It was a pleasure meeting you and I hope to see you in NYC.

You can never "stalk" Joyce, as she always likes to meet posters in person. She's extremely welcoming. That was my personal experience with her. She's truly the "board mom".

 

[SWC75]

Scoop had a rough first year, even by the standards of most freshmen. Then he redshirted, I thought to get over his injury. He came out and had a fine year in 2009-2010 seson. His constant action on both ends of the court was a big reason why that team did so well. He quickly became my second favorite player on that team, behind Andy Rautins. Last year he had a productive year but seemed a step slower and seemed to feel that he had to do things himself. He's not a huge , "carry the team" type talent so that produced some awkward performances and got a lot of people down on him. The attempt to "save" a ball that didn't need saving vs. Marquette seemed to symbolize the season. This year he found he didn't have to do everything, just run the show and score when there was an opportunity to do so and he had a great year. even in the games where he wasn't statistically productive, he ran the show on offense and was aggressive on defesne. He's a very big reason we are 30-1 and has had one pf the best careers for a point guard at Syracuse University. That plus his positive, extroverted personailtiy should endear him to SU fans for years to come. He'll also have two college degrees, so he should have a successful life, whatever happens in basketball. He'll be a role model for young men showing what can be accomplished with detemination and hard work. Finally he seems to be one of those guys who will "bleed Orange" for the rest of his life and maintain contacts with the University and the community. Go Orange! Go Scoop!

 

[JoeCollege]

You can never "stalk" Joyce, as she always likes to meet posters in person. She's extremely welcoming. That was my personal experience with her. She's truly the "board mom".

Yep- the Boeheim Fan Club is only rivaled in size- heck, probably surpassed- in these parts by the CTO fan club. Amazing person and a great example. Truly blessed that she enrolled at Syracuse in her youth and not at some other college!

 

[mark79]

Joyce, love when you post things like this. Your posts help to make those of us with less access to the inner workings feel like we actually do have that access, and I for one am very, very grateful to you for that. You definitely make being part of this board community a very special thing.



---
I am here: http://tapatalk.com/map.php?hokelj

 

[TexanMark]

Echo everyone's love fest here...BTW, I was down on Scoop early in his career. He really matured and sounds like one of the best leaders this decade on the team. His lead by example has kept the team almost drama free this year. (I don't consider Fine's situation as something the players could control)

I see Scoop playing 4-5 years in Europe...and he should...hopefully he stays in one country and really learns a new language and culture. Coach Hopkins will either take him into the SU coaching family after he stops playing or help set him up somewhere else. Twenty years from now I see Scoop as a head coach somewhere in college.

 

[44PRIDE]

Here goes CTO again...shamelessly beefing up her "likes received" count again.

Great story. In all seriousness, I think CTO could post IKEA furniture assembly instructions and get a half-dozen "likes" on it.

 

[Millhouse]

For those who were not at the Hardwood Club dinner tonight, that was how Scoop Jardine (final speaker of the evening) began his remarks.

Probably 99 percent of the 1000 folks there had no idea what (or whom) he was talking about, but since everyone here seems to know my name is Joyce, I decided to sort of share the story.

"Love Him or Hate Him"... the headline on Mike Waters lead story in the PS basketball preview edition last fall...sort of summed up the fans' feelings about Scoop at the time (including the fans here). No one quite knew what to make of the team at the time, but Mike's points were 1) Scoop was the team's heart and soul and 2) the team would go as Scoop went.

So here we are, 31 games later, with a 30-1 record, a potential #1 seed, and a point guard who doesn't care whether or not he scores a single point as long as the team wins. (See Bud P's column in the Sunday paper).

Scoop's had a rocky road at SU, at least at the beginning, and I'm not telling stories out of school because he has publicly discussed it. He was almost kicked out school twice his freshman year, he didn't like redshirting during what would have been his sophomore year, he was accused of point-shaving last year by a bunch of s who chose to believe a jokester on a Missouri poker site (!!!!), and he had some personal issues as to whether he would return for a 5th year after graduating last June.

Due to an odd combination of circumstances (and I do mean odd) I was sort of "with Scoop" during all of the above (except for the redshirt year question).

Anyhow, I sat next to Scoop tonight at the Hardwood Club dinner. It was a very emotional evening for him as he listened to speaker after speaker discuss the team and what it has meant to them. Then it was Scoop's turn. As he left the table to go to the stage, I mumbled something to him, including "try not to cry." Hence... the beginning of his unwritten, unscripted, emotional remarks which went on to describe his five years here... and his hopes for the next month.

Okay, for those not there... he came sort of close to crying but he didn't. And he had hugs for everyone at the table when he returned.

And for those who asked for a report on the dinner, I will leave the details to others who were there (and there were a lot of posters there; for example, see Tomcat's report). I will just say this: It was a remarkable evening of love all around by the starters, the reserves, the walk-ons, the managers and the coaches. And a lot of talk of "on to New Orleans.' FUN NIGHT. More of you should try to attend these events.

Thanks for that joycCTO

i have really enjoyed Good Scoop this year. I'd be lying if i wasn't scared of Bad Scoop emerging at the worst time but I'm so much less scared than I was at the beginning of the year and he's already given us a special year. He led the way with unselfish leadership this year.

 

[orangenirvana]

Thanks so much for sharing, cto.

 

[edowd26]

For those who were not at the Hardwood Club dinner tonight, that was how Scoop Jardine (final speaker of the evening) began his remarks.

Probably 99 percent of the 1000 folks there had no idea what (or whom) he was talking about, but since everyone here seems to know my name is Joyce, I decided to sort of share the story.

"Love Him or Hate Him"... the headline on Mike Waters lead story in the PS basketball preview edition last fall...sort of summed up the fans' feelings about Scoop at the time (including the fans here). No one quite knew what to make of the team at the time, but Mike's points were 1) Scoop was the team's heart and soul and 2) the team would go as Scoop went.

So here we are, 31 games later, with a 30-1 record, a potential #1 seed, and a point guard who doesn't care whether or not he scores a single point as long as the team wins. (See Bud P's column in the Sunday paper).

Scoop's had a rocky road at SU, at least at the beginning, and I'm not telling stories out of school because he has publicly discussed it. He was almost kicked out school twice his freshman year, he didn't like redshirting during what would have been his sophomore year, he was accused of point-shaving last year by a bunch of s who chose to believe a jokester on a Missouri poker site (!!!!), and he had some personal issues as to whether he would return for a 5th year after graduating last June.

Due to an odd combination of circumstances (and I do mean odd) I was sort of "with Scoop" during all of the above (except for the redshirt year question).

Anyhow, I sat next to Scoop tonight at the Hardwood Club dinner. It was a very emotional evening for him as he listened to speaker after speaker discuss the team and what it has meant to them. Then it was Scoop's turn. As he left the table to go to the stage, I mumbled something to him, including "try not to cry." Hence... the beginning of his unwritten, unscripted, emotional remarks which went on to describe his five years here... and his hopes for the next month.

Okay, for those not there... he came sort of close to crying but he didn't. And he had hugs for everyone at the table when he returned.

And for those who asked for a report on the dinner, I will leave the details to others who were there (and there were a lot of posters there; for example, see Tomcat's report). I will just say this: It was a remarkable evening of love all around by the starters, the reserves, the walk-ons, the managers and the coaches. And a lot of talk of "on to New Orleans.' FUN NIGHT. More of you should try to attend these events.

That is awesome, all of it. But I do have 2 questions:

1) Did he really promise you this? or did you just talk about crying with him?

2) Was it a pinky promise? If not, it lacks validity. A pinky promise is like signing your name with a notary public sitting right there with their stamp ready to roll.

 

[TexanMark]

Apparently Scoop got someone crying

http://www.nunesmagician.com/2012/3...ell-all-miss-scoop-via-mommybean0317#comments

 

[stuckinbig11]

It was a great evening, Joyce. For those of you that did not attend, Scoop did not eat a bite of his meal, largely because he was surrounded most of the evening by kids (and adults) wanting autographs and photos. He was clearly the most popular player there.

 

[Cheriehoop]

Great post Joyce. Scoop didn't cry but he was very emotional. He gave a great speech. Scoop has evolved not only on the court and off the court but he has become an excellent communicator. I could see that young man becoming a coach, a color commentator, doing some type of PR and/or sales work etc in his future. I think that's one of the most enjoyable benefits of being a fan - watching these kids mature.

 

[orangefan13]

Scoops best offseason was this last one. As long as he has been here that speaks so much about Scoop.
He has been Awesome this year.

 

[orangecuse]

Great post Joyce. Scoop didn't cry but he was very emotional. He gave a great speech. Scoop has evolved not only on the court and off the court but he has become an excellent communicator. I could see that young man becoming a coach, a color commentator, doing some type of PR and/or sales work etc in his future. I think that's one of the most enjoyable benefits of being a fan - watching these kids mature.

Guys like Scoop are why, for me, I prefer having everyday of the week and twice on Sundays before the one and doners.

 

[SWC75]

Here goes CTO again...shamelessly beefing up her "likes received" count again.

Great story. In all seriousness, I think CTO could post IKEA furniture assembly instructions and get a half-dozen "likes" on it.

I have more likes than she does but my percentage is like Arinze's Onuaku's free throw percentage.

Her's is more like GMACs.