JB and Jule need to issue a statement along the lines of:

[Capt. Tuttle]

We are truly shocked and dismayed by todays events. The Fines have been our friends, as a couple,, for X years and Bernie has been Jim's friend for 50 years. The Fine's appeared to be a regular couple, just like so many people we all know.
If in fact my friend Bernie is gay, I feel badly that he did not feel as though he could tell me. That is my failing as his friend. He should have felt comfortable enough to tell me.
To the point that perhaps he thought that coming out would inhibit his ability to work in our sport, I believe that is a much broader, societal failing, and we should do what we can in our business to make sure that all people feel welcome.
As to the issues with the allegations that some sordid incidents occurred while these young men were under age, I will leave that to the courts to sort out. I have already said some things based on emotion and trust that, in hindsight, I should have said differently. However, I stand by my premise that I was right, at the time, with what I knew and believed to be the facts, to stand by my friend. I stand before you today, like many of you, shocked by what I heard on that tape. As you can imagine, this has shaken us and our family tremendously.
Effectively immediately, Gerry McNamara has been elevated to permanent assistant coach for the remainder of the season, and Berne FIne is no longer a member of the staff of Syracuse men's basketball.

 

[EastCoast2]

no need for Juli to get involved at all, IMO

 

[dash-30-dash]

way too much. way too much.

 

[Flacusian]

Jim and Julie will say whatever they feel needs to be said when they feel the time is right. Julie likely needs say nothing at all.

 

[IthacaBarrel]

way too much. way too much.

agreed, geeze

 

[rstone7727]

Cantor has already said there will be no more talking for now.

 

[Capt. Tuttle]

I think it can deflect some issues and portray (hopefully correctly) the JB's as being duped by all of this. Also, people like Julie

 

[Dick_in_MI]

I think it can deflect some issues and portray (hopefully correctly) the JB's as being duped by all of this. Also, people like Julie

Julie isn't a part of this, nor does she work for SU. Anything that JB says should be handed to him by the Chancellor and SU's Legal staff.

IMHO, he should really be saying anything at this point...this should all be handled at levels above him

 

[CiscoCuse]

Julie needs to stay completely out of this...and as for JB, let Cantor make the next statement.

 

[Cuseregular]

thanks for sharing. No way no how you should feel "bad" as it pertains to yourselves. For the Fines/others completely appropriate to feel angry and bad. Though too many not only here but in general with circumstances like this want to minimize it all as its human nature to deflect and/or not want to deal, we have to. Look to your faith, family and other friends for support in getting through this hard time. If this sounds like a eulogy well then it makes sense as effectively what the analogy is.

Hang in there and stay strong man.

 

[Fishy]

"I am sure all of you can imagine how shocked and dismayed I was by the revelations that came to light earlier today. In fact, in my grief, this morning I walked over to Bernie Fine's house and I beat him to death with a shovel. I now consider this matter closed". --JB

 

[cto]

"I am sure all of you can imagine how shocked and dismayed I was by the revelations that came to light earlier today. In fact, in my grief, this morning I walked over to Bernie Fine's house and I beat him to death with a shovel. I now consider this matter closed". --JB

Fishy, you've always had a "special way" with words.

 

[dash-30-dash]

what is he doing here? Fishy is a guy that I have never...

 

[RF2044]

agreed, geeze

+2

 

[jsshap]

We are truly shocked and dismayed by todays events. The Fines have been our friends, as a couple,, for X years and Bernie has been Jim's friend for 50 years. The Fine's appeared to be a regular couple, just like so many people we all know.
If in fact my friend Bernie is gay, I feel badly that he did not feel as though he could tell me. That is my failing as his friend. He should have felt comfortable enough to tell me.
To the point that perhaps he thought that coming out would inhibit his ability to work in our sport, I believe that is a much broader, societal failing, and we should do what we can in our business to make sure that all people feel welcome.
As to the issues with the allegations that some sordid incidents occurred while these young men were under age, I will leave that to the courts to sort out. I have already said some things based on emotion and trust that, in hindsight, I should have said differently. However, I stand by my premise that I was right, at the time, with what I knew and believed to be the facts, to stand by my friend. I stand before you today, like many of you, shocked by what I heard on that tape. As you can imagine, this has shaken us and our family tremendously.
Effectively immediately, Gerry McNamara has been elevated to permanent assistant coach for the remainder of the season, and Berne FIne is no longer a member of the staff of Syracuse men's basketball.

A statement, yes, but that would be a terrible statement. "I feel badly he could not tell me...that was my failing," "sordid acts" (as opposed to vile, tragic crimes), "leave for the courts to sort out". None of this need or should be said.

 

[pfister1]

Julie isn't a part of this, nor does she work for SU. Anything that JB says should be handed to him by the Chancellor and SU's Legal staff.

IMHO, he should really be saying anything at this point...this should all be handled at levels above him

The biggest problem with issuing any response is it isn't clear what anything that has been released proves and its also not clear what the next shoe to drop (ie. what was found in the search) is going to be. Will it further implicate BF as a child molester or just an unfaithful gay man; will it implicate LF as complicit in BF's victimization of children, tacit approval of his gay affair(s) or as an adultress herself; or will it go in an entirely different direction and uncover that their son was running a drug distribution business (insert your ridiculous tangent angle of choice here).

 

[007]

Julie isn't a part of this, nor does she work for SU. Anything that JB says should be handed to him by the Chancellor and SU's Legal staff.

IMHO, he should really be saying anything at this point...this should all be handled at levels above him

Like closing the barn door after the cows have escaped. He is already on record. The most he should say (although I am of the strong opinion that he should say nothing at all) is that he is shocked and deeply disappointed.

 

[Dick_in_MI]

Like closing the barn door after the cows have escaped. He is already on record. The most he should say (although I am of the strong opinion that he should say nothing at all) is that he is shocked and deeply disappointed.

As I have said elsewhere, I want ALL communication coming from the Chancellor. Not Grosss, and certainly not JB. This is a University issue, not a basketball issue.

 

[007]

As I have said elsewhere, I want ALL communication coming from the Chancellor. Not Grosss, and certainly not JB. This is a University issue, not a basketball issue.

We are of the same mind on this Dick. And, I have been saying from day one that JB crossed way, way over the line with his definitive statements. I would certainly hope that there is a "gag order" in effect now. But, I am afraid that the damage has been done with respect to JB.

 

[StillJimPA]

On JB, in my former life I had far too much involvement with attorneys, spin doctors, and prepared statements. My conclusion after many years is all of these people should find real jobs that have intrinsic value.

That said, and with the presumption JB knew nothing of Fines boudoir adventures, I frankly applaud JB for having the fortitude to speak out in defense of a friend of 50 years who he believed to be innocent. I find it old school refreshing...sorry if you disagree.

When things get difficult I think want JB in the foxhole next to me instead of a PR type.

So, there are those who think JB should be canned because he supported this friend in good faith? These folks are way off base.