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Message: [QUOTE="BillSU, post: 4598954, member: 6809"] He’d be in the car before the bus taking his team departed for the Farmington Marriott. No dust ever settled on his shoulders from the plane to the car when recruiting a player was involved. He had to get there as soon as possible. Jim settled into the back seat and another friend and Syracuse grad at the wheel and I were suddenly on our way to see another recruit Jim was interested in. The recruiting trips over the years in CT from the airport after the team arrived were few but enjoyable. I’ve missed those trips since Syracuse joined the ACC and really before that he was recruiting nationally. But, part of each recruiting trip would also include Jim asking, “Is there an Italian restaurant around here?” It was post game and Jim and all of us were hungry. There was an immediate answer from me, as I lived a mile from a French restaurant nestled alongside the Farmington River. French! Jim loves Italian. But having eaten at L’Auberge de Paris, a small, inn par excellence with spectacular food created by a chef from NYC who could make any dish sing would do just fine, I thought. It turned out to be a wonderful suggestion and lasted years. After every trip he’d ask, "is that Auberge place still open?" He loved it. There have been many stories about Jim Boeheim’s Italian food interest. Honestly, his appetite was great and he would order the same meal every time, chicken parm. I think he loved it too, because of the flaming, Crepe Suzette presented at the table for our dessert by the owner who got to know Jim the coach and person. Jim always asked the owner how the chef made the parm sauce/gravy, and the chef would explain, even giving Jim the recipie. He always left smiling and satiated. I thought I’d offer a personal story post his retirement and all the stories I’ve read from everyone who knew him, from reporters to the PTI guys to his players. When I first learned about it I was a little in disbelief. Not because I didn’t know it was coming, but by the way it was handled. I sit here a little sad and write this with tears in my eyes and a stupid, lump in my throat because I knew him and how he loves Syracuse and his players. Sure, there were words of how great a coach he was and the length of his tenure from SU Athletics and the head of the ACC. I think it would be a better gesture if there was a Celebrate Boeheim Night. Something that the higher ups plan for him at the Dome that fans, students and players could participate in and know that this man made Syracuse a place to come to because of the basketball team. I wish they would do it and I could hear the roar of everyone cheering for him, celebrating him. They haven’t done that and out of respect, and his achievements. He deserves that. I hope they will. [/QUOTE]

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