Reply to thread

Message

[QUOTE="mark79, post: 5202957, member: 421"]
I know I’ve told this story before, but in honor of Tony Bennett retiring I will tell it one last time.

As a former academic mentor for athletes at uva (retirement gig) between students I would sneak into the JPJ gym and watch Tony’s practices. It was a real treat. At first I watched from high up where I couldn’t be seen but I got bolder and one day I was low enough where Tony made eye contact with me when he walked in, but kept on with practice. About 5 minutes later the assistant coach walked up to me but like Tony, he was a class act. He calmly said “are you here with someone today?”  Not to lie, I said “sorry, no, I am an academic mentor between students but I probably shouldn't be here, huh” and he said “preferably not”.  I should have said I’m a Syracuse fan checking out your practices lol.

Another time an assistant coach comped my friend and I tickets first row right behind the bench. After the game Ralph Sampson surprised us by walking up to say hello.

Silly little stories, but to a small degree, I think they exemplify the kind of class his program is run with. He did it old school. And when he could no longer find a way to do that he knew it was time.

Like Hoo said, it’s really just a guess that this is his reason for retiring, but it adds up to me.
[/QUOTE]

Verification

What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?