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Post by GuyF on Sept 10, 2014 13:44:27 GMT -5
There will be a time where there will be reconciliation. But we're not there yet, and probably not close.
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Post by jerseygael on Sept 10, 2014 16:45:36 GMT -5
I wouldn't honor Jeff now. The way his head is screwed on he would probably turn it down or use the ceremony to vent again.
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Post by oldtimer on Sept 11, 2014 15:24:11 GMT -5
I wouldn't honor Jeff now. The way his head is screwed on he would probably turn it down or use the ceremony to vent again.[/quote] Valvano was the source of the first information I received that we had out recruited most of college basketball teams for a player named Jeff Ruland from L.I...Shortly after that I was told that he would be playing with a High School all star team game at then Mulcahey...I may be wrong but if memory serves me well the opponents were also a all star team from Russia... Our crowd could not wait to see Jeff...He played well before a packed house...His body had not fully matured, but it was obvious that Iona and Valvano had made quite a recruiting scoop at a time when only the big schools got stars to be... For the following years of his college career our crowd rarely missed a game as we took trips around eastern part of our country...We were fully rewarded when the small college team from New Rochelle trounced the number 1 team in the country at the Garden before 17,000 fans who were stunned in disbelief...Jeff had a monster game which he completely domineered Louisville...We followed his pro career and attended when ever he played in New York or on T.V, and were saddened when injury cut short his playing days... We were delighted when he became Iona's head coach...He did not disappoint as he had some banner years...In his next to final year, you could sense a change in Ruland and Iona basketball...His final year was a disaster led by poor and what seemed lackluster recruiting, and a team that went through the motions along with Jeff ending in a 2-29 season....Something caused this change which triggered his defensive attitude. Has much a Ruland fan as I was, I fully supported his firing and in my usual contrary way posted several comments agreeing...Shortly after I received several comments from boarders informing that Jeff was very displeased with my postings...He evidently read our board... Jeff can be a very loyal friend, and has proved that many times, but he can develop a strong dislike when he perceives he is being wronged...He has a hard time understanding that he is a very noted public figure in the sports world which demands a much thicker skin.........I wish him well and would like nothing better then for him to mend his Iona's grievance.......I promise that I will be first in line to his homecoming...
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Post by inallairness on Sept 16, 2014 22:22:46 GMT -5
Hey. Thanks so much for spotlighting my conversation with Jeff. I really appreciate it. There's a whole archive of my podcast interviews with former players across many eras, here: inallairness.com | Again, thanks! Kind regards, Adam AUSTRALIA
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Post by inallairness on Sept 16, 2014 22:24:30 GMT -5
FYI, radio interview w/Big Jeff. Has some interesting soundbytes on his Iona days, point shaving rumors, Bro Liguori scandal, etc: Quote Just spent a half hour listening to one of the best sport interviews ever........ The interviewer was terrific, and Jeff was his usually 'Tell it like it is' self... Be prepared for some ''Did he really say that'' moments.... It will answer a lot of question you might have about Big Jeff, from his youth, Iona days, Pro life, coaching adventure and the Washington DC debacle to what he looks forward to.... It can be found in the 'Big Jeff'' thread...I am not computer knowledgeable enough to give direct access, but I am sure it was a 05 post.... If you are a Iona basketball fan, don't miss it. You know how to inflate one's ego! Thanks a lot for the kind words. I am very pleased you enjoyed the conversation so much. Kind regards, Adam AUSTRALIA
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Post by inallairness on Sept 16, 2014 22:26:23 GMT -5
Great interview. Actually forgot how great of a pro he was. Best line was when he told Orlando Woolridge "to walk away before he was in worse shape than Jordan", after he blocked Jordan's dunk attempt and put him on his back, and ended it with that grunting type laugh. Thanks for the feedback. I was initially not going to ask about the block on Jordan's dunk attempt, but threw caution to the wind. It was MJ's first game in the NBA, Jeff was the road-block that stopped the jam and his parting words for Woolridge were priceless! Kind regards, Adam AUSTRALIA
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Post by inallairness on Sept 16, 2014 22:27:50 GMT -5
Great interview. That hour seemed like 15 minutes! Very kind of you, thanks! You can hear plenty more conversations with a wide range of great guests, right here: inallairness.comKind regards, Adam AUSTRALIA
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