bill, thank you for reminding us about the coach who really got Iona BB off the ground. Wish we had a tribute (photo/plaque) to him in the lobby of the HAC. When our latest renovation of the Hynes Center was completed a few years back, I tried unsuccessfully to have a pictorial history of the Home of the Gaels, starting with the O'Connell Gym, followed by the Mulcahy Center, The Hynes Center and the Renovated Hynes Center, out in the Lobby. In order to show how far we came. The Athletic Department didn't agree.
While, I'm not sure, but I believe that Jim McDermott and John Wooden were stationed and played BB at The Great Lakes Naval Station during WW11. and it was located in Illinois and not Iowa.
And before we get too proud of our BB heritage, we have a game tomorrow night against a team that was coached by Jim Phelan for 49 years.
bill, thank you for reminding us about the coach who really got Iona BB off the ground. Wish we had a tribute (photo/plaque) to him in the lobby of the HAC. When our latest renovation of the Hynes Center was completed a few years back, I tried unsuccessfully to have a pictorial history of the Home of the Gaels, starting with the O'Connell Gym, followed by the Mulcahy Center, The Hynes Center and the Renovated Hynes Center, out in the Lobby. In order to show how far we came. The Athletic Department didn't agree.
While, I'm not sure, but I believe that Jim McDermott and John Wooden were stationed and played BB at The Great Lakes Naval Station during WW11. and it was located in Illinois and not Iowa.
And before we get too proud of our BB heritage, we have a game tomorrow night against a team that was coached by Jim Phelan for 49 years.
59 based on reading these quotes about Coach McDermott and seeing his record and tenure, it is clear that he is the coach that established Iona Men's Basketball. Coach Valvano, culminating in his signature win against Louisville at MSG, and yes winning a NCAAT game, brought the Gaels more into the National Spotlight. IMO, those are the two most impactful coaches in Iona Basketball History. A third impactful coach would be one who would take the program to a higher level, perhaps a St. Mary's level. Will there ever be such a coach?
It's actually stupefying if there is not a tribute to Coach McDermott somewhere in the Hynes Center.
bill, you remember the song, "Where have all the flowers gone?" Well, this past Sunday I attended my FIRST pre-game reception since before Covid hit, and I couldn't believe how few Iona people I knew or even recognized. And I'm sure if I asked all in attendance, do you know who Jim McDermott was, I don't believe many would answer in the Affirmative. But that shouldn't mean we don't recognize the people who built the BB program at Iona.
bill, you remember the song, "Where have all the flowers gone?" Well, this past Sunday I attended my FIRST pre-game reception since before Covid hit, and I couldn't believe how few Iona people I knew or even recognized. And I'm sure if I asked all in attendance, do you know who Jim McDermott was, I don't believe many would answer in the Affirmative. But that shouldn't mean we don't recognize the people who built the BB program at Iona.
Post by hawaii bill on Feb 2, 2023 10:21:38 GMT -5
There's a tribute here to Coach McDermott from John Wooden. John Effing Wooden. Think about that. Carnesseca here essentially states that McDermott taught him everything he knew about basketball.
bill, you remember the song, "Where have all the flowers gone?" Well, this past Sunday I attended my FIRST pre-game reception since before Covid hit, and I couldn't believe how few Iona people I knew or even recognized. And I'm sure if I asked all in attendance, do you know who Jim McDermott was, I don't believe many would answer in the Affirmative. But that shouldn't mean we don't recognize the people who built the BB program at Iona.
Another McDermott story. Jim stayed in the Navy Reserve and I believe retired as a Commander or a Lieutenant Commander. When I graduated from Iona Jim tried to recruit me to join the Navy Reserve. I thanked him but along with two friends we had pushed up our Draft status and were going into the Army together. And come Sept. 10, 1959 we headed to the Army Induction Center at Whitehall St. in NYC. Unfortunately, there was a problem with my friends' paperwork so they were sent home and I was sent to Ft. Benning.
Jim was a great guy. Got my feet wet watching Iona games in the O’Connell “gym” as well MSM and the Prep. Tough recruiting in those days. The tributes were well deserved. Ah! The Whitehall street induction center. I received my letter to report with the subway token included. Different era.
bill, thank you for reminding us about the coach who really got Iona BB off the ground. Wish we had a tribute (photo/plaque) to him in the lobby of the HAC. When our latest renovation of the Hynes Center was completed a few years back, I tried unsuccessfully to have a pictorial history of the Home of the Gaels, starting with the O'Connell Gym, followed by the Mulcahy Center, The Hynes Center and the Renovated Hynes Center, out in the Lobby. In order to show how far we came. The Athletic Department didn't agree.
While, I'm not sure, but I believe that Jim McDermott and John Wooden were stationed and played BB at The Great Lakes Naval Station during WW11. and it was located in Illinois and not Iowa.
And before we get too proud of our BB heritage, we have a game tomorrow night against a team that was coached by Jim Phelan for 49 years.
59 based on reading these quotes about Coach McDermott and seeing his record and tenure, it is clear that he is the coach that established Iona Men's Basketball. Coach Valvano, culminating in his signature win against Louisville at MSG, and yes winning a NCAAT game, brought the Gaels more into the National Spotlight. IMO, those are the two most impactful coaches in Iona Basketball History. A third impactful coach would be one who would take the program to a higher level, perhaps a St. Mary's level. Will there ever be such a coach?
It's actually stupefying if there is not a tribute to Coach McDermott somewhere in the Hynes Center.
This is great content Bill! Thanks for posting.
I would add Cluess to that list as well. McDermott, Valvano and Cluess. That is the Mount Rushmore of Iona coaches right there.
59 based on reading these quotes about Coach McDermott and seeing his record and tenure, it is clear that he is the coach that established Iona Men's Basketball. Coach Valvano, culminating in his signature win against Louisville at MSG, and yes winning a NCAAT game, brought the Gaels more into the National Spotlight. IMO, those are the two most impactful coaches in Iona Basketball History. A third impactful coach would be one who would take the program to a higher level, perhaps a St. Mary's level. Will there ever be such a coach?
It's actually stupefying if there is not a tribute to Coach McDermott somewhere in the Hynes Center.
This is great content Bill! Thanks for posting.
I would add Cluess to that list as well. McDermott, Valvano and Cluess. That is the Mount Rushmore of Iona coaches right there.
