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Conversation with SLU New President about Basketball


cheeseman

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My son lives in San Diego and went to an alumni gathering the other day where our new president attended. It was small gathering so everyone there got to have a fair amount of one on one with him and his wife if you were so inclined. Among the many questions my son asked him were a couple about Billiken Basketball - its current situation and future as our president sees it. First my son thought he was a pretty sharp guy for what that is worth. On the topic of the current season - he said he has been to every home game and his wife has attend half with him. He said he likes Crews. He said he understands that this is a rebuilding year but he is not interested in every year being a rebuilding year. He expects long term success. He sees the value of a strong athletic program for enhancing the schools image locally and nationally as well as recruiting students and keeping pride and morale high among students and alumni. He likes the A10 and has no reason to consider moving unless a better option comes up such as the Big East but right now that is not something on anybody's immediate radar. He believes that the athletic program has to be appropriately financially supported but not at the expense of the school's other programs - it is his job to see that the entire University is properly funded. He and his wife are looking forward to the Dayton game since they were there for many years. I know some of his responses sound a bit political but I think if you read between the lines he seems to be someone who values the athletic program or else he would not be going to all the home games - do as I do not as I say. I believe from what he said about Crews that Crews has a some rope but he is expected to get results - how long a rope he has who knows but anybody who is going to the games has to be suffering the same pain we all are who are watching this year unfold on the floor.

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I've seen Biondi at more games this season than I have in many years when he was the President.

I dunno. It sure seemed like he attended the majority, if not the vast majority, of games when he was president.

The difference between Cheese's account above and the Biondi years was that Biondi would never have spent that much time with a sub-elite donor (and I'm making an assumption about Cheese Jr. for which I apologize if it's incorrect).

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St. Bonnie: I think this is quite the truth: generally the new prez is genial, open to lengthy talk, and very "present" on campus, in a way that has never been the same with our former leader. Dr. Pestello shows up at all kinds of events, and talks to --well, anyone who wants to talk. I'm not certain that is the key to big time leadership but it certainly is different. Dr. P is often at academic panels, campus events, etc....

FYI, Fr. B. was at a lot of the games, about 8 rows up on the north side of the bowl. But he traveled a lot too, so obviously if he was in China, or Cypress, or wherever, he was not in the Fetz. I met Fr. B. on many occasions and I never once felt like he recognized me or knew who the H___ I was. I think it is not an exaggeration to say, most faculty tended to avoid him; sort of like when the Meryl Streep character arrives in The Devil Wears Prada.

I dunno. It sure seemed like he attended the majority, if not the vast majority, of games when he was president.

The difference between Cheese's account above and the Biondi years was that Biondi would never have spent that much time with a sub-elite donor (and I'm making an assumption about Cheese Jr. for which I apologize if it's incorrect).

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It's a little misleading to say Davidson is a 'tiny town,' as it's 26 minutes north of Charlotte, about the same distance that Chesterfield is to St. Louis. More like a farther-flung suburb, given Charlotte's growth. Nonetheless, I don't think Davidson is our primary competition for potential Big East expansion. If anything, SLU is its own worst enemy right now until and unless the program can show it can sustain competitiveness.

Also, thanks for the link. My lady has been looking for some great deals on a new motorcycle jacket.

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