Great Article about the history of the BET, etc...

[HoyaSox04]

Although from the Boston Globe, its not whining about BC at all... rather lamenting the death of the BE as it was born to be.

www.boston.com/sports/colleges/mens_basketball/articles/2005/03/08/breakup_party_for_big_east/

"What happened was an argument about the number of mascots that a school could have during the tournament. Syracuse, it seemed, had too many, which irritated some of its Big East brethren, particularly archrival Georgetown.

Tranghese was startled when Georgetown came out for its semifinal game against Syracuse with four different mascots. Some zealous Hoya backers had gone to a local costume shop and purchased an assortment of uniforms."

This is one hilarious story from 1983...

But a great breakdown of the early history of the tourney, including the BE's rise to prominence with the first BET in the Garden and the win by SJU...

[Cambridge]

I read this this morning and my girlfriend asked me why I was flipping out. Well, I was flipping out because they mention St. John's BET title in '83 and Nova's NCAA in '85 and, it being NE, make a big ole deal about BC, Prov and UConn, but never once mention Georgetown or Syracuse-- EXCEPT in refence to the quote hoyasox430 mentioned.

I mean, I understand that its all about the "death" of the Big East, and St. John's of the early 80's was our most worthy rival, but to not mention the most dominant team of the era -- THE HOYAS -- is just plain ridiculous. Especially considering all of Big John's ties to the area (Providence college, Celtics, Red Aurbach, Cambridge Ringe & Latin/Pat Ewing, etc).

And also, BC, the rumors regarding the big east's demise are greatly exaggerated...no need to write us a obit.

[HoyaSox04]

CambridgeHoya said:

I read this this morning and my girlfriend asked me why I was flipping out. Well, I was flipping out because they mention St. John's BET title in '83 and Nova's NCAA in '85 and, it being NE, make a big ole deal about BC, Prov and UConn, but never once mention Georgetown or Syracuse-- EXCEPT in refence to the quote hoyasox430 mentioned.

I mean, I understand that its all about the "death" of the Big East, and St. John's of the early 80's was our most worthy rival, but to not mention the most dominant team of the era -- THE HOYAS -- is just plain ridiculous. Especially considering all of Big John's ties to the area (Providence college, Celtics, Red Aurbach, Cambridge Ringe & Latin/Pat Ewing, etc).

And also, BC, the rumors regarding the big east's demise are greatly exaggerated...no need to write us a obit.

Agree completely Cambridge - I did think the travesty of the article was leaving out any serious mention of the Hoyas and how Big John and the GU/Syracuse rivalry dominated the BE and the national spotlight for so long...

But I do love how all the BC fans and boston writers think that the BE is about to collapse now that BC has decided to leave, like BC was the spearhead of the conference and we will now flounder about aimlessly...

Can't wait to see what these people will be saying in three or four years when BC finds complete misery on Tobacco Road.

[DFW HOYA]

HoyaSox430 said:

"Tranghese was startled when Georgetown came out for its semifinal game against Syracuse with four different mascots. Some zealous Hoya backers had gone to a local costume shop and purchased an assortment of uniforms."This is one hilarious story from 1983...

I think that was the 1981 semifinal, and I think the numerous mascots were Syracuse, not Georgetown fans. This was the first or second year without the Saltine Warrior and Otto the Orange was still a year away. Syracuse's mascot that game was a Roman Legion-looking warrior, which didn't catch on, and whether it was GU or SU there were definitely some other mascots courtside at that game.

I was sitting way up at mid-court that game and noticed a Syracuse fan just below us just going absolutely berserk at every call and getting lots of attention. I pointed him out to a local fan who said "he'll be leaving soon, anyway". According to that fan, he was due on the 11:00 news that night, as he was a local TV anchor who was known for his outbursts at games.

[YB]

To me, a similar BET moment in 1996, with GU, VU, and Yukon all top-10, with the Orange Juice not far behind. Great tourney.

[SirSaxa]

CambridgeHoya said:

, but to not mention the most dominant team of the era -- THE HOYAS -- is just plain ridiculous. Especially considering all of Big John's ties to the area (Providence college, Celtics, Red Aurbach, Cambridge Ringe & Latin/Pat Ewing, etc).
.

Boston still hasn't gotten over the fact that Patrick Ewing chose GU over BC. He was a favorite in Boston as a HS player -- then became a "deserter", fortunately for him and for us!

[HoyaSox04]

Actually beg to differ with you SirSaxa - growing up as a Celtics fan with a bunch of diehards in my family, everyone HATED the Knicks. Granted, not as much as the Lakers or Pistons, but there was serious despisement on most people's parts'. Except for one person:

Ewing.

People still love him in Boston, as he is perhaps the greatest high school / college / pro player to ever emerge from the city.

I don't think people still hold it against him that he went to Georgetown. At least not in my 22 years of experience.