Neat Anecdote on JTIII Administration

[1227]

Just a quick story that I think expemplifies the new JTIII era.

I recently changed jobs within my organization and my co-workers wanted to get me something as a going away gift. They know I'm a GU alum and obsessed fan, so they wanted to get me something Hoya-related.

One of them called up JTIII's office and told them about my situation and asked if they could send something to give to me (a dedicated alum, etc.).

A few weeks later my co-worker received a package from the Basketball Office. It was the "We Are Georgetown" poster (with the 04-05 schedule on it) signed by every player on the team. I just received it yesterday and was pretty much floored.

I just wanted to share this story as an example of what one can get when one asks and as example of how the new basketball office is trying to reach out to alums and fans, etc. in a positive way.

Anybody else have stories like this one? Just curious.

[YB]

Coach and the team have been very good, especially late in the year, as far as appreciating our fans and alums. Tyler and Jeff sent a thank you letter to the HHC- which was really cool.

[JimmyHoya]

Looks like you saved me the trouble of making a thread...

My brother is attending Thompson's basketball camp this week and had the opportunity yesterday to eat with him during one their breaks. He said he had a really great convo with him about school and basketball as my brother probably will be attending Gonzaga and wants to play basketball, just like JTIII did. I doubt it was anything big but my brother was extremely excited about it when he was telling me last night. I don't doubt for a second my brothr was given good advice. JT3 is the man.

And while we're on the subject, DJ kicks ass too. MY sister wants to frame this shirt he signed for her this past weekend. It's not even a hoyas shirt (just a pink nike t), but she never wants to wash it and maybe mess up his signature, hahahaha. ;D

[doublehoya]

What fantastic stories! This is the kind of stuff that will BUILD and MAINTAIN a solid fan base! Keep up the great work, JTIII!!

[SoCalHoya]

That is now the coolest poster in the world. Wow.

[SaxaCD]

I just hope the other offices involved at GU sync up with this kind of thing. For too long it's seemed like they go out of the way to tick off alumni and future alumni, and then wonder why the endowment stinks. Positive PR and a little goodwill, even in ways that seem quite small, can end up paying off BIG down the road.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Ok, so one JTIII story and a story about how much a coach can make a long lasting impression on people:

JTIII Story: I was an Orientation Advisor with NSO last year and every NSO there are a few kids that are just a little overwhelmed with the going to college thing. Well we had this big casino night thing for the freshmen and faculty and staff were encouraged to attend (which means that Dadio, Arrend, and Porterfield showed up and no one else really did). Well, there was a a game of poker going on with some of the quieter kids who seemed a little apprehensive about stuff - III walked in to Leo's and sat down at their table and asked to be dealt in and started a conversation with them - a very class move for a guy who probably had better places to be that late on a Thursday night.

Story of coaches and reaching out to the community: I grew up in Tulsa, Ok a few miles from the campus of Oral Roberts University and attended the Bell Self basketball camp one year. Anyone who has seen me play basketball can tell you its not exactly poetry in motion - in fact I would use the word "doofy" to describe it. Anyways, I got home from school one day and there was a message on the answering machine - it was Bell Self saying that he'd really like to see me in camp this year and how had my season with my Jr. High team gone and had I worked on my free throws (also not a thing of beauty)? I still follow his career today because that was so uncommonly nice of him.

[NRC900]

stpetersburghoya said:

JTIII Story: I was an Orientation Advisor with NSO last year and every NSO there are a few kids that are just a little overwhelmed with the going to college thing. Well we had this big casino night thing for the freshmen and faculty and staff were encouraged to attend (which means that Dadio, Arrend, and Porterfield showed up and no one else really did). Well, there was a a game of poker going on with some of the quieter kids who seemed a little apprehensive about stuff - III walked in to Leo's and sat down at their table and asked to be dealt in and started a conversation with them - a very class move for a guy who probably had better places to be that late on a Thursday night.

That's awesome. Shows he really cares about the school as a whole and is trying to integrate the team into the tradition rather than run it as a separate thing.

[jerseyhoya34]

One of my own, but it pales in comparison...

Cool note from the Pep Rally last year... JT3 stuck around after the event and talked briefly with those in attendance out in the crowd and took pictures with a few groups of fans. I was appreciative of that because many coaches would blow you off and whatever.

JT3 is running this program as it should be run and has done an excellent job of re-energizing the base and fostering a great basketball community. I think many things from the last season point to this, especially the SirSaxa BET Derby with the Green Family and acknowledgments in the on-campus newspapers. These things don't go unnoticed.

[StPetersburgHoya (Inactive)]

Also JTIII wrote 2 editorials in The Hoya about the team and the need for support and a broadcast e-mail to the students urging that everyone get on board with the team for the end run of the BE season last year - he clearly understands that communication, PR, and relations with students and Alumni are critical to the success of the program.