emu steve
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RE: EMU Breaking News
(12-12-2021 07:07 PM)Jerry Weaver Wrote: (12-12-2021 05:51 PM)emu steve Wrote: (12-12-2021 05:42 PM)Bob Wickersham Wrote: (12-12-2021 02:43 PM)emu steve Wrote: (12-12-2021 09:46 AM)Bob Wickersham Wrote: Hate to be a dissenter, Gervin had a great NBA career. He was one of the greats. But he played one season at EMU and it ended horribly. Here is his college career in a nutshell:
Gervin received a scholarship to play under Coach Jerry Tarkanian at California State University, Long Beach, but he had such a culture shock that he returned home before the first semester was over.[6] He transferred to Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan and averaged 29.5 points as a sophomore forward in 1971–72.[7]
While competing in an NCAA College Division national semifinal game in Evansville, Indiana, Gervin punched a Roanoke player. Gervin was suspended for the following season and eventually was removed from the team. Invitations to try out for the Olympic and Pan-American teams were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, NO ONE has done more for EMU basketball than Ben Braun. Absolutely NO ONE. Other people more worthy than George Gervin: Grant Long, Earl Boykins, Lorenzo Neely.
Ben Braun was a great coach but moved on. Never was a student at EMU.
George Gervin has been active in Game Above.
Earl Boykins is active in GameAbove.
https://www.gameabove.com/advisory-board
I would have no problem with Earl Boykins court at the George Gervin GameAbove Center.
Ummmm, John Wooden was never a student at UCLA, Tom Izzo was never a student at MSU. Of course Braun eventually moved on but not until after a Sweet 16 appearance (which will not happen again here in our lifetime or our kid's lifetime) and 3 other NCAA appearances and NIT appearances too. In fact, the Convo wouldn't exist without Ben Braun's success, Boykins wouldn't be at EMU without Braun going out on a limb for him. No one else wanted him...how many semesters did Gervin even complete at EMU? Not trying to rain on the parade but George Gervin was barely even at EMU and it was by default.
What you say may be correct, but GameAbove is sponsoring it. Not some bunch of alums, boosters, or disinterested corporate interest, etc. It is their call whom they wish to honor.
GA is a bunch of EMU alums and fmr. students. They wished to honor one of their own.
They could in the future if they wish have "Earl Boykins Court at George Gervin GameAbove Center."
Questions: Are courts normally named after coaches or players or both? Aren't most named after coaches??? (that is a legitimate question. I can think of Dick Vitale at UDM, but no UDM player, Coach K, Roy Williams (?), etc).
Are any courts named after Abdul Jabbar, Shaq, Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing, etc.
EDIT: This is the dispute at Maryland and some details, including who put up the $.
"Before the Williams dedication was approved, Driesell denounced the plan in an e-mail to the university chancellor, stating that it was “not fair to my players.” Turns out, some devoted fans of Williams made a substantial donation. The university denied that financial contributions had played a role in its decision.
Gary Williams Court was unveiled before a Duke-Maryland game on Jan. 25. Driesell maintained his position in an interview with The Washington Post.
“I don’t think his name — or anybody’s name — should be on the Maryland basketball court,” he said, calling it “an insult” to past players who helped build a successful program.
Bob enjoys playing the role of contrarian, usually in a feeble attempt to discredit another poster. This time, however, he does have a valid point. If the naming rights to the Convo were based solely on the level of contribution to EMU basketball success, Ben Braun and Earl Boykins are far more deserving.
EMU has a horrible legacy of honoring past successes. I remember the absolute lame remembrance celebration of the 1987 football team's MAC Championship and its win in the California Bowl. That bowl win was the ONLY win the MAC had in SIX years, a fabulous accomplishment for sure! Braun, Boykins and Grant Long should have some kind of presence at the Convo but they do not. A statue for Braun, a huge picture of Earl and Grant over the ticket office, just something other than a simple over the court banner of the team championship. Baseball actually does the best job at Oestrike.
All of that said, Game Above ponied up the $2.7M for the naming rights. Ben Braun is NOT a member of their advisory committee and while Earl is, Game Above chose to name the facility the Gervin Center. George has lived an exemplary life since attending EMU, I have no objection to him and I have 2,700,000 reasons that the arena will have his name on it.
And it is for 24 years...
“I think all of you 24 was George’s number as an athlete and still carries great semblance for George and I want to say that for the next 24 years this building’s going to have a little bit of a different name to it, it’s going to have a little different ring to it. It’s going to have a name that’s not corporate, that doesn’t say a big industrial name. It’s going to say an outstanding athlete. In partnership with GameAbove, we as Eastern Michigan University, I as president, regent [Michelle] Crumm as one of our regents, have great pleasure to dedicate the naming of this arena to Mr. George Gervin."
As I suggested before, and as Jerry has, Ben Braun is not part of GameAbove. He is in the EMU HOF as is Boykins. Don't know if they retired his suit jacket. 
How should Boykins be honored other than retired his jersey and EMU HOF? (That's actually a lot. He was not forgotten).
I might be wrong, but I do not know of a court named for a player. I'll have to think about Kobe because of the circumstances of his way too early death. I believe they named a street outside Staples Center.
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