Mike Looks Back

So proud of my good friend Rollie Massimino, who was recently inducted to the National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame. I was one of Rollie’s assistant coaches at Villanova University from 1975-1978. VUhoops.com contributor Ed Donohue took a look at where we 1975-76 Villanova Wildcats wound up.

A. Rollie Massimino, Head Coach (3rd season): Under Massimino, the Wildcats compiled a record of 357-241 (.596) over 19 seasons. During his tenure, Villanova abandoned its independent status by joining the newly-formed Eastern Eight Conference in 1975. In 1980, the ‘Cats moved into Big East Conference. In the NCAA Tournament, Massimino had a 20-10 record (.667). He led the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament eleven times, winning the Championship in 1985. His teams reached the Final Eight five times in an eleven-year span: 1978, 1982, 1983, 1985, and 1988. Rollie was inducted into the Big Five Hall of Fame in 2010 and the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013… Read more!

Czar’s Got Heart

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Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley is one of the greatest high school coaches in our country. He has dedicated his life to producing terrific basketball players and outstanding young men at St. Anthony High School.

Coach Hurley is campaigning to raise awareness about St. Anthony and to secure financial stability for the Jersey City school for years to come. CLICK HERE for more information about how you can help St. Anthony preserve its legacy of academic and athletic excellence.

Yesterday I spoke with Krista Saponora, the executive producer of the award-winning film The Street Stops Here, about the important work Coach Hurley has done and the major impact he’s made in his community.

STA2020: When and how did you first meet Coach Hurley?

Mike: I’m from North Jersey, Hackensack area.  My hometown and Jersey City are not that far apart, geographically.  In the inner-circles of basketball in north Jersey, we obviously came across each other.  I’ve heard a great deal about him and his team, and his great success that he’s had.  A couple of times, I took the opportunity to drive and watch his teams play.  We’d meet each other, either before or after the game, and talk a little bit.  After that, we ran into each other occasionally.  At a tournament, state Finals, out-of-state tournament that he may have entered.

STA2020: When you first saw him, and you’ve heard so much about him.  What instantly stood out to you, as a coach, seeing him when he coached?

Mike: Thinking back, early on one of the first time’s that we met – either a game or a practice.  I enjoyed so much watching the discipline he had instilled in his team and how when he spoke he had everyone’s attention.  All eyes were on him…. READ MORE!

On the Road with Mike

Earlier this summer I had the chance to see a legend perform. 86-year-old Tony Bennett put on a tremendous show singing hit after hit at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Tony mentioned that he’s looking forward to doing an upcoming album with Lady Gaga and said that he has great admiration for her. That should be an interesting collaboration. Can’t wait to hear what they come up with!

Czar Trivia

Will the third team be a charm for newly signed Rocket Dwight Howard? Here are some fun facts to welcome Howard to Houston:

  • The total area of Houston is so large it could contain the cities of New York, Boston, and San Francisco combined.
  • Howard will be in good company if his rigorous NBA schedule keeps him too busy to cook. H-Town residents eat out more times a week than folks in any other American city.
  • Houston is home to the world’s largest livestock show. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo attracts more than 2.2 million visitors each year.
  • When the Apollo 11 moon lander touched down, Neil Armstrong said, “Houston, Tranquility base here. The Eagle has landed,” making “Houston” the first word said on the moon. And Houston’s official nickname is appropriately “Space City.”
  • Dwight won’t get bored during the off-season. Houston is one of only five cities with professional resident companies in all four major performing arts disciplines: the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Ballet and The Alley Theatre. Located downtown, the 17-block Theater District is home to eight performing arts organizations. With 12,948 seats for live performances and 1,580 movie seats, it’s second only to NYC as far as its concentration of seats in one area.

On the Road with Mike

Was great to catch up with some friends in Cleveland this week before heading to Ukraine. Grabbed breakfast with my multi-talented broadcast partner Matt Devlin, who was in town for the Blue Jays vs. Indians series. Also had a terrific dinner at Chef Rocco Whalen’s restaurant Fahrenheit with Hall-of-Fame Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim. And I met up with legendary MLB shortstop Omar Vizquel at restaurateur Terry Tarantino’s La Dolce Vita.