Boycott the Matta Chapter

[bleedXblue]

I just finished the Xavier Tales book and refused to read the chapter on Thad "the liar" Matta. I skipped right by it with no hesitation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend reading it if you haven't already. Some great behind the scenes stories and memories of great players of the past.

[gundun]

Actually I thought the Matta chapter was well written and presented both sides of the story including some additional insight from Dawn.

Overall, it is an excellent read with a few minor errors (6th not 7 seed; Bryan - not Ryan - Williams; etc). BTW, I know about these errors findina a way into a final version, as I always seem to find them all I write something.

Thanks Michael for an excellent addition to my bookshelf.

[Shadow]

I just finished the Xavier Tales book and refused to read the chapter on Thad "the liar" Matta. I skipped right by it with no hesitation.

If you were studying medieval history, would you skip the Inquisition?

[Mr. Neutral]

Our most successful coach up to that time (3 26-win seasons, 2nd round/2nd round/first Elite Eight ever) and you still can't bring yourself to read the chapter, just because he mishandled how he left X? Geez, bleed, it's been 4 years, and he only did what 40 coaches a year do-take another job.

[_LH]

It's rare but I agree with Gary. You are missing out if you do not read the chapter. While Matta did lie and he certainly did not handle the process well, what he did for XU on the court should not be glossed over or brushed aside because he did a poor job seeking new employment.

I don't think anyone thought Matta was going to be at XU for 10 or more years. More than 3? Yes, but most knew he was not long for XU. I never had a problem with him leaving, just the manner in which he left but it certainly did not keep me from reading his chapter and it will not keep me from fondly remembering those 2.5 years of excellent basketball.

In other words, let it go and move on.

[Ron Moening]

I, too, thought the book was a great read. My only criticism is that it seemed to "gloss over" the years between 1968 (when the team had two future pros) and the Staak era that took the team to new levels. There is no discussion on why that happened. Dayton, for example, continued to succeed during that time. I was a senior at Xavier in 1969-70 when the football team went 1-9 and the basketball team went 5-20. I was the sports writer for the Xavier News and wrote a couple of columns after the football coach and basketball coach were both fired suggesting that a broader look at the issues within these programs needed to be taken. I suggested that both the Athletic Director and the Sports Information Director should be held accountable. I was "politely" (and in one case not so "politely") told to keep quiet. Many years of mediocrity in basketball andfollowed and, of course, the football program was disbanded.

[muskieman]

Ron, I too was at Xavier in what I call the "Dark Ages" of Xavier sports. I think that the only reason why some questions are not answered is due to the fact that everyone involved could not be interviewed. I bet "Q" would have insight into those years. And Ron about being told to shut up....I called it the Jesuit way. I love Fr O'Connor and had many discussions about a group I belonged to and was the business manger for and found that information sometimes flowed only one way during that time. It was necessary to find someone that liked to talk and felt open to discussion about the problems....I was lucky to know someone on the inside (God rest his soul).

I think we can all say with apologies to the history books

The age of Antiquity: Up to Big Jim McCafferty and Don Ruberg Ups and downs but simply before most of our time. I go back to 55 but only as a kid.

Dark ages: late 60's through the 70's. Hitting the bottom with a guy we called Dick

Renaissance: Staak

Middle Ages: Gillian and Prosser They advanced the bar and keep X from falling back into the Dark ages making the program stronger and more acknowledged in the basketball world. Probably the best two hires because after Staak X could have regressed.

Beginning of the golden age
(sorry guys that hate Thad but while he was here he did take it to another level) Matta, Miller and Miller and Miller and Miller....

[CarlosTheJackal]

There is an episode of Sienfeld set in the Diner. George is mad about something or other. In his perpetually self indulgent way, George keeps saying, in a louder and louder voice, "George is very angry! George is very angry!"

[Masterofreality]

I, too, thought the book was a great read. My only criticism is that it seemed to "gloss over" the years between 1968 (when the team had two future pros) and the Staak era that took the team to new levels. There is no discussion on why that happened. Dayton, for example, continued to succeed during that time. I was a senior at Xavier in 1969-70 when the football team went 1-9 and the basketball team went 5-20. I was the sports writer for the Xavier News and wrote a couple of columns after the football coach and basketball coach were both fired suggesting that a broader look at the issues within these programs needed to be taken. I suggested that both the Athletic Director and the Sports Information Director should be held accountable. I was "politely" (and in one case not so "politely") told to keep quiet. Many years of mediocrity in basketball andfollowed and, of course, the football program was disbanded.

Careful, there. Ronnie. That Sports Information Director you refer to might just be a poster on this and other boards.

Why didn't you call for a broader look at the issues within the Xavier Golf Team? Probably a good thing you didn't. That Baldwin guy could never hold up to scruitiny. The 1972 Captain wasn't much better. What a poseur!!

[_LH]

Please delete PD's political garbage response on this thread.