Notre Dame Press Re: Baron & Bonas

[bonadad07]

Baron's induction into the Bona Hall of Fame mentioned from the Notre Dame perspective. You guys think of him as former Bona coach, we Domers think of him as former ND assistant coach. Congratulations to Baron and his family.

" Former Notre Dame basketball assistant coach and St. Bonaventure men's basketball player and head coach Jim Baron will be inducted into the St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame a week from today. A hard-nosed, defensive-minded guard, Baron made his initial mark as a player from 1973-1977, during which he led the Bonnies to a 73-28 record. As a senior co-captain and the team's starting point guard, Baron led the Bonnies to one of the most magical seasons in school history that included 24 wins and a 1977 NIT Championship. Baron returned to St. Bonaventure in 1992, this time as the head coach, looking to lead his alma mater back to national prominence. Baron did exactly that, leading the Bonnies to an NIT berth in just his third season in 1995, earning Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors along the way. His most successful season came in 1999-2000, when he led St. Bonaventure to 21-10 record, a second place finish in the A-10 Tournament and the school's first NCAA Tournament berth in 22 years. Overall, Baron finished his nine seasons with 132 victories, three NIT appearances and an NCAA Tournament berth. "

[res]

Yes, congratulations to Jim Baron. Well deserved.

But, I don't know what makes me shudder the most; the words "we Domers" being used on this message board, or anticipating the response(s) in this thread referencing "Jimmy Midnight", etc.

No offense, bonadad07, but my antipathy to a certain institution in Indiana is ancient. And, of course, I have no particular posters in mind regarding my second alternative, not even those whose names begin with the letter "c"...

[bonadad07]

Res,
No offense taken by your shot at my school and our fans(the Domers). I only posted it to show the respect that ND shows for Bonas, as opposed to the cheap shots that Charlotte, DAyton always seem to take.
As someone who loves both ND and Bonas, I am always somewhat surprised by the antagonism against ND. Both schools have similar missions and try to do things the right way and are made up of great people, fans, alums etc. But that is probably just my bias.
Go Irish and Go Bonas

[Padre Jud]

Padre Jud here in Camden weighing in on the SBU-ND topic.

When I was assigned to Bona's in 1999 President Wickenheiser asked me to start the Franciscan Center for Social Concern (FCSC), and model it on Notre Dame's Center for Social Concerns. Times were tough financially at Bona's, but we managed to get four rooms in Robinson Hall, and at our peak we had two full-time and one part-time staff, as well as student workers. We faced some criticism for taking what appeared to be liberal or progressive stances, and a lesser amount for what were deemed to be conservative stances on other issues, but all were in line with Catholic Social Teaching.

At conferences I would chat with staff members from Notre Dame's Center, and hear about their resources. They are now up to 28 staff members, and are about to move into a new $14 million center that they will share with the similarly sized Institute for Church Life. Meanwhile I believe the FCSC at SBU currently has one full time staff member, and an office in the University Ministries Center. From the FCSC website it appears they are undertaking some new initiatives, but those of you still at SBU would know more about that than I.

At one social justice conference about 7 or 8 years ago sponsored by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, where we were talking about the need to redistribute wealth more equitably between the world's haves and have-nots, I raised my hand and suggested we do that with our Catholic universities in the United States. I mentioned that at Bona's we were trying our hardest, but with an endowment just a fraction of those at other institutions, we were very limited in what we could do.

Can you imagine the reaction? You're probably thinking, everyone agreed and said "Yes, we can model sharing of resources, and lead by example!" Well, not exactly. Actually, my comment was met with shocked silence, except for one gasp of disbelief (I think it was from a Georgetown delegate).

All that being said, I love Bona's and love ND. This weekend I head to South Bend for my 30th Reunion. I'm still the road chaplain when Jim Crowley brings the women's basketball team to Philly. And I do double duty as the chaplain for the Notre Dame Alumni of South Jersey, while participating in Bonaventure events in the Philly/South Jersey area. In fact two years ago we had a joint SBU/ND event at my parish in Camden, which was a lot of fun.

I'm also blessed with two wonderful Notre Dame interns this summer. They send out about 300 students to do summer service learning projects, just like we used to send out students from the FCSC to do internships with local parishes through the Robert C. Conroy Memorial Parish Internship Program.

Before rambling any further, let me agree with the previous sentiment: Go Bona's, Go Irish!

[res]

Jun 1, 2009 6:55:15 GMT -5 bonadad07 said:

I am always somewhat surprised by the antagonism against ND.

I can't speak for everyone, of course, but mine stems from growing up with a large number of friends and acquaintenances, none of whom had been as far west as Erie, PA; none of whom could place Indiana on a map, let alone South Bend; and none of whom who had ever known anyone that ever matriculated at ND; who nonetheless lived and died every Saturday with the fortunes of your football team. None of them seemed to understand, nor were very pleased, that not all of us shared their affliction.

Adding insult to injury (and I'm dating myself here) was that hour-long Notre Dame highlights show that was broadcast nationally on Sundays. This was, of course, before you bought your own network.

[cyril baptiste]

oh yes...hosted by lindsay nelson

Lindsey Nelson

Nationally-known sportscaster, Lindsey Nelson, was born in Columbia, TN (SEE BELOW) on 25 May 1919, graduating from Central High School in 1938. His college Alma Mater was University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In 1941, after the outbreak of World War II, Nelson was inducted into the US Army at Camp Forrest in Tullahoma, TN and from there reported to the 9th Infantry Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. He served with this unit almost five years on three continents.
While at Ft. Bragg, Nelson was Public Relations officer, escorting many high-ranking civilian and political figures; among them were Generals George Marshall and George S. Patton, and Lord Louis Mountbatten of Britain. In Sicily, Nelson became friends with war coespondents Ernie Pyle and Tom Henry, both of whom influenced his career. At the end of the war, after serving from Morocco to Sicily to Remagen Bridge to Berlin, Nelson came back home to the peace and tranquil city of Columbia, his hometown.

Elected to the Writers' Wing of the Hall of Fame in 1988, Nelson had been an all-purpose broadcaster for NBC's college football, NBA basketball and Major League baseball. He was top announcer for 19 seasons for the New York Mets, working with Ralph Kiner and Bob Murphy. His trademark became the rightly-colored plaid sportscoat that he always wore. It seemed to fit his easy manner and energetic personality. In 1965, he broadcasted the Mets-Astros game from a gondola suspended from the roof of the Astrodome.

From 1967-1979, Nelson broadcasted Notre Dame football games. He worked for both CBS and NBC and was elected Sportscaster of the Year four times during 1959-1962. For 26 seasons, Nelson was the "Voice of the Cotton Bowl." He announced for the San Francisco Giants from 1979-1981. Following this, he taught broadcasting seminars at the University of Tennessee. In 1991, Nelson received a Life Achievement Emmy.

After a successful and star-studded life, Lindsey Nelson died on 10 June 1995, at age 76, in Atlanta, GA from complications of Parkinson's disease and pneumonia.

Sources:
Maury County, Tennessee Genealogy
Maury County Remembers World War II
Reminisces of Mary Sue Nelson
CBS SportsLine, Baseball OnLine Library
National Baseball Hall of Fame
UT Alumnus Obituary
PLEASE NOTE:
Actually, Lindsey Nelson was born in Campbellsville, Tennessee and lived there until he was about 4 years old. His grandmother, Mrs. Florence Baker lived in Campbellsville many, many years in her home located on High Street. His sister, Mrs. Mary Sue Nelson Pennington lives in Columbia and I spoke with her a few days ago (Jan., 2001). She said that she was also born at Campbellsville and attended the old school near the Presbyterian Church site.
George Russell

[2nddev]

I have to align myself with res on this one. In my life I have known dozens of ND people including high school classmates, business associates, colleagues and, sad to say, even two blood relatives. My experience has consistently been that I have never met a group of more arrogant, condescending, smug individuals. I did like that Knute Rockne movie though.

[OceanStateBonnie]

Bonadad07:

I share your love for both my alma mater and for ND. I could change my screen name to NDDad03, but can't let go of the OSB handle. Long live du Lac!!

[sneakers]

I've had the opposite experience to what 2nddev has observed. I have dozens of friends, business associates, and family that attended ND. Without exception they are terrific people.

I went to my first ND football game in South Bend a year or two ago, but as a BC season ticket holder I could not bring myself to root for the Irish. Great experience though and I would encourage anyone who has never been west of Erie PA to make a trip there for a game. ND fans could not have been nicer or more welcoming, even after BC kicked their b u t t s.

Go Bonas! Go Eagles! and Go irish (in that order).

[maplehurst]

Another announcer who wore flamboyant sports coats was the Pittsburgh Pirate's Bob Prince, a contemporary of Lindsey Nelson.