Jack Mckinney's Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood : The Hawk Will Never Die

by McKinney, Jack

• ISBN13: 9781582619293
• ISBN10: 1582619298
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-06-01
• Publisher: Sports Pub

Summary

With a foreword by current coach Phil Martelli, Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die recounts the storied history of St. Joe's basketball through the eyes and eras of its great coaches. Hawk Hall of Fame coach (and former NBA Coach of the Year) Jack McKinney studs the fast-moving account with poignant and humorous anecdotes. Jack and author Bob Gordon interview hundreds of former and current players, coaches, Hawk mascots, and fans who add a trove of zippy Hawk lore. There's a lot of lore. St. Joe's has competed in parts of 11 decades standing toe to toe with all "the big guys" of college hoops. The Hawks have tumbled many a Goliath in chalking up over 1000 wins--more wins than all but a couple dozen other colleges in the entire nation. The book gives an in-depth profile of Jack McKinney from his youth in Chester to his two NBA championship rings. You'll also chuckle at the inside story of the Hawk mascot, which ESPN chose as college basketball's best. The Phillie Phanatic (a former Hawk himself) guest authors in the mascot chapter. All the memorable wins and heart breaking defeats are recaptured. Through the prism of 45 years, Tales from Saint Joseph's Hardwood: The Hawk Will Never Die looks back at the heart breaking 1960 point-shaving scandal. Up-close-and-personal profiles of Hawk stars like George Senesky, Matty Guokas, Cliff Anderson, Mike Bantom, Jameer Nelson, and Delante West stud the narrative. Palestra and Big Five lore abounds. Past and present Big Five coaches pick their all-time Big Five teams and recount their greatest memories. Finally, hilarious tales about Hawk teams playing overseas spice a must-read entertaining and informative book for collegebasketball lovers everywhere.

Table of Contents

Foreword	v
Phil Martelli
Preface	vii
Saint Joseph's University	1	(8)
Coach McKinney	9	(18)
The Bill Ferguson Years	27	(10)
George Senesky	37	(5)
The Flap About the Hawk	42	(16)
The Jack Ramsay Years	58	(27)
Matt of the Family Goukas	85	(8)
Clifford Anderson	93	(7)
The Jack McKinney Years	100	(19)
Mike Bantom	119	(8)
The Hawks Overseas	127	(21)
The Superguards as Coaches---The Booth-Lynam Era	148	(11)
The Bo and Griff Years	159	(9)
The Phil Martelli Years	168	(9)
Jameer Nelson	177	(7)
Delonte West	184	(5)
The Big Five	189	(8)
The Chapter We Didn't Plan to Write (But Just Had to and We're Glad We Did): The 2004-2005 Season	197	(9)
Where Are They Now?	206