In case you didn't already have it marked on your calander, today is the beginning of a weekend dedicated to the late, great Wolfpack coach, Jim Valvano. The V Foundation for Cancer Research is putting on it's annual "Jimmy V Golf Classic" on Sunday. The event which is packed with celebrities and TV personalities will be hosted at NC State's new Lonnie Poole Golf Course (designed by Arnold Palmer). Although the Golf Classic is the biggest, and most publicized event. There are also a few other things you may be interested in knowing about. Thursday
Bowling for V Cancer Research: "The Alley" which just opened in place of Western Lanes on Hillsborough St. is hosting a Jimmy V Fundraiser. Eat and bowl with some past NC State stars such as Chris Corchiani and Levi Watkins.
Saturday
8:30 a.m. Racquets for Research: Tennis enthusiasts from around the triangle can gather together for a day of fun and philanthropy at the Raleigh Racquet club.
9 am "The 4th annual Nike Cup Presented by Nike Golf": A competitive round of golf played by the golfing sponsors and celebrities. This tournament is closed to the public. Location: Lonnie Poole Golf Course, NC State University, Raleigh
10:30 a.m. Scientific Symposium & Exhibition: Doctors and researchers will speak about developments in cancer research made in our very own community. Speakers will include members of The V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, a panel of the best scientists, doctors, and PhDs in the cancer research field. Location: Raleigh Civic & Convention
Sunday:
The Jimmy V Golf Classic....which will be starring the Wolfpack head coach Sidney Lowe.
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12 Responses to "A Look Ahead to the Jimmy V Weekend"Uh, all of this, and yet his name can't be found anywhere when watching an NC State BB game???!!!
That is just about the height of...
Well, since seemingly no one else is going to comment, I'll just say that if anyone ever needed proof that plainly exhibits how a university is afraid of acknowledging as well as unwilling to put forth the effort required in connecting to it's own past greatness, that would be NC State University's outright fear of the name JIM VALVANO!!!
They'll fly some TEMPORARY banners, bowl a game or two and play a little golf, sure, but that's because of Valvano's legacy and national notoriety. It's not like they have been smart enough to recognize his worth on their own, or what he did for NC State BB and NC State University itself. They only do these things now, because they see that are OTHERS are embracing and recognizing a man that they once kicked to the curb.
That's all it takes. Just look at a previous coach, whenever an outsider would say that they think someone was good for NC State University, then NC State's administration would fall right in line, ready to draw up another coaching extention. They act only on what OTHER people think.
But, you let an NC State alum, or fan, stand up and voice an opinion that says we should reaching higher than that, then the labeling starts. The first thing you know, the common NC State fan is nothing more than a "lunatic" and a low life form.
Sorry WPH, I try to stay positive most of the time, but this is one topic that really chaps my hide.
A. Stupidity
B. Evil
C. Spangleritis
D. All of the above
Correct answer: D
I too can't stand that this guy isn't immortalized in some capacity in the RBC or at NC State. I also feel that when you compare the "sketchy" things he got involved with simply don't compare when you consider what some coaches get away with. Anyway, what ever happened to time heals all wounds? This guy still shines and he doesn't walk this earth any longer. I can’t imagine the number of hearts he touched. The guys an icon.
I couldn't agree more redfred and afterglow. NC State University still to this day has a hard time swallowing anything Jimmy Valvano. I'm not sure why his statue isn't outside in between the rbc and carter finley, considering HE was the one who put started the package to get a new arena started when he was athletic director. Hell UNC will retire any players jersey if he starts for a few years in a row but State cant immortalize its most famous coach/player/administrator. I was always hoping the alumni would get a fund going and buy the rights to the RBC or some rich alum buy the rights and call it the V dome. Its a shame state doesnt have more pride in its past or we would do simple things like host the jimmy v basketball tourney or even play in it for once!!
Lastly I encourage all of you to read his book "They game me a lifetime contract then declared me dead". Its a fantastic read that really gives you an idea how much he cared for his players and the university (like offer to be AD for $1 a year) It takes you from his first days starting to coach all the way to the championship and stories in between.
Maybe one day State will honor its greats...
Look, Jimmy V IS and always will be bigger the NC State. Period. His loved ones have a Cancer treating foundation named after him that is fully endowed- can't underscore how important this is in these economic times.
The academics won out out. We had been "Moo U" for so long and the academics of the institution were sick of being treated like secondary professionals- especially with the peers at Duke and UNC getting heaped on with praise. They didn't like V when he was here- they were jealous that NCSU could be recognized nationally by having a witty northern Italian basketball coach yet have no one credit the academic professionals for their work.
The second the you know what hit the fan everyone in that camp jumped at the chance to take control. They didn't start the fire but the tool advantage of the opportunity to it's fullest.
It's A collection of people around during these turbelent times rose up the ladder and found themselves in a position of power because of the crony, promote within system set up at NCSU. It's no coincidence that with the folks in charge that nothing enshrining Valvano happened. Capeche?
This is not a conspiracy theory it's just a the history of our school and the circumstances sorrounding Jimmy V.
By the grace of God it has and never will tarnish the legacy of this man who brought so much light and love to this world.
Jose,
I'm not claiming a "conspiracy", I'm just saying that this is even further proof that the people who ran NC State then, as well as the people who run it right now, can't see the noses on their own faces. But, when some detached outsiders, as in, the rest of the nation, say it's OK to celebrate Jimmy V's legacy, then NC State's administration will basically tag along, very meekly though it be.
They will never get on the crest of the wave because once again, that requires effort and imagination, and those are two things that seem to be in very short supply at NC State University.
Jose, that is a great read! I actually want to try and get it on tape as I believe he does the reading.
Jose, you've got some great thoughts there and they're all basically true, but what exactly does your statement below say about the vision of the people in charge at NC State back then, and now even?
"They didn't like V when he was here- they were jealous that NCSU could be recognized nationally by having a witty northern Italian basketball coach yet have no one credit the academic professionals for their work."
To me, it says that the folks/academics who were in charge back then didn't know how to latch onto someone who was actually DOING THEIR JOBS FOR THEM. Jim Valvano was shinning a light on NC State University and keeping the name out there, and he was the one who was garnering interest from the future "academics"/students/intellectuals out there all across the nation. OTOH, if the academic interests had been doing their jobs correctly, and were deserving of national notoriety for the work taking place in THEIR OWN classrooms, then there would never have been any avenue for the "jealousy" that you spoke of to creep into the picture.
I'm not arguing with you, I agree with what you're saying, and I want let you know that the bold type is for emphasis only.
I'm just saying that IF NC State had had it's academic house in order back in those days, then the popularity of a certain BB Coach would not have been taken as a counterbalance to the academic performance at NC State University.
I'd also say that not much has changed since that time period, and that all of intermingled circumstances that threw NC State athletics into a tailspin back in those days, are still very much in play today.
Sad facts are that Jim Valvano is gone, he's been gone for quite some time now, and he sure hasn't kept the NC State academic community from reaching higher in the days since his passing. So, was Jim Valvano the scapegoat placed in front of the cart, or was he the cart who was out front trying to prod a bunch of horse's asses to follow his lead?
This is an old comment of mine that I copied from another website. Maybe it will enlighten some of the younger fans, and at the same time better explain why I get so upset about the topic of this thread.
redfred2 Says:
After seeing these lists I was just checking back on former players too, I’m sure most of you have probably already read this on wikipedia, but anyway:
"In 1990, accusations of rules violations surfaced in the book Personal Fouls by Peter Golenbock. Two local newspapers and the NC State student paper called for his ouster. A 1989 NCAA investigation cleared Valvano, but found that players sold shoes and game tickets. As a result, ***NC State*** placed its basketball program on probation for two years ***(the maximum)*** and was banned from participating in the 1990 NCAA tournament. The state-appointed Poole Commission issued a 32-page report that concluded that there were no major violations of NCAA regulations, and that Valvano and his staff’s inadequate oversight of players’ academic progress not the letter of the law.” After this report, Valvano was forced to resign as the school’s athletic director in October 1989. He remained as basketball coach through the 1989-1990 season. Under subsequent pressure from the school’s faculty and new Chancellor, Valvano negotiated a settlement with NC State and resigned as basketball coach on April 7, 1990. Six separate entities investigated Valvano and the NC State basketball program including the NC State Faculty Senate, the North Carolina Attorney General, the University of North Carolina Board of Governors, the NC State Board of Trustees, and the NCAA. None of them found any academic, recruiting, or financial improprieties. The lead NCAA investigator, Dave Didion, later wrote Valvano a letter saying he (Valvano) represented all that was good in college athletics, and that he would be proud to have his son play for Valvano."
I love this official wording used, “violated the spirit,…”
Yep, “spirit” has definitely sky rocketed at NC State University since the day Jim Valvano was shunned and forgotten.
That should have read, Pack Leader-that is a great read...
In any event, it's too bad something can't be done to try and get this guy honored by the University. I'd love nothing more than to have the RBC Center called the V dome. How cool would that be? If I had the money...
I've just got to add this one last thing; then I'll stop.
The "Moo U" deal was all in good fun and it's in the spirit of how ALL universities take digs at one another. That sort of thing isn't taken seriously by anyone with half of a sense of humor. It was something that most NC State fans could laugh at, because back then anyway, NC State University and NC State athletics were actually holding their own in certain aspects. It's actually less offensive and no different than all of the jokes that we throw out there about unc student's sexual orientations today.
It's a sad statement when a university is so unsure of it's own mission, as well it's own abilities to accomplish that mission, that a label like "Moo U", or the popularity of a single BB coach, can literally send it's leadership into such a panic that they set in motion their own death spiral.
But, that is the second rate mentality that abounds at NC State University, and that is exactly how it happened back then.
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