Speedy Claxton an Award Finalist

[Jojogunne]

Our MBB coach is one of 25 finalists for the Ben Jobe National Coach of the Year Award, which recognizes the top minority head coach in division I college basketball:

https://benjobeaward.com

[Wags]

This was already mentioned here, in case anyone wants to merge, delete the one below or whatever:
viewtopic.php?t=48643&start=40

[Hof_Judge99]

Pros of Speedy's HC tenure

-Reg season CAA title
-Four 20 win seasons in five years
-NIT win
-Top 25 win
-Multiple wins over Power Conference teams

Cons

-No CAA title / NCAA birth

Guy has really done everything but that here

[cactus]

This was already mentioned here, in case anyone wants to merge, delete the one below or whatever:
viewtopic.php?t=48643&start=40

thanks but i think this can have its own topic

[Wags]

This was already mentioned here, in case anyone wants to merge, delete the one below or whatever:
viewtopic.php?t=48643&start=40

thanks but i think this can have its own topic

Oh yeah, definitely! I was just saying to modify my post in the other thread if you wanted to, since we have this thread. Or just leave it, either way.

[cactus]

This was already mentioned here, in case anyone wants to merge, delete the one below or whatever:
viewtopic.php?t=48643&start=40

thanks but i think this can have its own topic

Oh yeah, definitely! I was just saying to modify my post in the other thread if you wanted to, since we have this thread. Or just leave it, either way.

hat tip on having it first

[Polito]

Cool - but the title and berth is all that really matters. Rest is just window dressing.

[Jojogunne]

I disagree. Individual awards show other players that they can succeed at Hofstra.

I know it’s all about the money these days, but I’m also also hopeful that there are some high school players and transfers who would like to play for a coach like Speedy in a program that produces players who are recognized for their growth and development.

I think it’s great that we have both the CAA player of the year and rookie of the year on the team this year.I wonder how many other teams in other conferences have achieved this? I would guess not many.

[Wags]

I think it’s great that we have both the CAA player of the year and rookie of the year on the team this year.I wonder how many other teams in other conferences have achieved this? I would guess not many.

Not sure about who has done this in other conferences, but this is the first time in CAA history.

Even when it has been done in other conferences, it's sometimes the same player, like Cooper Flagg being the ACC POY and ROY. So yeah, the NCAA tournament is the ultimate team goal, but it's pretty cool to have two different players on the same team win those two awards in the same year.

[triplec2195]

I disagree. Individual awards show other players that they can succeed at Hofstra.

I know it’s all about the money these days, but I’m also also hopeful that there are some high school players and transfers who would like to play for a coach like Speedy in a program that produces players who are recognized for their growth and development.

I think it’s great that we have both the CAA player of the year and rookie of the year on the team this year.I wonder how many other teams in other conferences have achieved this? I would guess not many.

Agree with Jojo on this very important precedent setting accolade. This has far reaching ramifications other then just two individual awards! These top awards is what separates us from other school programs and other conferences. It's a feather in our caps!! Of course we need to see these accomplishments to fruition!

[HUSID74]

I disagree. Individual awards show other players that they can succeed at Hofstra.

I know it’s all about the money these days, but I’m also also hopeful that there are some high school players and transfers who would like to play for a coach like Speedy in a program that produces players who are recognized for their growth and development.

I think it’s great that we have both the CAA player of the year and rookie of the year on the team this year.I wonder how many other teams in other conferences have achieved this? I would guess not many.

Totally agree JoJo...this is added recognition for the program and its staff. Raises our visibility and credibility not only in the Conference but regionally and nationally as well.

Great job guys!

[Pbdutch]

This is great and all and we’ve gotten awards like this in the past. Even with the players and CAA POY etc…

You know what though..At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter. People don’t remember stuff like that. They remember teams that dance. Trust me. They remember teams that dance. They don’t remember who had POY and COY and rookie of year etc..

Time to get dancing boys!!!!

[Pbdutch]

This is great and all and we’ve gotten awards like this in the past. Even with the players and CAA POY etc…

You know what though..At the end of the day it doesn’t really matter. People don’t remember stuff like that. They remember teams that dance. Trust me. They remember teams that dance. They don’t remember who had POY and COY and rookie of year etc..

Time to get dancing boys!!!!

[dutchPride86]

So seems we're circling around this question for the board then... should this season already be considered a success no matter what happens in DC? Or is it only a success if Hofstra goes dancing?

My answer hedges in the middle...based on expectations heading into the season yes it's already a success for me. I don't think anyone can honestly say they saw 2 ACC road wins, CAA POY and ROY and a 20-win season in the cards in November. I no longer have the existential dread that the program is about to drop off a cliff like I did at the end of last season (on the court at least. Still have deep concerns about declining attendance, lack of student interest, overall exposure with the awful FloHoops package for the CAA, and competing in this NIL landscape...but that's a topic for another day).

HOWEVER, based on what we've seen from the team on the court this year, I don't think I'll walk away feeling good about the season or look back on the team fondly if they don't get to Tues night now (I won't go as far as saying this team HAS to win it if they get to Tues night, but that could change depending on how that theoretical game plays out). Is it unfair that 1 bad game in March can invalidate an entire season of goodwill? Of course. But that's just the way it is at this level.

Can Speedy get it done in DC? That's the one question he's yet to answer. I'm probably more nervous than excited but trying to remain cautiously optimistic for the next few days. I really like the makeup of this group

[Polito]

Cool guys - I’m not saying it isn’t a nice honor for Speedy to be considered, that’s great for him- but he hasn’t won it lol I mean good grief what are we doing here?? Now we’re claiming this NOMINATION is the sign we are successful and relevant nationally??

Please tell me what will be different now? Educate me. Landing recruits? Speedy does that already. More donors coming? Ha. Better scheduling? Staff does well with that. More fans in the arena to see this nominated coach? Double ha. What tangible thing will change now that he’s been nominated?

Guys, cmon. Stop getting in your feels and trying to pile on me like usual because you think I’m hating (which I’m not, I’m just right), and look at it objectively.

I didn’t say it was all about money, not sure where that came from, my point is it’s all about NCAATs. Its about what moves the dial. And this award doesn’t.

Some of you are falling into the HU admin trap of believing all this is what matters because we can’t ever point to NCAATs. It isn’t.

The ONLY thing that moves the dial is dancing. That’s it. And I’ll die on that hill. All this other stuff is 100% window dressing and it’s what you latch onto when you have no dances to point to.

But sure, I guess we can all pack it in, HU has won awards and been nominated for things, another nationally relevant successful season in the books! Dances shmances who needs em.

[Pbdutch]

Dutch pride-I may be the odd ball out here, but I only really consider a season successful if we go dancing. Some may say that’s not right, but in a mid major basketball setting that’s the only way to stay relevant. Again, I’m not taking anything away from awards, classroom things, coaches, wins over power 5 programs, etc…but dancing is what matters and it’s what moves the needle.

I can guarantee you this, if Hofstra started making the dance routinely or did it a few years in a row the amount of money that would pile into this program would be astronomical. It would also elevate Hofstra as a whole. I’m actually pretty confident in this team this year and I think we can get it done. LETS GO BOYS!!!

[Jojogunne]

Over the past 50 years, Hofstra has qualified for the NCAAT five times:

2020 Qualified (Tournament canceled) - Joe Mihalich
2001 Lost in first round to UCLA - Jay Wright
2000 Lost in first round to Oklahoma State - Jay Wright
1977 Lost in first round to Notre Dame - Roger Gaeckler
1976 Lost in first round to Connecticut - Roger Gaeckler

So that's an average of once a decade ... and better than the Mets or Jets.

[Polito]

Nope you’re not alone Pbdutch, you’re 100% correct. Some here understand that truth, and others prefer the blue pill.

And as Jojo just notes the stats are horrific. It’s way worse than once a decade. It’s once a generation. Accepting that’s the best we can do is ludicrous.

I don’t believe that has to be the case, never have - I take major issue with the fact we’ve allowed that to be the case. There’s NO reason HU cannot and should not make the tourney every few years in this watered down league. None. Others do. HU has just failed to be one that achieves. It chokes and underachieves.

The history isn’t the reason to accept it, it’s the reason to fight it.

[Pbdutch]

And this year it’s almost as if it’s a “do or die” situation. This whole NIL landscape..we really need to get it done this year and the pressure needs to be applied now and moving forward.

Guys, look at our lacrosse program and how that has completely blown up. They started accepting garbage and look what that turned in to. We can’t have our bball program dwindle. It’s the driving force behind Hofstra athletics and any mid major program that doesn’t have a football program. I mean jeeze, even schools like Delaware and JMU that Hofstra was ahead of at one point. They’re looking down and laughing at us…come on speedy. PLEASE GET IT DONE FOR US

[Jojogunne]

PB, you are entitled to your opinions, but please don't refer to our student-athletes as "garbage."