Fontan Rumor Becoming “Daily News”
Posted by Fordham SportsNet on April 5, 2009
Quick note on the Jio Fontan rumor as I work on my Frank McLaughlin story:
I originally dismissed Sean Brennan’s rumor in his Basket Case blog about Jio Fontan transferring as just that, a rumor. The rumor got started one night at Madison Square Garden during the early stages of the Big East Tournament. Of course, any mention of the best player on a team – a freshman who drew praise from coaches and players across the country this past year during an outstanding rookie season – leaving his school is going to get hot real quick. But the story didn’t seem to have any juice until the Daily News’ Roger Rubin suggested last Thursday that Fontan’s Rose Hill departure was all but done. I’m still not convinced.
As someone close to the basketball program told me last week (No, not Frank McLaughlin), after a 3-25 season anything is possible. It makes sense, too. How many teams, Big East or otherwise, would love to have Fontan running their offense for the next three years. Isn’t it possible that these teams are responsible for putting the rumor out there? Big East teams? Maybe during the Big East Tournament? I did report that Fontan met with McLaughlin, though for all we know they could have simply been sharing their opinions of Citi Field or the new Yankee Stadium. Seriously, Fontan and McLaughlin are allowed to meet as player and AD. This is not uncommon practice.
Covering Fontan and the Rams this past year, I can only hope that the rumor is just a rumor. My conversation with him toward the end of the season led me to believe that Fontan’s committed to Fordham. I still believe that. By the way, at the time of our talk last Thursday, McLaughlin did as well.
“My understanding is that Jio is not thinking about transferring,” McLaughlin told me.
The problem with rumors is that once they get started, they never seem to go away. They become part of our “Daily News.”
Charles Costello
ram723 said
“My understanding is that Jio is not thinking about transferring,” McLaughlin told me.
His “understanding” of the situation appears to be way off. Hopefully he wasn’t shoveling BS to you the entire conversation, but I certainly wouldn’t be surprised.
Bill Rothschild said
It really doesn’t matter if Jio stays or not… it is what Fordham is doing with its “crown jewel.” Fordham, under the leadership of Father Mc Shane, is moving to become a REGIONAL, if not National UNIVERSITY.. it has just announced a $500 million program.. and gave specific details on its building program at both ROSE HILL and LINCOLN Center… none of these included a FIRST CLASS BASKETBALL facility, which many believe is the key to the program’s success.
Fordham doesn’t believe that SPORTS are vital to its success. I both agree and disagree. Sports have contributed to NOTRE DAME, BOSTON COLLEGE, and GEORGETOWN’s national image… but other universities, like our neighbor NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, have done well with it…
As a SENIOR ALUMNI..CLASS of 1955.. it really doesn’t matter.. to younger generations it may help but is not critical… this is the strategic issue for McSHANE and his team… I think he is betting that it really doesn’t matter..
What is your opinion?
Bill Rothschild.
Jay92 said
Why was it on his facebook status that he was “looking for a new home”