http://redstormsports.cstv.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/022908aaa.htmlSt. John's Roberts To Guide Red Storm Basketball Through 2008-09 And Beyond
Red Storm mentor to enter fifth year at the helm next season.
Feb. 29, 2008
QUEENS, N.Y. - St. John's University Athletics Director Chris Monasch announced today that head coach Norm Roberts will continue to lead the men's basketball program and execute the University's commitment to rebuild a basketball program of high integrity and high success. Roberts will return for the 2008-09 campaign, and at the conclusion of the current season Monasch will meet with Roberts to pursue an extension of his present contract.
"In recent weeks there has been speculation regarding the status of Norm Roberts' future as head men's basketball coach at St. John's University," stated Monasch. "Most of those comments focused on the pace of progress measured solely by wins. Our assessment of what Norm and his staff have accomplished over the past four years is broader than that, and in many key areas the progress is consistent with the expectations expressed by the University, our supporters and Coach Roberts when he was hired in 2004. Norm has established the foundation of a great program - integrity, hard work and discipline - and while we join many of our loyal fans in wanting to see that foundation generate greater success on the court, we are confident that the program will return to its winning tradition in the very near future.
I felt it was important to make this announcement at this time so that our coaches and players can focus on the last three games of the season as we attempt to qualify for the BIG EAST Championship Tournament. Also, it is important for recruits who are in the process of making decisions to know that Norm Roberts will be the coach at St. John's University.
In 2004, Norm Roberts was brought to the University to address and overcome two significant and compounding challenges. At a time when the program was at its lowest point in history, the BIG EAST Conference was expanding to become even more competitive.
Finishing the 2004 BIG EAST Conference schedule at 1-15, the University faced the enormous challenge of recovering from two crises. First, violations of University and team rules led to the extrication of a number of players from the program. This was followed by a violation of NCAA rules which led to a two year probation that concludes this May. At the same time these crises were impacting the team's talent and future prospects for recruitment, the BIG EAST Conference was expanding to add perennial Top 25 teams to an already formidable competitive landscape. In the face of these dual challenges, Roberts was asked to re-establish integrity, pride and high expectations in St. John's basketball.
At that time, the University expressed to Roberts that it would be patient as he rebuilt the program to the performance level in the highly competitive BIG EAST Conference that is expected from the school and its supporters. In our careful assessment, Coach Roberts has accomplished what was asked of him. He has re-established a sense of discipline and work ethic that we expect at St. John's. He has reestablished relationships with the local basketball community and he has recruited a young group of talented student-athletes who are succeeding in the classroom, representing the University well and showing great promise on the court.
This year's roster includes eight first-year players which we believe complement a thin, but talented group of upper classmen and provide a solid base for the future. There is still work to be done and future recruiting classes will need to provide the additional talent to bring the program to the next level of development and the high level of success on the court to which we all aspire and expect. The University strongly believes that Coach Roberts is the person to complete this final segment of the rebuilding process."
University President Rev. Donald Harrington, C.M. stated, "I am deeply grateful to Norm for all that he has accomplished in less than four years. Although much work remains to be done, we believe that many foundational elements are in place for a program of which we all can be proud. The University is committed to providing whatever institutional support is needed to bring the men's basketball program to the elite level we all desire."
Plans to raise funds to continue to improve facilities and other program elements are underway, including the renovation of Carnesecca Arena. These investments will be made with a long view, according to Monasch.
"I look forward to meeting with Norm at the close of the season to carefully plan and set expectations for the second century of St. John's basketball," Monasch said.