NY Daily News...

Quote from: Poison on February 12, 2012, 12:25:54 AM

MCN, seriously, a good cause?

Here are 3 causes that I donate to annually:

The Make a Wish Foundation
The Philadelphia Children's Hospital
St.John's Basketball

One of these examples is not like the others.

Who are you to tell people one cause is better than another?  All these causes are important at different levels.  Money that the athletic department makes goes towards scholarships for players and gives kids an opportunity to compete.   I don't disagree that sick children is more important, but it doesn't mean people don't give to SJU just for the sake of giving.  The Taffner's donated to SJU basketball and athletics in a big way.  I don't think it appropriate in any way to belittle their choice to donate to a cause like SJU athletics. 

Who am I to tell people which cause is better? Seriously? I shouldn't need to tell anyone which cause is better. It's completely obvious.

The notion that you can legally take an asset from your employer, sell it at a profit, and keep that profit yourself while paying the employer only the face amount of the ticket--assuming he did even that--is simply nuts. It is called theft. The profit belongs to the school, it is not a bonus. I will also bet the farm that he never paid income tax on the profits. The victims here are the school, from which he stole, and the fans, who were given worse seats. I have been a Red-White club member from inception, and a member of the Loughlin Club as well, and have had my season ticket locations moved several times , all to my detriment. I always wondered what was going on. Now it is apparent. It is also a reflection of the incompetent management of the University at every level, especially the Athletic Dept. This stuff should be picked up in yearly audits and tight internal controls. By the way, every few years, you will read about the arrest of MSG and Bway show employees for doing exactly what happened here. It is not a grey area. It is illegal.

I've been a Loughlin member for a long time. Red/White as well. I'm not sure I want to come back. It's going to be very interesting to see how the University handles this. Colleary, and others stole from the University, but they had access to this information. We had only the lies we were told.

At the end of the day, if the club that is designated to support the athletic department is being ripped off by employees of the athletic department, the University owes us the story, answers, and an acceptable resolution that begins with giving us our seats back. Or, they are going to see a lawsuit the size of which they've never seen.

One thing is for sure, it's going to be an exciting pre game reception this coming Saturday.

Quote from: MCNPA on February 12, 2012, 08:38:18 AM

Quote from: Poison on February 12, 2012, 12:25:54 AM

MCN, seriously, a good cause?

Here are 3 causes that I donate to annually:

The Make a Wish Foundation
The Philadelphia Children's Hospital
St.John's Basketball

One of these examples is not like the others.

Who are you to tell people one cause is better than another?  All these causes are important at different levels.  Money that the athletic department makes goes towards scholarships for players and gives kids an opportunity to compete.   I don't disagree that sick children is more important, but it doesn't mean people don't give to SJU just for the sake of giving.  The Taffner's donated to SJU basketball and athletics in a big way.  I don't think it appropriate in any way to belittle their choice to donate to a cause like SJU athletics. 

Who am I to tell people which cause is better? Seriously? I shouldn't need to tell anyone which cause is better. It's completely obvious.

Understood.  But telling other people who or what they should be donating to is completely obnoxious.

Quote from: Poison on February 12, 2012, 09:12:49 AM

Quote from: MCNPA on February 12, 2012, 08:38:18 AM

Quote from: Poison on February 12, 2012, 12:25:54 AM

MCN, seriously, a good cause?

Here are 3 causes that I donate to annually:

The Make a Wish Foundation
The Philadelphia Children's Hospital
St.John's Basketball

One of these examples is not like the others.

Who are you to tell people one cause is better than another?  All these causes are important at different levels.  Money that the athletic department makes goes towards scholarships for players and gives kids an opportunity to compete.   I don't disagree that sick children is more important, but it doesn't mean people don't give to SJU just for the sake of giving.  The Taffner's donated to SJU basketball and athletics in a big way.  I don't think it appropriate in any way to belittle their choice to donate to a cause like SJU athletics. 

Who am I to tell people which cause is better? Seriously? I shouldn't need to tell anyone which cause is better. It's completely obvious.

Understood.  But telling other people who or what they should be donating to is completely obnoxious.

If you think it's a good cause, I'm not going to convince you otherwise. Frankly, it's a loophole in your taxes that allows this to even be considered a charity.
And, I didn't tell you who or what you should be donating to. I merely pointed out that this isn't like other charities.

Quote from: Moose on February 11, 2012, 04:39:44 PM

Quote from: Dave on February 11, 2012, 04:33:18 PM

Someone had an ax to grind with Colleary. This goes on at EVERY school. Big East tickets aren't on sale to the public. It's well documented that companies/schools "distribute" these tickets. Most employees look at this as a bonus.

Axe to grind?
Actually I find it ironic this happened a week after Cuse game when there were 3 Cuse fans in Orange shirts sitting in the athletic dept seats behind the STJ bench.

Poison ?

Nope, but at least you've have an explanation if it was me. I wear a red SJU hat. Never, ever orange.

Quote from: Dave on February 11, 2012, 07:40:29 PM

Quote from: Poison on February 11, 2012, 05:02:37 PM

Quote from: Dave on February 11, 2012, 04:33:18 PM

Someone had an ax to grind with Colleary. This goes on at EVERY school. Big East tickets aren't on sale to the public. It's well documented that companies/schools "distribute" these tickets. Most employees look at this as a bonus.

You are way, way off on this one. And I don't care if this or anything like this happens at every other school. I donate money to this one. And as it turns out my donation and support for almost 30 years resulted in me losing my seats. So, forgive me if I want Colleary's head on a stick.

What do you donations have to do with tickets that belong to the university?

What are these donations to the Red/White Club for if they're not for tx? Lot of needy children that far more important than St.John's basketball. Dave, in all seriousness, do you really think that people donate to the athletic department bec it's a good cause?

I dont donate to the red white for tix. Hell I do the stormsaver package so I'd be getting much better seats if I bought the regular ones because of donations.

I don't call the school for Big East tickets either. Actually I really don't call for anything really other than when I went to the Kentucky game this year I called Kevin Barry for tickets and ended up sitting right next to him with a big group of others. And I paid St Johns for those tickets.

I donate to the Red White because when Lavin got hired it was obvious the school finally in my life made a commitment to winning. I felt it was important to give to the school to the Red White to show the same commitment as a fan. ( Unless the stock market gets completely destroyed like in 08 again . lol )

The story is very disheartening.

Do you guys think it was Colleary using his influence and access to his advantage or were other people in the Athletic Department involved.?

Quote from: Poison on February 11, 2012, 11:57:16 PM

Quote from: Dave on February 11, 2012, 07:40:29 PM

Quote from: Poison on February 11, 2012, 05:02:37 PM

Quote from: Dave on February 11, 2012, 04:33:18 PM

Someone had an ax to grind with Colleary. This goes on at EVERY school. Big East tickets aren't on sale to the public. It's well documented that companies/schools "distribute" these tickets. Most employees look at this as a bonus.

You are way, way off on this one. And I don't care if this or anything like this happens at every other school. I donate money to this one. And as it turns out my donation and support for almost 30 years resulted in me losing my seats. So, forgive me if I want Colleary's head on a stick.

What do you donations have to do with tickets that belong to the university?

What are these donations to the Red/White Club for if they're not for tx? Lot of needy children that far more important than St.John's basketball. Dave, in all seriousness, do you really think that people donate to the athletic department bec it's a good cause?

I dont donate to the red white for fix. Hell I do the stormsaver package so I'd be getting much better seats if I bought the regular ones because of donations.

I don't call the school for Big East tickets either. Actually I really don't call for anything really other than when I went to the Kentucky game this year I called Kevin Barry for tickets and ended up sitting right next to him with a big group of others. And I paid St Johns for those tickets.

I donate to the Red White because when Lavin got hired it was obvious the school finally in my life made a commitment to winning. I felt it was important to give to the school to the Red White to show the same commitment as a fan. ( Unless the stock market gets completely destroyed like in 08 again . lol )

I supported this program despite a 6 win season and a complete lack of effort in hiring a coach that was able to make a difference. How has SJU rewarded my loyalty? I've been moved back 30 rows, placed off to the side a year after they hired Steve Lavin. Yes, things are moving in the right direction. (probably) But it really felt like the athletic department had no trouble climbing up onto their high horse the moment it appeared that things were improving.

As far as BE tickets go, I have never been offered anything better than section 300. Clearly, that is because Brian Colleary has been stealing those tickets.

The Red/White Club is in dire need of a complete overhaul.

The story is very disheartening.

Do you guys think it was Colleary using his influence and access to his advantage or were other people in the Athletic Department involved.?

Others are being questioned right now. It may extend outside the athletic department.

For years, the students are blaming the alumni/fans, the alumni/fans are blaming the students, and Brian Colleary is the puppeteer.

All I know is that since 2005(and by all before that) I was treated wonderfully by the workers that were in the trenches for Red/White, but I basically did not exist in this guys eyes. I was a member in the Loughlin Society, have given my time to the school and was treated great for years and shown appreciation until the Norm years (not blaming Norm). One incident was before a game at MSG I bought a table of 10 for the pre-game and had a few SJU law grads and one was a politician from a New England state. I asked a Red/White staffer if Chris Monash or Brian could just stop by the table and say hello. Maybe take one minute. No one showed up. That was the beginning of a series of events that were pretty rude from upper athletic administration. I stopped donating after I moved to Florida and when they played U of Miami I asked about purchasing tickets to the game from SJU so I could be in a St. John's section. I was given the comeback of just buy your tickets from U of M. Thankfully I was able to get tickets from a smart staffer at St. John's and got to sit in the St. John's section. Dave, you are young, have a great site and do wonderful work covering the team. There are things you might not fully appreciate yet in the world of collegiate fundraising and if you think tickets are not part of fundraising, you are just not aware of the reality of it.

Quote from: Lapchick65 on February 11, 2012, 04:09:26 PM

St. John's University isn't perfect, but the vast majority of people who make up SJU are first rate people.  I am so proud of my association with the school and its mission.  I am not going to let some shady character bring down our school or reputation.  We are far bigger than that.

Yes thankfully this is first example of a University employee stealing since last year.

Poison - what do you think of Kansas?

Pathetic.  I don't donate to the school and I'm not alumni, but this is still pretty sickening.  The school should make him answer to the students and alumni he's screwed out of Big East tournament tickets or better seats before he gets quietly pushed out the door.

Quote from: Poison on February 11, 2012, 04:18:00 PM

Quote from: Lapchick65 on February 11, 2012, 04:09:26 PM

St. John's University isn't perfect, but the vast majority of people who make up SJU are first rate people.  I am so proud of my association with the school and its mission.  I am not going to let some shady character bring down our school or reputation.  We are far bigger than that.

Yes thankfully this is first example of a University employee stealing since last year.

Poison - what do you think of Kansas?

I don't think anything of Kansas. I don't live in Kansas. Thank God.

Pathetic.  I don't donate to the school and I'm not alumni, but this is still pretty sickening.  The school should make him answer to the students and alumni he's screwed out of Big East tournament tickets or better seats before he gets quietly pushed out the door.

His office has been cleared out, and his email has been confiscated by the University. He will have to answer to a higher authority.

Quote from: nudginator59 on February 11, 2012, 02:52:08 PM

Quote from: Poison on February 11, 2012, 02:04:26 PM

Quote from: mjmaherjr on February 11, 2012, 01:33:15 PM

I dealt with Kevin Barry directly with my contributions the last couple of years and I know for a fact my donation went directly to the school. Got my membership and over a certain level you become a member of the Loughlin Society and I was invited to their events as well which would have been impossible if my donation wasn't recorded and accounted for.

It is not that Red/White donations are being stolen. No one is accused of that, yet. What has happened, and this is some of what I have been made aware of right now, is that Colleary sold tickets to scalpars/brokers that should have gone to Red/White members.

He, and others kept the profits from those sales. If it were just the athletic department doing this, and keeping the money, it might not be illegal. It would be disgraceful, but possibly not illegal. Either way, EVERY Red/White member deserves more than just an explanation.

I hate this University. I truly do. And now you all know why.

         When I was deployed the athletic department sent my platoons st johns t-shirts and had our platoon photo their website. During my second deployment St. Johns staff sent me school supplies for the Iraqi kids.

  Nice story. Thanks for your service

. Thank you very much. St. John's is a good school, and has done great things for people and the city, but it is frustrating that the university keeps bumbling that message, and something stupid like this happens. If we can get our act together MSG will be red again.

As a season ticket holder and Red/White member, I am not happy at all. What he did was wrong. In an article yesterday, I read that they stripped him of some responsibilities over the last year or so. If that is true, I really wonder why it took so long.
It seems that this will be bigger than one guy. Here we go again.
I know we can get through this. I hope Lavin is healthy, comes back to coach next year and signs a great recruiting class. I also hope Harkless and Harrison do not go pro. We need to build on the excitement we had less than a year ago. We need some good news!
I graduated 27 years ago and have been very loyal to the university and our program even before I attended the SJU.
That said, I have to admit it sure gets frustrating. We always seem to take two steps forward and one step back.
We need Lavin back!

If we were taking two steps forward and one step back we would be in a lot better shape than we are in now. The expression is and I believe it fits our situation is one step forward and two steps back.

Dave, you are young, have a great site and do wonderful work covering the team. There are things you might not fully appreciate yet in the world of collegiate fundraising and if you think tickets are not part of fundraising, you are just not aware of the reality of it.

I really don't see any relevance to my age. I've picked up a bit of the "reality" working in or with college athletics for the past 10 years. This issue has nothing to do with fundraising or ticket sales.

Big East Tournament tickets are not on sale to the public. It's up to the University and corporate sponsors to distribute tickets. How do you suppose thousands of those tickets wind up on stubhub? It's completely corrupt but to single out Colleary for it when everyone in the conference is doing it goes to my point someone had something against Colleary to mention this to the press.

Quote from: Northshore on February 12, 2012, 11:24:09 AM

Dave, you are young, have a great site and do wonderful work covering the team. There are things you might not fully appreciate yet in the world of collegiate fundraising and if you think tickets are not part of fundraising, you are just not aware of the reality of it.

I really don't see any relevance to my age. I've picked up a bit of the "reality" working in or with college athletics for the past 10 years. This issue has nothing to do with fundraising or ticket sales.

Big East Tournament tickets are not on sale to the public. It's up to the University and corporate sponsors to distribute tickets. How do you suppose thousands of those tickets wind up on stubhub? It's completely corrupt but to single out
Colleary for it when everyone in the conference is doing it goes to my point someone had something against Colleary to mention this to the press.

In what universe is stealing not a crime? Maybe you'd have a problem with it if it were your money that he stole, and your trust that he betrayed.

It is "corrupt" to "single out" one thief because others are doing it too? That is a road to anarchy. Someone must have had "a grudge" to come down on this thief? Where is the logic in this thinking? This guy was not cultivating goodwill for SJU by distributing tickets to friends of the university. He was not selling tickets at face value and giving the proceeds to the University. He was selling to brokers and pocketing the cash. If the facts are as indicated, no matter how friendly anyone was with this guy, what he was doing was corrupt and he should be prosecuted.

Quote from: Northshore on February 12, 2012, 11:24:09 AM

Dave, you are young, have a great site and do wonderful work covering the team. There are things you might not fully appreciate yet in the world of collegiate fundraising and if you think tickets are not part of fundraising, you are just not aware of the reality of it.

I really don't see any relevance to my age. I've picked up a bit of the "reality" working in or with college athletics for the past 10 years. This issue has nothing to do with fundraising or ticket sales.

Big East Tournament tickets are not on sale to the public. It's up to the University and corporate sponsors to distribute tickets. How do you suppose thousands of those tickets wind up on stubhub? It's completely corrupt but to single out Colleary for it when everyone in the conference is doing it goes to my point someone had something against Colleary to mention this to the press.

Dave, I respectfully disagree. Have you ever read a red/white brochure? The bullet points regrading the membership advantages over the years has always been tickets, receptions, access. For you to think that tickets has nothing to do with fundraising is so far opposite of the way it is that it is almost hard for me to conceive how you can think that. You think they would think of ever giving Mr. Repole tickets in the upper level? No, because the fallout would be too great. But to mess around with the smaller contributors (<  $10K) whose complaints were going to his underlings who brought it up to him, where he could just let the complaint drop in the circular file is easy. It is great you have 10 years experience, but you judge me as if I have none without even knowing me. This also goes beyond Big East tournament tickets. As it states in the article the "big" games at the Garden were also involved. To say that other schools do it so it's not a big deal is wrong. The timeline seems to be that the University suspended him and then Lenn wrote the article. You do have an advantage of being on press row, so you hear a lot, but you also miss a lot of how the people who donate feel. Again, I respectfully disagree on your points and when you get to be an older, frustrated, wanna be GM like many of us older guys here, you will understand that recognition, respect, fun and better seats is what drives most college boosters.