Mike Kitts was Paulie74” favorite target. His son , as bad as was his dad , is a ref today. I believe he did the recent Canisius game is Buffalo However, my most favorite ref memory occurred during the Tim O’Toole era. The Stags were playing I believe Siena ? at the WBA and at the very last few seconds of the game Terrance Todd drove the lane and put up a floater that went into the hoop cleanly . The shot appeared to be the game winner! However, Joe Demaio the ref at the game ( remember him?) came running out from under the basket waved the hoop off and called an offensive foul on Todd. So of course as a result the stags lost. Demaio sprinted off the court to the rear portal at the WBA after making the controversial call trying to beat the wrath of the fans. However one of the Fordham guys involved with the stags program at the time known as “ old man MAAC” on the fan board board beat Demaio to the seats above the portal. Old man MAAC yelled a couple of choice four letter words ar Joe who stopped and looked up. Once Demaio stopped he was a dead duck because Demaio got drenched with a 20 ounce beer that old man MAAC had dumped on joes ugly head. I remember saying to myself what a waste of a good beer!!
Other observations from the 1977-78 Season: Mark Plefka 1) Back in the era, basketball officials received set fees for each game officiated. Still, college coaches would slip extra money to officials for a job well done on top of their regular game fee. This was common practice across the country (but taboo to talk about). I knew this from my discussions while attending summer basketball camps and summer recreation leagues in which other college players I played against during the season revealed this to me. The sole purpose was to have those officials come back to your gym especially when big games were assigned to them. There was no close scrutiny back then by the NCAA (as there is now) via videotaping of each game. Moreso, officials now (because of the large pool of officials) you generally are not assigned the same school twice during the regular season. Back then, Porky Viera, Edgar Cartotto, Charlie Diehl and Larry Lembo did most or all of our games. Specifically, if you look back, Porky Viera officiated our big games (and Barakat) requested him regularly and got his wish. I couldn't understand why opposing coaches NEVER questioned this knowing full well before hand who was officiating our important games mainly at home. 2) Porky Viera and Fred had a unique bond. They were both outstanding players at their respective schools (Barakat at Assumption, Viera at New Haven). They both respected each other highly off the court. However, on the court was a different story. When the game was close ( and calls were not going our way) Fred would play Porky like a fiddle. Sure enough, Barakat would profusely swear at him (words unsuitable for printing) and eventually take off his jacket slamming it on his chair and loosening his tie. This was the cue for the band to start up and the student section to project a deafening roar and stomp on the wooden bleachers for full effect. As an official, Porky would quickly take notice and adjust his calls to Fred's liking. It was mind boggling to see how Fred could adjust his game strategy to fit the ebb and flow of each contest. 3) Press reporters also were the subject of Fred's verbal attacks especially if their articles did not portray us in a positive light. Yes, the season was full of the Stagmania onslaught but one reporter (who shall remain nameless) tested this revelation. After one game, a couple of players and I were still in the lockeroom along with this reporter. Fred had been waiting patiently to speak to this individual and the expression on his beat red face told the whole story. When Fred would get enraged and angry, watch out. He quickly poked his finger into the reporters chest and said (and I quote directly), " If you ever write another bull**** comment about one of my players again I will kick your ass from the gym to Main Street ". That in a nutshell was Fred. No one was going to derail the Stagmania train that year and the team loved him for his brutal honesty and backing all of us no matter what the circumstances. A true coach in every sense of the word in good times and in bad. 4) Fred's wife (Florence) was the stable force in Fred's life and all of the team LOVED her because of her class and humor. She had a very calming influence on him ( especially when she attended road games with us). At times, Florence had no problem yelling at Fred ( in front of us) telling him to calm down and relax. Clearly, during Stagmania, they both were beaming ear to ear which made the team feel at ease. More importantly, Florence would tip the team off if Fred was in a bad mood. A remarkable person for sure!!!
Post by nashvillestag on Jan 10, 2020 14:31:15 GMT -5
Hey Mark. Again, great insights from that period. MUST READING for true longtime Stag fans. One mistake you made though (as I'm sure you'll realize). Porky was a successful basketball player at Quinnipiac (and of course every bit as successful as a baseball coach at New Haven).
Fairfield Catholic (Boys Club Classic) 1/6/78; Fairfield (7-1)
A little hard on the eyes in trying to read this whole article, but a couple of things caught my attention regarding that night. The first kind of references back to our discussions regarding some of the officiating that opponents faced when they came into our home venue. Catholic coach Jack Kvancz, who many will recall starred at Harding and then later at Boston College, apparently was not too pleased with the job the men in striped shirts did that evening. And the other interesting thing to note was that the coach of Wagner at that time was P.J. Carlesimo, just getting started on a career that would make him pretty famous a few years later. Every one of these reports brings back an interesting thought or memory it seems.
As a side note, at the Beechmont Tavern before the Iona game, happen to run into and meet Bob Biolsi, another member of the 77-78 team. If I'm fortunate, I may be able to steer him toward providing a few insights on this team's achievements. He mentioned it would be great if the University could some how recognize/honor that 77-78 team and I am all for that.
Ah the glory days when the FF gym really was a home court “ pit” that provided a real advantage!!! Of course those days are long gone and never to be re-captured as a result of student dis-interest, over exposure of college games by TV and a history of well over 35 seasons of losing. RIP
Student disinterest at this level of mid-major college basketball is not unique to just Fairfield University as even the Siena board complains about it and they are averaging 5,768 so far at home this season in Albany. The internet, smart phones, social media, a bizillion tv channels available and ESPN all compete for the students' attention. Stag Basketball is merely another entertainment option these days. However, the Stag students' support is still needed and an important factor in having a home court advantage and adding to the game day atmosphere. Winning more games, especially at home after the last year of Sydney Johnson is the starting point to rebuilding the much needed Red Sea. Is Jay Young a presence outside of the WAC and around campus like Ed Cooley was? A direct "we need you" appeal to the students by JY would go a long way to help. FUSA, Athletics and AR all need to be working together now with a coordinated plan to increase attendance leading up to the opening of the new Alumni Hall Convocation Center.
MAAC Home Attendance School-Games-Average Canisius 7-1,391 Fairfield 6-1,384 Iona 4-1,536 Manhattan 6-1,098 Marist 8-1,146 Monmouth 6-1,678 Niagara 6-1,120 Quinnipiac 8-877 Rider 5-1,399 Saint Peter's 6-618 Siena 7-5,768
Interestingly Quinnipiac ECAC Men's Hockey is averaging 2,927 so far at home in the other half of the same new building. Quinnipiac MAAC Women's Basketball is averaging 731 in their 9 home games so far and Marist MAAC Women's Basketball is averaging 1,490 in their 7 home games. It all has to start with consistent winning and NCAA Tournaments.