Passing of John Marinatto...

[billyjack]

Scoutfriars board reporting that former Big East commissioner John Marinatto passed away this weekend. He was a really good guy... PC grad, worked for the early Big East at the beginning with Gavitt and Tranghese. Later was the Friars AD.

I know everyone here is familiar with the story:

Among many accomplishments, as an assistant to Tranghese, he came up with the proposal (when Miami of Fla, Va Tech, and BC left) to build the 2005 superconference with Louisville, Marquette, etc. That was a groundbreaking, cutting-edge, radical idea at the time, and shortsighted dimwits were critical ("What??? midwestern Marquette is going to the Big East???).

In 2011, the duplicitous, crack-addled, backstabbing football schools destroyed the conference, and blamed JM, leading to his resigning and the change to Mike Aresco, yadda yadda.

And as i always say, ultumately the 11 of us together are in a much better and funner place... so everything worked out.

[gtmoBlue]

Thanks BillyJack...Interesting historical tidbit. Anyone else have more on this. Always great (from my standpoint) to know "what really happened" back in the day - in all seriousness (all BS aside).

[FenwayFriar]

Highly recommend reading this Yahoo article for more info. The Big East and PC were his life. RIP

https://sports.yahoo.com/heres-why-collapse-of-big-east-shouldnt-define-john-marinattos-legacy-after-his-death-055754012.html

[ecasadoSBU]

The sports world lost a very good man. May he rest in peace!

its sad to read that he felt responsible for the collapse of the Big East.

[GoldenWarrior11]

RIP to, by many accounts, a very loving, selfless and caring individual that embodied both Providence and the Big East. Heartbreaking that it sounds like he felt responsible for the breakup of the Big East. I would hope the conference and/or PC create an award or annual game in his honor.

I, too, would love to hear more about the 2005 expansion backstory. I had thought it was Tranghese’s connection to Crean that started dialogue.

[gtmoBlue]

Thanks FenwayFriar. A very good read and account of a great guy. a bit of insight into the
BE backstory...a less jaded view.

...just hanging...



out here in the corn...