Maryland Minute - 05.19.11 - Should Maryland Hold Off on Naming the Comcast Court After Gary Williams?
by Dave Tucker on May 20, 2011 10:56 AM EDT
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Wow, what a whirlwind the last few weeks have been. We haven't done a Maryland Minute in a while because, well, every time a story broke it was worthy of it's own individual post. We'll hopefully get back into having daily Maryland Minutes, depending on what happens in the next few weeks. Regardless, we'll do our best to get any and all Terps related news out to you.
PressBox: Hold Off On Naming Court After Gary Williams
I like Stan, who wrote this piece, a lot. His editor sent us this article and I told him I respectfully disagree with Stan's argument about holding off on naming the court after Gary. I made the point that it's not just Gary's accomplishments as a coach, bringing Maryland from sanctions to a national title, that warrant his name being on the court at Comcast. Its also all he's done in terms of exposure for Maryland, helping to take the University to the next level, and the millions of dollars he's helped raise in the "Great Expectations" campaign and the establishment of a new scholarship fund. I think question isn't "is Gary worthy" but name do you actually put on the court? "Garyland?" "Gary Williams Court?" "Coach Williams Court??" I think I'll do an entire post on this...
Gary also spoke at Maryland's commcement yesterday. In case you missed it, here's his speech. What was really cool, aside from all the jokes President Loh made, was how the grads turned their tassels around. They brought back up Gary, asked everyone in the crowd to stand, waiving their fingers in the air, and when Gary gave one last fist bumb, that was the signal to move their tassels across to the other side. Upon doing this, the crowd dropped their hands and said "Swoosh." Pretty awesome (sadly that's not included in this video).
Gary Williams Commencement Speech - University of Maryland, Spring 2011 (via UMDNews)
Scott Spinelli joining Turgeon’s staff at Maryland - Terrapins Insider - The Washington Post
This is the first we've heard from Spinelli as far as I know. He mentions the front court as being a "priority" in recruiting, and has some nice things to say about Dalonte Hill. - Ben G.
NBA Draft 2011: Josh Selby, Jordan Williams take first steps toward NBA dreams - baltimoresun.com
Jordan has started training at a pre-draft camp in Chicago. Hope he does well. Seems like a lock as a 1st round pick now.
Mike Preston: Terps hope to avoid repeat of 2009 matchup with Syracuse - baltimoresun.com
Mike Preston reminds us about the last time MD faced 'Cuse in the NCAAT...
History is not on Maryland's side vs. Syracuse | Kevin Dunleavy | Sports | Washington Examiner
Hopefully Maryland can break through against Syracuse and eventually win their first title since 1975...
Jordan Williams NBA Draft Interview at Chicago Combine
For those that haven't disowned Jordan Williams, its worth the look. He cites the "confidence" his Vegas trainers gave him as the reason for staying in the draft. - Ben G.
Torrey Smith on Gary Williams: 'Everyone's going to miss that fist pump' - baltimoresun.com
Need more reasons to like Torrey Smith? Here you go.
Tracking the Terps: Report: QB Tyler Smith transferring to Elon - Jeff Barker - baltimoresun.com
Yeah...we better hope DOB and C.J. Brown don't get hurt. I guess Devin Burns might be the third string now, but he had switched to WR...
FayObserver.com - Touted guard Torian Graham picks N.C. State
Big get for State. Too bad they'll remain a middle of the pack team, despite the talent.
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You can be diplomatic if you want...
…but I won’t be. That’s a stupid column that guy wrote. Comcast Center WOULDN’T EXIST WITHOUT GARY WILLIAMS. Period. That’s all that needs to be said.
http://newyorksportsjerk.blogspot.com/
by New York Sports Jerk on May 20, 2011 11:04 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah, I definitely didn't agree with it
But I was curious to get feed back from other Maryland fans. I’m fairly confident that 99.99% will agree with putting his name on the floor, but I was still curious to see if I had a warped view of things or if I was indeed correct.
by Dave Tucker on May 20, 2011 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Respectfully disagree
I respectfully disagree as well. There’s no use in bashing the guy because of an opinion. I read his opinion, disagreed, and now I’m moving on.
I am interested in what they will name the court. I really like “Garyland”, but I feel that it won’t happen. “Garyland” makes it different than all other named courts, in my opinion.
I would like to name my living room floor after me, but my wife won’t let me. So I named the kitchen floor after her. She doesn’t know that yet.
I agree with stans statements but the court should still be named garyland
by valenciais1 on May 20, 2011 11:50 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I love "Garyland"
but I’m just not sure if that stands the test of time for some reason…
Will students 20 years from now relate? I have doubts…
Not for the long haul
I don’t think Garyland will stand the test of time. Gary Williams Court sounds right. Or they could work with Comcast to name it the GaryDome. Just a thought.
Students
Why didn’t the students at his commencement address give him a standing O? Really? C’mon now.
Garyland
with the silhouetted Gary with his fist raised would look sweet (like on the t-shirt: http://www.olemisssports.cstvauctions.com/auctiondisplay.cfm?auctionnbr=29961). Underneath, it could say “Gary Williams Court”
A bronze statue with fist pump needs to be installed outside, at the top of Comcast steps.
Welcome To Garyland!!!
+1 proud terp
A statue with his signature fist pump would be great!
by stripesean on May 20, 2011 9:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
You know what I really want?
A line of statues lining the stairs as you go up to Comcast. Gary, Lefty, Len, Juan, John Lucas, Greivis, McMillen, etc.
Ahhh man Ben you better be careful with those ideas u could start something, lol
thats an amazing idea
I agree with much
of what the writer says but frankly couldnt care less if they name the court after him. I just dont care about that stuff. GW did enough to justify it but there was plenty to be less laudatory about. My gut on things like this is that they shouldnt be a knee jerk reaction made so soon. They are better made with the perspective that time gives.
by Lucky Horseshoe on May 20, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions
Hell no, this needs to be done by the start of next season.
I know you’re not a huge fan of GW, but still. How long do you want to wait? How long has Lefty waited to be honored by UMD. Long overdue, time is fleeting. Let’s take care of our own.
by 1 proud terp on May 20, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Grad speech
Watching Gary walk out of Comcast one last time was such a sad moment. I’m so happy I could be there for that though
"If you want money, go to the bank. If you want bread, go to the bakery. If you want goals, go to the net" -Brooks Laich
Any football recruiting news out there?
Edsall been hittin’ the trail lately? I can’t wait for Labor Day, I need a good game thread to blow off some steam.
Graduates
Congrats at all ’11 graduates (including myself)! Great speech! I partially came to MD because of Gary and Maryland basketball, so it is bittersweet for me. At one end he is retiring and I will not be able to watch him pace the sidelines or shout at players and on the other, he chose MY class to go out with! I loved the ending where you shouted the whole ’11 class out! Love you Gary!
I like Garyland, but it should be named Gary Williams Court. I would rename the student section to be Garyland and have a statue outside the student section of his iconic fist pump.
that might be overkill...
Gary Williams Court, maybe a statue. Students can call the student section “Garyland” if they want but we do have a new coach, and I hope our students (who, in four years, will not know Gary that well) will be as supportive of Mark Turgeon as the current kids are with Gary. Let’s pay our respects but we don’t have to make the entire facility into a memorial for his career.
by Colorblind79 on May 20, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
maybe
the front row of seats in Garyland can be (S)Turgeon Roe?
by Lucky Horseshoe on May 20, 2011 3:39 PM EDT reply actions
Stan the Fan couldn't be more wrong
His is by far a minority opinion, and completely off base. Gary resurrected the program from certain death (no disrepect to Lefty, he deserves to be in the hall of fame; but MD was dead on Gary’s arrival), and he did it fighting uphill against the forces of evil in the AD’s office. Turgeon has made great strides in his first two weeks on the job because he’s working with an AD who understands that hoops is the moneymaker in College Park.
by allhailGary on May 21, 2011 4:30 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I would be ok with holding off for a few years, but for entirely different reasons than the article.
Gary absolutely deserves the honor, however Turgeon has enough of a challenge following him without having Gary’s memory so literally hanging around the arena. Give Turgeon a chance to establish himself and then in a few years we can rename the floor after Gary while hanging another national championship banner.
Already hanging over his head, literally !
turgeon already knows the weight he’s carrying now, and I’m sure he’s aware of more weight when the season starts. He has a national championship banner hanging over his head , plus he has to walk past the trophy every day. As for COMCAST it’s long overdue , just like his HOF ballad. The court should be named after him this year, and as far as statues I like bens idea. Go Terps!
the weight is worse because
the high expectations are silly and baseless. He inherits a team that couldnt make the NCAA or NIT and lost its best player and probably 3 of 4 recruits thought to be committed to the program. In other words he starts at the bottom so nothing should be expected him until he turns over the roster with his own players. So the weight you speak of is based on unreasonable expectations. There are legit expectations based on the POTENTIAL of this program which has been unattained during the steady slide downward since the natty ten years ago.
by Lucky Horseshoe on May 22, 2011 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions
the court
i wouldn’t name the court after him
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