2008 Woodie Awards
Wanted: Dedication on Pitt Center hardwood
Brian Fitzsimmons
Issue date: 2/21/08 Section: Sports
Don Cook smiled - the way he begins many of his intriguing anecdotes- and pointed at Jack Kaiser's name printed on a pinstriped drawstring bag with a mini-bat protruding out of the top, perched on one of the Athletic Director's office tables. The memento was from his dear friend's ceremony for having the baseball stadium at St. John's University named after him. `
Kaiser has become synonymous with the Red Storm's athletic department, so McCallen Field turned into a facility dedicated to his name after he threw out a ceremonial first pitch in front of famous onlookers such as John Franco, Bob Sheppard and Frank Viola.
The date was May 5, 2007.
It is time for Dave Bike's day to come at Sacred Heart.
Here, at our little school nestled in Fairfield, it's safe to say the men's basketball coach has reached Kaiser's level when it comes to displaying leadership and commitment to one institution for a long period of time.
For that, Bike deserves to have his heralded name displayed on the William H. Pitt Center's main basketball court much like how Duke University honored its coach, Mike Krzyzewski, with "Coach K Court" pressed on Cameron Indoor Stadium's hardwood.
Such a prestigious honor could only scratch the surface on how this university can repay such a historic and accomplished leader.
"[Bike] is such a respected figure in college sports and a lot of people, including students, don't know about it because his history dates back to 30 years ago," said Sacred Heart's Assistant VP for Institutional Advancement, Michael Iannazzi, through a phone interview. "He's operated at the top levels for a remarkable period of time.He's a real jewel."
Bike arrived through the gates of Sacred Heart in 1978 and served as both the Athletic Director and head basketball coach up until 1992. Along with being one of the most decorated athletes in Bridgeport's history, he was inducted to the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, and has built a reputation on the sidelines not many have been able to top.
Kaiser has become synonymous with the Red Storm's athletic department, so McCallen Field turned into a facility dedicated to his name after he threw out a ceremonial first pitch in front of famous onlookers such as John Franco, Bob Sheppard and Frank Viola.
The date was May 5, 2007.
It is time for Dave Bike's day to come at Sacred Heart.
Here, at our little school nestled in Fairfield, it's safe to say the men's basketball coach has reached Kaiser's level when it comes to displaying leadership and commitment to one institution for a long period of time.
For that, Bike deserves to have his heralded name displayed on the William H. Pitt Center's main basketball court much like how Duke University honored its coach, Mike Krzyzewski, with "Coach K Court" pressed on Cameron Indoor Stadium's hardwood.
Such a prestigious honor could only scratch the surface on how this university can repay such a historic and accomplished leader.
"[Bike] is such a respected figure in college sports and a lot of people, including students, don't know about it because his history dates back to 30 years ago," said Sacred Heart's Assistant VP for Institutional Advancement, Michael Iannazzi, through a phone interview. "He's operated at the top levels for a remarkable period of time.He's a real jewel."
Bike arrived through the gates of Sacred Heart in 1978 and served as both the Athletic Director and head basketball coach up until 1992. Along with being one of the most decorated athletes in Bridgeport's history, he was inducted to the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame, and has built a reputation on the sidelines not many have been able to top.
Be the first to comment on this story