How should we handle our own personal PR

by Moiso13 on Nov 30, 2011 11:33 AM EST

As members of the Nunes Community we are assumingly representatives of the SU community to all our non SU friends. This poses a difficult problem. One I have been strugling with. I love Jim Boeheim. I personally don't think he knew and until I am proved wrong I will continue to believe that. I believe he should keep his job and ride off into the sunset at some future date. I also watch JB on a weekly/daily basis. I know how he thinks and what he is prone to do. From my perspective last nights press conference was a smashing success. He didn't storm off, break anything, insult anyone point blank, or any other manner unbecoming behavior he directs toward the press. I thought he did an awesome job giving as close to a Bill Belichick press conference as he is capable of. Outsiders to the SU community not familiar with his salty ways did not think it went as well. This leads me to my and I expect our problem. What "statements" should we be releasing to our friends? How should we handle the fire we have come under for being associated with this school? When folks don't delve into this story with the depths that we do and only get snippets from the news they jump to conclusions about our beloved alma mater lets strategize folks.

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I think the best thing we as SU fans can do is echo what Jimmy said. We really don’t know anything substantive at all. Only allegations have emerged so far, and the so called smoking gun is not conclusive evidence at all just yet (i.e. how do we know it was secretly recorded? and if it was, in the context of what time period?). This is not to be considered a defense of Bernie Fine, but rather a simple reminder that no one should be judged innocent before proven guilty in a real court (not the court of public opinion), and that most importantly, it does not reflect back on Fine’s superiors or the university community as a whole. Boeheim’s words are once again worth repeating, in that there are very few people who would not vouch for a lifelong friend if such heinous accusations were leveled their way, especially on such shaky evidence.

One thing I would avoid is the discussing the differences between Penn State and Syracuse, because the definition of ‘on his watch’ seems to vary from person to person. The best we can hope to do is offer the explanation that just because Bernie was a professional subordinate to Boeheim does not mean that he was a personal subordinate, too. There are very few people who would want their boss to have them followed and examined outside of the work place under a microscope, even if they were doing something completely legitimate. Remind them that this is essentially what the Monday morning QBs are saying Boeheim should have done, and point out how unreasonable it is.

I know most of this is Boeheim-focused, but that’s because most of the current criticism is directed at him, not Syracuse University. That may change as the findings of the 2005 investigations come forward, but for now it should be obvious to friends and acquainatances that just because we support the Orange and wear SU gear from time to time we are not automatically pedophiles along with Bernie. I have made a point of wearing SU clothing whenever possible since the allegations came out, and I welcome the conversations so that I can attempt to provide this point of view for us, our university, and our basketball program, because the treatment we are getting in the media is certainly not representative of us in any sense at all.

Hope this helps, sorry to be so long winded but as a grad of the College of Arts and Sciences, I have been trained in the art of diarrhea of the mouth :P

Whose house? CUSE HOUSE.

by OrangeFactor on Nov 30, 2011 1:11 PM EST reply actions

What?

Have you come under fire for being “associated” with the school? If Bernie sexually assaulted children, disgusting. If Bernie sexually assaulted children, and the University or JB new about, they are just as culpable. The simple truth is you can’t know what people do behind closed doors so to speak. Even if they were the bestest of best friends ever.
However, Jim Boeheim is an adult, who gets paid alot of money and has for some time for his position. He knows full well that his position is not just about coaching basketball. It is also representing a fairly prominent and nationally recognized University in the public light. Granted, the basketball program’s success contributed to that national recognition, but nonetheless that is part of his position. He has always been described sort of whimsically as a “curmudgeon” or “grumpy” to describe his general attitude toward the media and press, which is all fine and dandy if it only deals in basketball. This is well beyond basketball. It cannot simply be chalked up to “well that’s Jimmy B for ya”.
All of that said, I really don’t think he has done anything that terrible. He came out defending a friend, but mostly defending himself. Some people didn’t like it. More “information” came forth, and he took a step back. He was nervous last night, and tried to break the ice with a joke. Was it the best way to go, probably not, and someone who makes as much as him, has as much riding on it, and works for a private University with a billion dollar endowment should have been thoroughly prepared for last nights press conference by the best PR firm money can buy. On the other hand, it really was transparent that he simply was nervous and trying to break the ice. However, trash men pick up the trash. “Writers” (used loosely) and “reporters” (ditto) have to write and report.
I don’t worry about the PR. I graduated from the University and will always hold a special place in my heart. I support the athletic teams with as much, maybe more passion than I did prior to this. They had and continue to have nothing to do with it though they have been snagged in the fairly large net. I did not sexually abuse anyone or know of anyone being sexually abused. I just don’t think you need to be “all in” or fold. If you think you are going to be able to stop someone’s opinion, especially someone who bases their opinion not on their own independent thinking, but reaction to “news” stories from Pat Forde and those of his ilk, your living in the wrong country and time period my friend. It is admirable to want to defend your alma mater. However, learn a bit from Boeheim, and don’t pick up the sword to defend until you are positive there exists reason to defend.

by Anthonyesq on Nov 30, 2011 3:43 PM EST reply actions