Jim Les Gets It

[Double D]

I was a team manager from 88-91. On my door step on Friday after work was a box. When I opened it there was a pair of practice shorts and a Bradley Basketball t-shirt in my size. There was a letter from the office of Jim Les and a copy of a game schedule. It said "Once a Brave, always a Brave! We hope to see you at Carver Arena this season."

I know how positive you all are about Coach Les and what he is doing with our basketball program. But, this is just one small example of how he is keeping the "Family" together.

[Braveman]

Darn... I better check my mail...

I was manager while JL played.... They must have lost my address!

[Da Coach]

This is great to hear!

[Double D]

Braveman, I remember one of the basketball secretaries asking for our sizes after the Coach Stowell reunion. If you participated in the event you likely were included.

I can only imagine the lengths that Coach Les goes to make the players and recruits feel appreciated and wanted. I have plenty of pairs of shorts and lots of Bradley t-shirts, but this small gesture made my weekend.


Sorry, if my post caused you to feel "left out"

[Chico]

Braveman, maybe JL isn't a Packer fan like we are. At least he's a Sox fan so he knows his baseball.

[ph]

That gift is an outstand idea.
I have heard of recognizing "alums" in the world of business. Makes me wonder if his former brokerage does that.
(Some consulting companies are very protective and do not want their consultants to leave. I have heard of at least one consultant that treats it's former employees as "alums" and sends a small annual gift. That company figures if they keep the relationship going they are more likely to get recommended in the future)

[MacabreMob]

DblD - That is a great story. Thanks for sharing with us.

Btw, anyone know when AP will (if ever) return for a visit?

[Braveman]

Braveman, I remember one of the basketball secretaries asking for our sizes after the Coach Stowell reunion. If you participated in the event you likely were included.

I can only imagine the lengths that Coach Les goes to make the players and recruits feel appreciated and wanted. I have plenty of pairs of shorts and lots of Bradley t-shirts, but this small gesture made my weekend.


Sorry, if my post caused you to feel "left out"

Naw... just having some fun... I also have lots of BU stuff... and just saw JL at lunch last week.. so I am fine...

[Big Mike]

Hey that's great news........JL will do nothing but good on the hilltop!

[BradleyBrave]

Not to start a war or take pot shots, but just wondering - Does anyone think that the old coach maybe didn't 'get it'?

[Big Mike]

Not to rattle any feathers..........but I called in one night to the old coach on the radio show and told him that the "blood jersey" he was using was a retired #15 Mitchel Anderson and I didn't like it being used......and he replied...."I did not know that?" Thats why I wanted a former Brave at head coach.....someone who cared about BU's long traditions and also welcomed back the old players as well!

[Da Coach]

I think it may be more common for coaches not to invite older players to be a part of their program. I think it may be because most coaches are not alumni of the schools they coach, and they don't feel the same kind of connection to the past. Maybe they even feel that "dregging up memories of the past" will diminish what they are trying to accomplish in the present.

Since Jim Les is part of the glory days at Bradley, it's easier for him to want to want to include previous players in the activities surrounding Bradley's present success. I'm happy he is, and I am sure most Bradley fans like it.

[BUBraves06]

Not to start a war or take pot shots, but just wondering - Does anyone think that the old coach maybe didn't 'get it'?

That's a great story Double D.

BB, I came to BU just after Coach Les so I don't know much about Coach Mo or any of the other coaches, but I think it does help to have a former player as a coach at his alma matter. It's little things like Big Mike's story that people that have been around the program would get, and understand as important, while an outsider may not realize just how much the history of a program means to multiple generations of fans.

As I was writing above one person who popped into my head was Dean Smith. I've read multiple books about him and the UNC program and the one thing that he stressed about all else, was the family of North Carolina basketball. I think that's a great trait in a program and I hope it's something that Coach Les can continue to build on.

[Murph]

Does anyone think that the old coach maybe didn't 'get it'?

I do.....

[lefty]

Not to start a war or take pot shots, but just wondering - Does anyone think that the old coach maybe didn't 'get it'?

then why did you?