He just kept swishing them in, 30 or 35 points, I dont remember., Hill went on to say, And they (Kuhn and Sweeney) were still saying, We got to have Cobb. I realized that and so I passed the word through Tony (Perla), At all costs, talk to him. Next thing I heard Cobb was all set, but it was going to take another $2,500 for his share. Per Game Team and Opponent Stats Table G MP FG FGA FG% FT FTA FT% TRB AST STL BLK TOV PF PTS; Team: 26: 30.6: 72.3.423: 12.9: 18.4.701: 40.6: 11.1: Cobb's life takes several twists and turns . He traveled throughout the world, getting paid to play the game that he loved. But Im so proud of him because he picked his life back up and made the best of it. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 8:19PM. If you got your own apartment after high school, that was considered a success. He turned to me and said, Coach, Im glad youre sticking up for your kid. ''I hadn't seen Ernie for several years,'' says Jack Hennessey, a Boston College psychologist who was an informal academic adviser to varsity . I didnt like dealing with a third party I didnt know and had never metBut the word came back that Cobb was enthusiastic and, dont worry Henry, nothing can screw up now., In the 30-for-30 documentary that ESPN just aired, Henry Hill admits that he never talked to me, said Cobb. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. Hed lost his older brother to drugs. Thursday, March 22nd, 1984. 1956 Im looking at him play against Clyde Frazier and right then and there, I thought it was a realistic dream for me to make it to the NBA. There were a lot of rich kids who went to Boston College. I just knew that not only was I going to make the team, but I was going to be a factor in the NBA. Career Length: Rookie More bio, uniform, draft, salary info. The story: Three Boston College players leading scorer Ernie Cobb, forward Richard Kuhn and Sweeney, the team's point guard were fingered by Hill for participating in the point-shaving scheme. She helped tutor me, and encouraged me through some rough spots. Fourteen hours later, I arrived in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.. I told him that he was going to have to work very hard and that he was going to have to do things the right way if he wanted to be successful, said Alswanger. He acknowledges taking $500, but says he never did anything to fix games. His father found work in cement construction as a hard laborer in Stamford, Connecticut, the third-largest city in the state that is situated approximately 30 miles from New York City. It was a meaningful existence, a testament to persistence and the strength of believing in the beauty of ones dreams, which hed worked so diligently to reconstruct from the ashes of juvenile delinquency and poverty. You realize that you cant play if you dont do this. . He was a murderer and a horrible human being. Cobb internalized the subtle looks from his new teachers and administrators, the ones his young mind translated to mean, We dont want you here. He no longer felt encouraged in his new classroom environment, and sensed the sting of judgmental eyes when his hyper personality and wandering mind attracted the attention of adult authority figures. But as it turned out, the trial was simply one chapter of many in his life, and not the defining one. A chance meeting in prison. I was shining at the camp. Select the fourth team from the drop down menu. There was no getting around that. who were in it from the beginning, and Ernie Cobb . You gotta tell me the truth, because I gotta know how to go on this?. His lifes dream of making it to the NBA, which was where he belonged, was taken away from him. He wanted to tell his side of the story. A documentary about the Boston College point-shaving scandal is . But before he stepped foot on campus for his freshman year to chase a new set of goals, he was hesitant, apprehensive and somewhat scared. Hes innocent., When they indicted me, they wanted Peter Vario, the mobster, so they tried us together, said Cobb. Golub was a brilliant lawyer, and he told me that hed have to interview Ernie first to see if he was gonna take the case on. And she loved him. How much his positive life trajectory was propelled by it? don't know about ernie but i know rick. The reasons for their failure may have been inherent to the whole project. The combination thereof led to the downfall of a previously untouchable New York crime boss responsible for multiple murders and the largest cash heist in U.S. history, via cronies in Pittsburgh who ran a point-shaving scheme that paid a few players to keep scores within the spread at Boston College during the 1978-79 college basketball season. Boston College (1978-79) Conspirators paid Boston College players, mainly Rick Kuhn and Jim Sweeney, to shave points depending on the spread and opponent. I dont know what went down because I wasnt involved. The game had saved his life, delivered him from peril, from a path leading nowhere, from dysfunction and illiteracy, to an elite college education and a shot at the NBA and a better future. At trial in 1981, the government's case consisted primarily of the testimony . Learn more and register. And look what he did to the lives of those kids. I didnt even know what goals were, said Cobb. I thought he might have been a student, because he was young and I saw him hanging around Rick Kuhn all the time. We found public records for Ernest Cobb. . He eats it up. It was like this whole new world opened up to him and his desire to succeed was unreal. 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The vast expanses of grass fields allowed him to run free and clear his mind. The film also benefits from the fact that most of those involved agreed to speak on camera, including Sweeney, fellow accused BC players Ernie Cobb and Michael Bowie (who were completely vindicated), law enforcement officials and all the principals on the organized crime side of the story. When Ernie began attending school, the areas school system was functionally segregated. He was 87. But I found out that I wouldnt be allowed to leave the United States because the government was going to bring me to trial.. age of adaline comet. Lavine said Kuhn was very open but declined to go on camera, so his side of the story is told instead mostly through court testimony. And I never go there, like, coulda, woulda, shoulda, because that would only lead to frustration. It was like a paradise to me, coming from where I came from. Ernie Cobb, G, 1975-79 - 1,760 12. Ex-basketball star Ernie Cobb was acquitted Friday of taking part in a point-shaving scandal that rocked Boston College in 1978-1979, and tearfully asked for a fair shot to resurrect his chances . Ernie Cobb played professional basketball in Israel for 17 years, where he learned to speak fluent Hebrew. They left, and that was that. Every accomplishment made me want to work harder. Thoughts continuously raced through Cobbs mind: How had he arrived here, he wondered, of all places, charged with allegedly conspiring to commit sports bribery while allegedly fixing college basketball games for the mob? hoops that blazed a trail, Mills continued. The thoughts continuously raced through Cobbs mind: how had he arrived here, he wondered, of all places, charged with allegedly conspiring to commit sports bribery while allegedly fixing college basketball games for the Mob? We are not making it all up in our heads, thinking well of Kris Dunn because we want to: he has real talents to bring, and a body that for the time being will allow him to use them. The Draft Review (with Matthew Maurer) brings you a wealth of NBA draft history through its free resource of extensive statistics, biographies, articles, interviews and this live forum. fellow accused BC players Ernie Cobb and Michael Bowie (who were completely vindicated), law . Id like to thank all the people who stuck by me all the time, Cobb said after the verdict was announced. When he first stepped on the hallowed parquet floor at the legendary Boston Garden, where B.C. Leading scorer Ernie Cobb was accused . As a freshman, he played sparingly and averaged 4.5 points per game while the Eagles finished with a disappointing 9-17 overall record. I was excited about school and learning. My dad was still in my life, but something changed inside of me, said Cobb. what states require consummation of marriage; new milford ct police scanner; reply to opposition to motion to compel california; environmental opportunities and threats in business; Read more atthe Shadow League. . Henry Hill told prosecutors BC forward Rick Kuhn, shooting guard Ernie Cobb and point guard Jim Sweeney accepted money to purposely keep games closer than they may have otherwise been. Rocco comes up to me and says, Hey, sometimes I bet on games and I wanna know how you think you guys are gonna do against Stonehill and Bentley? said Cobb. I did everything I needed to do in terms of having the grades and the standardized test scores to get in. He also . Boston College Guard and former Stamfod High School standout Ernie Cobb drives past St. John's Frank Alagia during a game in 1976. He ate, drank, and slept basketball. Some of it happened almost by accident, and some of it happened after years of determined work. Who was involved in the Boston College basketball scandal? Visser became the NFLs first female beat writer in 1976, when she was assigned by the paper to cover the New England Patriots. The characters and events were later immortalized by the actors Ray Liotta and Robert DeNiro in the classic film, Goodfellas. We werent really checking for B.C. It was the first time he saw the game as something that could improve his life, something that could take him places. Data Provided By | Jackson State Ices Thee Pregame Show, Detroit Mercys Antoine Davis Creeping Up On Pistol Pete Maravichs All-Time NCAA Scoring Mark, A Poor Mans Danny Ainge A Poor Mans Jeff Hornacek: Michael Cooper Torches JJ Redick. won by only two points and I had a lot of losing money down on this game. rick kuhn boston college now. And I dont think it ever stayed with me.. The point-shaving allegations surfaced during an unrelated investigation into the 1978 theft of $5.8 million from the Lufthansa cargo terminal at New Yorks Kennedy Airport. Near the Boston College campus, he had a flat tire. Hill brought in his mentor, Jimmy Burke, to finance the operation and set up a network of bookies who could advance the financial potential of the scheme. Kuhn was later convicted and served ten years in prison for the crime. As he walked across the scenic campus, marveled at the schools architectural splendor or ate until his hearts content in the dining hall, hed often pause to quietly give thanks for his fortunate circumstances. Cobb insisted on having his day in court, of clearing his name. So Id go up there all the time and get me one. Im stuck. Good morning!ESPN's "Playing for the Mob" has rekindled embarrassing memories for not only Boston College but also The Boston Globe, 35 . Henry Hill avoided going to prison, and he went off into the sunset of the governments Witness Protection Program, said Alswanger. and I were the victims of the same circumstances that were beyond our control. Years later, I wound up using that police officers Cadillac to go to my high school prom, said Cobb. NEW YORK -- Former Boston College basketball player Rick Kuhn, jailed for his 1981 conviction in a point-shaving scandal, has asked for a reduction of his 10-year prison sentence. Contribute to The Shadow League today and help us share our narratives. All content 2000-2023 RealGM, L.L.C. Old Greenwich was a really rich neighborhood, and theyd have all these beautiful bikes just sitting out there on the lawn. A talkative informant. These trading cards represent card number 247 in the Topps 1969 baseball card series. Professor Emeritus Richard Cobb-Stevens, a widely praised phenomenology scholar who chaired the Philosophy Department for nine years and played a leadership role in the revision of Boston College's core curriculum during the early 1990s, died on July 6. I was mesmerized.. Alswanger took Cobb to Madison Square Garden once to see the Knicks play against Calvin Murphy, the scoring dynamo who was considered the best player to ever come out of Connecticut. Early on, before the season got underway, Cobb says that he was approached by a man from Pittsburgh named Rocco Perla, who hed seen hanging around campus with his teammate, senior forward Rick Kuhn. College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com, Scores from any date in BAA/NBA or ABA history, Frequently Asked Questions about the NBA, WNBA and Basketball, Basketball-Reference.com Blog and Articles, Subscribe to Stathead Basketball: Get your first month FREE. Kuhn acknowledged his role and was the only player convicted. Jack McCluskey | Special to ESPNBoston.com, '30 For 30' tackles BC point-shaving scandal, Steve Addazio calls Tyler Murphy clincher vs. USC, Harvard's Zack Hodges gets his shot with Colts, Wesley Saunders helps Harvard recover to capture crucial Ivy win, Beanpot final, consolation moved to Feb. 23, Signing Day Notes: Fences going up for local programs, Boston College unveils 25-man recruit class, Northeastern knocks BC from Beanpot throne. He was from Norwalk, not far from where I was from. But for many, there is a fierce bitterness that still lingers to this day. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Kuhn, a reserve forward on the 1978-79 Boston College team, and four other men were convicted last November of a plot to manipulate the . Drafted #109 in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Jazz. But it wasnt a coincidence that one day, the F.B.I shows up asking me about gambling, and the next day Im no longer with the team. With his pro career and NBA dream in limbo for over four years since news of Boston Colleges point-shaving scandal was first splashed across the front pages of newspapers and magazines, he simply desired to have his life back. We got really close and he looked out for me. Jim Sweeney during Boston College men's basketball's 1978-1979 season. Where did this kid come from, said Alswanger. Tell me what you did and what you didnt do. Here was this kid who had all the odds stacked against him, and he was so committed to being successful., His focus and work ethic was amazing, Alswanger continued. He killed people. By his senior season, he was an All-American. I was having a lot of success, we were turning around the fortunes of the program and I was getting a lot of press in the Boston Globe and area newspapers. I dominated all those guys on the playground and they laughed at me when I got cut. I kept me a shiny, new bike.. He says he believes his experience could serve as a test case for others, to help prevent anything like it from happening in the future. Im ready to move on from the actual filmmaking process. A few blocks from Boston College, the place that held so much meaning to him, where hed worked so hard to create his lifes purpose, the symbolism was inescapable when he found that he had a flat tire. He sensed something in that moment, something transformative. They said they were trying like hell but they couldnt get the job done because Cobb was the key man on the team., After Boston College beat Holy Cross 89-87 in the first game between the two schools that season, Hill said in SI, Well, B.C. The problem was Cobb. He was naive at the time, believing that his exoneration would pave the way for apologies and acknowledgments of his innocence: from the NBA, the federal government and Boston College. She did the best she could. It wasnt an absolute disaster but it was a cousin. Rocco Perla was sentenced to four and Kuhn was released after 28 months. Coach Pouncy in only his second year guided the Boys to the 2000 Class "A" Arizona Junior High School Athletic Association State Champs. When he arrived on campus in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, Cobbs internal mantra was, I gotta stay eligible. With those persistent affirmations dancing through his mind, he took his academic responsibilities seriously from day one. Eventually, he became a part of my own family and spent a lot of time over at our house. Kuhn enlisted the help of starters Ernie Cobb . He told him that he had talent, but that wasnt enough. But I wasnt sure if I was really up to B.C. Id also developed a reputation in school as a troublemaker. In practice, he was the lunatic who his teammates sucked their teeth and rolled their eyes at when he told the coaches that they needed to run more sprints after an exhausting practice. When I think about my journey, it brings tears to my eyes. And now, here I was on that same floor, pumped sky high, giving my defender buckets! I was better than everybody on the team, but I talked back to him and he cut me because he said I had a bad attitude. erath county rant and rave; springfield, mo jail inmates; essex county hospital center jobs; blanching vs non blanching erythema; star trek next generation cast salaries The Globe, quoting an unnamed source in New York, said the three games in which point-shaving was alleged were a Feb.3 game against Fordham, a Feb. 6 game against St. Johns and a March 1 game in the ECAC Regional Playoffs against Connecticut. But well come back to that later. Quiz clue: Category (S = Singles, D = Doubles, T = Triples, HR = Home runs) / Hits . The first goals that Alswanger stressed revolved around academics. Height: 5'11" (180 cm) Weight: 0 lbs (- kg) Position: PG. I really wanted to get to the bottom of it from a personal curiosity [standpoint], and then also knowing that this had to be a great story.. That includes Rick Kuhn, the former minor league baseball player who started the scandal and who Sweeney says got him involved in it. Not long after that, I was playing Pop Warner football and needed a mouthpiece. Sometimes, B.C. Burkes gang had just successfully pulled off the Lufthansa airport heist at New Yorks JFK airport, where theyd stolen an estimated $5 million in cash and $875,000 in jewels, the largest cash robbery in America at the time. His competitive desires were satisfied with all of the recreation activities that were offered. I moved on many, many years ago, and I think the worst thing you can do is blame others or even blame yourself because thats kinda like a poison that just stays with you. The main thing was that they were really trying to rehabilitate us and teach us, hoping to turn us around before we became hardened criminals. On the stand during the trial, Rick Kuhns girlfriend, Barbara Reed, with whom he shared an apartment during his senior year at Boston College, testified that she overheard Kuhn and Sweeney discussing the Fordham game, saying that they had to keep the ball away from Cobb because he shot the ball all the time. But its the points that Cobb and teammate Michael Bowie didnt score during the 1978-1979 season which has spawned a federal investigation. The Globe would later admit that they were wrong in reporting that Bowie was involved, after he was not implicated nor investigated by the federal government for any role in the scandal. Many long-time fans are now familiar with the Boston College basketball point shaving scandal, where the Mafia, led by wiseguy Henry Hill, recruited and bribed several members of the 1978-79 . 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