The Rutgers basketball program is working hard to move past last year’s Mike Rice scandal. The school hired former player and NBA coach, Eddie Jordan, to take over as head coach of the Scarlet Knights. Jordan played for Rutgers from 1973-1977 and helped lead the 1976 team to the Final Four. He went on to coach for several teams in the NBA including the Nets, Wizards, and Lakers. Jordan was hired in April to replace Mike Rice as head coach. In choosing Jordan as head coach, Rutgers is bringing back one of the best Rutgers basketball players of all time and a man who has years of experience.
The Scarlet Knights opened their season on Friday, November 8th with a 92-84 victory over Florida A&M. After the game, Jordan said, “I just wanted to get the win…I would have been emotional if I didn’t get the win. I was paddling like heck underneath the water, trying to get the win.” The win lets Rutgers begin their season on a high note, which is exactly what they needed.
With a new coach and the RAC’s slight remodel, the main thing Rutgers needs to move forward is to make sure the fans come out for each game. When the fans come out, it shows they have the organization’s back, which is what it really needs this season. Their support shows that they stand by Eddie Jordan as the new coach and they know that the organization is doing everything they can to make sure the players are in comfortable environment.
The most important fans at the games are the students. The basketball team helps represent Rutgers and students need to show that they are going to be there to support their school. The athletes on the court need the support and cheers more than anyone. They were the ones directly affected by the scandal and by coming to the games, it lets them know that they have their fellow classmates to lean on through the highs and lows.
The season has just begun and there are a lot of games left to play. The fans need to make sure they come out and cheer the team on all season long.
Sources:
http://scarletknights.com/facilities/images/rac.jpg
http://www.nba.com/coachfile/eddie_jordan/index.html
http://www.scarletknights.com/ck/images/basketball-men/2011/front/rac_fla.jpg