Tate George

[Dawson Rental]

A name from the past.  High School class of 1986.  IIRC, he committed to MU, then switched to UConn, but maybe MU was just in his final two or three.  Anyway, he has done his alma mater a disservice by running an investment Ponzi scheme. Was just convicted on several counts of fraud and is headed to the big house.  Was a first round NBA pick in 1990, as well.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/9750828/former-player-tate-george-convicted-fraud

[NavinRJohnson]

Done his alma matter a disservice? Really? How exactly is this a reflection on a college he attended 25 years ago?

[Dawson Rental]

Done his alma matter a disservice? Really? How exactly is this a reflection on a college he attended 25 years ago?

A failure to instill solid (read Jesuit) values.

[Benny B]

Done his alma matter a disservice? Really? How exactly is this a reflection on a college he attended 25 years ago?

Is it a sign that UCONN has failed in some way?  Absolutely not.
Is it bad press for the university?  Yes.

Is it a disservice or a bad reflection.... it's hard to say, but go ask the PR dept. in Storrs if they're doing cartwheels over free publicity from an article whose opening sentence contains "University of Connecticut," "convicted," "wire fraud," and "Ponzi scheme."

The problem is that Tate's claim to fame is something he did at UCONN.  If Dwayne Wade was convicted of something today, the fact that he went to Marquette would be buried in the article well after "NBA Champion," "Finals MVP," "NBA All-Star," "NBA Scoring Champion," and "Olympic Gold Medalist."  If it was Travis Diener, the article probably would lead with "former Marquette point guard."

Moral of Story: Your identity is forever tied to your most identifiable achievements.  Such is the reason we should all want Tom Crean to get a few final fours - dare I say a national championship or two - under his belt at Indiana... so when he's convicted, there won't be any mention of Marquette in those articles.

[GGGG]

I don't think UConn is substantially embarrassed by this story.  Even if this were Wade or Deiner, it would be just a temporary blip on the radar screen for Marquette.

[CTWarrior]

Too bad, he was a personal favorite of mine while at UConn.  That 1990 UConn team is my favorite non-MU team college hoops team ever and he was like a coach on the court for that team, in addition to being a great player and a really well-spoken, likable guy.  I guess being well-spoken and likable is what helped him become the scam artist he eventually became.  I guess you never know about people from afar. 

Anyway, I think when this story broke was the bigger deal for UConn, this was just an eventual formality.   

[Dawson Rental]

At the very least, a likable, well spoken alum who was part of an exciting time in UConn Basketball history has removed himself as a possible recruiting asset.

"You could be the next Tate George", is unlikely to be spoken now.

[GGGG]

At the very least, a likable, well spoken alum who was part of an exciting time in UConn Basketball history has removed himself as a possible recruiting asset.

"You could be the next Tate George", is unlikely to be spoken now.

OK...this made me laugh.

[NavinRJohnson]

At the very least, a likable, well spoken alum who was part of an exciting time in UConn Basketball history has removed himself as a possible recruiting asset.

"You could be the next Tate George", is unlikely to be spoken now.

Ok. Somehow I think they'll survive.

[Coleman]

I heard Buzz is telling recruits they could be the next Don Kojis

[Dawson Rental]

I heard Buzz is telling recruits they could be the next Don Kojis

Yeah, and I bet you were told that you could be the next "Phillie Phanatic".