It was the perfect way to honor the past while helping the future.
Host an alumni dinner to raise money to bring back the 1998-1999 Elite Eight team and increase its name, image and visibility.
But before that could be done remotely, one guarantee had to be made, Tyrone Grant told Matt Abdelmassi, the new general manager of St. John’s University men’s basketball.
“Nobody comes back unless they have a coach.” [Mike Jarvis] It’s coming,” Grant, the team’s center, told Abdelmassi.
Jarvis had not returned to the program since being waived six games into the 2003-04 season.
None of the officials worked directly with the school, but there remained animosity between the two parties.
When Jarvis’ son, Mike Jarvis II, approached him about going back to school, he told him he would have to think about it.
The son felt it was natural, and the older Mr. Jarvis agreed.
Nearly 20 years have passed since then, and there are many people who want to meet him, including former players and friends.
His grandson, Jeffrey Cheyenne, is the team manager.
Jarvis will be back this weekend at Friday’s NIL dinner, followed by team recognition at halftime in Saturday’s game against No. 1 Connecticut at the Garden.
“I had so many thoughts. I can’t talk about them all,” Jarvis, 78, told the Post in a phone interview. “But to be honest, most of them are good. I haven’t met many guys who live in Florida. What’s great is that they’re excited. They’re honored and… They seem so excited and happy to be back and together, and that in itself makes it all worth it.”
He admitted he had mixed feelings about his return. At the time of his firing, the team was 2-4.
Then it turned out there was a problem off the court. Among them was Grady Reynolds, who was charged with assaulting a female student.
Center Keita Abe claimed he was paid $300 a month by Jarvis’ staff throughout the season.
St. John’s University was suspended for two years and stripped of 43 wins, including the NIT title Keita played in.
Jarvis was accused by the NCAA of not properly monitoring the situation, but was cleared of any other wrongdoing.
“By the time it finally happened and everything was done and the NCAA came back and said, ‘You know, everything is fine,’ it was too late,” said Jarvis, who coached at Florida Atlantic from 2008 to 2014. ” he said. “I left, but my reputation was damaged by what people said.”
Still, when Jarvis heard how eager Grant and the other players were for him to participate in the event, he couldn’t say no.
That’s not correct.
After all, he remains the most successful St. John’s coach since Lou Carnesecca.
There was an Elite Eight season, NIT and Big East tournament championships.
Three of his players went on to play in the NBA: Ron Artest (now Metta World Peace), Eric Barkley, and Laver Postel.
Jarvis is the last Red Storm coach to win an NCAA Tournament game, dating back to 2000.
Many remember the 1998-99 season best when St. John’s came within three points of the Final Four, losing to Ohio State in the Elite Eight.
Led by the Big Three of Postel, Artest and Bootsy Thornton, the team won 28 games and finished third in the Big East.
They defeated Bobby Knight and No. 6 seed Indiana in the second round, and beat Steve Francis and No. 2 seed Maryland in the Sweet 16.
“I just remember how tough and resilient those guys were,” Jarvis said. “Starting in the backcourt with Eric all the way to the frontcourt. We had a guy named Ron Artest. He could play five different positions on any given night. Top players in the country. We had Bootsy Thornton, who grew up to be one of the guys, and Laver Postel, who went on to play in the NBA. They were a really special team and did special things.
“If you really look at the history of St. John’s, they were a great, great team and we accomplished quite a bit,” he added. “Let’s let the nets come down a few times at Madison Square Garden. Those guys deserve to be recognized. I’m really happy for the players.”
It’s ironic that the game this group returns to is Connecticut.
The Huskies won the 1998-1999 national championship and went 2-0 against St. John’s, including a win in the Big East Tournament title game.
It’s a chance for the current team to add a big win to their NCAA Tournament resume, and it will feature the best St. John’s team in the last 30 years. Jarvis is excited to be a part of it.
“I hope and believe it will be a very positive experience,” he said. “I hope there are some people in the audience who used to watch our games and remember those teams and how much joy we brought to the city when we were there. . Some may remember Coach Mike Jarvis fondly.”
