The Cross Over Movement Blog

Sonny Vaccaro spoke at Harvard Law School yesterday. I agree with many of the comments from the Washington Post article and even laughed at his comment about Dick Vitale. However, I did not understand his most personal comment:

“I always prayed this would be my ending,” Vaccaro, who will turn 68 on Sunday, said during an interview before Wednesday’s lecture. “I have been working for this day for 68 years. This is the most significant thing I have done in my life, and it is payback for all the kids and parents who have been with me for 43 years. I’m fighting for kids I don’t even know, who have no idea I’m fighting for them.”

What is the most significant thing? Speaking to universities? Arguing against the NBA age limit? Criticizing the NCAA for profiting on the image’s of student-athletes? Writing his memoirs? Or, developing his academy project which is over a year in the making?

How did a career of marketing shoes by taking control of youth basketball and helping it become an out of control free-for-all dominated by profits, not basketball prepare him for any of these endeavors? I understand Eric Prisbell picked some soundbites and hearing the entire lecture might provide clarity, but I remain confused.

Prisbell writes that:

Many college coaches remain reluctant to praise Vaccaro publicly because he is a polarizing figure. Vaccaro said he recently has received the most attention from scholars at prestigious universities.

I don’t understand this either. Why would college coaches praise Vaccaro? When I wrote my piece on Vaccaro and the current development system of which he is the “grandfather,” I received multiple emails from high school and college coaches thanking me for my comments and agreeing with me. They also said they wished more people would speak up, but everyone has their hands tied because the shoe companies are so powerful because of their easy access to kids and money. So, why would they praise a system which many college coaches agree is a detriment to basketball development?