And as black kids who loved ball in Boston, he represented something for us, giving the younger generation something to aspire toin terms of their basketball skillsbecause he was putting in some serious work.. Ernest was born in Harlem, the first son of the . 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. 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. They were touting me as the next sub-6-footer to have an impact in the NBA. He dreamed of walking away from Boston College at seasons end as one of the schools most revered sons before embarking on what he hoped would be an accomplished, financially rewarding career in the NBA. He sat me down in his office and we talked., (Stamford High School, Photo Credit: thesteelrailsadvocate.com), The social worker told me that Ernie didnt belong up there in that juvenile detention facility, said Alswanger. They had a beautiful campus and it was small enough to where I could function, and yet it was big enough that I could get the exposure I needed to fulfill my dreams.. Ernie Cobb was born in Stamford, Connecticut. Couldnt they see how grateful he was, that hed never cheat the thing that gave his life such meaning and purpose? He worked hard in class. Theyd taken my passport and I had to stay here and face these charges, said Cobb. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. Using extensive background research as well as interviews with the principal characters, Fixed provides the first in-depth reconstruction of the point-shaving scandal involving the 1978-1979 Boston College basketball team, from the genesis of the plot in the summer of 1978, through the uncovering of the scheme during an unrelated investigation in 1980, to the trial that captivated the sports . On Saturday Morning, March 24th, 1984, a tiny blurb in newspaper sports sections across the nation read 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 at a pro career. He quickly thrived and was recognized as one of the leagues best players. I was excited about school and learning. Cobb didn't get those years back, but neither did he seek redemption for his past. And he was all about the team and winning, despite the fact that he was an offensive machine. And in that article in Sports Illustrated, Henry Hill says, The word came back that Cobb was enthusiastic. The key phrase there is The word came back. I dont know what Rick Kuhn was telling Henry Hill or the Perla brothers. A talkative informant. The only problem was that he didnt have enough money to afford one. But its the points that Cobb and teammate Michael Bowie didnt score during the 1978-1979 season which has spawned a federal investigation. standards like the rest of the students, most who came from wealthy and very strong academic backgrounds. He listened and did everything I told him to do. The reality is there are only four real contenders. At around the same age, his parents separated, with his father moving across town. 1050. I was so frustrated at one point that I got on my bike in Stamford, Connecticut and just started riding. I cant read., When he told me that, we immediately got him a tutor, said Alswanger. My family has suffered. So, in very basic terms, if B.C. He was nave at the time, believing that his exoneration would pave the way for apologies and acknowledgements of his innocence: from the NBA, the federal government and Boston College. You understand? Head Varsity Coach of the Lady Bobcats Ernest Pouncy, begun his coaching career while he was a Prevention Specialist at Percy L. Julian school in the Roosevelt School District. Im going off on the basketball court, scoring like crazy, the gamblers are losing their shirts, and they start talking about, We have to have Cobb. Anybody thats ever seen me play knows that I was only stuck in one gear, and that was super-charged-turbo! Proactive and highly responsive counselor to students, parents, faculty, community and district needs. I was tremendously focused because I knew that I was going places., In my neighborhood, people didnt go to college, said Cobb. Boston College (1978-79) Conspirators paid Boston College players, mainly Rick Kuhn and Jim Sweeney, to shave points depending on the spread and opponent. 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. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. . The distinguished paper later retracted the story. A Trenton, New Jersey, native, Lavine grew up there about the same time as Jim Sweeney -- a schoolboy legend in Trenton who went on to star at BC. He says basketball was Ernie's "vocation and avocation. And look what he did to the lives of those kids. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, draft status, shoots, school and more on Basketball-Reference.com . Ernie, and anybody who truly knew him, who knew about his character and what type of young man he was, we were all heartbroken. NCAA. UCONN brought in the Governor, judges, you name it., When the letters started coming in, I realized that I had a chance to go to college, said Cobb. He refused to take a plea deal in return for a reduced sentence. Do you have a sports website? Michael Adams, G, 1981-85 - 1,650 . In 1984, he obtained acquittal for Ernie Cobb, a Boston College basketball star, on federal charge of point-shaving in Brooklyn federal court. A failed minor league baseball player from Pittsburgh turned college basketball player in Boston. The Boston Globe story was initially investigated and written by a young Boston College alumnus named Leslie Visser, who would go on to become a very accomplished, groundbreaking journalist and role model for women who aspired to work in the field of sports media. And I never go there, like, coulda, woulda, shoulda, because that would only lead to frustration. Experience for 11 years as a high school mathematics teacher. was favored to win a game by ten points, Kuhn had to make sure, if the game was in play with the mobsters and the bookies, that they won by less than ten in order for the gamblers to make money. All rights reserved. I wanted my name cleared and it took a long time.. But I dont feel any bitterness toward the prosecution. Couldnt they see how grateful he was, that hed never cheat the thing that gave his life such meaning and purpose? He had all of this ability, and he worked so hard, said Alswanger. The story read, in part, as follows: Ernie Cobb tossed in 1,760 points in a stellar basketball career at Boston College and only two other Eagles scored more. Acompanhe-nos: bonsall oaks development Facebook. It all seemed like a fairytale, until he was indicted for allegedly fixing college basketball games for the mob. The story captures Cobb's fascinating journey beginning with a challenged upbringing and the appearance of an unlikely mentor in Hermy Alswanger, to college basketball fame and then to the unwelcomed notoriety associated with being falsely linked to the Boston College point shaving scandal. I excelled. 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. The phone calls flooded in from his friends and family in Boston and Connecticut, with despaired voices on the other end asking, Did you do this? Select the first team from the drop down menu. Id also developed a reputation in school as a troublemaker. Ernie Cobb, 24, 5'11", 180-pound star of the team, from Stamford, Conn. I was shining at the camp. Hes innocent., When they indicted me, they wanted Peter Vario, the mobster, so they tried us together, said Cobb. 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. 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. Out of all the schools recruiting him, Cobb decided to accept Boston Colleges scholarship offer. Were you shaving points for the mob?. But I never agreed to fix any games or shave any points. Coach Alswanger, I have a confession to make, Ernie told the man sitting across from him. Alswanger, my high school coach inspired me to rise above my circumstances, he continued. He jumped in the air, as if soaring for a rebound, as cheers filled the courtroom. Boston College confirmed the investigation on Friday. That only leads to animosity. A documentary about the Boston College point-shaving scandal is . 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 guy called Herm and said, Ernies a good kid and hes going to be coming to your school, said Cobb. He loved being able to play ping pong, shoot pool and go swimming, but there was one place at the facility that he loved above all others: the gymnasium. Learn more and register. I was nervous because I didnt know what was going to happen. Ernie Cobb is also introduced, a senior, team captain, and Boston College's top scorer. Find Ernest Cobb's current house address. Checkout the latest stats of Ernie Cobb. Select the fourth team from the drop down menu. But well come back to that later. 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. 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. Hes a good person. 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 October 11th, 2021 , 09:01. Rocco Perla was sentenced to four and Kuhn was released after 28 months. They were just doing their jobs. Jack McCluskey is an editor for ESPN.com and a frequent contributor to ESPNBoston.com. All logos are the trademark & property of their owners and not Sports Reference LLC. College: Boston University (1979) NCAA Season Stats - Per Game. He was 87. Years later, I wound up using that police officers Cadillac to go to my high school prom, said Cobb. The vast expanses of grass fields allowed him to run free and clear his mind. We had the basics of everything that we needed. Hometown: , College: Boston College. Playing for the Mob makes good use of Scorseses classic, splicing in Goodfellas clips between interviews and using Liotta as the films narrator. Join our linker program. He wasnt a trial lawyer, so he brought in his colleague, David Golub. After a full recruiting cycle, which schools got it right - and wrong - four years ago Old Greenwich was a really rich neighborhood, and theyd have all these beautiful bikes just sitting out there on the lawn. Thats the story chronicled by the latest edition of ESPNs 30 for 30 documentary series, Playing for the Mob, which premieres Tuesday night at 9 p.m. I saw Ernie score 28 points against the Celtics in one of the final pre-season games when he was with the Nets, said Alswanger, Cobbs former high school coach. Here was someone who believed in him, someone who was willing to work with him and teach him about this game of basketball, which he loved more than anything. Stamford took front and center in the story when it was revealed that Boston College's top scorer, Stamford High School star Ernie Cobb, was among those being investigated. Cobb insisted on having his day in court, of clearing his name. It really was over 10 years that Ive been trying to do this, so I dont know that I can just turn the page on it and go on to something else. 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. His girlfriend, whom hed met during his first week on campus, was an upperclassman that knew how to navigate the schools academic landscape. Obviously, the huge message is dont get involved with point-shaving, Lavine said with a laugh. 109 Ernie Cobb, Boston University 129 Paul Poe, Louisiana College 148 Keith McDonald, Utah State 167 Milt Huggins, Southern Illinois 185 Paul Dawkins, Northern Illinois . These people [in the mob] get glamorized or sensationalized, Sweeney said. I felt like, You put my name out there, so let me clear my name! When they investigated me, I told them straight up about the $1,000 that Rocco Perla had given me. The reasons for their failure may have been inherent to the whole project. He insisted on taking a polygraph test, against his attorneys advice, which he passed. ''I hadn't seen Ernie for several years,'' says Jack Hennessey, a Boston College psychologist who was an informal academic adviser to varsity . Fourteen hours later, I arrived in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.. 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. It had to cost around $200,000 at the time to defend me.. After more than a decade spent trying to make Playing with the Mob happen, Lavine is ready to move on to a new project. I was eating Rory Sparrow up, who went on to have a decent NBA career, in that camp. A Maryland Dumping Site Was Actually A Black Cemetery. She did the best she could. Some 36 years later, there doesn't seem to be a lot of love lost between key characters Rick Kuhn, Ernie Cobb, and Jim Sweeney, the trio of Eagles allegedly paid to keep scores as close as they . 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: Ron Tompkins is a former major league pitcher who played for the Kansas . No one in my family had even graduated from high school. Cobb insisted on having his day in court, of clearing his name. Can you name the Top 25 MLB career leaders in singles, doubles, triples and home runs? I opened up the door and it was these guys from the F.B.I., said Cobb. 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. Jim Sweeney during Boston College men's basketball's 1978-1979 season. Cobb's life takes several twists and turns . Cobb admitted to accepting $1,000 but wasn't prosecuted. and I were the victims of the same circumstances that were beyond our control. How much he was indebted to it? He wanted to win every foot race, every pickup game of basketball and sandlot football, or any other endeavor that ended with a final score and winning result. There was no getting around that. She knew the terrain in terms of what I needed to be doing, said Cobb. They left, and that was that. Today, Cobbs relationship with Boston College remains strained. Stamford (108,056) Ernie Cobb (Boston College basketball), Gary Cobb (NFL, 11 years), Donna Lopiano (Raybestos Brakettes), Dick Mayer (1957 U.S. Open golf champion), Andy Robustelli (Pro Football . 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; I got caught, they arrested me and I had to go to court. His sister was going through some struggles. By his sophomore year, he was a starter on the varsity and an All-League selection. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 8:19PM. The first goals that Alswanger stressed revolved around academics. I went into the Caldors department store in downtown Stamford when I was about 12 years old and tried to shoplift one, he said. Ernest Cobb in the US: 76 records available . I never got to realize my dream of playing in the NBA, but Ive been all over the globe and have experienced so many different and beautiful cultures. The other two kids made whatever choices they made, but look what was done to Ernie. , When they investigated me, they wanted Peter Vario, the message! Top 25 ernie cobb boston college career leaders in singles, doubles, triples and home runs see grateful. Got on my bike in Stamford, Connecticut and just started riding his father moving across town Maryland Dumping was... 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