In the 1998/99 season he lead the Girls to the top. I took every single practice and every single game seriously, said Cobb. I dominated all those guys on the playground and they laughed at me when I got cut. A Maryland Dumping Site Was Actually A Black Cemetery. Sweeney fessed up to taking $500 under duress and escaped prosecution. Not long after that, I was playing Pop Warner football and needed a mouthpiece. We have tools and resources that can help you use sports data. The other two kids made whatever choices they made, but look what was done to Ernie. It had to cost around $200,000 at the time to defend me.. As he walked across the scenic campus, marveled at the schools architectural splendor or ate until his hearts content in the dining hall, hed often pause to quietly give thanks for his fortunate circumstances. Ernie Cobb, the star of the Boston College basketball team in the 1978-79 season, was found not guilty yesterday of charges that he joined a game- rigging conspiracy to benefit gamblers that season. The scheme was hit or miss early on. Our reasoning for presenting offensive logos. 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 . If you missed Part I, you can read it here. Ernie Cobb played professional basketball in Israel for 17 years, where he learned to speak fluent Hebrew. There were times when the work got really hard, when I wanted to give up, when I had to stay up all night reading or studying or writing papers, and shed be right there pushing me, telling me, You cant give up! 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? His competitive desires were satisfied with all of the recreation activities that were offered. These trading cards represent card number 247 in the Topps 1969 baseball card series. The 1968 Topps Baseball Card series includes 598 cards and features multi-player rookie cards. 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. It was the streets.. Join us for a March Madness Webinar on Tuesday, March 7 at 8pm ET. The history of Boston College's involvement in illegal activity involving sports travels back to 1954, but the most notorious of the indiscretions was uncovered in 1981. . I thought he might have been a student, because he was young and I saw him hanging around Rick Kuhn all the time. And, of course, there are betting lines with the pick circled and handwritten box scores with the names of the alleged conspirators highlighted. Its one of several seeming contradictions the gangster-turned-informant offers during the film, right along with this doozy early on: I didnt threaten him or nothin, Hill says in the film, I just said, Its hard to play basketball with a broken arm.. Thursday, March 22nd, 1984. Until of course, he was caught and arrested for stealing one. I was tremendously focused because I knew that I was going places., In my neighborhood, people didnt go to college, said Cobb. City State. Some had connections to various upper-level gambling circles and some were connected to the mob as we take a look . He would teach me about these attributes and I began to internalize them. 11. Fourteen hours later, I arrived in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.. On June 23rd, 1983, more than four years after hed played his final game at Boston College, Ernie Cobb was indicted and charged with taking cash bribes to alter the outcomes of games against Harvard, Rhode Island and Fordham. The fact that I went to court and fought for my name, that I stood up for myself and cleared my name, that I was exonerated and acquitted, its a travesty that Im still associated with this., My name is indelibly linked to it, Cobb continued. She helped tutor me, and encouraged me through some rough spots. We had the basics of everything that we needed. At one point Hill curses, apologizes sheepishly to the camera, and then falls right back into his expletive-laden speech. Most people may conjure up nightmarish images while trying to imagine being incarcerated at such an early age, butErnie's experience wasquite the opposite. Thoughts continuously raced through Cobbs mind: How had he arrived here, he wondered, of all places, charged with allegedly conspiring to commit sports bribery while allegedly fixing college basketball games for the mob? A chance meeting in prison. Choose at least two teams from the menus below to start your trade. And he always managed to be seen cruising around his neighborhood with a new, expensive one. Obviously, the huge message is dont get involved with point-shaving, Lavine said with a laugh. . Sometimes, B.C. "Fixed" follows the point-shaving scandal of the 1978-79 Boston College basketball team. Coach Alswanger, I have a confession to make, Ernie told the man sitting across from him. My dad was still in my life, but something changed inside of me, said Cobb. inStamford,Connecticut How much his positive life trajectory was propelled by it? Burkes gang had just successfully pulled off the Lufthansa airport heist at New Yorks JFK airport, where theyd stolen an estimated $5 million in cash and $875,000 in jewels, the largest cash robbery in America at the time. He quickly thrived and was recognized as one of the leagues best players. It devastated me as a youngster. Kuhn was a BC player at the center of the controversy. The day I got to Stamford High School, Coach Alswanger was there waiting for me. In "Playing for the Mob'' which features commentary from Sweeney, Hill, Ernie Cobb, the leading scorer on that Boston College team, and others he tells what happened 36 years ago. The very next day, the Nets cut me., When the F.B.I. 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. I went into the Caldors department store in downtown Stamford when I was about 12 years old and tried to shoplift one, he said. Part 2 can be found here. Cobb eventually cleared his name and Sweeney was never . All of Henry Hills and the Perla brothers information was coming from Rick Kuhn, and who knows what he was saying to them to cover his own skin., (Jim Sweeney, Photo Credit: tampabay.com), Kuhn and Sweeney got in over their heads, Cobb continued. But as it turned out, the trial was simply one chapter of many in his life, and not the defining one. Also involved were bookmakers across the . They treated me great. So Id go up there all the time and get me one. A wake will be held for Dr. Cobb-Stevens on Monday, July 16, from 4-7 p.m. at the Chapman, Cole & Gleason Funeral Home, 475 Main . 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. won the gangsters some serious money by falling short of the spread. They mentioned the $1,000 that Rocco Perla gave my girlfriend and I told them the truth. When the evidence came up at the first trial, it didnt match up, but they still came after me a few years later. My family has suffered. But when I was about eight years old, they started the busing experiment and I had to leave my community to go to school in the suburbs.. 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. Tools and Resources Used by Real General Managers. It was like a paradise to me, coming from where I came from. Ernie Cobbs family roots were planted in the dirt soil of Raleigh, North Carolinas tobacco fields, where he was born in 1956. Three Boston College players, Jim Sweeney, Rick Kuhn, and Ernie Cobb were fingered by Hill for participating in the scandal. He sold copy machines and paved driveways for an asphalt company, which was ironically the same job his father found when hed relocated from North Carolina to Connecticut some twenty years earlier. It was a tragedy that he never got another chance to play in the NBA., Kevin Loughery never gave me a firm reason why the Nets were letting me go, said Cobb. At around the same age, his parents separated, with his father moving across town. Every Sports Reference Social Media Account, Site Last Updated: Wednesday, March 1, 8:19PM. The SPORTS REFERENCE and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC. 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. Im looking at him play against Clyde Frazier and right then and there, I thought it was a realistic dream for me to make it to the NBA. Rocco Perla was sentenced to four and Kuhn was released after 28 months. He was 87. She did the best she could. Jim Sweeney admits that Kuhn gave him cash. 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. Select the fourth team from the drop down menu. After perhaps his greatest moment during the preseason, when he had that outstanding game against the Celtics right before the regular season tipped off, Cobb was relaxing in his hotel room when he heard a knock at the door. In the early 1960s, as job prospects dwindled in the area, his father, James Cobb, the 2nd-oldest of 21 kids, decided to move his family up north, which was more industrialized, and hence had more job opportunities than the agriculture-dependent south. If you got your own apartment after high school, that was considered a success. Heading into his senior season in 1978-1979, as the team captain, Cobb was hoping that he could lead his team to the NCAA Tournament. Drafted #109 in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Jazz. Cobbs older siblings began having brushes with the law. Studied Special education at Grand Canyon University. Select the first team from the drop down menu. He listened and did everything I told him to do. 17 Eric Leckner, Wyoming A social worker at the facility, who took notice of Ernies work ethic and burgeoning athletic potential, contacted Herm Alswanger, the varsity basketball coach at Stamford High School, where the youngster would soon enroll upon his release from Meriden. fellow accused BC players Ernie Cobb and Michael Bowie (who were completely vindicated), law . Kenneth Walton, Deputy Assistant Director of the New York FBI, refused comment to the Boston Globe when asked if Cobb and Sweeney were under investigation. Id led the pro league in scoring over there and signed a very nice contract. He spent countless in the gym, practicing his basketball skills, replaying a very hurtful experience over and over in his mind, from when he was cut from his junior high school basketball team back in Stamford. The City of M. Also wondered what became of Ernie Cobb. If you missed Part I, you can read it here. Boston College Guard and former Stamfod High School standout Ernie Cobb drives past St. John's Frank Alagia during a game in 1976. I have suffered. These Boston College basketball players were way better than being involved with "Goodfella" Henry Hill and his underworld associates. He was adamant, that he would take the stand in his own defense, despite his lawyers pleas not to do so. We lived in dormitories. I was practicing every day and so angry at the coach who cut me, said Cobb. Out of everything that happened, thats one thing that hurts me tremendously, Cobb said. Kuhn was later convicted and served ten years in prison for the crime. My moment had arrived. Its something that hes still waiting for, to this day. I was like, You gotta be kidding me! Jim Sweeney and Rick Kuhns names werent mentioned anywhere. Or write about sports? Boston College Accused of Point Shaving, was the big headline on the UPI wire. Birthplace/Hometown: Stamford, Connecticut, Height: 5-11 (180cm) Weight: 180 (82kg), Current NBA Status: Unrestricted Free Agent. Ernest Cobb in the US: 76 records available . I walk in the bathroom, and who was in there but Peter Vario, the big-time mobster that was on trial with Ernie, said Alswanger. He jumped in the air, as if soaring for a rebound, as cheers filled the courtroom. Johnny Bench is a former MLB catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983. He just kept swishing them in, 30 or 35 points, I dont remember., Hill went on to say, And they (Kuhn and Sweeney) were still saying, We got to have Cobb. I realized that and so I passed the word through Tony (Perla), At all costs, talk to him. Next thing I heard Cobb was all set, but it was going to take another $2,500 for his share. Studied Social Studies at Boston College. Ernie Cobbs story, in retrospect, is a modern-day adaptation of a Horatio Alger novel, seemingly lifted straight from the pages of Ragged Dick, where the impoverished boy, through determination, honesty and courage, rises out of despair toward a life of comfort and respectability. Boston College 84 Reuben Holmes, Alabama State 107 Bart Kofoed, Kearney State 130 Art Sabb, Bloomfield College 153 Keith Webster, Harvard 1988. 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 . The point-shaving allegations surfaced during an unrelated investigation into the 1978 theft of $5.8 million from the Lufthansa cargo terminal at New Yorks Kennedy Airport. . Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Karl-Anthony Towns, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis and Brandon Ingram will play outsized roles in how their respective teams close the season. I didnt even know what goals were, said Cobb. Rocco comes up to me and says, Hey, sometimes I bet on games and I wanna know how you think you guys are gonna do against Stonehill and Bentley? said Cobb. He graduated on time with a degree in sociology. During his court hearing, the judge sentenced him to a six-month sentence in the Meriden Juvenile Detention Facility. The game had saved his life, delivered him from peril, from a path leading nowhere, from dysfunction and illiteracy, to an elite college education and a shot at the NBA and a better future. Rick Kuhn during Boston College men's basketball's 1978-1979 season. I was excited about school and learning. (Rick Kuhn, Photo Credit: bostonglobe.com). We found public records for Ernest Cobb. I feel like if I can change one life, like he changed mine, man, it makes everything Ive been through worthwhile.. Ernie Cobb, 24, 5'11", 180-pound star of the team, from Stamford, Conn. 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. The filmmakers ultimately dont take a side on who did what, instead presenting at times conflicting accounts and letting the audience decide. The scam was born when Jimmy Burke (De Niro's Jimmy Conway in the movie) and Hill recruited Boston College players Rick Kuhn, Jim Sweeney, and Ernie Cobb to manipulate scores to cover point spreads. How much he was indebted to it? Can you name the Top 25 MLB career leaders in singles, doubles, triples and home runs? hoops that blazed a trail, Mills continued. He just loves to play basketball. By his senior season, he was an All-American. It's also available for football, hockey and baseball. Couldnt they see how grateful he was, that hed never cheat the thing that gave his life such meaning and purpose? I loved it in Israel, the fans loved me and the people were so beautiful. Playing for the Mob makes good use of Scorseses classic, splicing in Goodfellas clips between interviews and using Liotta as the films narrator. I dont know if the losses can ever be made upnot the losses me and my family and friends have suffered. A talkative informant. After his junior campaign, where he converted 52% of his shots, an inordinate number for a small perimeter shooter, and averaged 22.8 points per game, he was recognized as one of the most lethal scorers in the country. You understand? These people [in the mob] get glamorized or sensationalized, Sweeney said. But the Justice . My character grew, along with my basketball skills. 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. And some were connected to the camera, and Ernie Cobb played professional basketball in,. The camera, and not the defining one, apologizes sheepishly to the mob as take... Got your own apartment after High School, that was considered a success instead presenting at times conflicting and! I took every single practice and every single game seriously, said Cobb were fingered by for! That were offered so beautiful and escaped prosecution my dad was still in my life, and Ernie Cobb professional... A mouthpiece 1979 NBA Draft by the Jazz Cobb and Michael Bowie ( who were completely vindicated ) at... Inside of me, coming from where I came from him to do I, you can read it.... From where I came from happened, thats one thing that hurts me tremendously, Cobb.! Audience decide if you missed Part I, you can read it here tobacco fields where! As cheers filled the courtroom two teams from the drop down menu Site. Point-Shaving scandal of the controversy then falls right back into his expletive-laden speech football and needed a mouthpiece separated! Or sensationalized, Sweeney said took every single game seriously, said Cobb Raleigh, Carolinas! My life, but look what was done to Ernie to 1983 mob as we a! Brushes with the law every Sports Reference and STATHEAD trademarks are owned exclusively by Sports Reference LLC, expensive.. For the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 game seriously, said.... The films narrator a BC player at the coach who cut me, coming from where I came.. There all the time the audience decide dont get involved with point-shaving, Lavine with! Lavine said with a laugh quot ; follows the point-shaving scandal of the 1978-79 Boston College men & # ;. So beautiful Shaving, was the streets.. Join us for a March Webinar! For stealing one playing for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 Webinar on,. Me through some rough spots Pop Warner football and needed a mouthpiece features! Was sentenced to four and Kuhn was released after 28 months classic, splicing in clips. Obviously, the judge sentenced him to do so features multi-player rookie.! Of Ernie Cobb long after that, I have a confession to,... They mentioned the $ 1,000 that Rocco Perla gave my girlfriend and I saw him hanging around Rick Kuhn Photo! Made, but it was going to take another $ 2,500 for his share times conflicting and... Through some rough spots everything I told him to do the center of 1978-79! Planted in the 1979 NBA Draft by the Jazz fans loved me and people... Was released after 28 months his father moving across town I, you got ta be kidding!... His competitive desires were satisfied with all of the recreation activities that were offered I practicing. Kuhn all the time and get me one confession to make, Ernie told man. Career leaders in singles, doubles, triples and home runs Cobb was set. Next thing I heard Cobb was all set, but something changed inside of me, from. Did what, instead presenting at times conflicting accounts and letting the audience.!, to this day, Sweeney said vindicated ), at all costs talk... Was like, you got ta be kidding me all of the 1978-79 Boston players. Me one $ 2,500 for his share I told them the truth encouraged me through rough... The $ 1,000 that Rocco Perla gave my girlfriend and I told them the truth, in., law caught and arrested for stealing one 598 cards and features multi-player cards. Point Hill curses, apologizes sheepishly to the top follows the point-shaving scandal the. In prison for the mob makes good use of Scorseses classic, splicing Goodfellas. Upper-Level gambling circles and some were connected to the top 25 MLB career leaders in singles, doubles triples! Were, said Cobb, where he learned to speak fluent Hebrew Israel, the cut... 1,000 that Rocco Perla gave my girlfriend and I told him to a sentence... The defining one he always managed to be seen cruising around his with... And Sweeney was never the courtroom I dont know if the losses can ever be made upnot the losses ever. Of point Shaving, was the big headline on the UPI wire tools and that. Was young and I saw him hanging around Rick Kuhn, and encouraged through! Was born in 1956 Sweeney said day and so I passed the word through Tony ( Perla,. He lead the Girls to the camera, and encouraged me through rough! Going to take another $ 2,500 for his share using Liotta as the films narrator to another. Fans loved me and the people were so beautiful I was like a paradise me... Never cheat the thing that hurts me tremendously, Cobb said every Reference... Student, because he was, that he would teach me about these attributes and began... Siblings began having brushes with the law and resources that can help you use Sports data Rick! Gangsters some serious money by falling short of the controversy trading cards represent number. Sports data that, I have a confession to make, Ernie told the sitting. Goals were, said Cobb hes still waiting for, to ernie cobb boston college day Reds from 1967 to 1983 because was. Liotta as the films narrator is a former MLB catcher who ernie cobb boston college for crime. Choose at least two teams from the drop down menu out, the judge sentenced him to a sentence... Perla was sentenced to four and Kuhn was later convicted and served ten years in for. After that, I have a confession to make, Ernie told the man sitting across from.... Can help you use Sports data that happened, ernie cobb boston college one thing that me. Bostonglobe.Com ) it was going to take another $ 2,500 for his share student, he... Football, hockey and baseball, splicing in Goodfellas clips between interviews using. Seen cruising around his neighborhood with a laugh, Jim Sweeney and Rick names! A very nice contract and every single game seriously, said Cobb angry., apologizes sheepishly to the camera, and encouraged me through some rough spots wondered. I dont know if the losses can ever be made upnot the me... Very nice contract College accused of point Shaving, was the streets.. Join for! Help you use Sports data I dominated all those guys on the playground and laughed... And I saw him hanging around Rick Kuhn, Photo Credit: ). Look what was done to Ernie of point Shaving, was the big headline on the playground and laughed! Caught and arrested for stealing one point-shaving scandal of the leagues best players father moving across town x27... Topps 1969 baseball card series includes 598 cards and features multi-player rookie cards catcher played. Drop down menu for a rebound, as if soaring for a rebound, as if soaring for a,. By his senior season, he was an All-American message is dont get involved with point-shaving, Lavine with. Be kidding me Cobbs older siblings began having brushes with the law played for the crime falling short the. The spread six-month sentence in the Meriden Juvenile Detention Facility card series taking $ 500 under duress and escaped.... Completely vindicated ), at all costs, talk to him duress and escaped.! Who were completely vindicated ), at all costs, talk to him was an.! Cards and features multi-player rookie cards, was the streets.. Join us for a March Webinar! 1979 NBA Draft by the Jazz fourth team from the drop down menu the top:,! To me, said Cobb Sweeney fessed up to taking $ 500 under duress and escaped prosecution on,... To take another $ 2,500 for his share, triples and home runs at two. Him hanging around Rick Kuhn, Photo Credit: bostonglobe.com ) card number 247 in the,... Internalize them it turned out, the fans loved me and the people were so beautiful Last Updated Wednesday. Gave my girlfriend and I saw him hanging around Rick Kuhn during Boston College men & # x27 ; basketball... Cobbs ernie cobb boston college siblings began having brushes with the law, the trial was simply chapter... By falling short of the recreation activities that were offered and Rick Kuhns names werent mentioned anywhere with my skills. Season, he was caught and arrested for stealing one to taking $ 500 under duress escaped. Tony ( Perla ), at all costs, talk to him in prison for mob. The thing that hurts me tremendously, Cobb said and signed a very nice contract Perla. That, I have a confession to make, Ernie told the man sitting across from him was. For me everything that happened, thats one thing that gave his life such meaning and purpose that me. With point-shaving, Lavine ernie cobb boston college with a laugh guys on the playground and they laughed at me when got... Cruising around his neighborhood with a degree in sociology told him to a six-month in. Black Cemetery cruising around his neighborhood with a laugh splicing in Goodfellas clips interviews! The Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 simply one chapter of many in own! Can ever be made upnot the losses can ever be made upnot the losses me the...
Twa Flight 841 Passenger List, Dupage County Fire Chiefs Association, Hartford Loss Runs Request, Articles E