CU Tradition

[CU Tradition]

http://cutradition.com

[Will]

I could be wrong, but...isn't that sorta what the Cornell Athletic Hall of Fame is for?  (Of course, it includes all sports, not just hockey, but you know what I mean.)

[Ben Rocky '04]

CU LAX has retired one number already (two? Boiardi?) http://cornellbigred.cstv.com/sports/m-lacros/spec-rel/042702aab.html  

I, for one, don't have a problem with them retiring a number for a former member of the men's hockey team.

[Trotsky]

I'm not morally opposed to it, although I see the logic of those who say it flies in the face of Schafer's appropriate emphasis of the name on the front over the name on the back.

Dryden and Nieuwy deserve, in my mind, some sort of extremely obvious, visible, honor in the building.  It could help with recruiting, and I don't believe honoring them would take any polish or honor away from the many others who have played for Cornell.

I don't really see why we can't hang their jerseys *without* retiring the numbers.  That would preserve the thrill of a young player getting the same number, writing his essay for Schafer researching the former players who held it, and then trying to live up to it.

[Trotsky]

BTW, I love the idea of naming sections after players.  ::banana::

[ebilmes]

[quote Trotsky]BTW, I love the idea of naming sections after players.  ::banana::[/quote]

The Matt Nickerson Section O.

[Trotsky]

[quote ebilmes][quote Trotsky]BTW, I love the idea of naming sections after players.  ::banana::[/quote]

The Matt Nickerson Section O.[/quote]

The Matt Nickerson Dispensary

[mha]

I have seriously mixed feelings about this. On the one hand, Joe Nieuwendyk really is in a class by himself. I have no problem with Cornell retiring his number. On the other hand, I wonder if, once we set that precedent, we might not end up overdoing it.

My comment to Age the other day was that I have no problem retiring the number of any player who goes on to a twenty-year NHL career and wins the Stanley Cup with three different teams. But where do you draw the line otherwise? Joey and Ken Dryden? Sure. Brian Cropper, too? Why not. Any "star player" with an ECAC or NCAA championship and some NHL highlights? Stop me when we run out of jerseys...

(Assuming Age is listening, sounds like a new poll topic!)

[Pete Godenschwager]

[quote mha] On the other hand, I wonder if, once we set that precedent, we might not end up overdoing it. [/quote]

Like Duke basketball, who already retired J.J. Redick's number. (They've retired a total of 13 numbers). http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2754254

[Al DeFlorio]

[quote mha]My comment to Age the other day was that I have no problem retiring the number of any player who goes on to a twenty-year NHL career and wins the Stanley Cup with three different teams. But where do you draw the line otherwise? Joey and Ken Dryden? Sure. Brian Cropper, too? Why not.[/quote]
No knock on Cropper--a fine goalie--but I could name at least ten others who should come first.

If Cornell decides to go ahead with this, I'd say Dryden and Nieuwendyk initially--and simultaneously.  Then think about it real hard.  Personally, I'd go with Greg's idea:  Some kind of Lynah "honor" but keep the numbers active.

[Josh '99]

[quote Pete Godenschwager]Like Duke basketball, who already retired J.J. Redick's number. (They've retired a total of 13 numbers). [/quote]I guess if you're going to retire a guy's number, you're better off doing it BEFORE he's a bust in the NBA.

[Jim Hyla]

[quote mha]On the one hand, Joe Nieuwendyk really is in a class by himself. [/quote]That is exactly why I hate retiring numbers, we forget everyone else. Remember when Schafer had his players research all former players with their number? Now that's real tradition.

Another example is in yesterday's IJ http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070206/SPORTS/702060338/1006/NEWS17&GID=oGBmjTsWXfOzDpIquti+JJ1Ts&template=printart

Nieuwendyk is considered by many to be the greatest athlete to ever attend Cornell. He certainly had the most distinguished professional athletic career

Excuse me, even in hockey there is that certain Dryden person. Let's just celebrate all the great players, for me it's Lodboa.

Sign the petition.

[LaJollaRed]

The Dov Grumet-Morris Women's Restroom

[Beeeej]

The Dan Dennis Vomitorium.

[billhoward]

This could be another near-unique Cornell tradition, along with putting the school motto in English and not having name speakers at commencement who get honorary degrees: Hang the jersey but don't retire it. Leave the nameplate on to avoid confusion over who won.

If Cornell does retire a jersey, it's odd the the first one isn't Ken Dryden. Like Princeton's first retired basketball jersey being other than Bill Bradley.

Do you retire a jersey for what the player did here, what he did as a pro, or what he did in life. Dryden wins on all three counts.