A Father’s Take On The (Younger) Jimmy B Choosing Cornell

It’s been a few days since the young Jimmy B made his decision to join the Cornell Red Dragons. Well here’s a father’s perspective on the decision.

I can only imagine Jim Boeheim’s sense of pride.

The legendary head coach of the ‘Cuse basketball squad now has a son who next season will suit up for Cornell, as my terrific colleague at Inside The Loud House, Zachary Weisleder, has noted.

The 6-7 Jimmy Boeheim, who averaged more than 23 points per game for Jamesville-DeWitt High School in Syracuse during the 2015-16 campaign, currently attends the New Hampton School in New Hampton, N.H., where present SU sophomore Tyler Lydon also went.

Boeheim took to Twitter on Tuesday to reveal his decision to become a member of Big Red. And his father, in a subsequent text message to ESPN, said he is “Very happy!”

I’m sure that more than a few Orange fans figured Jimmy Boeheim would join his pops at SU, as a walk-on. It’s logical to think that would represent his destination of choice.

What’s more, I assume the elder Boeheim would have welcomed his son to Syracuse, as they would have gotten to spend time together during the 2017-18 stanza, which is supposedly JB’s swan song after more than four decades at the helm.

Still, I can pretty much guarantee that the SU boss has no sour grapes as it pertains to Jimmy Boeheim’s announcement to forgo the ‘Cuse for Cornell.

Here’s why: I have a son, too.

His name is Kethan. He’s only eight months old, and I’m tremendously biased, but he is adorable,

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energetic, spirited and sweet. I’m hopeful that he, over time, has some athletic genes and, more importantly, intellectual ones.

If I walked in Jim Boeheim’s shoes, and I never will, but if I did, I would absolutely feel ecstatic if my son had the opportunity to lace them up at the Division I level, while simultaneously getting an education from an Ivy League institution.

Don’t get me wrong. I may have a little sadness about the notion that my boy could have played for my team, for one term anyways, and isn’t.

This is human nature.

Jimmy Boeheim will likely have a better chance of seeing significant minutes for the Big Red. His dad loves him, but Jim Boeheim is a fierce competitor, and he’s not going to install his son on the court because he’s, well, his son.

That’s not how JB does things.

Let’s face it: despite the Orange’s recent struggles, the program remains a national powerhouse. Cornell, meanwhile, is 7-20. In late December, the ‘Cuse crushed the Big Red, 80-56, in SU’s final non-conference contest.

So Jimmy Boeheim, a solid player but not a super-high-level recruit, committed to Cornell, in nearby Ithaca, N.Y. Bravo to him. He made the right move. His father would echo that.

I love Syracuse University. I’m a fanatical alum. I received a wonderful education. I would ooze pride if Kethan elected to go there. Although, I’ll probably try to convince him to head somewhere warmer.

Regardless, if an Ivy League school offered him admissions, and that proved the best fit for him, I would fully support that. With open arms. Because his happiness and well-being are all that matter to me.

I cannot wait until Kethan gets older, and I can teach him how to play tennis (my favorite sport!), as well as hoops, baseball, soccer … whatever he enjoys. Except football, that is.

I’m also eager to coach his teams, if he’ll let me! I have fond memories of my dad doing the same for my twin brother and I when we were growing up.

Jim Boeheim will not get to do this for Jimmy Boeheim at SU. That’s a tad bit of a bummer. Education, however, outweighs athletics. And, for Boeheim the son, he is – dare I say it – perhaps getting a stronger education and a better shot at actually playing on the hardwood.

Red over Orange, and it’s a no brainer.

Plus, the senior JB did recently say he could possibly call it quits after this season is over. Maybe he wants to ensure that he can watch all of Jimmy Boeheim’s games next year (including potentially one versus Syracuse), as well as those of his twins, Buddy and Jamie, who ball for Jamesville-DeWitt.

Can you blame James Arthur Boeheim if that’s the case?

Next: Syracuse Football Recruiting Sitdown: Markenzy Pierre

As a proud daddy myself, I sure as heck can’t.

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