Fond Memories of Skip Prosser

[Muskie]

Since this is the week of the Skip Prosser Classic, I thought many would like to share stories of Skip or their memories during his time at Xavier. Reminisce away.

David West once told the story of an interaction with Skip. Prosser told him:

"You have to take advantage of this lifetime because when you die, you're dead for a long time."

[X-band '01]

Since this is the week of the Skip Prosser Classic, I thought many would like to share stories of Skip or their memories during his time at Xavier. Reminisce away.

David West once told the story of an interaction with Skip. Prosser told him:

"You have to take advantage of this lifetime because when you die, you're dead for a long time."

That sounds like something Yogi Berra would have also said. God rest both of their souls.

[nuts4xu]

As many know, I worked as an equipment manager when I was at school at Xavier. This was Pete Gillen's last 2 seasons, one with Skip, the last one was when Skip left to coach Loyola Maryland. I got along well with Skip, as everyone did, and when he was an assistant at Xavier, I would follow the team bus in his car so he could recruit. I didn't speak to him after leaving Xavier, other than the occasional wave. It was 6 years later I ran into him in the lobby of a hospital in Clifton.

I blew my knee out and was waiting for my ride after a tough therapy session...kind of out of it from the pain meds. I had a friend with me, who had blown her ACL within days of my incident. We were both sitting in the lobby waiting for our ride to pull the car around. Coach walks through the door, and waves to a few people, but keeps walking. I didn't think he saw me, but he stopped in his tracks and came back to greet me. He asked what happened, talked about what I was up to, then he asked if my friend and I needed a ride home. I think he was there to visit his wife, who was a flight nurse at the hospital, but he genuinely would have driven me home that day.

Granted this is not an incredible act of valor, but it touched me anyway. He was the HC at Xavier, with a million things on his mind, but he would have driven me home if I needed a ride. The fact he stopped, greeted me by first name, and spoke to me for a few minutes showed the kind of gentleman and person he was. Dude had a heart of gold, and was a great person.

Heaven is a better place with Skip Prosser there, we lost a good one far too soon.

[GoMuskies]

So this thread will not have any discussion of the NCAA Tournament?

Kidding, kidding. Skip was an awesome representative of the university, and lack of NCAA Tournament success notwithstanding, his time at Xavier was a fun era to be a Xavier fan. I'll never forget having the chance to shake his hand in the parking lot of O'Connor after Xavier beat UC Thanksgiving week 1996. It occurred to me that that's not the kind of thing that happens at Kentucky or Louisville or Indiana. Probably not even so much at Xavier anymore. The team really was a real, accessible part of the university during the Prosser era at Xavier.

[Muskie]

So this thread will not have any discussion of the NCAA Tournament?

Kidding, kidding. Skip was an awesome representative of the university, and lack of NCAA Tournament success notwithstanding, his time at Xavier was a fun era to be a Xavier fan. I'll never forget having the chance to shake his hand in the parking lot of O'Connor after Xavier beat UC Thanksgiving week 1996. It occurred to me that that's not the kind of thing that happens at Kentucky or Louisville or Indiana. Probably not even so much at Xavier anymore. The team really was a real, accessible part of the university during the Prosser era at Xavier. Ha. I actually find the team to be accessible when I see them on campus (game day no less). It might not be what it was like in the 90's, but I think it's still there.

[D-West & PO-Z]

I loved going to XU basketball camps as a kid, think I went 2 or 3 years all while Skip was coach. I have several great memories from that. From "who's that knocking? Opportunity!" to making the kid who was dumb enough (there was always one) to wear a UC shirt to camp stand up in front of everyone and turn it inside out. To if your early you are on time, if you are on time you're late.

Skip would not take money from my parents for the camp, he always let us go free because of my grandpa. My mom always made sure to tell my brother and I to go up and thank him every year for having us at the camp and I was always nervous to go up and speak with him directly but he was always so nice and made you feel special. Great man, I remember exactly where I was when I found out he passed, that was so heartbreaking.

Nuts is right about heaven being a better place with him.

[muskiefan82]

So this thread will not have any discussion of the NCAA Tournament?


Yes, actually. I think Skip gave us all a lesson on integrity and conviction when he sat players for an NCAA game against Georgetown which X would probably have won. When I think about that game, I tend not to think of the loss, but rather how it showcased a man who lived by his convictions and what Xavier is supposed to be about. Thanks, Skip.

[joe titan]

Skip was the featured speaker for St X Stag (MC was Bal). Denny White , long time St X swim coach and coach of 20+ state champion teams, was being inducted. Skip at the microphone acknowledged the accomplishments but asks "how tough can it be to coach swimming ?" Skip says this is how he would coach swimming.You tell the guy stand here, jump in the water and swim as fast as you can to the other side; when you hit the wall turn around and swim back as fast as you can until you hit the wall; keep doing that until your head hurts.

Same night Skip was explaining how it felt to return to XU as HC. He was meeting with the Athletic Board & Fr Hoff about their expectations for success and winning. According to Skip Fr Hoff told him how deeply he was loved and respected and added Skip would always be loved even if he did not win; Fr Hoff advised iSkip if he did not win, he would be missed but always loved and respected.

[PM Thor]

Yes, actually. I think Skip gave us all a lesson on integrity and conviction when he sat players for an NCAA game against Georgetown which X would probably have won. When I think about that game, I tend not to think of the loss, but rather how it showcased a man who lived by his convictions and what Xavier is supposed to be about. Thanks, Skip.

One of my fondest memories of that game was watching Smydra try to step out and cover Allen Iverson. The look on his face when he blew by him is burned in my memory. Just totally hilarious, and I still remember it with fondness, even though we lost.

As for Coach, I've got 2. First was when I was walking into Zips with friends, he was coming out. I opened the door and there he was, I blurt out "Good to see you Coach!" He turns and says "Good to be seen!" Just was a funny interaction.

The second was at my old firehouse, after he had just died, like probably a week after. One of my fellow firefighters knew how much I loved X and he pulled me aside. He walked me over to his locker and pulled down this basketball and handed it to me. He said "I'm not much of a basketball fan and I know you are a big X fan so here, take this."
It was a Xavier basketball, signed to Cincinnati Fire Dept Ladder 29, Engine 29 Skip Prosser XU!
It's my favorite piece of Xavier memorabilia, and it means a lot to me.

[skyking]

Skip was a man of high character. In the mid 90s a friend of mine invited me to his house for a private get together with Skip and Andy Mac (he had won this in an auction at St X). At the time Dayton was lobbying to join us in the A10. I mentioned to Skip that I didn't think X should support this since Dayton had abandoned us and the MCC for the Great Midwest. Skip set me straight saying that he felt no ill will towards Dayton and would welcome their addition. He was very sincere. (and I have a Xavier basketball that they both signed)

[RetireFiftyTu]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEkJATUWEAAe6Nk.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CEkJATUWEAAe6Nk.jpg:large

[xu82]

One of my fondest memories of that game was watching Smydra try to step out and cover Allen Iverson. The look on his face when he blew by him is burned in my memory. Just totally hilarious, and I still remember it with fondness, even though we lost.

As for Coach, I've got 2. First was when I was walking into Zips with friends, he was coming out. I opened the door and there he was, I blurt out "Good to see you Coach!" He turns and says "Good to be seen!" Just was a funny interaction.

The second was at my old firehouse, after he had just died, like probably a week after. One of my fellow firefighters knew how much I loved X and he pulled me aside. He walked me over to his locker and pulled down this basketball and handed it to me. He said "I'm not much of a basketball fan and I know you are a big X fan so here, take this."
It was a Xavier basketball, signed to Cincinnati Fire Dept Ladder 29, Engine 29 Skip Prosser XU!
It's my favorite piece of Xavier memorabilia, and it means a lot to me.

That's great about Skip, as well as your fellow fire fighter. Great gesture.

[paulxu]

I'm glad Skip didn't have to see this.


Jared Shanker ESPN Staff Writer

In November, Wake Forest found evidence that Louisville might have obtained its game plan leading up to their conference game, and now a school investigation concludes it was a former player and assistant coach who was supplying information to opponents. Tommy Elrod, who was serving as a team radio analyst, was found to have provided or tried to provide information to opponents since 2014. He's been fired and banned from Wake Forest athletics. Coach Dave Clawson said Elrod was given full access to players, film and practices, and "it's incomprehensible ... [Elrod] would betray his alma mater."

[Kahns Krazy]

I was prompted to search YouTube for Kelsey's comments at Skips memorial service. I remember it being the greatest memorial I have ever heard. I found it and started watching it, but could not get past the first minute without choking up.

Snipe and I were devoted attendees of the radio show on Sunday nights during Skips tenure. After some time, Coach would seek us out and chat after the show, briefly. We developed a tradition of meeting at Zips once a year during the off season and kept loosely in touch when he went to Wake. Skip hooked us up with tickets when Wake came to town to beat the bearcats. Like many who knew Skip I assume, I always thought there would be a next time.

Someday I will watch this again. In the meantime, there is nothing I can add to what Pat said nearly a decade ago.

https://youtu.be/7zwQodRzty8

[nuts4xu]

I was prompted to search YouTube for Kelsey's comments at Skips memorial service. I remember it being the greatest memorial I have ever heard. I found it and started watching it, but could not get past the first minute without choking up.

Snipe and I were devoted attendees of the radio show on Sunday nights during Skips tenure. After some time, Coach would seek us out and chat after the show, briefly. We developed a tradition of meeting at Zips once a year during the off season and kept loosely in touch when he went to Wake. Skip hooked us up with tickets when Wake came to town to beat the bearcats. Like many who knew Skip I assume, I always thought there would be a next time.

Someday I will watch this again. In the meantime, there is nothing I can add to what Pat said nearly a decade ago.

https://youtu.be/7zwQodRzty8

Pat Kelsey was so good giving that eulogy.

[bleedXblue]

I was prompted to search YouTube for Kelsey's comments at Skips memorial service. I remember it being the greatest memorial I have ever heard. I found it and started watching it, but could not get past the first minute without choking up.

Snipe and I were devoted attendees of the radio show on Sunday nights during Skips tenure. After some time, Coach would seek us out and chat after the show, briefly. We developed a tradition of meeting at Zips once a year during the off season and kept loosely in touch when he went to Wake. Skip hooked us up with tickets when Wake came to town to beat the bearcats. Like many who knew Skip I assume, I always thought there would be a next time.

Someday I will watch this again. In the meantime, there is nothing I can add to what Pat said nearly a decade ago.

https://youtu.be/7zwQodRzty8

Well done Pat Kelsey.

[XGeN]

So this thread will not have any discussion of the NCAA Tournament?

Kidding, kidding. Skip was an awesome representative of the university, and lack of NCAA Tournament success notwithstanding, his time at Xavier was a fun era to be a Xavier fan. I'll never forget having the chance to shake his hand in the parking lot of O'Connor after Xavier beat UC Thanksgiving week 1996. It occurred to me that that's not the kind of thing that happens at Kentucky or Louisville or Indiana. Probably not even so much at Xavier anymore. The team really was a real, accessible part of the university during the Prosser era at Xavier.

I actually think as a student, the team is really really easy to get in touch with. Last year, one of my roommates wanted to name our team after Coach Mack, and be emailed him and asked for permission. Coach Mack responded, and said it was absolutely alright. He invited us to practice a few days later, and stayed after and talked to us for about ten minutes and then took some pictures. He asked for our intramural game schedule, because he said he'd like to come down and see us play, if we were any good. He was really good to us!

[American X]

if your early you are on time, if you are on time you're late.

I often use the Skip-ism "If you can't be on time, be early."

[D-West & PO-Z]

I often use the Skip-ism "If you can't be on time, be early."

Yeah my memory failed me, I merged Tom Coughlin and Skip's philosophies. I like that as well.

[XavierBasketball]

Came across this article, recapping the life of Skip and the influence he had at both institutions: What is the Skip Prosser Classic? View on NorwoodHardwood.com (http://bit.ly/2hGDKJK)

[XavierBasketball]

Saw this earlier; a recap of Skip's life and the impact he had on both programs: What is the Skip Prosser Classic? (http://bit.ly/2hGDKJK)

[jhelmes37]

I teach middle school and I use "what's that knocking?"

"And what do you do when opportunity knocks?"

Before every test.

I attended Skip's camps during elementary and middle school. Easily the best part of each day was the one hour inspirational talks Skip gave us while our food digested.

He also asked me my name the first day of my first year. Other than that, we had no real interaction.

And every year thereafter, he greeted me by my first name when I showed up at camp.

I didn't realize it at the time, but that sort of an attention to others is a true rarity.

RIP, Skip.

[American X]

That Skip Prosser Classic trophy should be a Guinness pint.

[mid major]

That Skip Prosser Classic trophy should be a Guinness pint.

Two was his limit.

[bleedXblue]

That Skip Prosser Classic trophy should be a Guinness pint.

They did give out beer steins tonight......

[Juice]

I think this is old but Jay Bilas tweeted out this piece he wrote on Skip yesterday.

http://collegeinsider.com/jay-bilas/coaches34/the-game-is-not-the-same

[American X]

I think this is old but Jay Bilas tweeted out this piece he wrote on Skip yesterday.

http://collegeinsider.com/jay-bilas/coaches34/the-game-is-not-the-same

Cool story, bro. Thanks for posting.

We all love Jay Bilas now.

[muskiefan82]

We all love Jay Bilas now.

No. I love the piece, but not the piece who wrote it.