Jio Fontan wants to transfer... [Archive]

Juice

04-02-2009, 10:49 PM

but Fordham won't let him.

DETROIT - Fordham point guard Jio Fontan is seeking his release from the school, but has been denied by the program, according to a source with knowledge.

Half a dozen schools from the SEC, ACC and Big East — including both New Jersey programs — would be interested in landing the 6-foot-1 Fontan, the A-10 Rookie of the Year.

Fontan, who starred for Bob Hurley at St. Anthony in Jersey City, averaged 15.3 points and 4.7 assists for a Fordham team that finished 3-25, 1-15 in the A-10.

Fordham has already granted releases to freshman Trey Blue and sophomore Mike Moore, but not to Fontan.

Fontan’s former St. Anthony teammate, Mike Rosario, is the starting shooting guard at Rutgers. If Fontan were to end up there, the duo would be reunited, but a number of schools are in play.

As first reported here, Fontan and Rosario will team up this summer for Puerto Rico in the FIBA U19 World Championship for Men in Auckland, New Zealand.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/04/02/fontan-seeking-release-from-fordham/#more-14382

If I was Jio I would want to get the hell out too. Hopefully he goes to a school that doesn't piss me off.

waggy

04-02-2009, 10:56 PM

Whittenburg is finished. Just a matter of when.

D-West & PO-Z

04-02-2009, 10:57 PM

I heard a good point on the radio the other day about how the players dont get many rights at all when it comes to stuff like this. When a player signs a LOI it is a 4 year committment to that player and if he wants to leave he gets penalized no matter what the reason, or the school can block him from doing so. However for the school the scholarship is only a 1 year deal and they can choose not to renew it after any year. Kind of messed up.

Stonebreaker

04-02-2009, 10:58 PM

There was once another Fontaine who was couldn't get the deal he wanted.

http://www.almartino.com/images/photo04.jpg

XU 87

04-02-2009, 11:01 PM

AviatorX

04-02-2009, 11:04 PM

I wouldn't want to lose my only player that has even remote potential (he's actually pretty good) if I were Fordham either.

XU 87

04-02-2009, 11:23 PM

Whittenburg is finished. Just a matter of when.

He actually has done a decent job, relatively speaking, of bringing in some talent. Trying to get kids to play in a grade school gym isn't easy. But his coaching has been terrrible.

But I'm not sure why any decent coach would take this job. It's a dead end job.

Firehose

04-02-2009, 11:28 PM

He could act like a man. What's the matter with him? Is this how he turned out? A New York finocchio that cries like a woman? What is that nonsense? Ridiculous.

waggy

04-02-2009, 11:41 PM

He actually has done a decent job, relatively speaking, of bringing in some talent. Trying to get kids to play in a grade school gym isn't easy. But his coaching has been terrrible.

But I'm not sure why any decent coach would take this job. It's a dead end job.

I agree. Fordham just needs to make a commitment to a new building. They don't have to build it tomorrow, but they have to lay out a real plan, sign a contract, put up a bond - something concrete to give it some hope. That's that "programs" problem, not players. They could get a gazillion players (and a better coach) if they had a decent building.

wkrq59

04-03-2009, 02:52 AM

So what happens if Fordham doesn't let him transfer? I can't believe that they can just force him to stay there. Does he lose a year of eligibility if he does transfer without Fordham's permission?
And when is Fordham going to go to the Patriot league?

The young man is free to transfer to another school even if he is not released by Fordham BUT, he must pay his own tuition during that transfer-sit-out year. And woe to the school that pays it for him or reimburses his parents or has a booster reimburse the parents. That's a probation offense for all but the Big 6 schools.:D

Masterofreality

04-03-2009, 07:10 AM

So,

Does this mean that Fordham is "C" blocking Fontan?......

......."C" stands for "College", you twisted *****s.

dc_x

04-03-2009, 08:16 AM

The young man is free to transfer to another school even if he is not released by Fordham BUT, he must pay his own tuition during that transfer-sit-out year. And woe to the school that pays it for him or reimburses his parents or has a booster reimburse the parents. That's a probation offense for all but the Big 6 schools.:D

There is a chance that Fordham is just being petty about this. But usually, when a school blocks a transfer it is because they suspect tampering has occurred. I wouldn't be surprised to see Fordham eventually allow the transfer but stipulate a list of schools that he can't transfer to (probably with Rutgers being #1 on that list).

Cheesehead

04-03-2009, 09:40 AM

Woodburn

04-29-2009, 09:46 AM

According to Zags Blog, Fordham rejected his request:
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/04/28/fontan-release-denied/

Is this common or could it be the beginning of a new trend?

kyxu

04-29-2009, 09:59 AM

According to Zags Blog, Fordham rejected his request:
http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/04/28/fontan-release-denied/

Is this common or could it be the beginning of a new trend?

You sorta have to scratch your head at both parties with this one. First of all, is Fordham really all that different now than it was when Fontan pledged there? It's a terrible program, and it's not like they were going to turn it around. What was he expecting?

But on the other hand, why would Fordham not allow a kid to explore his options when he's obviously not happy there? So now, they're going to have a starting point guard who doesn't really want to be there anymore. Nice work, Fordham. Enjoy 7 wins next season.

XU 87

04-29-2009, 09:59 AM

That's pretty incredible that a Catholic college refuses to let an 18 year old kid transfer.

DC Muskie

04-29-2009, 10:19 AM

Fordham should absolutely be ashamed of themselves. Pathetic.

XU05and07

04-29-2009, 10:35 AM

The A10 would love to release Fordham if they wanted to transfer

West is Best

04-29-2009, 11:08 AM

That's pretty incredible that a Catholic college refuses to let an 18 year old kid transfer.

Especially if he offered not to look at any Big East schools. They've really put him in a bad situation.

EDIT: Additional information from Jimbo65 on the A10 board: "According to the Fordham Board, the Athletic Department once again denied Jio's request for a release yesterday afternoon. According to posters who are reliable IMO, Fordham has conclusive proof of tampering by Rutgers and their coach Fred Hill. Strange case in that Fordham did grant releases to Trey Blue & Mike Moore. "

This makes it a little less black and white, though its still not a very professional response. Maybe more details will come forward in support of Fordham's decision.

kyxu

04-29-2009, 11:20 AM

Especially if he offered not to look at any Big East schools. They've really put him in a bad situation.

EDIT: Additional information from Jimbo65 on the A10 board: "According to the Fordham Board, the Athletic Department once again denied Jio's request for a release yesterday afternoon. According to posters who are reliable IMO, Fordham has conclusive proof of tampering by Rutgers and their coach Fred Hill. Strange case in that Fordham did grant releases to Trey Blue & Mike Moore. "

This makes it a little less black and white, though its still not a very professional response. Maybe more details will come forward in support of Fordham's decision.

But what does denying him a release really accomplish? I guess it somewhat punishes Rutgers, but now the relationship between Fontan and his program is even worse.

Muskie

04-29-2009, 02:24 PM

But what does denying him a release really accomplish? I guess it somewhat punishes Rutgers, but now the relationship between Fontan and his program is even worse.

Fontan can still transfer... i believe he must sit out two years though?

kyxu

04-29-2009, 02:25 PM

Fontan can still transfer... i believe he must sit out two years though?

Oh, right

(more characters)

AviatorX

04-29-2009, 02:54 PM

You sorta have to scratch your head at both parties with this one. First of all, is Fordham really all that different now than it was when Fontan pledged there? It's a terrible program, and it's not like they were going to turn it around. What was he expecting?

But on the other hand, why would Fordham not allow a kid to explore his options when he's obviously not happy there? So now, they're going to have a starting point guard who doesn't really want to be there anymore. Nice work, Fordham. Enjoy 7 wins next season.

They would kill for 7 wins in the Rose Hill Gym.

XU 87

04-29-2009, 03:04 PM

Especially if he offered not to look at any Big East schools. They've really put him in a bad situation.

EDIT: Additional information from Jimbo65 on the A10 board: "According to the Fordham Board, the Athletic Department once again denied Jio's request for a release yesterday afternoon. According to posters who are reliable IMO, Fordham has conclusive proof of tampering by Rutgers and their coach Fred Hill. Strange case in that Fordham did grant releases to Trey Blue & Mike Moore. "

This makes it a little less black and white, though its still not a very professional response. Maybe more details will come forward in support of Fordham's decision.

I think schools can give limited releases (ie. he can go anywhere but Rutgers).

I know UC football a year back agreed to release a kid to any school in Michigan but Michigan State.

waggy

04-29-2009, 04:11 PM

Maybe this is finally the thing that gets the AD removed.

Not that it matters all that much. They absolutely have to have new facilities if they are ever going to be competitive, and that type of commitment has to come from the top. Exactly how long do they expect Rose Hill to last? Is it on the national registry of historical buildings? Hope not, then they would never be allowed to tear it down.

wkrq59

04-29-2009, 04:57 PM

The school president and board chairman have both publicly stated at least twice, once during the season and once after it that Whittenberg and the AD are going to be asked to fulfill their contracts. Derrick's runs I believe for three or four more years.
The president said both are doing what has been asked of them overall and with an expected good recruiting class, things will turn around.
Only trouble is, from what I have heard, the recruiting class sucks and the current sophomore and junior classes are what got Whittenberg the contract extension in the first place.
Bottom line, with the severe financial restrictions which limit recruiting and the bull-headed stubborn idea that Rose Hill gym is quaint and beloved, there is little hope of turning things around. There have been several defections, too.
My friend there also tells me Whittenberg would take any job, if there were one to be had. Hell, he'd coach high school. But, and here's the joke: The university plans to hold him to his contract.
My guy there has been wrong before but not often.:D:D

PM Thor

04-30-2009, 03:24 AM

Hey here is a thought...

How about Fordham report the tampering by Rutgers to the NCAA? Why punish the kid, how about making a royal stink about another school tampering? How about actually using the system to put blame where it (supposedly) is supposed to be?

Fordham sucks. They suck on the court, they suck off the court, and they suck in their dealings of this kind of crap. It's ridiculous.

I HATE dayton.

DC Muskie

04-30-2009, 07:33 AM

Does Fordham have any idea what's it doing? If they have proof that Hill and Rutgers tampered with one of their players, why are they not going after Rutgers?

Do they think they will lose in that one as well?

Let the kid go.

Man Behind The Curtain

04-30-2009, 03:36 PM

First off, I agree Fordham is dead wrong for not releasing the kid of his commitment. Their pound of flesh is hardly worth looking like a sore loser...or worse. I'm guessing he isn't killing himself in voluntary workouts and open gyms right now. At least not in the Bronx.

Secondly, and I'm sure I'll be in a HUGE minority on this, but I think Fordham is a program that could have a lot of potential. Okay, don't scream at your monitor, I'm not suggesting they aren't the WORST program in the A10 and I'm not suggesting the A10 wouldn't be far better off without them. That said, I think with the right coach / administration, some effort from the school to build a new building, that program could take off. There are only about 1,000,000 talented basketball players within 25 miles (only half of which were coached / mentored by Book). It would seem that if the got serious about it, they could really take off. Plus, and I'm not willing to try and dig it up on the internet, but I dare say their endowment has to be close to half a billion dollars -- for the love of God, make an effort.

vee4xu

04-30-2009, 05:52 PM

Fordham is the Hotel California of DI colleges:

You can check out anytime you'd like, but you can never leave.

What kind of happy horseshit is that? Hey Fordham, guess what you suck? Let the poor kid go if he wants to be part of something more than 3-23.

kyxu

04-30-2009, 05:57 PM

Secondly, and I'm sure I'll be in a HUGE minority on this, but I think Fordham is a program that could have a lot of potential. Okay, don't scream at your monitor, I'm not suggesting they aren't the WORST program in the A10 and I'm not suggesting the A10 wouldn't be far better off without them. That said, I think with the right coach / administration, some effort from the school to build a new building, that program could take off. There are only about 1,000,000 talented basketball players within 25 miles (only half of which were coached / mentored by Book). It would seem that if the got serious about it, they could really take off. Plus, and I'm not willing to try and dig it up on the internet, but I dare say their endowment has to be close to half a billion dollars -- for the love of God, make an effort.

Sure, if an administration puts in effort for new facilities and the right personnel, I think a lot of programs would improve drastically. You're not really going out on a limb here.

waggy

04-30-2009, 09:56 PM

Sure, if an administration puts in effort for new facilities and the right personnel, I think a lot of programs would improve drastically. You're not really going out on a limb here.

I agree with you, but being in NYC means their potential for media attention could be absolutely huge for the conference.

I think they had every intention of being competitive. They hired Bob Hill to a big contract, they put quite a few bucks into Rose Hill. I don't know what to think of Whittenberg.

The fallout from blocking Fontan, unless Fordham can come up with something that can be reasonably shared with the public, could result in a complete reavaluation in the direction of the program.

kyxu

04-30-2009, 10:10 PM

I agree with you, but being in NYC means their potential for media attention could be absolutely huge for the conference.

Yes, of course. But the hard part is getting there. That was sort of my point. Getting the right personnel and support system in place isn't as easy as making the decision to do so.

GoMuskies

04-30-2009, 11:03 PM

they put quite a few bucks into Rose Hill.

Do you mean that they actually buried a bunch of cash in the basement? If they actually spent money on that place recently, they should get a refund.

Man Behind The Curtain

05-01-2009, 04:37 PM

Sure, if an administration puts in effort for new facilities and the right personnel, I think a lot of programs would improve drastically. You're not really going out on a limb here.

Okay, let me be a little more literal since that is the direction you're going in. I think Fordham is situated, both literally and figuratively, in a way that could lend to them being successful more readily than say...High Point. Or St. Bonaventure, and goodness knows Schmitty is doing a pretty good job there trying to lay a foundation. Or North Dakota...etc.

Fordham is a cool campus, with a huge endowment, in New York City. The amount of "effort" that would be required to make them competitive, in my opinion, is far less than "a lot of programs".

kyxu

05-01-2009, 05:30 PM

Okay, let me be a little more literal since that is the direction you're going in. I think Fordham is situated, both literally and figuratively, in a way that could lend to them being successful more readily than say...High Point. Or St. Bonaventure, and goodness knows Schmitty is doing a pretty good job there trying to lay a foundation. Or North Dakota...etc.

Fordham is a cool campus, with a huge endowment, in New York City. The amount of "effort" that would be required to make them competitive, in my opinion, is far less than "a lot of programs".

Defintely. I agreed with you the first time considering Fordham's market placement, which is why I didn't find what you had to say all that controversial.

But obviously, it's not that easy for Fordham. I'm sure they've been trying to get the "right people" in place, but nothing's worked for 40 years.

Juice

05-14-2009, 09:07 PM

Jio Fontan has anounced that he is going to leave Fordham whether he is granted his release or not. If Fordham does not give him permission to transfer then he has to pay his own way at the school he ends up going to.

Article (http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/14/jio-fontan-leaving-fordham/#more-16596)

AdamtheFlyer

05-15-2009, 08:01 AM

Masterofreality

05-15-2009, 08:42 AM

Fordham sucks.

Thanks to Linda Blutarsky for recommending them for inclusion into the league.

They've truly distinguished themselves.

LutherRackleyRulez

05-23-2009, 10:09 AM

Jeff Goodman - FoxSports opines re: JF/FU situation........

http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/9598272

PM Thor

05-23-2009, 10:50 PM

Gah Goodman is a terrible writer. What a horrible ending to the story. Just horrible.

I HATE dayton.

West is Best

05-24-2009, 03:08 PM

Gah Goodman is a terrible writer. What a horrible ending to the story. Just horrible.

It's a weird tangent to end with, especially because that's considered the best airball in college basketball history. If you carry the analogy out, it suggests that things will work out in the end for the Rams. We all know this is false.

Despite this, I think Goodman does an OK job overall. He has given Xavier and other A10 schools good coverage in the past, and he's pretty upfront about his opinion in the article.

LutherRackleyRulez

05-31-2009, 09:17 AM

Per Adam Zagoria/ZagsBlog....

Latest re: Jio Fontan/FU situation.....

http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/05/30/fordham-wants-fontan-back-but-he-isnt-coming/#more-17184

Masterofreality

05-31-2009, 01:30 PM

What a disgrace.

Kick Fordham out of the A-10, for Gawd's sake!!

kyxu

05-31-2009, 01:45 PM

This part was hilarious...

Washington added that Fordham was trying to schedule some non-conference games at the Izod Center, perhaps involving games against Big East teams with other St. Anthony players, as an indication that they are trying to grow the program.

God, Fordham's clueless.

wkrq59

06-01-2009, 01:50 AM

Here is a suggestion. If the kid is that good, some other A10 school should offer him and hire his old man as an assistant coach, or as a teacher or, hell, employee of any sort, making the kid eligible for tuition reduction for a year.
He sits out the year, I don't know if he can practice with the team, but in any event, he has the potential to come back and shove it up the Fordham AD's keester.
Seriously, Fordham should be ashamed of itself. And hell will freeze over before any Big East team goes into that arena to play Fordham. Frankly, I think every BE team and every other Big 6 conference school should avoid playing Fordham like a plague, boycott 'em. And even more seriously, I think it's past time the A10 sanction the crap out of Fordham.:D:D:D

GuyFawkes38

06-01-2009, 02:03 AM

agree with Q, awful stuff. How on earth will Fordham be able to land another talented recruit?

Juice

07-21-2009, 10:42 AM

It looks like Jio is staying at Fordham after all. I am surprised by this but also happy since he will be staying in the A-10, I just wish it wasn't with Fordham.

http://www.zagsblog.com/2009/07/20/fontan-returning-to-fordham/#more-19391

AdamtheFlyer

07-21-2009, 10:51 AM

I feel bad for the kid. The school held him hostage and he lost. Now he's going back to a program with a horrible coach and an admin that barely notices men's hoops. I hope he's someone that takes academics seriously, otherwise he will not benefit one iota from playing at Fordham.

I could see him blowing up a bit and heading either entering the NBA draft or heading to Europe after next year, because if he was truly into college ball he would transfer as a walkon for a year. He's just bridging a gap now. I don't see any possible way he stays at Fordham three years. He's only there because he's a pawn in Fordham's game with Rutgers.