By JP Pelzman
Much like a lot of people at Seton Hall, Jay Judge expected to be witnessing the Pirates making serious runs in the Big East and NCAA tournaments. Who knows, maybe he would’ve been in Atlanta this week, getting ready to watch the Pirates in the Final Four.
Instead, The Hall’s senior associate athletic director for development & external affairs is working from home, like so many other people in the United States as the country deals with the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.
Yes, he did make it to New York City last month, but Judge and the rest of the Pirates’ faithful never saw the team play. The Big East tournament was canceled before the Pirates ever took the court at Madison Square Garden, and the NCAAs were wiped out, too, shortly thereafter.
Unfortunately for Judge, the lasting memory of his final trip of the incomplete 2019-20 basketball season came when he spent the next two weeks self-isolating himself from his wife, Diana, in their home because she is six months pregnant with the couple’s first child.
“I didn’t want to take any chances,” he explained, and that is the same stance he and Seton Hall are taking in this newfound era of social distancing, a term few of us had heard of before March Madness was obliterated.
“These are challenging times that no one could have prepared for,” Judge said in a phone interview. “We've followed all the right protocols. Safety first.”
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think about the human cost of the lost experiences for all the college seniors, the student-athletes and the students.
“My heart breaks for all the seniors out there,” he said, “not just the student-athletes but every senior on campus. And for all the seniors country-wide and worldwide.”
For Judge, it especially hit home watching the men’s basketball team denied its chance to receive Seton Hall’s highest NCAA seed since 1993. As the athletic department administrator for softball, Judge was in the meeting when the players were told the the remainder of the season would be canceled.
“Heartbreaking,” Judge said.
Of course, there also is a financial cost to Seton Hall and other universities, due to many factors, including the lack of revenue from the NCAA men's basketball tournament itself. That obviously lessens greatly the money the NCAA can funnel back to its member schools. Also, there will be the extra cost next spring for expanded rosters and an expanded number of scholarships now that the NCAA has decided to grant an extra year of eligibility for student-athletes in spring NCAA sports.
Judge touched on that subject explaining that "due to the NCAA cutting national distributions, passing legislation to grant spring sport student-athletes waivers to gain back a year of eligibility, our athletics department is in great financial need now more than ever so we can continue provide great experiences for our student-athletes."
In fact Judge provided this link for anyone who would like to donate to the school to lend sorely needed financial support.....
https://advancement.shu.edu/support...523&trid=43b7f7d1-8c10-4854-8bf1-66d854eaf3f5
And don't forget, The Hall would have earned the Big East $282,100 for every NCAA victory, up to the Final Four, had it advanced. Teams were scheduled to get that much money, called a unit by the NCAA, for each victory prior to the Final Four this year.
“A lot of revenue that would have come in, unfortunately is not coming,” Judge said. “It is on us to see what we can do but all schools have been impacted in the same way. We're spending a lot more time on technology and social media platforms and trying to keep people engaged. … I know times are tough and it’s a tough economy and people are losing their jobs.”
He said Seton Hall's annual Giving Day would be replaced by Caring Day this year.
Judge added, “If people have the means to make a donation to Pirate Blue, it would go a long way toward helping our student-athletes. We're going to do our best to raise money for our Student Emergency Fund and also our Pirate Blue Athletic Fund, the Law School and Seton Hall University. If people have the means, we will need the support and we are looking for that support.”
Judge added the sale of Walsh Gymnasium seats was a “great success. There are people who grew up in Walsh Gym and (they bought) the same chairs they grew up in. It went well. It was something that we were very happy to do.”
Judge said because of the current circumstances, pickup of the chairs and seat-backs will be scheduled sometime in the future.
As for the planned renovation of Walsh Gym, the administrator noted, “As of right now, construction is on schedule, but as you can imagine, that is changing every day with the climate we’re in.
“We're hoping it happens and we’re crossing our fingers, but nothing is more important than the safety of all people” involved in the planning and building.
Judge was asked about the planned basketball practice facility.
“We’re kind of in a wait and see approach but only time will tell,” he replied. “Plans are still being developed. It's not imminent in terms of construction. We're hoping this (coronavirus shutdown) doesn’t affect it too much, and we’re still accepting donations for that. It is something that is very important to us and at the front line (of fund-raising efforts). We're hoping this does not delay that by any means.
“There are so many ways to give even if you don’t have the money right now. Just contact us at (973) 275-2202.”
Judge is proud of his affiliation with Coaches Cure CF, an organization his family helped start to raise awareness and money to fight cystic fibrosis. This season, seven Division I teams, including Seton Hall, had games recognizing Coaches Cure FC in which coaches wore either sweatsuits or lapel pins to raise awareness.
“It's an awesome partnership that we have with so many people,” said Judge, whose cousin Alex has CF. He said Alex was diagnosed when he was eight months old and doctors predicted a lifespan of no more than 21 years for him.
He now is 24.
Albany, Bryant, Hofstra, Iona, Providence and Saint Peter’s also hosted Coaches Cure CF games this past season.
“We're very lucky to have seven great teams involved with this,” Judge said. “It’s near and dear to me. It's unbelievable to see all the money we’ve raised for research. (People with CF) are looking at the possibility of a full, normal life with the drugs they’ve been able to develop.”
Judge also is glad to be involved with Seton Hall associate controller Joe Genova and the outreach program he helps run to give disabled people special, one-of-a-kind experiences at Seton Hall men’s and women’s basketball games.
“I actually know the Genova family real well,” he said. “They’re huge supporters of men’s and women’s basketball and all of the sports at our university. I got to know Joe quite well. … All the credit goes to the players and the coaches and we’re just happy to see the smiles on the faces. It puts everything in perspective, that’s for sure.”
Judge, an Iona alumnus who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school, first met coach Kevin Willard in New Rochelle in 2007, when Willard took over as the Gaels’ coach.
“I consider Kevin a very good friend,” Judge said. “I've watched his sons grow up. What he’s done at Seton Hall is not talked about nearly enough.”
Judge adds Willard is “always there” when it comes to helping out Pirate Blue. “He’s a nationally recognized coach and just a great guy.”
Judge said, “I’m very lucky. I love what I do and that’s why I commute 93 miles each way every day .”
He lives in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., not far from Poughkeepsie. “Not many people can say they love what they do and I can.”
For now, his message is, “First and foremost, stay safe. Nothing is more important than people’s health and well-being.”
Sometime down the road, he looks forward to “making sure when our student-athletes come back they have a great experience. We need to be there for everybody.”
Much like a lot of people at Seton Hall, Jay Judge expected to be witnessing the Pirates making serious runs in the Big East and NCAA tournaments. Who knows, maybe he would’ve been in Atlanta this week, getting ready to watch the Pirates in the Final Four.
Instead, The Hall’s senior associate athletic director for development & external affairs is working from home, like so many other people in the United States as the country deals with the unprecedented coronavirus pandemic.
Yes, he did make it to New York City last month, but Judge and the rest of the Pirates’ faithful never saw the team play. The Big East tournament was canceled before the Pirates ever took the court at Madison Square Garden, and the NCAAs were wiped out, too, shortly thereafter.
Unfortunately for Judge, the lasting memory of his final trip of the incomplete 2019-20 basketball season came when he spent the next two weeks self-isolating himself from his wife, Diana, in their home because she is six months pregnant with the couple’s first child.
“I didn’t want to take any chances,” he explained, and that is the same stance he and Seton Hall are taking in this newfound era of social distancing, a term few of us had heard of before March Madness was obliterated.
“These are challenging times that no one could have prepared for,” Judge said in a phone interview. “We've followed all the right protocols. Safety first.”
But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t think about the human cost of the lost experiences for all the college seniors, the student-athletes and the students.
“My heart breaks for all the seniors out there,” he said, “not just the student-athletes but every senior on campus. And for all the seniors country-wide and worldwide.”
For Judge, it especially hit home watching the men’s basketball team denied its chance to receive Seton Hall’s highest NCAA seed since 1993. As the athletic department administrator for softball, Judge was in the meeting when the players were told the the remainder of the season would be canceled.
“Heartbreaking,” Judge said.
Of course, there also is a financial cost to Seton Hall and other universities, due to many factors, including the lack of revenue from the NCAA men's basketball tournament itself. That obviously lessens greatly the money the NCAA can funnel back to its member schools. Also, there will be the extra cost next spring for expanded rosters and an expanded number of scholarships now that the NCAA has decided to grant an extra year of eligibility for student-athletes in spring NCAA sports.
Judge touched on that subject explaining that "due to the NCAA cutting national distributions, passing legislation to grant spring sport student-athletes waivers to gain back a year of eligibility, our athletics department is in great financial need now more than ever so we can continue provide great experiences for our student-athletes."
In fact Judge provided this link for anyone who would like to donate to the school to lend sorely needed financial support.....
https://advancement.shu.edu/support...523&trid=43b7f7d1-8c10-4854-8bf1-66d854eaf3f5
And don't forget, The Hall would have earned the Big East $282,100 for every NCAA victory, up to the Final Four, had it advanced. Teams were scheduled to get that much money, called a unit by the NCAA, for each victory prior to the Final Four this year.
“A lot of revenue that would have come in, unfortunately is not coming,” Judge said. “It is on us to see what we can do but all schools have been impacted in the same way. We're spending a lot more time on technology and social media platforms and trying to keep people engaged. … I know times are tough and it’s a tough economy and people are losing their jobs.”
He said Seton Hall's annual Giving Day would be replaced by Caring Day this year.
Judge added, “If people have the means to make a donation to Pirate Blue, it would go a long way toward helping our student-athletes. We're going to do our best to raise money for our Student Emergency Fund and also our Pirate Blue Athletic Fund, the Law School and Seton Hall University. If people have the means, we will need the support and we are looking for that support.”
Judge added the sale of Walsh Gymnasium seats was a “great success. There are people who grew up in Walsh Gym and (they bought) the same chairs they grew up in. It went well. It was something that we were very happy to do.”
Judge said because of the current circumstances, pickup of the chairs and seat-backs will be scheduled sometime in the future.
As for the planned renovation of Walsh Gym, the administrator noted, “As of right now, construction is on schedule, but as you can imagine, that is changing every day with the climate we’re in.
“We're hoping it happens and we’re crossing our fingers, but nothing is more important than the safety of all people” involved in the planning and building.
Judge was asked about the planned basketball practice facility.
“We’re kind of in a wait and see approach but only time will tell,” he replied. “Plans are still being developed. It's not imminent in terms of construction. We're hoping this (coronavirus shutdown) doesn’t affect it too much, and we’re still accepting donations for that. It is something that is very important to us and at the front line (of fund-raising efforts). We're hoping this does not delay that by any means.
“There are so many ways to give even if you don’t have the money right now. Just contact us at (973) 275-2202.”
Judge is proud of his affiliation with Coaches Cure CF, an organization his family helped start to raise awareness and money to fight cystic fibrosis. This season, seven Division I teams, including Seton Hall, had games recognizing Coaches Cure FC in which coaches wore either sweatsuits or lapel pins to raise awareness.
“It's an awesome partnership that we have with so many people,” said Judge, whose cousin Alex has CF. He said Alex was diagnosed when he was eight months old and doctors predicted a lifespan of no more than 21 years for him.
He now is 24.
Albany, Bryant, Hofstra, Iona, Providence and Saint Peter’s also hosted Coaches Cure CF games this past season.
“We're very lucky to have seven great teams involved with this,” Judge said. “It’s near and dear to me. It's unbelievable to see all the money we’ve raised for research. (People with CF) are looking at the possibility of a full, normal life with the drugs they’ve been able to develop.”
Judge also is glad to be involved with Seton Hall associate controller Joe Genova and the outreach program he helps run to give disabled people special, one-of-a-kind experiences at Seton Hall men’s and women’s basketball games.
“I actually know the Genova family real well,” he said. “They’re huge supporters of men’s and women’s basketball and all of the sports at our university. I got to know Joe quite well. … All the credit goes to the players and the coaches and we’re just happy to see the smiles on the faces. It puts everything in perspective, that’s for sure.”
Judge, an Iona alumnus who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the school, first met coach Kevin Willard in New Rochelle in 2007, when Willard took over as the Gaels’ coach.
“I consider Kevin a very good friend,” Judge said. “I've watched his sons grow up. What he’s done at Seton Hall is not talked about nearly enough.”
Judge adds Willard is “always there” when it comes to helping out Pirate Blue. “He’s a nationally recognized coach and just a great guy.”
Judge said, “I’m very lucky. I love what I do and that’s why I commute 93 miles each way every day .”
He lives in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., not far from Poughkeepsie. “Not many people can say they love what they do and I can.”
For now, his message is, “First and foremost, stay safe. Nothing is more important than people’s health and well-being.”
Sometime down the road, he looks forward to “making sure when our student-athletes come back they have a great experience. We need to be there for everybody.”
