The Trove talks to former Pirate John Leahy

Om playing for PJ

PJ was tough. He wasn't the kind of coach that would coddle you. Back then it was a different era.

For me he was perfect. The kind of coach I needed. I didn't want to play for anyone else. He was always honest with me. Upfront. He always told me what I needed to do to get minutes. I really enjoyed playing for coach.

Same with the rest of the staff. I am really looking forward to seeing them as well as my teammates.

Just want to add that some of the stuff we did in practice I do with my team now. Looking back I realize how lucky and fortunate I was and it was a time I'll never forget.

On his finest basketball memories at Seton Hall

Wow, let me think....It probably was being a part of a team that won both Big East titles. I am so proud of that. More than any individual thing I ever did.

I'm sure every player feels the same.

When I look back now I believe I was a key member of the continued success of the program. We were good every year I was here and that established the program then and moving forward.

I think we continued the foundation of what you're seeing today. Keeping the program where it should be all the time.

Also, I remember the great games we played. The great guys I played with. Looking at it now the Big East has changed a lot, but establishing the program is always the most important thing and that what we did and that's what the guys now are doing.

Playing at the Garden, the Meadowlands, the Carrier Dome, in front of so many great crowds...that's what Big East basketball is all about. That's what I will always cherish.

On the current Seton Hall team.

Yeah, I've seen them a lot. I love this roster. Reminds me so much of our team. We were battle tested just like these guys. When you play the games that they have played you just know how to win at this level.

I think coach Willard is really doing a nice job with this group. He has a nice mix of experience with the upperclassmen. And with the young guys coming off the bench.

People don't always understand how important it is to have depth.

In games yeah, but what fans don't see is the contributions in practice. How they push the starters.

We had that and this team does too. This team now has a lot of athleticism. Guys that can shoot from the perimeter. Delgado is just a monster for them. Powell can shoot. Desi is an all-around good player. When I watch them I can see that they understand what has to be done to win.

Playing in a major conference means you are going to have a battle every game and they understand that. You can see they have put the time in to be prepared and when you do that and you have talent like they do the sky is the limit.

Any final comments to the fans?

We had the best fans when I played and I can't tell you how much that means to you when you're playing. This team deserves the same.

Unless you do it you don't understand how much work you have to put in to be a basketball player. It goes far beyond just the game. The academics are tough. You don't have the free time other students have to enjoy the college experience. But that's your choice and I'm sure all the players feel any sacrifice they made or are making is worth it. That's why the support we get at the games means so much. In a way it's a reward for what we're doing.

So really I just would say thank you for caring about what we do.