McNamara won a national championship and two BIG EAST Tournament titles at Syracuse
Catching Up With SU Basketball Legends: Gerry McNamara
8/7/2011 10:56:02 AM | Men's Basketball
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – A member of the 2003 national championship team, Gerry McNamara has been a graduate assistant for the Orange since 2009.
Arguably the most decorated player in SU basketball history, McNamara has the vision of being on the other side of another national championship.
If you could just describe your current involvement with the SU basketball program
“Right now I am a graduate assistant. I deal with players; I am involved in scouting, looking ahead, watching film and getting prepared for what we are going to face in the near future.”
Is your future goal to be a head coach?
“I hope so. Right now I'm concentrating on getting an assistant coaching position. I really like what I do, and I have really enjoyed my time here. Hopefully down the road I can be a part of this program. The ultimate goal and the ultimate dream is to be a part of another national championship. One of the coolest things that Mike Hopkins did, who is one of my idols, is to bring in some of those kids who won a national title. I would like to be on the other end of it. I experienced it as a player and now that I am a coach, I would like to experience that again.”
Is winning the national championship your best memory at Syracuse?
“Yes, hands down. Being able to go to a Final Four and experience that in New Orleans. All the great tradition that Syracuse has, to be a part of the first national championship team is something you can never take away from any of the guys who were on that team. For me to be a part of that, I feel truly blessed. I never felt entitled to anything. I knew the great people who came here before me, so just to wear the S and to be a part of Syracuse is a big honor to me.”
You didn't have the Carmelo Anthony Basketball Practice Facility as a player, but what are your thoughts on it?
“It's unbelievable; state-of-the-art. When I was a player, if we had this I would have been in here a lot more than I was in Manley Field House. When you bring in a recruit and you have the music playing, and they see the weight room, the whirl pool and training room, a huge locker room; anything you need, this place was built for our guys and it's just fantastic. As a high school guy, being recruited here is great in the first place, but seeing what we get to experience and have the privilege to be in everyday is awesome.”
What are your words of wisdom to a player who might want to come play at Syracuse?
“Once you are in it, you're family. The best part about this whole thing for me is, once I graduated and moved on from playing basketball, I felt like I was still accepted. Once you put that S on your chest and make that commitment, the people around here are pretty loyal. I will be the first one to say that, and I am a prime example of it.”
Gerry McNamara Interview
Friday, March 27
G-Mac is back! 🍊💪
Wednesday, March 25
Welcome Home Gerry McNamara
Tuesday, March 24
Postgame Press Conference vs. SMU - ACC 1st Round
Tuesday, March 10
