The case for Bob Verga's jersey to be retired

[hart2chesson]

Those of us who remember number 11, recall his pure shooting, accolades and heights he helped lead the Blue Devils to under coach Vic Bubas. I hear ya Topps Coach, his jersey belongs high in Cameron!

http://dukereport.com/alumni/bob-verga-greatness-fully-recognized-sfortosis/

OFC

 

[QC Dukie]

Number 11 IS in the rafters, but it says Hurley on it!

 

[hart2chesson]

Number 11 IS in the rafters, but it says Hurley on it!

I know QC, but you're a youngster. If you had seen Verga you would agree there should be TWO #11s hanging aloft....

OFC

 

[QC Dukie]

I know QC, but you're a youngster. If you had seen Verga you would agree there should be TWO #11s hanging aloft....

OFC

Yea Verga was just a tad before my time. I began with the Gminski, Banks, Spanarkel era.

 

[hart2chesson]

Yea Verga was just a tad before my time. I began with the Gminski, Banks, Spanarkel era.

QC that was a nice era my friend!!

OFC

 

[acc hoops]

I was in 1967 Duke freshman class. Saw Verga play many games.
Verga, Redick, Armstrong, Groat and Kennard are my top 5 SGs for Duke with Allen being 6th and Langdon 7 th. I would not bet against Verga in a game of horse with Redick or Kennard.
He was a 1960's version of Steph Curry. He was that good of a shooter.

 

[hart2chesson]

I would not bet against Verga in a game of horse with Redick or Kennard.
He was a 1960's version of Steph Curry. He was that good of a shooter.

Well put!!

OFC

 

[QC Dukie]

QC that was a nice era my friend!!

OFC

Oh yes it was!

 

[dukehokie]

Shooter and cutter of rugs.

 

[hart2chesson]

Shooter and cutter of rugs.

Great post hokie! Bob was quite the rocker!

OFC

 

[skysdad]

First of all Verga was just a fantastic player. Talk about long range accuracy he had it. Had a decent handle also but can't recall how good of a defensive player he was. He was cocky somewhat if I remember correctly and for sure he would be hated by unc nation if he played today. One thing about today's technology is you can just google him and maybe see some clips of him. Happy to see this thread and others about our pre Coach k legends.. He played soph thru senior years because fresh. weren't eligible back then. If they had the 3 point line back then and he could have played 4 years he along with Art Heyman may be Duke's all time leading score instead of JJ and that takes nothing away from JJ. One thing we have to remember is Duke's criteria to have one's # retired and Bob doesn't meet them all. OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

First of all Verga was just a fantastic player. Talk about long range accuracy he had it. Had a decent handle also but can't recall how good of a defensive player he was. He was cocky somewhat if I remember correctly and for sure he would be hated by unc nation if he played today. One thing about today's technology is you can just google him and maybe see some clips of him. Happy to see this thread and others about our pre Coach k legends.. He played soph thru senior years because fresh. weren't eligible back then. If they had the 3 point line back then and he could have played 4 years he along with Art Heyman may be Duke's all time leading score instead of JJ and that takes nothing away from JJ. One thing we have to remember is Duke's criteria to have one's # retired and Bob doesn't meet them all. OFC

First Sky, great post, but what are the "criteria" and where is Bob lacking???Agreed w/everything you said! OFC

 

[skysdad]

First Sky, great post, but what are the "criteria" and where is Bob lacking???Agreed w/everything you said! OFC

Hart I've seenit before on one of Duke's web sites and I seem to recall a Duke poster putting that on this board here. I know All-American and combos of other things like being on a natty team, outstanding player on that natty team. National player of the year, national player of the year and a couple of other things I think. I know Bob was an All-American but I think it's the only one he did. OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Hart I've seenit before on one of Duke's web sites and I seem to recall a Duke poster putting that on this board here. I know All-American and combos of other things like being on a natty team, outstanding player on that natty team. National player of the year, national player of the year and a couple of other things I think. I know Bob was an All-American but I think it's the only one he did. OFC

Be interesting to know. Isnt "The Landlord's" number retired? Shelden was awesome but I dont think he met all the necessary criteria mentioned...OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Sky I found it, and according to this account Bob is eligible:

http://dukereport.com/duke-basketball/when-will-duke-basketball-retire-another-jersey-fhodges/

OFC

 

[skysdad]

Be interesting to know. Isnt "The Landlord's" number retired? Shelden was awesome but I dont think he met all the necessary criteria mentioned...OFC

Maybe my criteria is confusing. I confused myself. Shelden was an All-American and NDPOY. JJ I think was NPOY and an All- American. Hoping one of you that knows more than I can give out the criteria. OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Maybe my criteria is confusing. I confused myself. Shelden was an All-American and NDPOY. JJ I think was NPOY and an All- American. Hoping one of you that knows more than I can give out the criteria. OFC

Posted above Sky.....Bob as you mentioned I think was All-American, '67 I believe...OFC

 

[skysdad]

Looked it up and nothing is really clear other than the player must earn his degree so as good as Brand was no degree no jersey retired. Other things are NPOY, NDPOY, set a NCAA record, won a gold medal for his country, All- Americas and I think natty outstanding player. So I think maybe with earning the degree as a must along a with a combination of one or more of the accomplishments could be it. Someone on this board knows the answer . They just need to see this and post what that criteria is. OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

Bob was All American his jr AND sr yrs....

OFC

 

[dukehokie]

The Shelden retirement at first was a head scratcher to me, but then you look back at his accolades, the records he broke and the fact that he played USA ball as an amateur and you realize the dude had a seriously under appreciated career. If they won a title, he'd be revered universally as our second best big man behind Laettner. As it stands, I'm not sure people would even put him over Alarie, even though he is.

I digress, Verga, Alarie, Singler and Scheyer all are guys who I'm sure are getting discussed as possible retirees, but seem to fall just outside the collective box. I've said it for years, but I'd love to see Duke do what UNC does is retired jerseys hanging and honored jerseys, though the Duke museum is supposed to be the equivalent to that.

 

[Kingbluedevil]

If he graduated he should qualify.

 

[hart2chesson]

The Sheldon retirement at first was always a head scratcher to me, but then you look back at his accolades, the records he broke and the fact that he played USA ball as an amateur and you realize the dude had a seriously under appreciated career. If they won a title, he'd be revered universally as our second best big man behind Laettner. As it stands, I'm not sure people would even put him over Alarie, even though he is.

I digress, Verga, Alarie, Singler and Scheyer all are guys who I'm sure are getting discussed as possible retirees, but seem to fall just outside the collective box. I've said it for years, but I'd love to see Duke do what UNC does is retired jerseys hanging and honored jerseys, though the Duke museum is supposed to be the equivalent to that.

Hokie excellent post and thanks for all the pertinent info on Shelden (still a bit of "headscratcher" as you noted) but you underscored his contributions quite well!

You also made a great point how the jerseys should be recognized differently. I see what you mean as I tend to overlook our own very illustrious hall of fame....Good for debate bottom line! OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

If he graduated he should qualify.

Right King!

OFC

 

[dukehokie]

Hokie excellent post and thanks for all the pertinent info on Shelden (still a bit of "headscratcher" as you noted) but you underscored his contributions quite well!

You also made a great point how the jerseys should be recognized differently. I see what you mean as I tend to overlook our own very illustrious hall of fame....Good for debate bottom line! OFC

Absolutely. Not to hijack the Verga thread but with Shel he's the leader in blocks and rebounds (422 and 1262). I believe he holds the game blocks record, recorded a triple double (second in Duke history) and I think he was just a couple hundred points away from joining the 2000 club. That's not to mention the NDPOY's and All-America honors. And he married up with Candace Parker. My man.

 

[dukehokie]

Right King!

OFC

Not sure how stringent they are but I think the only thing Verga is missing is USA ball experience. If he has that, he absolutely should be up.

 

[OldasdirtDevil]

So many great Duke ballers that are so close;but not quite, in the rafters. Of all the ones that aren't, Verga has to be right at the top of the list. He was, as everyone has noted, an incredible shooter. I think he belongs there, but there are a few more that I think that about also.
We don't have enough numbers to retire them all.

OFC

 

[hart2chesson]

So many great Duke ballers that are so close;but not quite, in the rafters. Of all the ones that aren't, Verga has to be right at the top of the list. He was, as everyone has noted, an incredible shooter. I think he belongs there, but there are a few more that I think that about also.
We don't have enough numbers to retire them all.

OFC

Spot on everything Dirt, and as my pal QC Dukie noted that would give us 2 no eleven's up there w/Hurley! OFC

 

[timo0402]

Absolutely. Not to hijack the Verga thread but with Shel he's the leader in blocks and rebounds (422 and 1262). I believe he holds the game blocks record, recorded a triple double (second in Duke history) and I think he was just a couple hundred points away from joining the 2000 club. That's not to mention the NDPOY's and All-America honors. And he married up with Candace Parker. My man.

I don't see Shelden as a head scratcher at all and never did, absolutely checks all the boxes- definitely under appreciated having played with Redick.

I do agree players should be recognized even if not in the rafters because Cameron just isn't big enough for all of those jerseys. But I do know that they do an excellent job in the bball museum for them.

 

[hart2chesson]

Verga should definitely be up there. Jeff Mullins jersey is up there and rightfully so. However he never achieved higher than 2nd team consensus AA, and Verga notched 1st team status.

I agreed w/hokie's "headscratcher" status over Shel, only as he originally did before pointing out his stats. Still as great as "The Landlord" was there's a tendency to scan the list of retired jerseys and do a double take, PERHAPS because he was slightly overshadowed by J.J. Anyone would have been! Lol....OFC

 

[topps coach]

First of all Verga was just a fantastic player. Talk about long range accuracy he had it. Had a decent handle also but can't recall how good of a defensive player he was. He was cocky somewhat if I remember correctly and for sure he would be hated by unc nation if he played today. One thing about today's technology is you can just google him and maybe see some clips of him. Happy to see this thread and others about our pre Coach k legends.. He played soph thru senior years because fresh. weren't eligible back then. If they had the 3 point line back then and he could have played 4 years he along with Art Heyman may be Duke's all time leading score instead of JJ and that takes nothing away from JJ. One thing we have to remember is Duke's criteria to have one's # retired and Bob doesn't meet them all. OFC

Just curious curious what criteria doesn't he meet.Three time All-ACC,Two time All-American and graduated.He played in an era where the AD st the time did want any more jerseys to be retired.The first jersey retired after Groat was The G-Man.Sky Verga was a free spirit who clashed with Bubas and often rubbed people the wrong way

 

[topps coach]

The Shelden retirement at first was a head scratcher to me, but then you look back at his accolades, the records he broke and the fact that he played USA ball as an amateur and you realize the dude had a seriously under appreciated career. If they won a title, he'd be revered universally as our second best big man behind Laettner. As it stands, I'm not sure people would even put him over Alarie, even though he is.

I digress, Verga, Alarie, Singler and Scheyer all are guys who I'm sure are getting discussed as possible retirees, but seem to fall just outside the collective box. I've said it for years, but I'd love to see Duke do what UNC does is retired jerseys hanging and honored jerseys, though the Duke museum is supposed to be the equivalent to that.[/imo

 

[topps coach]

Imo there are four that should be in the rafters Verga,Banks,Spanarkeland Alarie in that order

 

[dukehokie]

Imo there are four that should be in the rafters Verga,Banks,Spanarkeland Alarie in that order

How do you feel about Scheyer and Singler? I'd put Singler with or above Spanarkel and Alarie and Scheyer at or below those two.

 

[topps coach]

How do you feel about Scheyer and Singler? I'd put Singler with or above Spanarkel and Alarie and Scheyer at or below those two.

Again Jmo because I loved Singler and Scheyer but do not think they are at the level of the four I mentioned.

 

[dukehokie]

Again Jmo because I loved Singler and Scheyer but do not think they are at the level of the four I mentioned.

I admit I did not see Spanarkel, Verga and Bank live. I did see Alarie and he was a great player that was overshadowed by JD. My case for Singler is 4th in scoring all time and 7th in rebounding on top of being a multi-time All-American including making the freshman All-American team.

Scheyer is 10th in scoring (ahead of Verga and Spanarkel) and 7th all time in steals (ahead of all listed). He also broke a consecutive minutes played record and owns the freshman record for free throws made at 115. Not saying the other guys don't belong, but those are some incredible careers right there.

 

[QC Dukie]

I never saw Verga play, so I can't say there, but I would have Singler above Banks, Spanarkel and Alarie.

 

[skysdad]

What we really need to do is get a concrete criteria for a # retirement. I tried but what I found isn't clear. I know someone posted it here a couple of years or so ago when we had a similar thread. Then maybe we can come to the conclusion as to why Verga, Spanarkel, Banks , Alarie ,Scheyer , Singler and any other player we think should have their # retired. Like dirt said we can't retire every #. Sooner or later we run out . I like what dukehokie came up with as to honor those #'s. OFC

 

[topps coach]

I admit I did not see Spanarkel, Verga and Bank live. I did see Alarie and he was a great player that was overshadowed by JD. My case for Singler is 4th in scoring all time and 7th in rebounding on top of being a multi-time All-American including making the freshman All-American team.

Scheyer is 10th in scoring (ahead of Verga and Spanarkel) and 7th all time in steals (ahead of all listed). He also broke a consecutive minutes played record and owns the freshman record for free throws made at 115. Not saying the other guys don't belong, but those are some incredible careers right there.

Have to keep in mind that Scheyer played in at least fifty more games than Verga so him scoring more than him is not an apples to apples comparison.May be wrong but Neither Scheyer or Singler ever made first team All American nor were they three times first team All -ACC.Cannot use stats to compare players unless you put them on a per game average and none of them equal Verga using that criteria.Banks and Spanarkel both had better per game averages than them as well.Have to admit I did not look them up so I may be wrong on that.As they say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder so these are just my personal opinions

 

[topps coach]

I think that Scheyet and Singler were great players and representatives for us

 

[dukehokie]

What we really need to do is get a concrete criteria for a # retirement. I tried but what I found isn't clear. I know someone posted it here a couple of years or so ago when we had a similar thread. Then maybe we can come to the conclusion as to why Verga, Spanarkel, Banks ,Scheyer , Singler and any other player we think should have their # retired. Like dirt said we can't retire every #. Sooner or later we run out . I like what dukehokie came up with as to honor those #'s. OFC

From the Duke media guide:

"Though there are no ‘official’ criteria to have a jersey retired at Duke, a player must achieve at a national level — earn National Player of the Year or National Defensive Player of the Year honors, set an NCAA record, win a gold medal representing his country in the Olympics or earn All-America recognition. What distinguishes Duke’s retired jersey players from many other schools is the main criteria. No jersey will be retired at Duke unless the player has earned his degree."

The only official "requirement" is graduation.