NIT Continues Battle Against NCAA: Former St. John’s coaching legend, Lou Carnesecca, testified in the NIT’s case that the NCAA has violated antitrust regulations. Carnesecca said he was unaware of the rule that required teams to choose the NCAA Tournament over all other tournaments for several years. He remembers being able to choose to attend the NIT in the 1950s. But Carnesecca also acknowledged the thrill of the NCAA Tournament, saying its popularity skyrocketed in 1979 when Magic Johnson and Michigan State went toe to toe with Larry Bird and Indiana State.
Also, NIT lawyers introduced evidence from 50 years ago that demonstrated the NCAA sought to force schools to attend its tournament and not the NIT. Records from a 1957 NCAA committee meeting show that officials wanted to threaten nine schools if they did not comply. They considered retaliating against stubborn schools by banning them from NCAA team events.
[8/15/05]
