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Jarvis to Speak at Boca Raton Roundtable Luncheon

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Jarvis to Speak at Boca Raton Roundtable Luncheon

Florida Atlantic University head men’s basketball coach Mike Jarvis will speak at the Boca Raton Roundtable luncheon on Friday, May 15, beginning with a “Meet and Greet” at 11:15 a.m. at the Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd., in Boca Raton.

Jarvis’ accomplishments place him among the nation’s elite college basketball coaches, as well as among the ranks of a proven leader, educator and mentor. Jarvis has guided his teams into NCAA or NIT postseason play 14 times in 20 seasons as a head coach. Jarvis took over FAU’s men’s basketball program in May 2008, with his second season at FAU beginning this fall.

The Boca Raton Roundtable is a non-partisan, nonprofit business group, dedicated to exploring important contemporary issues, via monthly luncheon sessions, featuring prominent speakers in the field of government, business, science and the arts. Members consist of the areas leading business, professional, civic, and political personalities.

Tickets for the luncheon cost $35 for members and $45 for guests. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit www.bocaroundtable.com


Source:  FAU Media Relations
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Jarvis promotes FAU hoops at Roundtable Luncheon

As he approached the podium at the Boca Raton Roundtable luncheon, Mike Jarvis planned to be informative, inspirational, philanthropic and warm in presenting his approach to college basketball.

Jarvis, head men's basketball coach at Florida Atlantic University, detailed his hopes for the Owls May 15 at the Boca Country Club, 17751 Boca Club Blvd.

"I love to play, I love to coach, I love to teach and I can't wait to lace up the shoes in October," he said. "I like FAU because it has no real history or tradition. We have a chance to be special and to build our own program. This team has good chemistry, talent and character."

With the Owls coming off a 6-26 finish in Jarvis' first season at the school (2-16 in the Sun Belt Conference), there's a lot of building still to be done. But the veteran coach is confident. "We're going to be special here at FAU," he said.

Jarvis previously led three programs into the NCAA Tournament: Boston University, where he coached from 1985 to 1990; George Washington University (1990-98) and St. John's University (1998-2004). He has taken his teams into the NCAA Tournament or NIT 14 times in 20 seasons.

Jarvis would like nothing more than to add to that total next season when he welcomes a strong incoming class to campus. The class features Darren Stewart, of Monsignor Edward Pace High School in Miami; DeMonte Simpson, of Bearden High School in Knoxville, Tenn.; Gainesville Sun Player of the Year Greg Gantt, of Gainesville High School; 6-foot-6 forward Jordan McCoy, of Olympia High School in Orlando; and All-DC1AA forward Andre Mattison, of Coolidge High School in Washington, D.C.

Jarvis is particularly excited about All-State point guard Ray Taylor, from American Heritage School in Plantation. "He's worth the price of admission," he said of the 5-5 Taylor, who played alongside University of Florida signee Kenny Boynton in high school. "He's one of the most exciting players I've seen and a kid that you would say could be my grandson."

Growing up in Cambridge, Mass., Jarvis played his high school basketball at Rindge Technical High School, where he would later coach. At Rindge and Latin High School, Jarvis coached future New York Knicks center Patrick Ewing, as well as NBA player Rumeal Robinson and current George Washington head coach Karl Hobbs. Jarvis also played collegiate basketball and baseball at Northeastern University before graduating in 1968.

Jarvis is looking to build the Owls' program around a strong talent pool. "When you recruit, you recruit people with character. You don't recruit characters," said Jarvis, referring to advice he received from the late Hall of Fame NBA coach Red Auerbach. "In basketball with your players, you want to teach them the history of the game and teach them what they don't know. Get them to where they want to get. Coaching is like parenting. … I do the talking, and you do the listening."

Jarvis lives in Boca Raton with his wife, Connie. His son, Mike II, is an assistant coach on his staff at FAU, and he also has a daughter, Dana Shaiyen, along with two grandchildren.

One of Jarvis' goals is to attract more fans to FAU Arena when the 2009-10 season begins.

"Even if you're not a basketball fan, you can still enjoy the atmosphere, the people and the excitement of being at a basketball game," he said. "You can enjoy the sounds of the cheerleaders, the roar of the crowd. It's the most incredible feeling."

The Boca Raton Roundtable is striving to explore important contemporary issues through monthly luncheon sessions featuring prominent speakers in the fields of government, business, science and the arts. The Roundtable is a nonpartisan, nonprofit business group. Go to www.bocaroundtable.com for information.

Source:  Jason Stromberg - Forum Publishing Group
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