Local Press
Centers don't come along often
February 12, 2005, Bob Sansevere, Pioneer Press
Mark Bauch had just thrown down a rim-quivering dunk.
"We watch him now and we giggle," said Jay Pivec, Bauch's basketball coach at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. "You see him now and you ask, 'Is that the same kid?' "
He set the foundation
March 2, 2004, Jeff Shelman, StarTribune
By deciding he wanted to play for his hometown team, Jerry Holman helped bring the Gophers out of their dark days from the academic scandal.
A season for seasoning
February 10, 2004, Dean Spiros, StarTribune
Mike Kinsella recently came to the realization he's a Minnesotan at heart. So when the Rochester native left Rice University last spring after his freshman season, in search of a new place to attend school and play basketball, he headed north.
Holman's upside puts him on radar//2nd-round pick not out of question
June 25, 2003, Jeff Shelman, StarTribune
When Jerry Holman's basketball career at the University of Minnesota ended in April, there was little doubt he would continue to play. Maybe the St. Paul native would end up in Europe. Maybe he'd grab a spot in the NBA's developmental league. But now, after several good individual workouts and a good showing at the Chicago predraft camp, it's possible Holman could hear his name called in the second round of Thursday's NBA draft.
Stock on the rise
February 27, 2003, Dean Spiros, StarTribune
A year ago Andy Hannan couldn't interest the Gophers in his services. But now Illinois, Wisconsin and other schools are recruiting him.
Point of contention
January 29, 2003, Dean Spiros, StarTribune
Minneapolis Community and Technical College's Jay Pivec loves coaching his son, Tyler - now. But he wasn't so sure last year, when he had to bench him. It strained a relationship that always had been close and blurred the lines between coach and player and father and son.
MCTC helps center find new focus
March 7, 2002, Mark Craig, StarTribune
Levi Jones was a big man in need of a change. Jay Pivec specializes in changing big men. So when Jones, a former Minneapolis North High School center, decided to leave South Carolina State after last season, he called Pivec, the head basketball coach at Minneapolis Community and Technical College. The phone didn't have to ring twice.
Proudly pursuing milestone victory
January 30, 2002, Pam Schmid, StarTribune
Jay Pivec, on the verge of coaching his 350th career victory, could feign humility and downplay the impending milestone. Pivec, the Minneapolis Community and Technical College men's basketball coach, could pretend he is just a lucky guy. He could call the number the product of longevity. But Pivec likes to call things as he really sees them.
Holman listens, turns it around//Former junior college coach gets center's attention
January 9, 2002, Brian Hamilton, Pioneer Press
Jerry Holman knows Jay Pivec well enough to know that this wasn't a cordial visit between old chums. For one reason and one reason only was Pivec at the University of Minnesota men's basketball team's practice last Friday. So when Holman finished his day's work, he immediately settled his 6-foot-11 frame next to his former junior college coach. Knowing full well what was coming, Holman listened -- as if he had a choice.
Solved mystery
November 27, 2001, Jeff Shelman, StarTribune
Soon there will be people talking about how they spotted Jerry Holman's promise years ago. You know the type. They talk about how they saw some band at First Avenue before they made it big. Or how they visited a trendy place before it became oh-so-hip. Or embraced a fad long before "everybody" was doing it.
Pivecs pointed way for Holman
November 20, 2001, Charley Walters, Pioneer Press
Jerry Holman, the 6-foot-10 University of Minnesota men's basketball junior who showed he is a budding star with 17 points in 18 minutes against Mercer on Saturday, wasn't recruited by anybody out of St. Paul Humboldt. If Bob Pivec had not been in Cloquet, Minn., four years ago to watch his daughter play in a tournament, Holman might not have ended up at Minnesota.
Holman is latest MCTC success
December 12, 2000, Michael Rand, StarTribune
Two years ago, the comparison would have been absurd. Back then, Jerry Holman was a skinny kid from St. Paul with awkward footwork and an uncertain future. Kevin Garnett already was filling out into an NBA star.
Holman catches the eye of coaches
February 17, 2000, Mark Craig, StarTribune
Two years ago, Jerry Holman was an average high school basketball player with below-average grades and a learning disability he was so ashamed of he refused to take a college entrance exam.
Back to school
February 17, 2000, Mark Craig, StarTribune
Jay Pivec, men's basketball coach at Minneapolis Community & Technical College, would like to say he searched every backstreet gymnasium in the Twin Cities until he finally found little James Scheeler. But the truth is Scheeler, the Marauders' leading scorer (15.7 points per game) and arguably their best player, "came to us out of the blue," Pivec said.
Always their father's visions//Withers brothers bear up to family tragedy
February 20, 1999, Ray Richardson, Pioneer Press
It's a habit Ahmad and Kasim Withers might not be able to break. During free-throw attempts or inbounds plays, the brothers occasionally sneak glances toward a section of the crowd attending Minneapolis Community College basketball home games, visualizing a man they know won't be there.
Haskins' U.S. team to get first test
July 10, 1998, Tim Klobuchar, StarTribune
After playing against only each other for three days of trials and four days of practice, finalists for the U.S. Goodwill Games men's basketball team are looking forward to seeing someone different this weekend.
For Minneapolis CC, it's another season of nice surprises
February 10, 1998, Patrick Reusse, StarTribune
This is Jay Pivec's eighth season as the men's basketball coach at Minneapolis Community College. Every winter, Pivec has surprises available in the small gym on Hennepin Avenue.
Part of the family
December 24, 1997, Todd Zolecki, StarTribune
Mike Spencer's 3-year-old daughter Flicai barely noticed the 23 points her dad scored last Saturday for the Minneapolis Community and Technical College basketball team. A one-on-one between the cartoon character Barney and her dad might have been the only thing capable of drawing her attention away from the stands and onto the court.
Courting style
November 19, 1997, Darlene Pfister, StarTribune
Jay Pivec knows teamwork. The three-time national community college men's basketball coach of the year was quick to mastermind a winning combination of talents after Minneapolis Community College and Minneapolis Technical College merged last year.
Ex-gang member gets a second chance at life
February 19, 1997, Patrick Reusse, StarTribune
Jay Pivec has been coaching men's basketball at Minneapolis Community College for seven seasons. For many athletes, Pivec's program offers a second chance. For others, it is a last chance.
Hollman's hot hand is leading Minneapolis
February 24, 1996, Patrick Reusse, StarTribune
David Hollman was the point guard on St. Paul Central's 1988-89 basketball team, the last in Central's long run of powerhouse teams. The Minutemen lost the state Class AA title game when a Robbinsdale Armstrong airball turned into a last-second basket.
Hollman gets a shot and finally makes it
February 21, 1996, Mike Augustin, Pioneer Press
Minneapolis Community College basketball coach Jay Pivec refers to the direction David Hollman's life has taken as a "feel good'' story. The perpetual smile on Hollman's face says the same thing.
Star sat on bench
March 4, 1995, Letters from readers, StarTribune
There is a deeper story behind Minneapolis Community College's victory on the basketball court. MCC won the community college state tournament, losing only one game this year. In that loss, one star player sat on the bench.
Marauders' Pivec seeking an encore
October 29, 1993, Eric T. Pate, StarTribune
How much higher - or how hyper - can Jay Pivec get? In his three seasons, Pivec's Minneapolis Community College Marauders have averaged 19 victories and, last year, they won 22 games. They also shocked the nation by finishing second at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III men's basketball tournament in Delhi, N.Y.
Hope and glory//The MCC Marauders basketball team started its season as a ragtag crew without a chance at the national championship. That's not how it ended up.
March 21, 1993, Duane Noriyuki, Pioneer Press
A thick silence pads the locker room as Minneapolis Community College players sit alone with their thoughts. Their eyes seem distant and their faces chiseled in stone. The muffled roar of the crowd ebbs and swells to the rhythm of the game being played out on the court. Upon its conclusion, MCC will take the floor for the state championship matchup against Anoka-Ramsey.
Lessons extend beyond the court
February 11, 1992, Jon Roe, StarTribune
On one corner along Hennepin Av. is the Basilica of St. Mary's, where they're trying to save souls. Kitty-corner is the gymnasium of Minneapolis Community College, where they're trying to save soles.
City game lives up to its name
February 24, 1991, Patrick Reusse, StarTribune
"Basketball is the city game. It demands no open spaces or lush backyards or elaborate surfaces. Its rhythms grow from the uneven thump of a ball against hard surfaces. Basketball is the game for athletes without cars or allowances - the game whose drama and action are intensified by its confined spaces and chaotic surroundings." Pete Axthelm, "The City Game"
