Gotnext Women's Basketball Boards

phoenixfanatic · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 26 Location: Phoenix

http://www.gotnext.com/mercury/viewtopic.php?p=1643#1643

Just wanted to post this---from way back in 2002. This was one of the only two posts Seth made on the boards (using the SSulka name) to someone who questioned his commitment to the Phoenix Mercury.

If we just knew back then what we know now...

CamrnCrz1974 · Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Posts: 1689 Location: Central Phoenix

Seth deserves a medal for putting up with a lot of know-nothing fans who, literally, would scream and yell at him in person, even those people had zero basketball knowledge, much less any knowledge about the collective bargaining agreement or running a franchise.

And Seth would take it. He would always listen to what they had to say and respond to them. And he did this with out of town guests who came (Seth sat a table with me, Kilzer, and MB, when Kilzer came into town).

This doesn't include the locker room passes he gave to out of town families so the kids could hang out with Diana, Penny, etc.

The man was a good general manager. Maybe he was not great from a player personnel standpoint, but to question his dedication to the franchise is beyond reprehensible.

caune · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1562 Location: Phoenix

I can think of at least three times when I thought a decison wasn't great and Seth explained it to me, the reasoning and pros and cons they had to weigh...and damn if I didn't agree with him when he was done.
Most GMs(like every other one but Seth) would not have spent the time to explain their front office decisions to fans and I really respected the fact that he was not hiding from making tough decisons and he stood behind them.
He had character and a a love of the franchise that shouldn't be questioned!

SportsFan48 · Joined: 12 Jun 2002 Posts: 1137

I remember a trip to LA to see the Mercury against the Sparks when Seth saw our group (before we saw him) and called out to us. He came over and talked with us a few minutes on the concourse before the game. I couldn't help thinking at the time how many LA fans walking around us had any clue to who he was and how many of those fans had ever had an even remotely similar encounter with Penny Toler, the Sparks GM.

I didn't agree with everything Seth did but I had a lot of respect for him and at the end of the day, much like Cuane, I had a better understanding of why he did what he did because he took the time to tell you. One of the things I liked best about Seth was that he knew that not everyone agreed with him (educated or not about the stituation), yet he maintained a sense of humor and never felt the need to retaliate. He always respected the other person's right to have their own opinion.

I am very glad the Mercury have continued to have a part of the Sulka family on the sidelines and thought it a very class act on their part to include "the little Sulka" on their trip to Detroit for the final game. It was not only a great reward for her and the work she does for the team each home game, but I think it was a tribute, in a way, to Seth and his part in helping to shape our Champions.

gillomfan · Joined: 16 Jun 2002 Posts: 262

Seth was very good to me. He paid my way to LA to see the Mercury play the Sparks in 2002. He put me up in the team hotel, gave me a ticket right behind the bench and even paid for a meal. It was an honor I will never forget. He also gave me a family pass for all home games for several years in a row. When I went to road games he made sure I had a ticket. The booster club went on a road trip to San Antonio in 2003 he invited us to ride the team bus and attend shoot around. The team bus is considered sacred. One has to be really special to get on it. That was also a great honor.

I did not agree with everything he did, including how he handled the cituation with Jen. I will always be angry with him for that but overall he did a great job. He was the gm in charge when Cappie Pondexter was drafted. He was in charge when Anna Deforge was traded for Kelly Miller. Those two decisions along with our new gm Ann Meryes decideion to trade the number one pick for T Smith were the final pieces to winning a title.

I pray Seth knows how much we appreciate all he did and that he too is included in celebrating.