Photo credit: Getty Images | Steve Lavin of the St. John's Red Storm reacts from the bench near the end of the first half against the Syracuse Orange during the quarterfinals of the 2011 Big East Men's Basketball Tournament presented by American Eagle Outfitters at Madison Square Garden. (March 10, 2011)
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On the day after Steve Lavin 's new recruiting class delivered a season-opening victory over William & Mary, the Red Storm got a pleasant surprise when Lavin attended his first practice Tuesday since prostate cancer surgery Oct. 6.
There still is no definitive timetable for Lavin to resume his full duties, but he's obviously getting closer. Assistant coach Mike Dunlap has been filling in for Lavin since his surgery and is expected to be running the show again Wednesday night when the Red Storm (1-0) faces Lehigh (0-0) at Carnesecca Arena .
Lavin did not meet with the media, but the second-year coach released the following statement, updating his current situation:
"I'm definitely feeling closer to full strength, and eager for a return to the sidelines. I've been pleased with the progress made by our young team. During this period of recuperating, coach Dunlap and the staff have worked in an impressive, collaborative manner to prepare our team for the challenges ahead.
"I have been monitoring the team's progress by watching DVDs of practices and games. I have also been in contact via iPhone , text and email with our coaches, student-athletes and recruits. Naturally, we still have much to do in terms of implementing our system and style of play, but the effort from this team has been outstanding."
Lavin watched the opener on television from his Manhattan apartment, where he has been recuperating since successful surgery was performed by Dr. Peter T. Scardino of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.
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