16th Annual National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Inductions
May 1, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum Inductions will be held on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at The Suffolk Y JCC, 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack, N.Y., starting at 10:30a.m.
Click here to view map of 74 Hauppauge Road, Commack N.Y.
Among the inductees are basketball coach Bruce Pearl, swimmer Lenny Krayzelburg, football player Ron Mix, gymnast Kerri Strug and four others from the world of sports, an area of Jewish accomplishment often overlooked.
In addition, individual awards will also be presented, including “the Dick Steinberg Good Guy Award” to public relations expert Marty Appel.
For more information, please visit http://www.jewishsports.org/jewishsports/news.shtml or contact Alan Freedman at (631) 462-9800, ext. 119 or via email at afreedman@syjcc.org.
About the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum:
The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum is dedicated to honoring Jewish sports figures who have distinguished themselves in the field of sports. The objective is to foster Jewish identity through athletics. In a world where stereotype and prejudice have not yet been eradicated, the Hall of Fame reminds us of heros of the courts and playing fields who have emerged from a people not commonly associated with sports. The Jewish Sports Hall of Fame is located at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center, with plaques honoring those inducted on permanent display.
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National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum
74 Hauppauge Road
Commack, NY 11725
(631) 462-9800
www.jewishsports.org
NBA Legend Norm Nixon Named Spokesman of Program That Aims To Raise Awareness of Hypertension and Diabetes Among African-American Men
April 24, 2008
(New York, N.Y.) In a continued effort to help others and help their own, the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), also known as the Legends of Basketball, has teamed up with the Black Barbershop Health Outreach Program to help educate and empower African-American men to better understand the prevalence of hypertension and diabetes and how to prevent its development and complications. The partnership was announced today at Inglewood’s Finest Barbershop in Inglewood, Calif., where NBA Legend Norm Nixon was introduced as the program’s official spokesmen.
“This initiative is a natural fit for the Legends, as one of our platforms is addressing healthcare concerns among our Members and the public at large,” said Len Elmore, NBRPA President. “We look forward to working with the Black Barbershop Program in heightening the awareness of cardiovascular diseases among African-American men. We are confident that the collaboration between our groups will offer an innovative means to disseminate this vital message, as our Members will take part in barbershop visits throughout the country encouraging health screenings.”
During these Black Barbershop stops, volunteers, joined by Legends, will utilize the existing community-based infrastructure of black-owned barbershops to conduct free cardiovascular screenings to African-American men, as well as provide culturally appropriate educational materials about exercise and fitness, obesity, prostate cancer and HIV. Customers with abnormal findings are referred to physicians or healthcare facilities.
The California Legislative Black Caucus has designated the month of May as Black Barbershop Month in California. Upcoming stops include barbershops in Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Baltimore and New York.
“Black-owned barbershops represent a cultural institution that regularly attracts large numbers of black men and provides an environment of trust and an avenue to disseminate health education information,” said Dr. Bill Releford, founder of the Diabetic Amputation Prevention Foundation (DAP), which launched the Barbershop Program. “There is a growing concern of undetected cardiovascular disease in African-American men, and we look forward to working with the Legends of Basketball to help increase public awareness of these diseases and their complications by early detection, information dissemination, and referral to the appropriate medical resource.”
For more information, visit www.legendsofbasketball.com and www.blackbarbershop.org.
ABOUT THE NBRPA/LEGENDS OF BASKETBALL:
The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is a non-profit organization comprised of former professional basketball players committed to developing and utilizing their community stature to support and participate in socially responsible global initiatives that focus on, but are not limited to, education, health and children’s causes. Beyond providing scholarship and financial aid to members in need, the NBRPA serves its membership through a variety of post-retirement objectives, including advocacy on pension issues, support in career transition and participation in community service. Founded in 1992 by Legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson, the Association works in direct partnership with the NBA and the National Basketball Players Association.
The First Annual Ride for Toys of Hope
March 28, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) A little over 14 years ago, a young woman here on Long Island named Melissa Doktofsky saw a need. She realized that for many needy or homeless kids, the holidays were not something that brought a lot of joy. So back in 1994, Melissa began purchasing toys and delivering them to shelters, community centers and the homes of needy families. She did this out of her own pocket on her own time. But as time passed, she saw that the need was larger than she could fill herself so she began to reach out to local individuals and businesses to donate toys and help deliver them.
Thus began Toys of Hope. Today, Toys of Hope is a year round organization that provides many services to Long Island’s needy and homeless. Not just toys anymore, Toys of Hope also provides books, school supplies, clothing and other necessities to families, helping them become more self-sufficient, thereby improving the lives of their children. Understanding the joy a pet can give a family, Toys of Hope runs a program called Poor Paws which delivers donated pet food and supplies so families never have to make the difficult choice of feeding their pets or themselves.
There are a number of programs run by Toys of Hope ranging from their Literacy Program to private tennis lessons for Long Island’s underprivileged kids.
Toys of Hope operates year round and is completely volunteer driven. There are no paid employees and ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF ALL FUNDS CONTRIBUTED GO TOWARDS HELPING LONG ISLAND’S NEEDY CHILDREN, THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR PETS.
That’s right. Every dollar, every dime. Goes to the ones that really need it.
If you live in or are going to be in the New York Area on Sunday, July 27, 2008, please mark your calendar now and join us for what is going to be an amazing day and a truly wonderful event. The First Annual Toys of Hope Motorcycle Run and Benefit.
If you are not in the area, you can make a donation to Toys of Hope. You can donate online at their website, www.toysofhope.org. Your donation is tax-deductible and every dime goes to the ones that really need it.
Hosted By:: Full Throttle NY/NE, Jade & The Lizard.
When: Sunday July 27, 2008 at 10:00 AM
Where:: From Segesta Pizza to The Black Rock Tavern in Yaphank. For those driving straight to the benefit, the party starts @ 1pm at The Black Rock Tavern…
Knicks Lose To Indiana; Curry Gone For The Season
March 19, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) The New York Knicks lost another game on the road against a mediocre team the Indiana Pacers in blowout fashion with a final score of 110-98 at Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis IN.
Mike Dunleavy led the Pacers onslaught with 36 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocked shots while Danny Granger provided firepower at the forward position in finishing with 26 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists. Dunleavy tied his career high in points for a single game for the fourth time this season scoring 36 points in three other occasions and winning all of them.
“It’s my lucky roulette number,” the resurgent Dunleavy said. “I don’t know what that means, I don’t know what to say about that. It’s better than a career high of six or something like that. It’s all motivated and pushed by the desire to make the postseason, These last 15 games, I’ll do anything in my power to get this team in the postseason.” He added.
It was a close game for the first three quarters as the Pacers held a slim two point advantage 81-79 after the end of the third period. Danny Granger led a ferocious 14-5 run scoring nine points himself at the start of the fourth quarter which stretched Indiana’s lead to 98-89 and never looked back afterwards. “We came out, hit our shots and got the stops we needed,” Granger said. “Even when they responded, we responded back with two or three buckets. It was what we needed.”
Forward Zach Randolph led the Knicks with 21 points and 14 rebounds but he also committed 4 crucial turnovers, two of which came at the penultimate quarter which allowed the Pacers to create more breathing space between the two teams. Jamaal Crawford scored 16 points and grabbed 4 rebounds while oft-injured forward Wilson Chandler came up big with 15 points and 8 rebounds for the Knicks.
Actor Billy Crystal Cut By Yankees
March 17, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Emmy award-winning actor Billy Crystal who starred in certified blockbuster films such as City Slickers and When Harry Met Sally in the 80’s and 90’s was officially cut by the New York Yankees after striking out in his only at bat on a losing effort against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday.
The Yankees decided to give Billy Crystal, a long standing fan of the team, a minor league contract to honor his contributions to the team and the society as well. MLB Commissioner Bud Selig gave his approval for the actor’s signing with the Yankees to pave the way for his first and only at-bat in professional level baseball for the Yankees.
Crystal, who turned 60 years old on Friday, came into the game as the lead off batter and designated hitter for the Yankees. He faced Pittsburgh’s Paul Maholm at the plate and fouled off in his second swing. With the count 3-2, Crystal was struck out by the Pirates pitcher and was given a loud standing ovation from an appreciative crowd at Tampa Fl.
“It was unbelievable and the greatest moment of my life,” Crystal said. “I don’t really know how to describe it. It was intensely good.” After the game, the actor signed dozens of baseballs for his teammates with the message “Your teammate, Billy Crystal — 3/13/08.” encrypted and also invited his peers to a birthday bash with best pal Robin Williams.
New York lost the game 5-3 despite a heroic effort by starting pitcher Mike Mussina who kept the pirates from reaching a single base in the first five innings. Jose Bautista and Chris Gomez hit singles in the sixth inning off Mariano Riviera to break the perfect game attempt by the Yankees.
Crystal’s role on the team as the designated hitter and infielder for the Yankees spring training team was officially acknowledged after the game when team management recorded “March 14 Released INF Billy Crystal.” in their game notes under team transactions record.
A Look Into The Top Four Play-Off Contenders For The Eastern Conference
March 14, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) With a little over 4 weeks remaining in the regular season of the NBA before the ultra-intense play-offs begins, here is a closer look into the top four teams of the Eastern conference, one of which will represent the East against a powerhouse team from the West.
Boston Celtics – The acquisition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in the off-season by the Celtics is evidently paying off for Coach Doc Rivers and GM Danny Ainge. Holding a sizeable lead in the standings over all the teams in the league means a home-court advantage throughout the festivities on April up until June when a new champion reigns. Garnett will undoubtedly takeover the leadership role from Paul Pierce and his intensity will be the key to the Celtics success. If the team can stay relatively healthy and play together with their newly signed players in veterans PJ Brown and Sam Cassel, then they have the chance to go all the way.
Detroit Pistons — The Pistons are still the team to beat in the East. With a solid starting line-up and a clearly developing bench, they will prove to be a tough match for any opponent in a seven game series both in the East and out West. Chauncey Billups will handle the leadership responsibilities and his cast of play-off savvy veterans like Richard Hamilton, Antonio McDyess, Rasheed Wallace and Tayshaun Prince will provide ample support. Expect a Pistons versus the Celtics East finals but not before a fight from the next two teams in the league.
Orlando Magic – This team is the dark horse in the East. Any team with All-star and Slam Dunk king champion Dwight Howard manning the middle will always have a fighting chance against the better teams in the league. Another factor going for the Magic is the gigantic improvement of forward Hedo Torkuglo from a dependable player into an all-star caliber forward this year. The 6′-10″ Torkuglo handles the rack most of the time and is the key initiator to the Magic offense. He can see the court pretty well with his height and his three point shooting makes him a unique asset. With the addition of Rashard Lewis and a possible comeback of Toni Battie on the play-offs, the Magic are primed for an upset.
Cleveland Cavaliers – The defending Eastern Conference champions Cleveland Cavaliers are on a tough spot. After a dismal start, they decided to break up their roster and trade for marginal players in the league. But with Lebron James, anything is absolutely possible, something which he proved last year. If their key players such as Bobie Gibson, Z Ilgauskus and Sasha Pavlovic could return to favorable health, then the Cav’s are poised to hit another run and make a serious attempt for the division crown again this year with LBJ at the helm.
The remaining teams in the Eastern conference holds no real chance of getting out of the first round. The Washington Wizards if healthy can certainly make a run at it but will prove to be futile as the case the last couple of years. The Toronto Raptors are too inconsistent and young to be considered contenders this year while the Philadelphia 76ers, Chicago Bulls, New Jersey Nets and the Atlanta Hawks are their to complete the cast.
Federer Defeats Sampras In Exhibition At Madison Square Garden
March 12, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) In a battle against world number ones of different era, current top-ranked tennis player Roger Federer defeated former world number one Pete Sampras 6-3, 6-7 (4), 7-6 (6) at a sold out Madison Square Garden in New York.
Pete Sampras who will turn 37 this August owns the record for most number of Grand slam events won in professional tennis with 14 championship trophies in his belt, winning the last one on his last professional game at the flushing meadows in New York in the 2002 US open while the 26 year old Swiss master Federer in pursuit with 12 Grand slams for his brilliant career. Sampras also holds the most number of seasons finished as the number one player in the world after holding that honor for six straight years. Federer has been the world number one player for the last 200 weeks.
Playing in front of an estimated 19,690 adoring fans at the Garden which included Golf superstar Tiger Woods, business tycoon Donald Trump, Regis Philbin and Anna Wintour sitting at front row, both Federer and Sampras produced magnificent shots and groundbreaking strokes which mirrored their respective successful careers at the professional level. Federer won the first set with relative ease after he held serve using four consecutive smashing aces and a two handed fist pump to celebrate. Sampras produced shot making trickery reminiscent of the Pistol Pete of old to claim the second set after winning the tie-break 7-4. But in the end, the youthful exuberance of Federer overwhelmed Sampras as the Swiss champion claimed the match and the $1 Million prize after he captured the deciding third set tiebreaker 8-6.
”I don’t think winning or losing was really the issue tonight. I think we both tried to do our best and have a fun night, and that’s what it turned out to be. It turned out to be this thriller match, This is maybe why so many people came out: You don’t often get the No. 1 in his prime playing against maybe the greatest player of all time,” Federer said.
Sampras for his part earned a little less than the million Federer won but more importantly won the hearts of his adoring fans. In one instance after Sampras won a point on a serve and volley tactics, a spectator rang out the chorus “You still got it, Pete!” The first and only meeting between the two at the professional level occurred at the 2001 Wimbledon where Sampras won 7 of his 14 slams. The youthful Federer edged fading Sampras on that match which was viewed by many as a changing of the guards among tennis legends. “It was a great night for tennis; Roger’s got more important things to worry about than playing me. I was happy I took the second set so we could give the crowd more tennis, I was a little disappointed I didn’t come up with the win.” Sampras said.
New Yankee Manager Joe Girardi Displeased With Rays Hard Play
March 10, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) New York Yankees General Manager Joe Girardi expressed his displeasure over the Tampa Bay Rays for their hard play in spring training which resulted in Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli breaking his wrist at home plate in a collision with the Ray’s Elliot Johnson.
“I think it’s uncalled for,” Girardi said. “It’s Spring Training. You get people hurt, and that’s what we’ve got — we’ve got Cervelli hurt. I know they had an incident four or five days ago. I’m all for playing hard, but I don’t think it’s the time when you run over a catcher in Spring Training. I’ve always known that you don’t do it; I know kids are playing aggressive and playing hard. That’s how you want them to play. But maybe if it happens too much, you should mention something.”
The crushing hit occurred last Saturday when the two teams met in a spring training game at Legends Field in Tampa FL. Elliot Johnson was rushing to home plate trying to capitalize off Willy Aybar’s double to left field when Yankees prospected catcher Francisco Cervelli attempted to tag him. Johnson delivered a devastating shoulder hit which he lowered in an attempt to pry the ball away from Cervelli resulting into a fractured wrist for the Yankee’s catcher.
Elliot Johnson, a roster hopeful for Tampa Bay’s regular season line-up as an infielder said, “I’m not trying to hurt anybody, especially in a Spring Training game,” Johnson said. “I hope he doesn’t lose his job. But I’m trying to show these guys what I can do. I’m just trying to score the run. Looking back on it, I’d have to say I’d probably do the same thing. With the time that I had there, the instinct was to slide and be out, or hit him and see if I could pop the ball loose,”
Francisco Cervelli is an international prospect for the Yankees from Venezuela. He was signed on 2003 by New York but was relegated to the minors after struggling in his first year with the team. Then manager Joe Torre for New York projected the 22-year old Cervelli as the future catcher for the Yankees.
Lebron James Blasts New York Knicks
March 6, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) A few days after top MVP candidate rival Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers notched a 52-point outing against the Mavericks, Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers responded with his own 50-point game on Wednesday against the lowly Knicks as he led Cleveland to a 119-105 victory on the road at Madison Square Garden in New York.
With the game ticking down to its waning moments, the New York crowd responded to James’s outstanding output which read 50 points, 10 assists, 8 rebounds, 4 steals on 16-30 FG shooting, peppered with 7-13 three point shooting accuracy and 11-16 free throws made with a booming standing ovation and chants of MVP which is a rare occurrence in the NBA with a player performing on the road.
“I’ve dreamed about playing well in this building and it’s overtaken of how I could ever dream about,” James said. “To get a standing ovation in the greatest basketball arena in the world, it was a dream come true for me. It’s one of the best things that ever happened to me. It was a great feeling. You get a fan to come down there to express the way he feels about you … told me I was his favorite player, that never happens,” James added. “I respect him, I respect his pride and for him to come out there and tell me something like that face to face, it’s like the [most] unbelievable thing that ever happened to me.”
Jamaal Crawford led the Knicks offense with 25 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists while 5’-7” guard Nate Robinson responded to early criticisms of his struggling mid-season performance in gathering 24 points, 4 assists and 2 rebounds. Knicks starting center Eddy Curry racked up respectable numbers with 20 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists. The Knicks will play Detroit Pistons on Friday while defending Eastern Conference champion Cleveland will face the Bulls tonight in the back end of a 2 game in 2 night’s schedule.
Brett Favre Announces Retirement on Tuesday
March 5, 2008
(Long Island, N.Y.) Legendary Green Bay Packers QB Brett Favre announced Tuesday his retirement from the NFL to end an illustrious career for one of the game’s most dominating presences which included two Super Bowl appearances and a 3-time AP MVP trophy.
“I know I can still play, but it’s like I told my wife, I’m just tired mentally. I’m just tired; if I felt like coming back — and Deanna [his wife] and I talked about this — the only way for me to be successful would be to win a Super Bowl. To go to the Super Bowl and lose, would almost be worse than anything else. Anything less than a Super Bowl win would be unsuccessful,” Favre said in a message.
Brett Lorenzo Favre from Gulfport, Mississippi was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons after four glorious years as the starting QB for the University of Southern Mississippi. After his uneventful rookie campaign with the Falcons, Favre was traded to the Green Bay Packers on February 10th, 1992 for the rights to the team’s first round pick that year. On his fifth game with the Packers in the ’92 season, Favre was upgraded as the starting quarterback, a position he held for 16 years until his announcement Tuesday.
“I know it shouldn’t feel unsuccessful, but the only way to come back and make that be the right decision would be to come back and win a Super Bowl. And honestly, the odds of that, they’re tough. Those are big shoes for me to fill, and I guess it was a challenge I wasn’t up for.” added Favre.
Favre’s career was defined with his gritty play. For over 17 years he gave joy to his fans and game enthusiast by displaying not just his talent but his determination and his drive to succeed. Countless times he willed his team to victory using his heart and emotions. He won a Super Bowl ring against New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI and reached his second Super Bowl the following year opposite the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXXII which Favre and the Packers absorbed an emotional loss.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement, “Brett Favre will always be remembered as one of the greatest players and fiercest competitors in NFL history. His long list of accomplishments both on and off the field is remarkable. Brett’s talent, enthusiasm and love of the game helped him become the only player to earn three MVP awards and he was a vital part of bringing a Super Bowl championship back to Green Bay. It has been a joy and privilege for all of us to watch him play. We wish Brett, Deanna and their family all the best and hope he will stay connected to the game that he honored with his brilliant play for so many years.”
