Schick Super Hoops Tournament

With the start of the 14th annual Schick Super Hoops Tournament, I can't help but be reminded of my overall progression in life both as an athlete and as a human being. As a student majoring in physical education at City College (CCNY), I participated in the every first Schick Tournament in 1983. That year, my team won all of its games and went on to represent CCNY in the regional tournament at Patterson College in New Jersey. Unfortunately, although we failed to qualify for the final round held in Mad ison Square Garden after losing to Rutger’s University at the regional level, our 3-2 losses, remains to be the best finish ever for a CCNY team.

Despite my team' s loss to Rutgers who would eventually go on to capture the Big Apple Championship, my teammates and I remained to witness the rest of the competition. Sitting by the hallowed floor of Madison Square Garden, we watched Rutgers win the finals and the CCNY women's team lose to Fordham University. In addition to spectacular basketball games, the Garden was also flooded with Schick representatives giving out free razors, bags, T-shirts, and toiletry kits.

Over the past 14 years, I have witnessed many changes and developments in the tournament. First off, the sites for the regional have shifted from Patterson College to other universities such as Seton Hall, Columbia, and Northeastern. Second, many other sponsors have entered the fray, like Baby Ruth, TNT, and the NBA. Last, many offshoots tournaments based on the same premise as the Schick 3 on 3 Super Hoops half-court game have been formed. Among these new competitions are the Hoop It UP, the World Tra de Center half-court 3 on 3 vs. Professionals like Dominique Wilkins, and Patrick Ewing, the Trident-Certs 4 on 4 Volleyball.

Since my tournament debut in 1983, my career and involvement in sports has continued to progress. I have gone from being a player, to receiving the package for Yeshiva University in 1988, to officiating the tournament at both YU and CCNY. At CCNY, I he ld a ten year term in CCNY's youth program (NYSP) from 1984 to 1994. Presently, I have continued to serve as Gymnasium Supervisor at CCNY for the last 14 years.

Here, at YU, I am currently the Assistant Athletic Director, Intramural Director, and Cross-Country Coach for 10 years. During my tenure here, I have continued to run the local Schick Super Hoops tournament. When the tournament was occasionally held on Sundays, I've had the privilege to go to the Dodge Fitness Center in Columbia University with the YU men's and women's teams. One year, the Schick 3-on-3 team representing YU emulated my 1983 feat as they fell a game short from reaching an NBA arena app earance in the tournament.

Overall, I take pride in having participated in what I feel is one of the most competitive, fun, and social activities devised for half-court players from all type of learning institutions. The opportunity to meet great people, share an amazing experie nce with fellow students, develop lifelong friendships with professors, and participate in the camaraderie with my teammates and friends has made and will continue to make the Schick Tournament one of my greatest sports memories.