Tournament A Success 

To the Editor:

Thanks to all who made our Second John Giorno Memorial Basketball tournament another beautiful event, and huge success! The “3 on 3” held this weekend at Newtown High School drew more than 70 teams, with 250 players of all ages! Saturday was a great day of basketball and of generosity in Newtown.

To Bob Lapple, the tourney mastermind and overall driving force behind the tournament, your effort was fantastic! Bob’s commitment to the 3 on 3 again guaranteed our success. Thank you to Pete Cochrane, who has an amazing ability to work the most difficult aspect of a tournament. His guys at the registration desk, Brian Rodden and Steve Goodridge, were outstanding.

Kathy Giorno was an inspiration all day.

We are so very appreciative of the volunteer effort from the Church Hill Physical Therapy Group. Tom DiNicola and Ray Weitekamp were with us throughout the entire day.

To Chris Devellis and Peggy Martin, who coordinated our food drive, with their team of the Giorno and Tedesco ladies, Lisa Rodden, Diane Iorfino, Alice Walsh, Donna O’Connor, June Gallucci, Patty Nichols, Carol Boland, Linda Adamek, Martha Friar, Jackie Collins, Maggie Mahoney, Martha Wilkins, Megan Barbour and Christina Sanchez. Harry Coster provided a much needed hand.

Steve and Matt Maruschak led the cleanup effort for us.

To my wife Leslie, who deserves all the credit for tournament creativity, logistics, and planning and “patience” leading up to the tournament. Leslie, Mrs Tedesco, Bob Tibbetts, and others for hawking the raffles.

 A special thanks to Tony Gallucci, who donated gift certificates from his restaurant, cooked food, donated pizzas, and worked the crowd. Thanks to Tony, one of our tournament MVPs!

Jason Arnauckas, our JV coach, was super all day, coordinating both the games, and the referee. Great job by our volunteer high school basketball players, Dave Anderson, Andrew Fiscella, Devon Manfredonia, Brian Smith, Ronnie Shimko, Anthony Santella, Marcus Tracy, Kyle Lyddy, Chris Giorno, Dave McLaughlin, Jack Quinn, Shaun Coakley, Mike Klein, Mark Cinquegrana, and Tony Galluci. Joe Devellis and Dusty Tenney also chipped in, and officiated a few games for us.

To Jack Shpunt, Keith Kling, Steve and Jason Platt for managing the control center. Jack Schpunt worked a 16-hour day. There is not a better person in Newtown than Jack; he is truly dedicated to our kids.

Debbie Kling coordinated the trophies for us.

Thanks to all our generous sponsors; Al Klein and Pepsi, Swatch Company, Newtown Pop Warner, David Gerics and Mott’s, My Place, Danbury Hospital, Pizza Palace, Dunkin’ Donuts, Etc, Westport Worldwide, Perkin Elmer, Curtiss & Crandon, Iovino Brothers, Bob Tendler, Western Connecticut Federal Credit Union, Wachovia, Paul Boyle and The Hilton Garden Inn, Jack Schpunt’s Sony PlayStation, the Plavnicky family, Gary Larocque and the New York Mets, and the Tedesco and Giorno family gift donations.

To the many anonymous donors, giving generously, without fanfare or publicity.

To the local college coaches –– Providence, Rutgers, Western Connecticut, Boston University, Iona College, Quinnipiac, University of Richmond, Hofstra, and Fairfield University.

To The Bee for its generous promotion of the tournament. We appreciate Kim’s efforts covering the tournament; next year Kim needs to “bring his A game” to play in the 30 + age group.

To Roseanne Reggiano and the great ladies at Parks and Rec.

To the high school staff –– John Verbanek and his guys, Bill Manfredonia, Coach Simon, Winsett, Strait, Mrs Corbo, Jay Edwards, and others

We also appreciate the publicity extended by The News-Times, specifically Jim Stout and Cybil Blau.

I am sure there are many whom I’ve omitted. Please note we appreciate the efforts of all. We generated an incredible sum of money for the Giorno College Fund, surpassing our 2002 total. Thanks to all for a wonderful tournament!

John Quinn

NHS Basketball Coach

Berkshire Road, Sandy Hook                          November 19, 2003