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The Powers That Be: Coach Honored at Cancer Benefit
BY BERNIE BEGLANE
Basketball has played a major role in the life of Jack Powers.
First as a student at Manhattan Prep and then at Manhattan College.
Upon graduating from the Christian Brothers of the Schools institution in Riverdale, he returned to his alma mater within a short period of time.
Powers coached the Jaspers for 10 years and then became the athletic director for 10 more.
That was followed by 19 years as executive director of the National Invitation Tournament.
And when the NCAA took over the NIT two years ago, Jack continued running the oldest college tournament in the U.S.
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COACHES UNITED: From left, Tom Pecora, Jack Powers, and Bill Raftery enjoy a lighter moment at the Coaches Vs. Cancer Golf Classic. |
Meanwhile, his enthusiasm and hard work did not go unnoticed as there have been many awards and honors bestowed upon him.
The latest took place at the sixth annual Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Outing at the Cherry Valley Club, Garden City, the Monday prior to Labor Day.
The committee, headed by Tom Pecora, coach at Hofstra University, selected Powers as the honoree of the day-long event.
And of all the honors that he has received, Jack was most touched by the latest.
“That is because of Hope Lodge, this year’s beneficiary,” explained Powers.
“When I was told I was to be honored, I researched Hope Lodge and came away amazed at its accomplishments.”
Located across the street from Madison Square Garden and adjacent to St. John’s Church, which is conducted by the Capuchin Fathers, Hope Lodge takes care of families of a cancer patient who comes to New York for treatment.
The Classic, affiliated with the American Cancer Society, has raised almost $200,000 over the past six years.
This time out $50,000 was collected as Citibank became a sponsor. In addition, a journal was produced, thus the advertising brought in additional funds.
“Our best outing thus far,” said Pecora, who grew up playing CYO basketball in Our Lady of Lourdes parish, Queens Village.
“There were 30 foursomes for golf and 250 overall at the dinner.”
Ed Kelly, the golf professional at Cherry Valley who played at St. John’s University and who also is from Our Lady of Lourdes parish, handled the golf proceedings.
What pleased the committee most is that all five prior honorees, starting with Lou Carnesecca of St. John’s University, were in attendance.
Following Little Looie were Rollie Massimino of Villanova; Bill Raftery of Seton Hall; Nick Macarchuk of Fordham and Jack Curran of Archbishop Molloy H.S.
Getting back to Hope Lodge, Powers continued, “I really wanted to know as much about it so I could tell people what it accomplishes.
“Families bringing a loved one to New York for cancer treatment have enough to worry about without wondering where to stay.
“Hope Lodge steps in and takes care of that concern. And it was Norm Roberts of St. John’s University who made the connection for us through Dee McCabe of the American Cancer Society.”
Powers, who grew up in St. John’s parish in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, was a standout player at Manhattan College.
“One game that is most memorable was our upset over West Virginia, then No. 1 in the country, in the first round of the 1958 NCAA Tournament at Madison Square Garden,” he recalled.
“Jerry West was their key man and he was held to 17 points while I scored 29. That’s a game you can’t forget.”
Also not forgotten was Jack’s coaching victory over Carnesecca and St. John’s in the Holiday Festival, also at the Garden.
“I have had a very good career in athletics,” concluded Powers, “and I would not change a thing.
“And to receive an honor from your own coaches who are dedicated to helping such organizations as Hope Lodge is something I will never forget.”
Seminary Golf Classic
The Garden City Country Club was the site of the Annual Seminary Golf Classic, a major fund raiser for the Seminary of the Immaculate Conception, Huntington. Co-chaired by Bob Crimmins and Bill Bowden, the Classic honored Peggy and John O’Brien. More than 150 guests enjoyed a day of golf, dinner and an auction. The funds raised will be used for building improvements and repairs and will assist in upgrading the seminarians’ computer lab. Above, Msgr. James M. McDonald, rector, introducing seminarians to the dinner guests. Below, from left, Msgr. Jim Kissane, pastor of St. John of God, Central Islip; Msgr. Martin Geraghty, pastor of St. Robert Bellarmine, Bayside; and Father Kevin Sweeney, diocesan director of Vocations.
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