On Saturday January 20th, Roosevelt Island's
Public Safety Department
(PSD), in conjunction with the
NYPD 114th Precinct, hosted its second 3 on 3 co-ed teen basketball tournament at Sportspark.
With 8 teams
all vying for the gold medal, the games were competitive, hard fought, and
most importantly, fun!
In the preliminary rounds, team “No Hablo Ingles” ran the gambit winning all 7
of their games and securing the #1 seed. The round robin tournament was a much
closer battle, where “No Hablo Ingles” met the well-coached #3 seed “Sweet
Yams” in the gold medal game. In a tightly contested, highly defensive game,
“No Hablo Ingles” squeaked out the win by a mere 2 points to secure the gold
championship medals.
We congratulate Matthew Matias, Noel Perez, and Carmelo Valentine on a job
well done and look forward to hosting more teen tournaments in the
future!
We also would like to give a special thank you to all of the RIOC
departments that made this tournament come to life, including Public Safety,
Communications, Operations, Youth Center, and Sportspark.
All photos by RIOC Director of Communications & Community Affairs Bryant
Daniels and PSD.
Mr Daniels adds:
We hope to host more starting in the Spring, open to both island and
off-island teens. These events are designed to bolster community policing
efforts on the island and help build bonds between island residents and the
corporation, particularly our dedicated PSD Officers.
Watch the action from the Roosevelt Island 3 on 3 Co-ed Teen Basketball
tournament.
... RIOC originally projected the Sportspark renovations to be completed by
the
Spring of 2022
but that was pushed back to September and then the Fall of 2022....
... During the September 29,2022 RIOC Board Of Directors Meeting, RIOC President Shelton Haynes reported
the Sportspark Facility substantially completed but target opening date delayed
until late Fall/Winter.
During the October 20, 2022 RIOC Board of Directors meeting,
Mr Haynes said the Sportspark renovation
is about 95% complete. RIOC is waiting for punch lists work to be
completed and Department of Buildings and FDNY inspections. Mr Haynes added that RIOC hopes to open
in a couple of months, if not sooner...
... The facility’s grand opening is slated for Late-Winter 2023, equipped with a new aquatics and management teams;...
... Sportspark, which I know everybody's excited about, is a project that we are sure the
community will love. We have a new team in place and enhanced services.
We're still working with
New York City agencies to get inspections done which will be easier after the holiday season.
We did send out a notification last week that in January we will provide a lot of
pertinent information so after the holidays please check your advisories.... updates on permitting, pricing and
other pertinent information will be provided at that time....
On December 29, I got a sneak peek at the renovated Sportspark swimming pool and basketball court from outside through the widows as well as the two new Pickleball courts and posted the video on Roosevelt Islander Instagram Page.
A few days later the Sportspark windows were completely covered up preventing anyone from looking inside.
The good news is that Sportspark may be opening sooner rather than much later. RIOC announced yesterday the appointment of new Sportspark management.
According to a RIOC Tweet today:
President & CEO @SheltonJHaynes announced the appointment of Joseph Natale as Director of Sportspark and Philip Flynn as General Manager of Sportspark at Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation.
Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation
(RIOC) President & CEO Shelton J. Haynes today announced the
appointment of Joseph Natale as Director of Sportspark and Philip Flynn
as General Manager of Sportspark at Roosevelt Island Operating
Corporation.
“Joseph and Philip both
bring their unique experience to RIOC, having been rising stars in their
respective roles in the private and public sector,” said RIOC President & CEO Shelton J.
Haynes. “Joe’s wealth of experience at Equinox has already paid
dividends as he shares his transformative ideas to bring Sportspark to
industry standards. Phil too brings to RIOC over a decade’s worth of
experience at premier not-for-profits – giving him a unique advantage in
navigating state government coupled with his astute background in
programming.
"First, I'd like to
thank RIOC President & CEO Mr. Shelton J. Haynes for the opportunity
to be a part of RIOC and join such a motivated team,” stated Joseph Natale.
“What excites me the most about overseeing the new and improved
Sportspark is the ability to offer our members best-in-class
programming, a high level of member service standards, and new amenities
never seen at Sportspark. The member experience will be at the
forefront of everything we do."
Natale
is an 11-year veteran of the fitness industry, initially starting as a
personal trainer and working his way up into management for nearly the
past decade. Most recently, Natale held various roles at Equinox,
including Assistant General Manager, General Manager, and Senior Manager
of Personal Training. Natale’s ability to lead and develop teams,
streamline operations, and create an exceptional member experience are
all values RIOC seeks for the future of Sport spark. Natale holds a
Bachelor of Science degree in Management of Sports Industries from the
University of New Haven and earned a number of certifications, including
NASM-CPT and NSCA-CSCS.
General Manager Philip Flynn commented,
"First and foremost, I want to thank RIOC and President & CEO
Shelton J. Haynes for giving me the opportunity to help uplift Roosevelt
Island in my new role. I am beyond excited for Sportspark to open and
show off all the new upgrades to the residents of Roosevelt Island. My
goal is to be another resource for the community with a strong focus on
health and wellness at the center."
Flynn
possesses over a decade’s worth of experience working in the
not-for-profit sector. Flynn served as the Athletic Director for Sid
Jacobson Jewish Community Center (JCC) in Roslyn, NY, the only
full-service JCC on Long Island’s North Shore dedicated to serving every
aspect of community wellness, regardless of age or ability. At the JCC,
Flynn was charged with the development and implementation of all sports
programs and activities. He promoted sports programming growth, safety,
member satisfaction, and member retention through sports program
participation and facility excellence. Flynn holds a Bachelor of Arts
degree in Sports Management and a Masters degree in Sports Management
with a Minor in Economics and Sports Marketing from the State University
of New York at Cortland. Flynn was a DIII athlete in both soccer and
track while attending the State University of New York at Cortland.
But still no information from RIOC on a Sportspark opening date, programming, scheduling or pricing.
On January 24, I asked RIOC President Shelton Haynes and Assistant VP of Communications Akeem Jamal:
I'm working on a story about the opening of the Sportspark facility.
I'd like to interview you about the project and RIOC plans for upcoming programs and community use schedules.
I would also like to take a tour of the facility and take video.
Could we do an interview at Sportspark in the next few days.
In 2018, Roosevelt Island resident
Emily Engstler
was one of the
top High School Basketball players
in the county. Ms Engstler is now one of the top College Basketball players in
the country playing at the
University of Louisville
and attributes much of her success to Roosevelt Island NY toughness. She even
has a tattoo on her leg showing Blackwell Park where she started playing hoops
on Roosevelt Island....
Emily Engstler of Louisville may be the best defender in the country!! Stats
prove it. She explains why her New York toughness has helped her become who
her coach calls “the best we have had since
@angel_35 “
@UofLWBB@em__ballerpic.twitter.com/jBJD7dPuWy
playing at the
University of Louisville and attributes much of her success to Roosevelt Island NY toughness. She even
has a tattoo on her leg showing Blackwell Park where she started playing hoops
on Roosevelt Island.
Emily Engstler of Louisville may be the best defender in the country!! Stats
prove it. She explains why her New York toughness has helped her become who
her coach calls “the best we have had since
@angel_35 “
@UofLWBB@em__ballerpic.twitter.com/jBJD7dPuWy
RIRA’s Children, Youth & Education Committee, in its commitment to
improve the lives of our youth, is starting an initiative to promote our
island’s youth and young adults' success stories. A group of students will
research candidates and interview them with depth and detail. Their stories
will be published in the Roosevelt Islander Blog Post. For this interview,
Dylan Marfey researched the successes of Emily Engstler who was born in
Queens and then moved to Roosevelt Island when she was 7 years old. She was
active on the island with many of its youth programs, including baseball and
then found her passion in Basketball with the support of her family, peers,
and the community.
I always take to heart Gibran Khalil Gibran’s quote: Keep me away from the
wisdom which does not cry, the philosophy which does not laugh and the
greatness which does not bow before children.
If you have any success stories you would like us to include in this
initiative, please email Adib Mansour at
RIRAdib@earthlink.net
Here's Emily Engster playing at Roosevelt Island Blackwell Park basketball
court.
5-Star Syracuse commit Emily Engstler is the NYC basketball star you don’t
know pic.twitter.com/qXCb5zEfLx
Roosevelt Island ball fields, basketball courts and dog runs closed due to the Coronavirus Pandemic shutdown will reopen Monday July 13.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised that RIOC will reopen all outdoor basketball courts, dog runs, and sports fields on Monday, July 13th.
Residents and visitors are asked to avoid participating in high-contact games, such as football and basketball, to continue wearing face coverings, and to maintain proper social distancing practices at all times.
As of Monday, July 13th
Open areas will include:
Comfort Stations at Lighthouse Park and Southpoint Park
Outdoor Tennis Courts (7:30 AM- 8:30 PM)– reservation system here
All public playgrounds
Pony Field and Capobianco Field (7 AM- 9 PM) – for exercise only
McManus and Firefighters Fields (7 AM- 9 PM) – socially distanced games only
All basketball courts- (7 AM- 9 PM) No games. Socially distanced shoot-around only
All dog runs
Closed areas will include:
Sportspark
All public cooking areas
Please note that summer day camp programs have priority on all fields and courts Mon. - Fri., 9 AM - 4 PM, through Aug. 28, 2020
For more information on NYS Department of Health sports and recreation guidance, please click here.
For details on complete New York Forward guidance, please click here.
Social distancing is taking hold with New Yorkers — but we're seeing some issues when it comes to basketball courts. If you want to go shoot hoops with your kids, that's fine.
But we can't have pick-up games. If people don’t follow the rules, we’ll take hoops down.
Roosevelt Island is getting a new competitive basketball program for youth 13- 17 years of age. The basketball program, Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), is being organized by long time Roosevelt Island resident John McNeil. According to Mr. McNeil:
I’ve been living on Roosevelt island for twenty-five years.
Roosevelt island never had an Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball team, until now. What’s special about an AAU Tournament is that college scouts are present at these tournaments. They give athletic scholarships to players, who they’re interested in recruiting.
Our practices are every Saturday from 1-4pm at PS/IS 217 on Roosevelt island.
Basketball players I’m am seeking are ages from 13-17 years old. We do have tryouts, which means there will be cuts. The players will play other AAU teams around the Tri-State area.
It’s heavily competitive and the exposure is like no other. We train our players with the fundamentals of basketball and stress the importance of education – giving the youth in our community a better chance to achieve their goals.
Goat Basketball is a non-profit organization and it has a 501C3, which is the same tax exemption a church will pursue.
Sometimes it's morning. Sometimes it's night. When Emily Engstler looks out
her window, the basketball hoops, the clean white nets, call her. She bolts
out of bed and jogs to the courts across the street from her home on Roosevelt
Island in Manhattan, New York.
The 6-foot-2 senior at St. Francis Prep waits on the sideline, dribbling the
ball between her legs before staking claim: "I got next!"
She's the only girl here, on the concrete courts that face the East River, and
always has been. Back in middle school, though, no one picked her up. She
hadn't earned respect yet, so she came day after day to study the way the guys
hustled, the way they protected the ball....
In its 33rd year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The
Gatorade Company, today announced Emily Engstler of St. Francis Preparatory
School as its 2017-18 Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Engstler is the first Gatorade New York Girls Basketball Player of the Year to
be chosen from St. Francis Preparatory School.
The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also
high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on
and off the field, distinguishes Engstler as New York’s best high school girls
basketball player. Now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade National Girls
Basketball Player of the Year award announced in March, Engstler joins an
elite alumni association of past state girls basketball award-winners...
... The 6-foot-1 senior forward led the Terriers to a 19-9 record and the
Brooklyn/Queens Catholic High School Athletic Association championship game
this past season. Engstler averaged 18.3 points, 11.5 rebounds, 3.7 assists,
3.3 steals and 2.1 blocks per game. A Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
First Team All-American, she has been chosen to play in the McDonald’s
All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. Engstler is ranked as the
nation’s No. 11 recruit in the Class of 2018 by espnW and is a finalist for
Miss New York Basketball.
A tutor in her school, Engstler has volunteered locally on behalf of Harvest
for the World and youth basketball programs. “Engstler can single-handedly
take over a game,” said Phree Edwards, head coach at Bishop Loughlin High.
“She can score in the paint, she can put the ball on the floor, she can shoot
from the outside too. She also has great vision and she can protect the rim on
defense.”
Engstler has maintained an A-minus average in the classroom. She has signed a
National Letter of Intent to play basketball on scholarship at Syracuse
University beginning this fall....
... As a Gatorade Player of the Year, Emily will be able to select a national
or local youth sports organization to receive a grant as part of the Gatorade
Play It Forward program. Every Gatorade Player of the Year state winner
receives a $1,000 grant to donate and will have the opportunity to enter for
an additional $10,000 spotlight grant by writing a brief essay explaining why
their selected organization deserves additional support. 12 spotlight grants –
one for each sport – will be announced throughout the year....
Please be advised that the Capobianco Basketball Court resurfacing project will commence on Monday, October 23rd, with contractors working daily from 7 AM to 4 PM. The project will conclude on Friday, October 27th. Protective fencing will be installed around the perimeter of the site for safety purposes. The court will re-open for play on Monday, October 30th.
The Blackwell Park Basketball Court
is open.
As previously reported, RIOC will also replace the flooring at Al Lewis and Blackwell Park playgrounds.
An August 9 Special Meeting of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Board of Directors will take place August 9 starting 5:30 pm at the Cultural Center (548 Main Street).
Prior to the start of the RIOC Board meeting, there will be a public comment period. Sign up here to speak at the meeting.
Resident Frank Farance shares these photos and reports on the free basketball program offered on Saturday's by the Roosevelt Islands Youth Program (RIYP) at PS/IS 217. According to Mr. Farance:
Parents,
At the recent Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Children, Youth, and Education committee meeting, some parents said they were unaware of some of the offerings for their children. I am compiling a list and, as I see things come by, I will pass them along (we're trying to get something more formalized ready, but you'll have missed the opportunities by then).
If you don't know coach Tommy, you should: he is fantastic, he really has a knack with kids and teaching the fundamentals,
and he gives a lot of individual attention.
My daughter learned how to properly throw a baseball, and shoot a hoop (she'd bet a cheeseburger she could do it, and then double down with two in a row). My son learned much coordination/movement and feels comfortable playing a pick-up game with friends.
The photos, from the 5 and 6 year-old classes, show Coach Tommy teaching the kids several kinds of passes (with thumbs down follow through),
how to dribble,
a fake or two, and how to run backwards (an important coordination skill).
Parents can help with coaching, such as parent Ben shows how to fake and shoot. The instruction ends with the coach explaining some of the finer points, and then a Hands In!
Older kids (3rd grade and above) have teams and games.
Here is the schedule:
Basketball Ages 5-16 Every Saturday at PS/IS 217:
- 9AM 5 year olds/Kindergartners (Instructional)
- 10:15AM 6 year olds/1st Graders (Instructional)
- 11:30AM 7 year olds/2nd Graders (Instructional)
- 12:45PM 8-9 year olds/ 3rd&4th Graders Teams and games (Coaches needed)
- 1:50PM 10-12 year olds/5th thru 8th Graders Teams and games/Round Robin(Coaches needed)
- 3:30PM 13-16 year olds/9th thru 12th Graders Teams and games/Round Robin (Coaches needed)
Afternoon times are tentative
The Roosevelt Island Youth Program is currently hosting open adult gym evening activities Monday to Friday from 7:30 - 10 PM at PS/IS 217 (645 Main Street) for men and women featuring Wednesday Soccer
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday basketball,
Friday volleyball
and Thursday yoga.
Next week, on Tuesday's and Friday's, Zumba is included as well.
Former Roosevelt Island Public Safety Officer John Malone reported on what might be one of the most amazing half court buzzer beating shots of all time that ended Sunday's New Rochelle/Mount Vernon High School basketball game.
... The play began with 2.9 seconds left in regulation and the Huguenots trailing by two. Edney, positioned on New Rochelle's baseline, threw a baseball pass to teammate Joe Clarke near center court. The duo — with Edney at quarterback and Clarke at tight end — had hooked up countless times during the fall to lead New Rochelle to a state title in football. This wasn't one of those times. Mt. Vernon's Jalen David jumped into the passing lane and deflected the ball. Teammate Devonte Banner scooped it up and floated a pass forward to Traquann Scales. Edney jumped into action, reading the play perfectly. He then stole the ball and released the shot in practically the same motion....
About the Basketball facilities, schools will be on holiday vacation for the next couple of weeks (12/17/11-1/2/12), any plans to maintain the Sportspark basketball court open during the holiday vacation so that island resident children can enjoy some indoor activity? I am a R.I. resident and have two boys (12 & 14) who would love to play basketball during their school vacation. Please send some information or whom to contact. Thanks!
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) answers:
Please be advised the Sportspark sports complex will be closed for the Holidays December 24th - 25th, and January 1st. On December 31st, we will be open on our regular Saturday schedule closing after the evening open swim. Please visit the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation website for pool hours.
Sincerely,
Received the following message from the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Please be advised the PSD/Youth Center Connect Basketball Game for tomorrow, November 8th from 6-8 p.m. has been moved to the Child Legacy High School Gymnasium located at 566 Main Street.
Pre Game Pep Talk By Chief Guerra (holding Basketball)To Both Blue & Grey Teams
On Thursday, November 11th, the Public Safety Department and the Youth Center hosted it's 2nd Annual Connect Basketball Game. The game was held at the Roosevelt Island Sportspark Complex and featured some of the neighborhood's most talented ball players. Players from the PSD merged with those from the community to play a very balanced and exciting game. The Gray team was victorious by a score of 62-59 over the Blue Team....
Mr. DeFino Standing On Far Right Next To Chief Guerra
... Once again the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department collaborated by bringing young adults, youth center staff and public safety officers to attend our second special get to know each other basketball game at Sportspark on Thursday November 11th followed by some good old fashioned getting to know each other over refreshments and food provided by RIOC.
This program will be on-going and will evolve to other areas outside of basketball to continue it's mission of "Connecting" the community, public safety and youth center....
Come on out to the Child School Gym Tuesday at 6 PM and cheer on the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and Public Safety Department Basketball players.
More information and pictures from previous Public Safety/Youth Center Connect Basketball games from earlier posts.
Pre Game Pep Talk By Chief Guerra (holding Basketball)To Both Blue & Grey Teams
Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department Director Keith Guerra reports:
On Thursday, November 11th, the Public Safety Department and the Youth Center hosted it's 2nd Annual Connect Basketball Game. The game was held at the Roosevelt Island Sportspark Complex and featured some of the neighborhood's most talented ball players. Players from the PSD merged with those from the community to play a very balanced and exciting game. The Gray team was victorious by a score of 62-59 over the Blue Team.
Many thanks to Charlie and Steve from the Youth Center for their involvement. Thanks also go out to Millie Reyes, our Crossing Guard and Michelle Williams, our Youth Officer for distributing the much needed refreshments.
Mr. DeFino Standing On Far Right Next To Chief Guerra
Roosevelt Island Youth Program Director Charlie DeFino adds:
Once again the Roosevelt Island Youth Program and Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department collaborated by bringing young adults, youth center staff and public safety officers to attend our second special get to know each other basketball game at Sportspark on Thursday November 11th followed by some good old fashioned getting to know each other over refreshments and food provided by RIOC.
This program will be on-going and will evolve to other areas outside of basketball to continue it's mission of "Connecting" the community, public safety and youth center.
The Community Outreach Basketball Game was originally intended to be played between members of the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and parents from the Roosevelt Island Youth Center. I think when the parents realized the game was going to be played full court
Grey Team Taking Ball Up The Full Length Of Court
instead of half-court they had second thoughts about making that long run up and down the floor and decided to let the kids play instead.
The game was well played with some great shots made
and jockeying for position to get some tough under the board rebounds
which sometimes resulted in a trip to the foul line.
At the final buzzer the Grey Team won 62 -59 over the Blue team, the players lined up to shake hands and congratulate each other on a well played game.
Good job by the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department and Roosevelt Island Youth Program in helping to establish relationships between their members. Also, I was pleased to see RIOC VP Of Operations Fernando Martinez at the game lending his support to the community outreach initiative. This can only help our community.
I did find it concerning that there was not much of a showing of Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) delegates or other members of the public present to root on the players and support this joint initiative by the Public Safety Department and Youth Program to better relationships in our community. I often hear complaints at RIRA meetings that the Public Safety Department only gets involved with members of the community in an enforcement capacity and does not engage on a positive basis with Roosevelt Island young people. Well, in this instance the Roosevelt Island Public Safety Department, Roosevelt Island Youth Program and those who played in the basketball game stepped up to help improve our community. RIRA and the complainers did not.
Perhaps the new RIRA Common Council Delegates and other members of the public were not aware of this event. Hopefully, they will be for the next Community Connecting event.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
In the preliminary rounds, team “No Hablo Ingles” ran the gambit winning all 7 of their games and securing the #1 seed. The round robin tournament was a much closer battle, where “No Hablo Ingles” met the well-coached #3 seed “Sweet Yams” in the gold medal game. In a tightly contested, highly defensive game, “No Hablo Ingles” squeaked out the win by a mere 2 points to secure the gold championship medals.
