Team New York comes together to inspire the state against Covid-19
By Robert Alfonso Jr.
NEW YORK, NY – Since New York State was placed on mandatory quarantine back in mid-March, people have had nothing but time on their hands.
Sometimes those moments were spent planning a trip to the refrigerator, watching the daily governors press conference, checking in on family and friends. However, some of the best ideas coming when you have a moment to think.
Welcome the birth of Team New York from the mind of a teenager.
Luke Klores had an idea to help inspire residents across the Empire State. He thought college basketball coaches could reach out to their fanbase and instruct them on how to combat the coronavirus, which has affected New York on a large scale.
The rising senior at Riverdale Country Day School mentioned this to his father, Dan, the founder of the NY Rens grassroots basketball program. They then called Rens executive director Andy Borman.
“This is the idea of a 16-year old in our program,” Borman said. “Everyone is sheltered in place. He doesn’t have all the contacts. I do.”
Luke told Borman the idea of the college coaches Tweeting out about good practices to combat the virus and to shelter in place.
This is when things really got rolling.
New York has 22 Division I programs in the entire state. When it comes to basketball New York is not just a NY Knicks or a Brooklyn Nets state. The state is passionate about basketball with one caveat.
Each corner of the state has a different college basketball team affiliation.
Borman reached out to college Hall of Famers Jim Boeheim of Syracuse and recently hire Rick Pitino of Iona. Then calls to St. John’s head man Mike Anderson, Manhattan’s Steven Masiello and Wagner’s Bashir Mason among others.
Every coach Borman called didn’t let him finish before agreeing to join the movement.
“You have all these coaches who have their own fraternity who are used to competing against one each other,” he said. “They are now on the same team. They are fighting together against a common opponent.”
Prior to coordinating this movement, Borman’s routine has been entertaining a four-year-old and watching Governor Andrew Cuomo briefing, like many New Yorkers.
During this time of year many would be searching for a Yankees or Mets game. In Borman’s case, he would be coordinating the Nike sponsored organizations in the state for national basketball events.
Now, instead of New Yorkers arguing over their teams or college coaches competing for the attention of a recruit, they are coming together as they did after 9/11.
“This isn’t the first time we have seen devastation or tragedy,” Manhattan College men’s head coach Steve Masiello. “New Yorkers are resilient we are a resilient country. This was a no-brainer.”
Masiello then jumped on his Twitter account to deliver a message to all his followers. He has also checked in with his family, staff, and players just about on a daily basis.
“It is not about me. it is about us,” he said. “This is a We will get through this. That is human nature.”
It has become the New York way of life.
Here are a few tweets sent out by some of the college coaches.
About the Author
Alfonso
Robert Alfonso Jr. is a graduate of Mount Sait Mary College. He has more than 20 years of journalism experience. Alfonso has helped build a basketball web brand in Georgia and has covered high school through college sports for publications in New York, North Carolina, and Georgia. His mission has always been to uplift the athletes who play sports providing them the exposure needed in this new media platform.