Although Jerry Ingenito did most of his best
work out of the spotlight, at St. Theresa's CYO program in Queens, as freshman
coach at Christ the King, and as a men's assistant and women's head coach at
Division II Queens College, it's worth remembering his one noteworthy
television appearance. In 1990 CK's varsity went to Chicago to play the top
ranked Martin Luther King Panthers out of that city's tough public league. They
featured two 7-footers in Rashard Griffin and Thomas Hamilton plus McDonald's
All-American Jamie Brandon. CK featured their superb backcourt of Derrick
Phelps and Khalid Reeves and after a slow start Derrick with his defense and
Khalid with his scoring took control of the game and lead the Royals on a
furious rally. At the end of a time out Inge exhorted his guys. "They're
choking!" he shouted repeatedly exhorting his guys to carry the rally to
the finish and get a win. Even though
Christ the King fell short that day, viewers on what was then Sportschannel got
a glimpse of his passion and enthusiasm for the game and for the kids he
coached and loved.
That glimpse of Jerry,who died last
Monday at the age of 52, may have been a true indication of Inge's passion but
to understand why he was such an important part of and beloved guy in New York
City basketball for the past 30 years one needs to know first of all that he
had enough of a sense of humor to laugh at the good natured ribbing from
friends that inevitably followed that episode.
One also needed to see him at work with his teams.
The record will say that Jerry's teams
won 4 freshman titles at CK. What it won't say is that he did two things as
well or better than any coach I've seen at any level. He coached "motion" or continuity
offense, helping kids develop the skills of passing and moving without the ball
that not only helped them get ready for varsity play, but made them ready to
learn new and different concepts that they'd see in college. At a time when kids were just beginning to be
identified as stars at too early an age Jerry insisted on unselfishness and at
a time when many coaches were reluctant to stand their ground with star players
Jerry always did. And any kid who realized that Jerry did that for their
benefit was a better player and person for having had him as their coach. Many
people, players and coaches alike, contributed to what was a great era of CK
basketball there's little doubt who laid the foundation for that success; it
was Jerry at freshman level.
Jerry also had a great ability to
teach guys who had grown tall early the basics of foot work. Recent articles about
Jerry have mentioned Lamar Odom as one of the players he influenced but in my
time knowing him Kevin Simmons was the guy who proved the best example of
Jerry's work with "bigs" Kevin arrived at CK a 6'6" freshman
with very little coaching and Jerry offered to do individual work with him
after school and before practice. Jerry taught the basics of pivoting, balance
and shooting and by the time the season began Kevin was ready to play and
succeed against the best of a tough freshman league, and of course he went on
to a college career at UC Irvine and UNLV.
It was typical of Jerry that there was
more to his coaching with Kevin than skill work. One day Kevin missed their
work out, having to go home on a Friday. Jerry did not mind that he missed the
work out but let Kevin know that he should've told him he had to miss that day.
Kevin apologized and the lesson was learned; be on time, and if you have to
miss the work explain why, not basketball skills but life skills.
Even when diabetes took away the
physical ability to coach teams, Jerry still found a way to help kids through
basketball learning about basketball plyometrics and organizing workouts for
both big men and perimeter guys. In recent days several current and former
college players such as John Sikric of Queens, Blaise Ffrench of St. Peter's
and Evan Conti of Quinnipiac have all spoken about how Jerry helped them with
those sessions he often held at Cathedral High School in Queens.
Jerry enjoyed the trappings of a great
basketball life. He sat courtside often at St. John's and recently at Brooklyn
Nets games. Those things, and his trips to Hawaii were things he enjoyed but
they were indeed trappings of a life well live and one that touched many lives
in a way that made them better people as well as better players. So long Jerry, we'll remember you and miss
you and love you always.
No comments:
Post a Comment