On Friday, April 11th, I spoke to an amazing group of young adults at the LaGuardia House on 116th off 2nd in Spanish Harlem. Their program helps get them internships which often lead to full-time jobs, and for many of them it is a second chance at a career as they’ve been sidestepped out of school for various reasons. I really enjoyed my time with them. They hung on every word of wisdom I imparted, and saw that I, like them, am a local product of the neighborhood. From ‘82-’83, I participated in the Upward Fund Basketball Academy just blocks away on 120th St. It was there that I learned about writing resumes, having high goals, and giving eye contact during job interviews. So I gladly give back when I have the time, and this group was well-deserving.
I also played fulls at LaGuardia House during the late ’80s, a couple of years after the tournament they held there fell off. When it was hot, the beat-up tile floor gym saw the likes of MVPs such as Joe “The Destroyer” Hammond, arguably the greatest playground shooter of all-time and still Rucker Park’s single game scoring record holder, as well as Walter Berry, who in the mid-’80s won not one, but two Naismith College Player of the Year Awards at St. John’s and terrorized NYC’s asphalt ridiculously including King Towers and BMCC Pro-Am College Division. The plaque with their names may still very much be on the wall right next to the gym’s entrance.
Shout out to Coach Santos for bringing me back to the LaGuardia House to share my story and reminisce about a legendary place in NYC’s history that many people have forgot. For info on the young adult internship program, contact him at negronsantos@earthlink.net.
And mad love to the next generation of El Barrio’s movers and shakers! Buena suerte!
April 24th, 2008 at 11:14 am
ali says:
bob, it’s so important to reach back and provide a living, breathing example to the kids in the neighborhood. i’m sure you reached somebody, igniting a spark somewhere along the line. more positive folks need to heed your example.
April 24th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
Jeremy Ripley says:
Word. It’s definitely cool that you’re willing to come back and drop knowledge on people…
April 24th, 2008 at 8:04 pm
Chris says:
bob, you remember coming out to my high school in jackson heights with stretch and my friend furquan’s sister? it was a small school and there was only like 6 or 7 of us who knew who you guys were, but you def made our year that day.. then you guys gave us a shout out that thursday.. that meant alot to us. its so great that you take time out or your day to give back to the community and to show love to all of us who look up to you.. as i have told you many times, you are an inspiration to me in many aspects of life, and im sure to many others out there.. keep doing your thing kid..
April 24th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Chris says:
BTW, that was like 1995, so that goes to show you that bob has been a positive example for many many years.. im gonna be 30 years old soon, and i still look up to bob..
April 24th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
Anthony Heyward says:
I like what your doing for the youth Bobbito. Keep up the good work homey. This is one of your old teammates, HalfMan aka Biz. Stay positive.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
say word! whaddup Biz! i don’t know if you heard, but our old coach Hollywood passed away a couple of years ago. i’ll never forget the first time you, me and 6′9″ gary worked out at nazareth. i had no idea who you were, wasn’t up on kenny’s kings and what you were doing at soul in the hole. mad respect my brother. you yourself have been a role model for years, too. i remember the ‘hallowed ground’ hbo documentary where they let you talk about teaching at schools and what it means to you. flavor flaves, b. hit me up with what you’re up to anytime, would love to include it here at www.bouncemag.com. my email is bobbito@bouncemag.com. word.
April 24th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
oh, and chris, i definitely remember going to your school back in the day, the windows along the far wall opposite the doorway. it was mad sunny. saw fruquan and zuhaira recently. they’re both doing extremely well. peace peace
April 25th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Coach Santos of PR Legends says:
Bobitto - What can I say? You are a true legend that always gives back to community and youths. SCAN NY YAIP thanks you for your time and wisdoms. My brother - Palente with your journey of Life - Santos
May 25th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Randy Thompson says:
Bobbito……I had to correct you here….Walt won National Junior college of the year and a naismith award. The year before Chris Mullin and Patrick Ewing shared it.
I saw a pic of one of the other bloggers…Sean Couch !!!! Rocket Scientist and one hell of a baller !!!
He was a one man show at columbia !!! His dad coached me briefly as I wasn’t as talented as the rest of his dyckman team. Great man…..
May 26th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
thanks Randy, although i’ll have to factcheck that one! i know walt played at san jacinto in texas b4 st. john’s and had won juco player of the year, but if my memory serves me correctly, he won d1 poy twice as well. that’s when st. john’s and lou carnesecca were really doing it lovely. wait, i think you’re right, st. john’s had the poy two years in a row, that’s what it was. in any event, peace out and big ups to walter berry and pearl washington, my two favorite collegians ever!