Young Tony photo: nbrpa.com
12 days till the 2nd Annual Jim Couch Reunion Games at JFK High School in the Bronx
He’s a pro! Those were some of the first words Mr. Couch spoke when he saw Tony Campbell play at Dyckman Park in the early’ 80s. Tony was a skinny 6′7″ guard from Teaneck H.S. who heard about the Dyckman Basketball Program and came to test his skill on the painted pavement uptown. For Tony, it was important to get that edge that only city playground ball could give. “I couldn’t get the same comp in my area,” he said, “so I came uptown.” At first, Tony’s smooth game was mistaken for being soft. In a time when kids in the city were looking to hang a banger on your head or dribble drive for the and 1, Tony was looking to shoot jumpers. But quickly, his ultra-smooth mid-range game shined and his ability to finish easily at the hoop convinced Mr. Couch he had it.
Mr. Couch became enamored with the 6′7″ forward. He played in the senior division of the Holcombe Rucker league and led the team in scoring. When he attended Ohio State instead of a Big East School in the early ’80s, many said he would not thrive in the tough and rumble Big 10. Not Mr. Couch. “Tony was a pro. Back in those days big guys like Tony didn’t put it on the floor. When he came and worked out with us, Tony put it on the floor like a guard. He didn’t miss any workouts and when he went to Ohio State, he would come back and play with us in the College Division of the New York Summer league. Tony was tough, he could go inside and out and he looked to score immediately. He was a difficult match up and appreciated our program because knew the level of competition could get him to the next level.”
Tony showed his love by supporting the Jim Couch Foundation with his time and money. After a stellar NBA career, Tony came back and became the lead trainer for the free clinic program after Evander Ford and Arnie Jacobs stepped down. For 10 years, kids could come off the street and workout with Tony, myself, Lincoln Sessoms, and Milton Lee and receive NBA-caliber instruction. I remember thanking Tony for coming over and he simply said, “I love your father, the program and the kids.” Tony is a fine example of a kid who came from outside the city seeking the playground edge and becoming a player that became respected on the street, on the city pro circuit and eventually the NBA. His time given to the New York City playground community is remembered and appreciated.
Next: Dyckman Park Memories
October 6th, 2008 at 12:16 pm
ali says:
i remember seeing tony work out at Columbia University’s gym, when in i used to work up there at the business school in the summers of ‘89 and ‘90. he would be on one court, repeating drills over and over.
October 6th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sean Couch says:
ali,
tony got cut out of the league as a first rounder and became an NBA all-star. i played against hint in the cba and the usbl. his mental toughness and skill brought him to the true level he deserved.
October 7th, 2008 at 9:41 am
kenny Patt says:
I use to watch him play at City College in the summer league. One of my favorites there along with Mario Ellie, Chris Mullin , Mark Jackson ,Rod Strickland and even Rick Mahorn.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Russ M. says:
I’ve spent a lifetime watching NYC summerball and my favorite sequence of all time was done by Tony up at the city college pro-am. He was on the left baseline about 25 ft from the basket when he crossed over left as if he was going to go baseline, but then crossed back to the right sending the guy who was guarding him flying out of bounds.It seemed like this guy was flying parallel to the court for about 6 ft.. Everyone stood with a huge ooh(!)and then he took it to the rim and dunked on a 7 footer! About 400 hundred adults jumping up & down like 7 yr olds on Christmas morning for about ten minutes.
October 7th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
Bobbito Garcia a.k.a. Kool Bob Love says:
yo, for real, tony’s footwork in the post was ridiculous, on par with kevin mchale if i may go that far to say. with his back to the basket, he could pivot off either foot, turning inside, out, or inverted. you had to watch him to understand. then he’d stake and step back. his game was utter beauty to watch, man. for real. crazy pure form on the jimmy, handle, all that. he played for the knicks for a hot second, believe he got a ring with the lakers. i did dribbling drills at his camp in new jersey some years ago after meeting him at mr. couch’s work-out. real solid dude. is he still coaching high school out there?
October 7th, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Sean Couch says:
Bob:
Tony was at Paramus Catholic but left coaching a few years ago. He’s still in touch with us and hopefully he’ll have time to come to the games on the 18th.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:33 pm
Dan the Man says:
You mean this Tony Campbell????
https://www.nbrpa.com/news/editorial/3_16_06.aspx
http://vault.sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1121557/index.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Campbell
October 9th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
Sean Couch says:
Dan:
Great links!
October 10th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Dan the Man says:
Sean
Evidently, Your Dad subscribes to John Wooden’s motto which is attributed to Mother Theresa “Unless a life is lived for others, it is not worthwhile.”
October 10th, 2008 at 9:33 pm
Sean Couch says:
Dan:
My dad has always shown love to players and community. I remember feeling a bit left out at times, but as time went on I realized how much he loved the playground and how beneficial it was for me. As you can see it rubbed off in a great way.
October 11th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
Dan the Man says:
Sean
You and your Dad are a class act ! Keep on Giving !