by Sherry Bowman-Kluck
On Tuesday, March 5, the Petersburgh Veteran’s Memorial Community Center was alive with excitement. Approximately 80 young basketball players of the area, along with their families, were geared up for their annual awards night. There wasn’t an empty seat in the place, and there was plenty of jovial chatter besides.
[private]The evening commenced with Director of Taconic Valley Youth Basketball Joe Burdick thanking a multitude of people. He said that he has personally worked hard to bring the program to where it is today, but he adamantly stressed the program’s success was due to the many hands and help from within the community.
He mentioned the PVMCC for generously providing a place for the TVYB to practice free of charge for several years now. This cost savings has directly impacted registration costs, allowing local families to sign their children up for a nominal $25 fee. With heartfelt appreciation and gratitude, Burdick later presented the PVMCC Board with a framed picture collage of all teams within the program.
Burdick mentioned the entire Berlin Central School District Board for unanimously voting to allow TVYB to utilize both the elementary and high school gymnasiums for weekend games. Board President Jim Willis and Board Member Bev Stewart were in attendance. With the BCS Board recognizing the long term investment of future middle and high school basketball players, this will no doubt foster growth and development for other basketball leagues in the area. In the past, not having a location for games has impeded the ability to play with neighboring districts. Paid officials also will be available, now, to referee.
Burdick thanked Fleda Berschwinger, a Berlin Middle School Physical Education teacher, for volunteering her time to referee many of the girls games and the Berlin Elementary School’s PEP Grant for helping to fund the equipment costs.
Burdick thanked Papa’s Pizza once again for providing dinner to all at such a great deal and his wife, Kathy, for doing much of the behind the scenes work. He stated that he couldn’t possibly run the program without her.
Burdick emphasized that most importantly the coaches and volunteers should receive the most thanks and appreciation for volunteering their time to benefit our community’s children. Gifts of recognition were given to coaches Joel Shorter and Peter Chrisikos for the first and second boys and girls, Stan Pettibone and Todd Catlin for the third and fourth girls, Jim Votra, Kevin Billert and Gene Kluck for the third and fourth boys, Kyle Jansen and Kristi Culbertson for the fifth and sixth Girls and Jay Burdick, Dan Ritter, Peter Chrisikos and Duane Rifenburg for fifth and sixth boys.
The evening ended with all basketball players proudly receiving their individual trophies followed by many second and third trips to the pizza and drink bar!
Following the event, Joe Burdick enthusiastically commented on the anticipated future growth of Taconic Valley Youth Basketball. With the School District providing the places to play games on the weekend and with paid referees, continued support from the community like the PVMCC and excellent coaching volunteers, he believes the program will develop into a more competitive one, particularly in the girls division.
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