The Irvington Express, formerly known as the Irvington Small Fry basketball team, has partnered with an ABA basketball organization, and the first initiative of the joint venture is an annual co-ed clinic being held from 10 am to 2 pm each day on October 7 and 8, 2006 at Irvington High School.

 

The free event will be conducted by the Newark Express—the first and only professional basketball team in the Essex County area—and it is open to existing Irvington Express members and other children, ages 9-13 who are interested in the program that is coached by Irvington police officer Quaasim Austin.

 

Ron Moore, the 6’11” former center of the NBA Detroit Pistons, coaches the Newark Express, and will be on hand for the camp with his players and assistants. In addition to learning game techniques, the children will receive player autographs and pictures, prizes, and for the first 100 to register, Irvington Express T-shirts.

 

Registration is being held at schools throughout the township and at the Chris Gatling Recreation Center, 280 Union Avenue; and the East Ward Recreation Center, 62 Berkeley Terrace (behind Berkeley Terrace School).

 

“We’re truly excited about the potential and possibilities that lie ahead for these youngsters,” according to Marsha Blount, the full-time co-owner of the Newark Express; the general manager and other co-owner is Jacqueline Halyard.

 

Blount said participants may have the opportunity to start off as ballboys for the ABA team, and over time, “grow into the operational aspects of the organization,” such as ticket sales, marketing and entertainment.

 

“Everybody won’t make it on to the court, but there are plenty of opportunities off the court; my business partner and I are living examples of that,” said Blount, who played at Queens College in NYC, while Halyard played at Brooklyn College, NYC.

 

“Exposing young people to the business and occupational career opportunities related to sports is an exciting endeavor,” Mayor Wayne Smith said.

 

The one-year old Newark Express plays home games at Essex County College and holds practice sessions at the JFK Recreation Center, where training camp starts on October 14.

 

Averaging 24 years of age and hailing from the Newark area, twelve active players and a practice squad of 3-5 members make up the team.

 

The 2006 season for the Newark Express opens with a home game on November 4 against the Maryland Nighthawks. The 36-game regular season ends in March 2007; playoffs begin later that month. Tickets for regular season games are $5 for children and college students; general admission is $10.

 

The forerunner of today’s NBA, the ABA was revived in 2001 after a 25-year absence. John Salley, the former center who won championships with the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls and L. A. Lakers, has been named as the ABA’s new commissioner. The organization is composed of 53 teams nationwide, two from Canada and one from Mexico.

 

For more information about the Irvington basketball clinic or other recreational programs and events in the community, call (973) 416-5650 or (973) 399-6688.

 

To learn more about the Newark Express, please call (973) 586-0006 or log on to www.newarkexpress.com.

 

 

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