Historic school gets an assist

Syracuse, NY

The NBA is helping the school where the league first tried the 24-second shot clock. On Aug. 10, 1954, the National Basketball Association's founding members gathered at Blodgett, (then Vocational High School), to watch a scrimmage game involving NBA players trying a 24-second shot clock to speed up play and increase scoring.

Today, the school has a condemned auditorium and 90% of its students live in poverty. However, Blodgett has one resource separating it from other schools, the gymnasium is a historic shrine for basketball. One year ago, Blodgett students sent drawings and pictures to the NBA, seeking support for a safe place to play outdoors. Students presently use a rusty city playground a block away, one where teachers often find broken bottles or crack vials on the pavement. "We have no place for the children to really go outside and play," said new principal Pat Lamanna. A new playground, including a basketball court, would cost approximately between $50,000 and $75,000.

She said it was too early to make specific commitments, but added that the NBA is linked to numerous groups and corporations that offer community donations. Aviles described "many people in our office" as being aware of the problems, needs and history at Blodgett. "We're interested because of the building's historic status, and because a request for help was made directly to the commissioner's office," said Nicky Aviles, the NBA's coordinator of charitable donations.