Harlem Wizards vs Riverhead teachers and staff: Madcap fun for a good cause

Just three days are left before the RCFA challenges the zany Harlem Wizards to a hardwood duel. Who’ll win this year’s wild and crazy game? Come on down to the high school gym on Thursday to find out, but be prepared to split your sides laughing at the antics that will ensue right from the first tip-off.

The not-to-be-missed show is this Thursday, Nov. 10. It starts at 7 p.m. but doors open at 6 p.m. Wizards’ events in past years have been sell-outs, so be sure to get those tickets right away before they are gone.

The game, which pits members of the Riverhead Central Faculty Association All-Stars against the Wizards’ team of professional basketball showmen, guarantees an evening of fun, laughter, and high spirits for the whole family. And, it’s all for a great cause. Proceeds from the game go to the RCFA Scholarship Fund.

The annual game has been such a successful fundraiser according to Greg Wallace, the high school physics teacher who coordinates the event, that it has raised over $35,000 for the scholarship fund to date. See coverage of 2014 and 2013 events and 2015 events.

This year, there will be a raffle at the end of the third quarter to benefit former RHS students Riley Butler and Juliana Lamberty. Butler and Lamberty, both 21, are fighting uphill medical battles. Butler is battling pineoblastoma, a form of brain cancer.  (See prior story here.) Lamberty, a former RHS track star, suffers from bilateral hip dysplasia and excessive femoral anteversion – a condition undiagnosed until recently which limits her to using crutches or a wheelchair.

According to Wallace, the additional funds that have been raised at previous games have allowed the Faculty Association to augment scholarships given to graduating seniors. In prior years, the Association has also been able to give a number of scholarships to elementary students attending the East End School of the Arts.

Much to the delight of the students, members of the Wizards team visited each of the schools in the district last month to deliver anti-bullying messages while demonstrating the incredible basketball skills that make the team so much fun to watch.

So head to the high school gym to cheer on your favorite teachers as they battle the Wizards on the hardwood. Once again the All-Stars will be coached by Sal Loverde of the middle school. Jeremy Garritano, Daniel Cassamassa and Stacy Seal join in from the Riley Avenue staff. Philips Avenue players include Peter Rodriguez, Kerry Deschamps, Edwin Perry and Frank Krupski. Jaimie MacDonald, Jeff Almonaitis, Corinne Seagriff, Stephanie Loverde and Fred Liggon of Pulaski Street School add to the line up. Aquebogue School is represented by Vanessa Williams, Keri Stromski and Jackie Andrejack. Paul Hewitt, Kenny Hinchmen,  Shannon Maida, Ed Kneski and Bill Tolliver represent the Middle School. This year players from Roanoke Avenue School include Kathleen Horn, Diana Leifson and Chris Turner. And, finally, Stefanie Bonfie,  Patrick Burke, Chuck Kitz, and Scott Smith from the high school round out the All-Stars’ team.

Advance tickets are $10 for students and $12 general admission and are available at Duffy’s Deli in Jamesport or Saf-T Swim in Riverhead. Tickets at the door will be $12 for students and $15 general admission. Tickets are also available online at www.harlemwizards.com

Reserved and Courtside seating will be sold exclusively online and are $20/$30 respectively. Courtside seating includes a meet and greet with the Wizards prior to the game. Reserved tickets include preferential seating as well as a team poster.

Wallace says the RCFA is seeking sponsors to help defray the costs of the event. “Any business that wants the attention and goodwill of the people of Riverhead has something to gain by participating with a sponsorship,” he said. The Association is hoping for more than 1,100 spectators again this year; Wallace believes sponsorship is a great opportunity for local businesses to market themselves in the community.

The highest level sponsorship, called the Slam Dunk, has been claimed by Stacy Braun and Associates and Seledent. RiverheadLOCAL is the media sponsor for the event. Additional sponsors of the event are CGAA Inc., Duffy’s Deli, Ralph’s of Riverhead, Saf-T- Swim, Hotel Indigo,Riverhead Building Supply, Riverhead Administrators Association, Mirkon & Gordon, Home Town Electric, Puccio Insurance Agency, REVCO and Gibiser & Gibiser CPAs.

Three additional levels of sponsorship remain:

Sponsors at the Three Point $500 level get their logo and website link on ticket sale website, a half-page advertisement in the program, two announcements at event, their logo on team shirts and their logo displayed in the gymnasium.

Sponsors at the Rebound $250 level get their logo and website link on ticket sale website, a quarter-page advertisement in the event program, one announcement at event, their logo on team shirts and their logo displayed at the souvenir stand;

Sponsors at the Sixth Man $100 level get a business card advertisement in the event program and one announcement at the event.

Booster who contribute $50 get their business name listed in the program,

Interested parties should contact click here to email RCFA treasurer Gregory Wallace.

All remaining sponsorships include an advertisement in the program, which is handed out to all spectators and an announcement or announcements over the public address system to the crowd during the event itself. Tier 2 and 3 sponsorships include larger advertisements in the program and displays of sponsor logos on promotional materials throughout the event.

“Many of last year’s sponsors have already committed again to 2016, and I’ve just begun outreach,” Wallace said earlier this year. “This is a great testimony to the value the Harlem Wizards offer the event sponsor and the value local business people get from helping the RCFA Scholarship Fund.”

Wallace said that he hopes to attract new sponsors who will take advantage of the opportunity to show their support to the large crowd of spectators.