Dedication
of Harry James Ball Court
07/02/13
During
its heyday in the late 1960’s and ‘70’s, Elmwood
Park became a haven for basketball. It was an oasis where the
game was played from sun up to long into the night.
The fabled court served as host site of a summer basketball
league which attracted a legion of basketball luminaries
including: Julius Erving “Dr. J,” Earl “The
Pearl” Monroe, Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Kelly
Tripuka, Elnardo Webster, Sr., Cleo Hill, Charles Brown, Mel
Knight, Dennis Motley, Jerry Clark, Warren Melvin, Mike Dabney,
Kim Fisher, Troy Webster, and many other top professional,
college and high school players.
It was one of the ‘go to’ stops for top players and
attracted fans from across the tri -state region.
The summer league featured night games and quickly gained a
reputation as northern New Jersey’s version of the Rucker
Basketball League in Harlem. The name of basketball legend and
East Orange native Harry James will be enshrined at center court
in recognition of his contributions as the individual
principally responsible for the establishment of the summer
basketball league. In 1969, the league literally put East Orange
and Elmwood Park on the map as the epicenter of high performance
basketball.
The July 2, 2013 Grand Opening and Basketball Court Dedication
Ceremony offered a day of exciting activities. After the official
introductions and ceremonial ribbon cutting, there was a youth
Basketball Clinic, the reinstatement of the Summer Basketball
Leagues, Student and Adult All-Star Games, as well as music, food
and fun for the entire family.
(excerpts
from the city's poster for the event)
Photo By Frederick Goode
Mayor Robert L. Bowser welcomes
the city residents who have come to participate in the
dedication.
Photo By Frederick Goode
Third Ward Council Person Ted
Green welcomes the crowd.
Photo By Frederick Goode
Photo By Frederick Goode
Mr. and Mrs Michael James thank
the participants on behlaf of the James family.
Photo By Frederick Goode
The ribbon is cut and the games
begin. See more on the East Orange Facebook Page and
other news sites.