Awards

Claim to fame

Roscoe’s Fred Ahart’s impending induction into the NYS Basketball Hall of Fame rewards a storied career as a coach and mentor

By RICHARD A. ROSS

ROSCOE, NY — In these times of glitzy pop culture, fame is often fleeting and superficial. Sadly, nowadays contestants on “American Idol” are apt to be more famous to much of the populace than iconic figures from the arts, athletes of bygone eras, political figures or courageous agents of social change.

At times, the line has blurred between becoming famous and infamous as our attention is called to that which is tawdry as well as that which is noble.

But in truth, well-deserved notoriety should be a function of merit. And it is through a reckoning of remarkable meritorious service that enduring fame has come at last to one who truly deserves it, Roscoe’s basketball coach Fred Ahart.

In recognition of 39 seasons of coaching 804 high school basketball games and winning 414 of those through years rich and more recently lean, the Basketball Coaches Association of New York (BCANY) will induct Ahart into the Hall of Fame at the Glens Falls Civic Center on March 28, 2009.

The old adage says, “Good things come in small packages,” and Roscoe is indeed tiny in size. But for its denizens who have made the Roscoe gymnasium their basketball Mecca in the Ahart era, the coach who is there season after season defines all that is right about sports.

That isn’t small, it’s huge.

Ahart has met BCANY’s criteria for induction by virtue of his tenure, games won, winning percentage, championships, prior awards and his contribution to the game of basketball.

The latter has manifested itself in his Western Sullivan League (WSL) chairmanship from 1975 to 2000, his membership on the Section Nine basketball committee since 1975, his co-chairmanship of Section Nine basketball since 1996, as well as serving as the boys basketball committee representative of Section Nine in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association during the same period.

But perhaps more notably, his induction into the Hall of Fame will signify his indelible impact on the lives of the countless young athletes he has coached over four decades.

Ahart will be one of nine inductees this year. He joins the list of outstanding NYS basketball coaches already inhabited by former Sullivan County greats including retirees Paul Zintel of Jeffersonville-Youngsville and Dick O’Neill of Monticello. Ahart, who nominated Zintel for the Hall of Fame, is the all-time Sullivan County win leader.

Ahart’s win total places him third among Section Nine coaches, behind O’Neill’s retired icon Jerry Kaplan and Red Hook’s Rod Chando.

Imparting a love of sports and fair play that hearkens back to his four-sport participation at Candor High School where he played football, basketball, baseball and ran track, along with his football experience gained at Ithaca College, Ahart has sparked enthusiasm in athletics at Roscoe that has yielded astounding success.

From his arrival in the famous summer of ’69, Ahart has worked tirelessly-as a physical education teacher, athletic director, football coach and basketball coach-to imbue his young charges with values that endure long after they have left the floor or playing fields. Win or lose, Roscoe kids have learned about character, sportsmanship, fair play and perseverance.

For Ahart, the love of the game and the joy of teaching it, with all of its collateral rewards for his players, has been more important than titles or personal recognition.

Ahart is humble about his achievements but effusive in crediting his family for their unflagging support of his endeavors. That includes his wife, Becky, and his five children, Maryanne Clancy, Ralph Ahart, Michelle Ahart-Bosland, Katie Ahart and Kelly Ahart.

The Aharts have 12 grandchildren who have evolved into stalwart fans. Among the 10 boys and two girls are a gaggle of ball boys and statisticians. “Athletics here have been a family endeavor,” the coach said.

That family is extended to include many others whom Ahart regards as shared agents of his success.

“All of the players and assistant coaches over the years share in this honor. The Roscoe school and community deserve to share in this honor as well,” said Ahart, who is quick to deflect the gathering accolades to include countless others.

Casting a look backward at the road he has traveled, Ahart fondly remembers two now-deceased members of the Roscoe coaching staff that influenced him, Al Sullivan, who coached baseball and cross-country, and Gene Cheplick, who coached football and golf. Assistant coaches who have served under Ahart include Pete DeVantier, Bill Hendrickson, Dave Rosetti, Stan Martin, Ed Park, Bill Knipscher, Chris Hubert, Tom Fersch, Tom Roseo, JR DeVantier and Brian Smith.

Ahart retired from teaching in June of 2007 but maintains his position as athletic director and coach with no thoughts of retiring in the foreseeable future. “I take it one year at a time,” he said.

That’s good news for the younger kids who will get the chance to benefit from his coaching acumen and the warmth that he extends in any way he can. Ahart’s relationships with people are timeless. Many consider him a friend for life.

The news of his impending induction came officially in a letter from BCANY Director Dave Archer dated October 8, but unofficial inklings had reached the Aharts just prior to that. Longtime friend and fellow coach Bill Merna of Ogdensburg is to be inducted this year as well. “It’s long overdue that he is getting in,” said Ahart. Merna no doubt feels the same is true about Ahart.

The historical perspective

Ahart’s teams went 10-2 and 11-1 in 1979-80 and 1980-81 respectively, but didn’t win championships. But the surge was building. Ahart coached the Roscoe Blue Devils to their first WSL basketball championship in 1983-84. In those days, the state tournament had a different configuration than it does now. Roscoe played a regional game at Glens Falls High School and defeated Schroon Lake. It is the only WSL state boys victory on record. The next day, the team lost to Fort Ann at the Glens Falls Civic Center.

In 1984-85, they won the WSL title again but lost in the sectionals to Fallsburg. In 1985-86, the Blue Devils notched their third WSL title and beat Sugar Loaf for the Section 9 title at Sullivan County Community College. That year, they lost to Salem in the first round of regionals at SCCC.

A fourth WSL crown came in 1988-89 and in 1997-98, the Blue Devils won their fifth WSL title and went on to defeat S.S. Seward for the Section Nine championship.

But leaner years followed with the dissolution of the WSL in 1999-2000. The advent of the new Orange County League meant playing more daunting opponents and, consequently, fewer wins. The subsequent merger of former WSL opponents Narrowsburg, Jeffersonville-Youngsville and Delaware Valley hurt Roscoe too.

Adversity aside, the coach is still at it, and his latest group of young players, who may lack experience but certainly not guidance and enthusiasm, will usher in the new season with a trip to Andes on November 24. Roscoe made it to sectionals last year and the hopes are high for a revisit to the post season in 2009.

Many of Ahart’s most ardent supporters will be on hand for his Hall of Fame induction. The plaque that bears his name and photo will join those of other genuinely famous coaches on the wall at the Glens Fall Civic Center, a place where this writer and Ahart convene each year for the NYS boys basketball championships. The inscription on the plaque that will attest to Ahart’s enduring fame will be perused by the thousands who visit the civic center each year.

But what Ahart has inscribed in the hearts and minds of those who have been a part of his world is even more indelibly written.

Many people in this life clamor for a claim to fame.

Fred Ahart has earned his.