Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame works with Ugolyn Foundation to dedicate new Court in Indy

This story ran in the Indianapolis Star on March 31, a few days before the Final 4.  The Hall of Fame works with the Ugolyn Foundation, the NCAA and the YMCA to refurbish and dedicate basketball courts in tribute to Tyler Ugolyn.  See:

Every Friday was boys' night out for the Ugolyn clan of Ridgefield, Conn.
They'd head to the local YMCA and shoot hoops: Victor, the father; Tyler, the oldest son; and Trevor, three years behind his brother.


"Wonderful memories," said Victor, 62, a hint of sorrow in his voice.
"Tyler had an incredibly strong faith. And that's important for anyone in life."
So it's fitting that after Tyler died on 9/11, his father would use basketball -- and faith -- to turn unbearable grief into triumph that would one day play out in Indianapolis.
The Tyler Ugolyn Foundation, started shortly after Tyler, 23, died on the 93rd floor of World Trade Center Tower 1, strives to build character and provide educational opportunities for urban youths through basketball.
In a tradition that began in 2008, the foundation has committed to renovating a basketball court each year at a local YMCA at the NCAA men's basketball Final Four host city. This year's recipient is the Ransburg Branch, 501 N. Shortridge Road, on Indianapolis' Eastside.
The 50-year-old YMCA basketball court recently underwent a complete makeover, the results of which will be unveiled at a dedication on Easter Sunday.
The floor was sanded down and refinished. Walls received a new coat of paint. Old wooden bleachers were replaced with two metal sets. Two heating units "that sounded like airplanes taking off" were replaced with an efficient new model, said Ellie Pauley, Ransburg's executive director. The two backboards are brand-new.
Like other renovated courts, Ransburg's will bear the name "Tyler's Court" and display a plaque with Tyler Ugolyn's favorite quote: "I just love playing the game."
At Ransburg, half the members receive financial assistance, a major reason Victor Ugolyn, his wife, Diane, and son, Trevor, 28, selected it.
Tyler, who was a 6-foot, 4-inch basketball player at Columbia University, co-founded a basketball clinic for Harlem youths that continues to this day: the Tyler Ugolyn MVPs of Character Basketball Clinic, hosted each year by the Columbia basketball program.


"It's an honor for them to choose us," said Pauley, who unofficially opened the renovated court on Jan. 14, the day before the start of the YMCA's basketball season. "We've been blessed with this all the way around."
The timing of the gift could not have been better, as the struggling economy has forced organizations such as the YMCA to delay or even eliminate improvement projects. The renovation cost $30,000 -- $25,000 of which came from the foundation. The rest was funded by the Y.


Without the foundation, "we couldn't have done the work," Pauley said. "It was a much-needed renovation. It just could not have been done right now in these economic times."
Damian Roark, 14, who has been visiting the Ransburg Branch since 1997, likes what he sees.
"You actually don't slide. You stick," Damian, a student at Franklin Township Middle School West, said about the new floor.
"It's just better equipment," he added. "They went up, quality-wise."
Count Doug Walker among the Ransburg YMCA's devotees: He's been visiting the Y since 1960.
After a fire in 2002 forced a remodeling of the facility, officials decided to make the gym the centerpiece. After you check in and turn the corner, the gym beckons through a wall of glass.
"We wanted to have that 'wow' factor," said Walker, the chairman of Ransburg's board. "We've always had a 'nice' factor. Now we have a 'wow' factor."
The Ransburg project is the fifth Tyler's Court: The first was created in 2008 in San Antonio, followed by two during enshrinement weekend at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., in 2008 and 2009, and last year at the Final Four in Detroit.
At the Boll Family YMCA in Downtown Detroit, new scoreboards and bleachers were installed. Other funding paid for youth programs and a large display board that alerts the community to upcoming programs.
"You can't help but feel better about what you do and how you do it after meeting the Ugolyn family," said John Harris, executive director at Boll. "Obviously, something tragic affected the family. Through that tragedy, they've really grasped onto something that will continue to give back for generations to come."
From San Antonio to Springfield, thousands of youths, basketballs in hand, continue to benefit from Ugolyn's gift.
"My son gave back in so many ways," said Victor Ugolyn, who still lives in Ridgefield. "We're just continuing what our son would be doing. That's what it's all about."

Tyler's Court to be dedicated in Indianpolis at Final 4

This news coming from the Basketball Hall of Fame today:

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame today announced it proudly will continue to assist the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation with its goal to support youth basketball by refurbishing urban courts in cities and towns throughout the United States. The unveiling and dedication of the newest “Tyler’s Court” will be held at the Ransburg YMCA in Indianapolis on Sunday, April 4 at 11:00 AM as part of the 2010 NCAA Final Four weekend. 

“The Hall of Fame is delighted to continue its partnership with the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation,” said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President and CEO. “These courts celebrate Tyler’s passion for basketball and support his lifelong desire to share his love of the game with children throughout the country. 

“Thanks to the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation, there will be a ‘Tyler’s Court’ in Indianapolis, Indiana, a state well known for its rich basketball heritage. On a court bearing Tyler’s name, countless young athletes will have the opportunity to learn more about the game and share in the joy that Tyler experienced when he played basketball,” added Doleva. 

"Our family is so grateful for the continuing support of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, partnering with the NCAA Final Four Men’s Championship Community Initiative and the YMCA of the USA,” said Tyler’s father, Victor Ugolyn. “Tyler’s commitment to sharing his love of the game was demonstrated as a student-athlete at Columbia, where he helped establish a basketball clinic for Harlem area youngsters. As we have in the past, we continue to gain some comfort from Jackie Robinson's epitaph, which states ‘A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives’. It is very fitting that our beloved Tyler's legacy of impacting so many lives and loving one another be again recognized.” 

This court in Indianapolis represents the fifth “Tyler’s Court,” dedicated nationally and all made possible by the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation. Court renovations were made in Detroit at the 2009 NCAA Final Four, in San Antonio at the 2008 NCAA Final Four and in Springfield, Massachusetts during the 2009 and 2008 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement weekends. 

Named in honor of Tyler Ugolyn, a former NCAA student-athlete in basketball at Columbia University who, at the age of 23, was a victim of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, the Foundation was established by Tyler's family to support youth basketball, with an emphasis on court refurbishment and providing character building educational programs and skills clinics to children in urban settings. 

The not-for-profit foundation, formed by the Ugolyn family in 2001, provides for court refurbishment, clinics and educational programs in cities at no cost to participants and organizations, with all funding provided by the Foundation. Each refurbished court will be named “Tyler’s Court’, so noted with a special plaque installed courtside, along with the words “I just love playing the game’, a quote attributed to Tyler while a high school player in his hometown of Ridgefield, CT. 

“We feel incredibly blessed that our Ransburg YMCA was chosen by the Ugolyn Foundation for this project,” said Eric Ellsworth, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Indianapolis. “We are also proud to help carry out Tyler’s legacy and everything he stood for. Tyler Ugolyn’s values match perfectly with our YMCA values.”

My guy, Ty ...

Jeff Perlman's work does the job on this one. It needs no intro:

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- On September 11, 2001, I'd never heard of Tyler Ugolyn.

I didn't know he'd played basketball at Ridgefield (Conn.) High or Columbia University. I didn't know he was a devout Catholic who prayed before meals. I didn't know one of his nicknames was Monkey; that he dreamed of one day having a tattoo; that he loved his truck -- a black Typhoon with the vanity license plate PHOON. I knew nothing.

I was just a writer, working for Sports Illustrated in New York City, living less than a mile from the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, walking around in a daze like every other Manhattan resident. At some point, while drifting through Union Square Park a day or two after the nightmare, I was handed a flyer with Tyler's photograph on it -- one of thousands of lost faces. "We hope he's alive and well," a young woman told me. "If you see him ..."

Shortly thereafter Bill Colson, Sports Illustrated's managing editor at the time, e-mailed an APB to the entire staff. "We have to do an issue this week," he wrote. "We need to find athletes who were affected." Like many of my colleagues, I loathed the idea. What did 9/11 have to do with sports? What could possibly be the connection?

I was, however, a young writer trying to hold on to a job. Hence, I started Googling the names of some of the victims to see if they had any ties to sports.

Andrew Zucker -- nothing.

Lynne Morris -- nothing.

Mike Zinzi -- nothing.

When I entered "Tyler Ugolyn," I discovered an athlete -- a former high school star who had spent two seasons on the bench at Columbia. "I'll try contacting his family," I told Colson. "Just to see who this guy is."

My life has never been the same since.

I can't forget that call. Ever. I asked to speak to one of Tyler's parents, and Victor Ugolyn, his father, came to the phone. This was less than a week since the loss of his son. I was nervous and uncomfortable. I explained who I was -- that I was a writer for Sports Illustrated, a New Yorker; that I hated calling under these conditions, but I wanted to pay tribute to his son.

"You know," Victor said, "I don't think I can right now. It's too soon. I hope you understand."

Of course.

A few minutes later, the phone in my apartment rang.

"Is this Sports Illustrated?" the voice said.

"No," I replied. "It's Jeff Pearlman. I'm the reporter for SI."

"Oh," Victor said, followed by a long, awkward pause. "Well, I was thinking. I don't know if I want you to write anything, but what if I just tell you a few things about my son. Just to see."

"OK," I said.

Thus began a 45-minute conversation. Thus began a lifelong bond.

Tyler Ugolyn, a 23-year-old employee of Fred Alger Management, Inc., stood worthy of admiration. He was charitable -- he started a basketball program for underprivileged kids from the Bronx. He was hard working -- his goal was to play Division I basketball, and he made the team at Columbia. He had dreams -- he wanted to work on Wall Street, and he did. He made mistakes -- on his 21st birthday, he and his friends accidentally kept the bathroom sink running and overflowed much of the Trump Plaza Hotel in Atlantic City. He was eminently human in his flaws and failings, yet strove for great heights. Mostly, he was a good, fun guy with a lot of life in front of him.

All one has to do is visit the guest book on his Web site:

• KAT: "Hey T-Y, I heard that dire straits song you used to sing and I thought of you dancing around with your fist pumps. It was cracking me up. It also made me think of that unique."

• HATHAWAY: "Tyler, I was boating yesterday and spent a lot of time looking out at the beautiful blue water and thinking of you and your amazing spirit. I love you and miss you."

• LIZ: "I miss you so much Tyler. I hear your laughter ... your soft calming voice. I can feel your arms around me, I can smell your hair and clothes. You are very much alive in my heart and in my own private world. Not a single day goes by where I don't talk to you. Some nights I can't wait to fall asleep because I know you'll come to me in my dreams and I'll be able to see your smile again."

At the conclusion of our talk, Victor paused for a long time. "I guess," he said, crying, "if you want to write something, you can."

Again, I'll never forget that day.

My article came out. I've probably written, oh, 4,000 in my career. Yet this one stuck. Was it my best work? Probably not. But it was by far the most meaningful. Not because of the time period, or even because of Tyler -- a person I never got to meet, yet someone I feel like I know. No, it carries meaning because of the lessons I've learned from Tyler's father.

Beginning with that conversation, we've kept in close contact. Usually by e-mail, sometimes by phone, once for lunch. I've written about Tyler on several occasions; he's a person who simply won't leave me. I used to say to my wife, "I'm really worried about Victor. I don't know if he's going to survive this." His e-mails were black. Not gray or beige. Black. He had lost his son, and he was heartbroken beyond belief. That was the tone of every e-mail and every call: I'm helpless; I don't know what to do; I'm lost without him; why couldn't I have done more?.

Yet somewhere along the line, something started to change. Despair was never fully replaced -- and never will be fully replaced.

But somehow, some way, Victor, his wife Diane, his son Trevor -- they committed to not letting Tyler go out in vain. They decided that, even in the darkest night, with grief all around, there was a way to bring meaning to his passing.

Beginning three years ago Victor's e-mails and calls turned increasingly hopeful. He and his family started the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation, with the goal of refurbishing inner-city basketball courts throughout the United States. Court renovations were made in San Antonio and Springfield, Mass., in 2008 and in Detroit earlier this year.

On Thursday, a day before the eighth anniversary of Tyler's death, the Ugolyns returned to Springfield to dedicate another "Tyler's Court" -- this one at William N. DeBerry Elementary School, just a few blocks from the Basketball Hall of Fame. After some politicians were introduced and some speeches were given, a gaggle of youngsters grabbed the dozen or so balls and started shooting. The sound of laughter overtook passing traffic, kids running and jumping and clapping and dribbling.

At one point, Victor stole a moment to appreciate the scene, and smiled widely.

His son is gone.

His legacy is not.

Tyler's Court

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, Tyler Ugolyn Foundation to dedicate 2nd "Tyler's Court" in Springfield

by Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame

Monday August 31, 2009This plaque was placed near the Tyler's Court on Franklin Street in Springfield that was dedicated last September. Tyler's Court honors the memory of Tyler V. Ugolyn, a Springfield native and Columbia University student-athlete who died in the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 in New York at the age of 23.

SPRINGFIELD -- The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced Monday it proudly will continue to assist the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation with its goal to support youth basketball by refurbishing urban courts in cities and towns throughout the United States. The unveiling and dedication of the newest "Tyler's Court" will be held at Springfield's William N. DeBerry Elementary School on Sept. 10 at 3 p.m. as part of this year's enshrinement events.

"We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation, as we celebrate Tyler's passion for basketball and pay tribute to his lifelong desire to share his love of the game with children throughout the country," said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President and CEO. "Thanks to the Ugolyn Foundation, there will be another 'Tyler's Court' in Springfield, the birthplace of basketball. On a court bearing Tyler's name, generations of youngsters will have the opportunity to learn more about the game and share in the joy that Tyler experienced when he played basketball."

"On behalf of our family, we are very appreciative of the continuing support of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and, once again, the city of Springfield and the YMCA of Greater Springfield in this unique private and public partnership. Tyler's commitment to sharing his love of the game was demonstrated as a student-athlete at Columbia, where he helped establish a basketball clinic for Harlem area youngsters," said Tyler's father, Victor Ugolyn. "We continue to gain some comfort from Jackie Robinson's epitaph which states that the value of one's life is not determined by the number of years, but by the number of lives you've touched. It is very fitting that our beloved Tyler's legacy of loving one another be again recognized, especially at this time of the year."

This court in Springfield represents the fourth "Tyler's Court," all made possible by the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation. Court renovations were made in Detroit at the 2009 NCAA Final Four, in San Antonio at the 2008 NCAA Final Four and in Springfield during the 2008 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend. Both Tyler and his younger brother, Trevor, were born in Springfield, as was their father, Victor. Both parents, Diane and Victor, were raised in the city. In addition, Victor serves as a member of the Hall of Fame Board of Trustees, so the dedication and refurbishment of a second court in Springfield is particularly meaningful to Tyler's family and the Foundation.

Mayor Domenic J. Sarno stated, "We are deeply appreciative of the Ugolyn family's effort to take the extremely unfortunate tragedy of their son's passing on September 11th and turn it into such a positive legacy of Tyler's love for basketball and for fostering positive paths for the youth of our community."

Named in honor of Tyler Ugolyn, a former NCAA student-athlete in basketball at Columbia University who, at the age of 23, was a victim of the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001, the Foundation was established by Tyler's family to support youth basketball, with an emphasis on court refurbishment and providing character building educational programs and skills clinics to children in urban settings. The not-for-profit foundation, formed by the Ugolyn family in 2001, provides for court refurbishments, clinics and educational programs in cities at no cost to participants and organizations, with all funding provided by the Foundation. Each refurbished court will be named "Tyler's Court', so noted with a special plaque installed courtside, along with the words "I just love playing the game', a quote attributed to Tyler while a high school player in his hometown of Ridgefield, Conn.

At the court dedication, along with Tyler's family and friends, will be Dan Chung, President and CEO of Fred Alger Management, generous supporters of the Foundation and this dedication. Tyler was an employee of Fred Alger Management, which lost most of its employees on 9/11. Also present at the dedication will be Sports Illustrated 's Jeff Pearlman, who profiled Tyler in the magazine in September 2001, and Tyler's AAU coach Dave Cooks, currently head coach at Marquette University High School.

"This gift both honors the memory of Tyler Ugolyn and contributes substantially to the holistic development of children and youth in Springfield," said James Morton, President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater Springfield. "Through this gift, the Tyler Ugolyn Foundation supports the YMCA in building strong kids, strong families and strong communities."