Dinner, ceremony are set for December 20
On Friday, December 20, the O’Neill High School gymnasium will be officially named the Jerry “Coach JK” Kaplan Gymnasium, in honor of the long-time basketball coach and Fort Montgomery resident.
The celebration will begin that day at 4:30 p.m. with the boys’ 50th annual Ronald Anderson-Clifford Craig Memorial basketball tournament consolation game, followed by a buffet dinner in the high school cafeteria at 6 p.m. Immediately following the dinner the new banner and plaque will be unveiled, with a formal dedication ceremony at 7 p.m. The evening will culminate with the tournament championship game at 7:30 p.m.
Kaplan served as a teacher and athletic director in the Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District for 35 years and coached boys basketball for 34 years. His teams amassed 560 wins and 132 losses; won 19 Orange County League championships, seven Orange County titles, 10 Section IX titles; and his teams appeared at the state championships in 1986 and 1991.
“He touched the lives of many students and student athletes, as well as the school community through his ability to lead and inspire excellence,” current O’Neill Athletic Director and boys’ basketball coach Debbi Crowe said.
The Board of Education made the naming decision back in September.
“We are pleased to be able to bestow this honor on Coach Kaplan,” Board of Education President Anne Lawless said. “The contributions that Coach Kaplan has made to our students and to our entire community are immeasurable.”
All are invited and welcome to attend. Dinner is limited to 200 people; RSVP to Marisa Frederick, executive secretary to the superintendent, at 446-9575 x 1300, with the number of people planning to attend.
The basketball games and ceremony in the gym are open to the public, with admission at the door.
