R.I.P. Fuzzy Levane / St. John's Hoop Star

 Thanks, JSJ. I might have missed the article. Like many I presumed Levane was Jewish, until about 11 years ago, when my daughter played varsity for Sacred Heart, and the best player at Mercy High School was one Katie Levane, Fuzzy's grandaughter. Playing center she was strong and as tough as nails, and I don't believe I ever saw a girls HS player who could get hammered in the paint, and still manage to convert a feathery soft jumper. I believe she played her college ball at St. Anselms.

As head scout, I wonder how prominently he played in the Bellamy/Komives for DeBusschere trade, or the drafting of Bradley, Reed, Frazier, Russell, Jackson, and Stallworth. Awesome basketball days, when a tabletop radio in the kitchen scratching out a passionate regular season game called by a kid named Marv Albert could seem like an epic event. If not an epic event, certainly enough to keep at least one high school kid away from his homework.
 
 Thanks, JSJ. I might have missed the article. Like many I presumed Levane was Jewish, until about 11 years ago, when my daughter played varsity for Sacred Heart, and the best player at Mercy High School was one Katie Levane, Fuzzy's grandaughter. Playing center she was strong and as tough as nails, and I don't believe I ever saw a girls HS player who could get hammered in the paint, and still manage to convert a feathery soft jumper. I believe she played her college ball at St. Anselms.

As head scout, I wonder how prominently he played in the Bellamy/Komives for DeBusschere trade, or the drafting of Bradley, Reed, Frazier, Russell, Jackson, and Stallworth. Awesome basketball days, when a tabletop radio in the kitchen scratching out a passionate regular season game called by a kid named Marv Albert could seem like an epic event. If not an epic event, certainly enough to keep at least one high school kid away from his homework.
Click to expand...
 

I may be wrong, but I think his son played for Syosset High School back in the 1970's.
 
 Thanks, JSJ. I might have missed the article. Like many I presumed Levane was Jewish, until about 11 years ago, when my daughter played varsity for Sacred Heart, and the best player at Mercy High School was one Katie Levane, Fuzzy's grandaughter. Playing center she was strong and as tough as nails, and I don't believe I ever saw a girls HS player who could get hammered in the paint, and still manage to convert a feathery soft jumper. I believe she played her college ball at St. Anselms.

As head scout, I wonder how prominently he played in the Bellamy/Komives for DeBusschere trade, or the drafting of Bradley, Reed, Frazier, Russell, Jackson, and Stallworth. Awesome basketball days, when a tabletop radio in the kitchen scratching out a passionate regular season game called by a kid named Marv Albert could seem like an epic event. If not an epic event, certainly enough to keep at least one high school kid away from his homework.
Click to expand...
 

I may be wrong, but I think his son played for Syosset High School back in the 1970's.
Click to expand...
 

That would make sense, considering Our Lady of Mercy HS is also in Syosset. Levane is a name we don't identify as a St. John's treasure, much like Kevin Loughery for some of our younger fans.
 
 Thanks, JSJ. I might have missed the article. Like many I presumed Levane was Jewish, until about 11 years ago, when my daughter played varsity for Sacred Heart, and the best player at Mercy High School was one Katie Levane, Fuzzy's grandaughter. Playing center she was strong and as tough as nails, and I don't believe I ever saw a girls HS player who could get hammered in the paint, and still manage to convert a feathery soft jumper. I believe she played her college ball at St. Anselms.

As head scout, I wonder how prominently he played in the Bellamy/Komives for DeBusschere trade, or the drafting of Bradley, Reed, Frazier, Russell, Jackson, and Stallworth. Awesome basketball days, when a tabletop radio in the kitchen scratching out a passionate regular season game called by a kid named Marv Albert could seem like an epic event. If not an epic event, certainly enough to keep at least one high school kid away from his homework.
Click to expand...
 

I may be wrong, but I think his son played for Syosset High School back in the 1970's.
Click to expand...
 

That would make sense, considering Our Lady of Mercy HS is also in Syosset. Levane is a name we don't identify as a St. John's treasure, much like Kevin Loughery for some of our younger fans.
Click to expand...
 

Fuzzy Levane's son Larry was an All-Nassau county player in the early 70s at Syosset High. The younger son, Andy, was a year or two behind me at Syosset, which had strong ties to the Knicks. Besides Fuzzy Levane, Connie Simmons also lived in town and was a fixture at pick up games. Simmons was around 6'8" and would routinely block everyone's shots without jumping. Additionally, Norman Ochs, who grew up with Al and Dick McGuire, was a Syosset resident and every once in a while you'd see Dick at high school games.
 
We certainly have a rich history which many aren't aware of for a variety of reasons.

 Not only on the court, but off it as well.

Enjoyed ANDREWS previous post.

I had lunch with 3 fellows who played for St. John's "back in the day" earlier this week.

Two of them had Doctorates and are college professors.

The other was a member of Skull and Circle (the most prestigious honor society at St. John's College).

All three were excellent basketball players for Coach Lapchick.
 
You are right jersey, we have such a rich history which most people are oblivious to. SJU basketball, and the many people associated with it thru out history have contributed greatly to the game of basketball, but for some reason the administration has a hard time "bragging" about itself. Is this a Vincentian thing??? or is it just lousy,inept marketing?? I believe its the latter!!!





 
 
If it was up to me, every freshman would receive a copy of Jimmy O'Connell's book.

I would also send it to every high school coach in NYC and L.I.

Believe it or not, I was telling a high school varsity basketball coach in NYC (a well known Catholic high school) about Frank Alagia and he had no idea who I was talking about (and his sister went to St. John's no less !).

It's not like Frankie played in the 1940's.

I mailed him a copy of Jimmy's book the next day. 

Also, while I think of it, I would strongly urge everyone, who can, to attend the cocktail party and dinner at The Lou Carnesecca Golf Outing on June 4 at North Hempstead.

I believe it costs $250 per person.

It's also a great way to network with fellow grads and have a great time speaking with many former players and coaches.

Trust me, you will not regret spending the money. It's an event that you will be talking about for years to come.

Anytime I go these events I walk away proud that I'm (a small part) part of the university. I'm 100% certain you will as well.

Let's all celebrate our tradition.  
 
He was my Gym teacher when I was a freshman at the Prep. As a kid I didn't appreciate what a treasure we had, until later on when some of the other teachers would talk about his accomplishments. 

Yes, we have a very storied past.
 
 For a while around 2000 when I was living in Port Washington, I used to run into him at "Rib Roost" a takeout chicken and rib place and we would talk basketball. I had no idea who I was talking to until I looked him up after he told me his name. Blew me away, he was so low key and was great to talk to and had some good stories.
I think he had a child or grandchild who lived in Port and he would visit and get the ribs, chicken and cheese fries there.
 
 One of my friends from Beltran's Health Club in East Islip went to the Knick games with his best friend, Fuzzy Levane. In fact, I bought his tickets one night and sat behind Rick Pitino and the the Knick team. My youngest son was in his glory to be so close to his favorite Johnny, Action Jackson.
 
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