The NETWORK Youth Development Program

Home of the NETWORK Youth Basketball Assoc. (NYBA)

P.O. Box 3330  Newark, NJ  07103

Ph:  973-449-7135

www.THENETWORK-NJ.org

February 7, 2010

Highwood Small Fry

P.O. Box 309

Highwood, IL 60040

Dear Verne and Highwood Small Fry Board of Directors, Coaches, Parents, Players and Friends,

It is with sincere appreciation that I thank you on behalf of the entire NETWORK Program.  As always, Friendship Weekend was a remarkable event!  You are all such wonderful and generous people, so graciously sharing your home and time with our participants and family members.  The children have not stopped talking about the great time they had in Highwood!  They have been telling any and everyone who will listen about their wonderful experience.  As a result, we already have parents asking questions about next year’s trip, especially for young people who weren’t able to make the trip this year.  Kids who came out this year are already excited about next year and those that are traveling to Florida are anticipating the possibility of seeing their hosts in Orlando. 

I’d like to say a few special thank you’s to our Highwood family; especially for being agreeable to extending the time that you host the young people from our program. In addition, this year, we had more parents than usual on the bus. They were all so amazed at the way Highwood families extended themselves to make them all feel welcomed as well and we thank you for that. Thanks also to the anonymous donor who saw fit to provide the hoodies for the participants. It is a wonderful gesture and the kids really enjoy wearing them.  We thank you kindly for the generous donation to our program, and Verne, we can’t thank you enough friend, for all of your hard work in keeping this adventure going.

God bless you, Highwood Small Fry, for opening your hearts and homes to The NETWORK.  We are empowered and inspired from our time spent with you.  Your generosity and graciousness is truly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Tiesha, Shareef & the Network Family

NETWORK – HIGHWOOD FRIENDSHIP WEEKEND 2010

Kids with Taj Gibson of the Chicago Bulls

If you have a moment and have ever wondered about the pin the Highwood Coaches have worn through the years, please click on the link attached. Coach Deutsch was on the HSF coaching staff for many years before becoming a coach at HPHS. He remains a great friend to the program.
Though none of us ever met Rory, we all feel that he is close to our hearts. The attached article appears at espn.com COLLEGE BASKETBALL.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/columns/story?columnist=katz_andy&id=4961273

Our Mission

Any basketball program is only as strong as its philosophy and a staff to implement it.  Our goal has always been to be a teaching program in a fun, disciplined environment.  Our staff consists of coaches that volunteer to coach their traveling teams, and are paid a minimal fee to teach at the instructional and developmental programs.  Their rewards are a trip to the International Tournament each year and the joy of coaching the top basketball players for their size and age in all of the northern suburbs.  None of our coaches are fathers of the players, which makes the selection of players and playing time a decision of merit alone.

Our Rich Tradition

Highwood Small Fry has a rich tradition started by Ozzie Mazzetta in 1969.  He recognized the need for a program for advanced players participating in the Highwood Recreation Center’s house league.  He joined Small Fry Basketball and felt that its unique concept was a perfect fit to offer these players.  It was an opportunity to travel around the Chicago and Southern Wisconsin areas, to play the best competition and to participate in an exciting Small Fry International Tournament to close the season.  Over his 37 years, Ozzie has been Highwood Small Fry’s first coach, fundraiser, and president, and is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors.

 Marvin Baker joined Highwood Small Fry in 1970.  He has been coach, president and he has organized our yearbook year after year, until he departed our program a few years back.  Vince Donofrio joined Ozzie and Marvin in 1972.  Vince has been a coach, finance director and is now the President of the Highwood Small Fry Board of Directors.

As the program has grown, Highwood has become the biggest organization in all of Small Fry.  We currently support one franchised Varsity teams, three Rookie teams, and our own instructional and developmental programs internally.  In 1997, 1998, and 1999, our top Varsity team won the International Championship with the guidance of Head Coach Verne Reich, who has been the Highwood Heat head coach for 27 years. 

In our recent years, due to a rich tradition, size and coaching/program philosophy, Highwood has attracted many of the top guards in the northern suburbs.  Each year there are over 30 players on local high school varsity & college teams that we’re proud to say came from our Highwood Small Fry programs. Currently 5 alums are playing college basketball. Highwood players have come from as far southwest as Naperville and Western Springs, to as far north as Gurnee.

www.smallfrybasketball.com

Directions and maps to all game sites can be found at www.smallfrybasketball.com Click on Midwest or Windy City to find locations.