The OLV School Board recently hosted the 2nd Annual Tom Hayden OLV 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament in the OLV School Gym. The tournament, which raises funds for the OLV School Technology Program, drew 21 teams who competed in front of a full house of enthusiastic spectators.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the 2013 Devoted Volunteer Award to Mr. William Barry, for his 21 years of volunteerism to the OLV CYO programs – 17 years as a coach and four as president of the CYO. Barry had amazing success during his tenure, with six of his teams capturing CYO championships.
“Today was a great day in so many ways”, said OLV School Chairperson and Chair of the 3 on 3, Chris Coyne. “We saw some great talent on the court and honored an individual who is so incredibly deserving of the award. The Barrys are an amazing family. The fact that 13 of the teams that participated consisted of his family and friends playing in his honor, shows how influential he was as their coach and mentor.”
Barry spoke about how much he enjoyed his time as a coach and as President of the CYO. “Thank you to all the parents for allowing me the honor of having an influence on your sons and daughters by coaching them,” he said. “I am also thankful for their influence on me – I was truly blessed to be part of the OLV CYO Program.”
As a former FBI agent, Barry’s time was limited. Basketball was a way for him to spend time with his children and to get to know their friends. He worked with Tom Raleigh, Dr. George Bruns, Tom Merle, Lou Rizzo, Ed O’Connor, and Mike Spicer. Barry was able his daughters, Diane (Ventura), Lynda (Simunovich), and their Billy and Buggy. As for his daughter Mo (Maureen), not coaching her team was one of his regrets. However, he would “coach” from the sidelines, and he was the one who taught her how to make a lay-up.
McCarthy’s sponsored the event and the former players that are now adults came by to reminisce about the good old days playing basketball for OLV. These players have seen the “Bobby Knight” Barry and the older “Phil Zen Jackson” Barry as their coach. Billy got the entire family T-shirts made up that said…21 years- 6 championships- 1 Happy Family…Priceless.
“I would like to thank OLV for choosing my Dad, I would also like to thank McCarthy’s for being such wonderful hosts, and to Fallon’s and Fiore’s for supplying such great food,” Ventura said. “Lastly, I would like to thank my wonderful parents. Not only was this my Dad’s day, it was also my parents 42nd wedding anniversary. Thank you all that came out to support my Dad. The memories of this day will truly last a lifetime.”
After several very close games throughout the tournament, the championship was captured by St. Anne’s CYO, players who were in the St. Anne’s program several years back.
Several prizes were raffled off at the end of the event, including tenth row Mets’ tickets, donated by OLV alum Sean Farley, a Boomer Esiason autographed football, George Bruns Basketball Camp certificates, an Archbishop Molloy Jack Curran Basketball Camp certificate, incentives from St. Francis Prep, a gift certificate from Salone Di Capelli, as well as a Holy Cross High School Basketball Camp certificate and two hours of coaching sessions with Andrew Beinert – former OLV, Chaminade and College of the Holy Cross star, donated by the Beinert family.
