Craig Raucher – Comradeship and friendships help to sustain Staten Island/Brooklyn basketball league all these years
Very few things in this world will go on continuing forever. However, one of the few exceptions
to these happens to be the reputed Staten Island/Brooklyn basketball league in Great Kills at PS
8.
The Commissioner of this aforementioned league is Craig Raucher and, right now, it is 44 years
old since its inception in 1980. The games are being held on every Saturday and Wednesday. The
timings are 7 PM to 10 PM on Wednesday and 8 AM to 11 AM on Saturday. Raucher has further
claimed that this group is the longest-running one that uses an NYC school in the public school
system history.
The primary reason for the formation of this group was the fact that lots of players had the desire
to play indoors throughout the year. Moreover, they tried to stay away from any unwanted
basketball politics on the court. The group comprises basketball players from different
backgrounds and spheres of life and can be described as a highly competitive group as well. It
would be better to call this group a league.
This group can boast of having players from different backgrounds and statuses. Individuals with
different financial conditions are known to participate right here. Moreover, you will also come
across unemployed people as well. Instructors, senior executives, bartenders, longshoremen, and
retirees are known to play basketball here too.
Every basketball session consists of three hours and, according to Raucher, this group is based
on friendships to a large extent. It provides an opportunity for the players to mingle freely while
sharing their thoughts and emotions. The games are held in a 70-year-old fitness center where the
players play in a highly competitive spirit.
The group has suffered the loss of many players over time
It is a fact that many players participating in this group have passed away since its foundation in
1980. The main reason for this is that they have suffered cardiac arrest and some individuals of
also relocated to other areas. Apart from this, some parents have retired while others have
sustained some significant injuries while playing the game.
Craig Raucher had the distinction of working in the transportation industry for quite some time.
He has been able to nurture this group into a well-known league and many players have
participated in this league. However, many of them have also departed in the long run. The good
thing is that this group has received lots of help from the school principal, Lisa Esposito, as well
as Assad Anees and John Yelverton, the custodial staff.
The son of Raucher, whose name is Daniel, first participated in this league when he was 13 years
old. Right now, he is 40 years of age and also a physician assistant at Richmond University
Hospital. He is a regular player in this league as well.
Among the other notable players in this league, mention may be made of David Bernstein, Pat
Smith, Kevin Collins, Ralph Ferrara, Nippy Newman, Pat Canone, Frank Tisellano, Joe
Derbyshire, Brendan Kane, Charlie Driess, John Cisek, Rob Mineo, Tom Johnson, Alan Kaplan,
Paul Stern, Nick Di Bono, Billy Grant, Peter McNamara, as well as Joe Vega.
Craig Raucher has further added that these games are played in a competitive spirit which helps to
motivate the players even more. If you happen to be more than 30 years of age, then there is no
doubt that SIBL will be appropriate for you.