Dozens of student-athletes from a total of four towns will head to Elizabeth’s Dunn Center tomorrow evening to participate in the second annual Union County Prosecutor’s Office Summer Slam Youth Basketball Tournament, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo announced Thursday.
The Tournament’s four teams will again be coached by sworn members of law enforcement, according to the heads of the participating departments: Elizabeth Police Chief John Brennan and Police Director Earl Graves, Linden Police Chief David Hart, New Providence Police Chief Anthony Buccelli, and Rahway Police Chief John Rodger. Student-athletes’ uniforms for the evening feature numbered and logoed shirts bearing the team colors of the high schools in their respective municipalities. A contingent of Prosecutor’s Office volunteers chips in by running the game clocks, managing logistics, and even drying the floors during play stoppages.
The event marks the continuation of an initiative re-launched last year as a way to connect youths from across the county with representatives of law enforcement in fun, engaging ways during the summer months. The concept was originally introduced in the 1990s by late Union County Prosecutor Andrew K. Ruotolo.
The tournament is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. tomorrow, August 9, with the teams facing off in a pair of first-round games, followed by a championship contest and a third-place contest, also to be played simultaneously.
The tournament is open to the public and free to attend. The Dunn Center facilities are again being made available for the tournament by Elizabeth Public Schools and Superintendent Olga Hugelmeyer, with student-athletes afforded the opportunity to play in one of the state’s marquee high-school basketball venues. The four teams participated in a practice session there earlier this week.
The Prosecutor’s Office PBA Local No. 250 contributed both financing and manpower to the production of this event.
To view photos and receive updates live from the event remotely, follow the Prosecutor’s Office on Twitter using the handle @UCPONJ.