Kennedy Court dedication to honor those who made Northport Village’s new basketball court possible

A basketball court dedication ceremony honoring the court’s namesake, John Kennedy, and the people who made the court possible, will kick off a weekend of festivities in Northport Village this Friday, September 20 at 4pm. The ceremony will be attended by Mayor Donna Koch, Commissioner of Parks Meghan Dolan, other Village officials, basketball court fans, and members of the Northport High School 1995 Long Island Champion Boys Basketball team, whose journey to revitalize the existing court – their childhood hangout – began over three years ago. 

More than $115,000 in private donations has been raised via a GoFundMe unveiled by the 1995 team’s starting lineup (Doug Trani, Greg Dunne, Rob Sanicola, Tom Radman and Chris Wiebke) in the summer of 2021. A $75,000 state grant was procured by Northport Village Trustee Dave Weber that winter. 

The court will be dedicated in honor of John Kennedy, a lifelong resident of Northport Village and East Northport, youth basketball coach, mentor, parent and member of Northport High School’s 1973 League 2 Championship basketball team. Kennedy has been recognized for decades for his charitable work and is often seen jogging the streets of his hometown, or working the front office at NorthSport Athletic Facility. His humble and kind nature and sense of humor leave an impression on even those who just met him. 

Kennedy, who often shies away from the spotlight, will be present on Friday, as will Sally Kohn, the wife of the late Andy Kohn, whose sudden death last year resulted in a wave of donations made in Andy’s memory. 

The basketball court, project organizers say, symbolizes the optimism, perseverance and positivity of the local community. A steady stream of players, from young kids to teenagers and adults, have visited the court since its opening last month, to just shoot around with their parents, pick up a game or challenge their friends. 

Currently clipped onto the court fence are two basketballs, one men’s and one women’s size, so that passersby who may not have a ball can get in on the action, then return the ball for the next player. There’s also a waterproof bag with an air pump in it, and a broom to brush leaves off the court. Put there by members of the 1995 team, the balls welcome people of all ages onto the new space, encouraging them to enjoy the sport and camaraderie of all those who helped build it. 

The Kennedy Court dedication ceremony takes place tomorrow, September 20, at 4pm in Northport Village’s Cow Harbor Park (across from Copenhagen). All are welcome. The Cow Harbor 10K and Cow Harbor Day will take place Saturday and Sunday, respectively. The group’s thanks to the community, as shared by the Northport High School 1995 Long Island Champion Boys Basketball team, are below.