LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Rucker
Pro Legends

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and
character of life of the citizens of New York State are greatly enriched
by the availability of exceptional recreational institutions which have
become an important part of the history of our State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commem-
orate the 50th Anniversary of the Rucker Pro Legends; and
WHEREAS, In 1946, Holcombe Llewellyn Rucker, a New York City Play-
ground Director and a World War II Veteran, organized a summer basket-
ball league that reached thousands of youngsters in New York City; and
WHEREAS, When Holcombe Rucker first started these summer-time tourna-
ments, he met with opposition from his peers and local officials who
felt basketball was a winter sport that ended in the spring; he argued
the youth needed these intensive events to keep them off the streets;
and
WHEREAS, Holcombe Rucker prevailed in these efforts, sending over 700
youngsters to college during his 14 years of running the Summer League;
many of these children went on to play in the National Basketball Asso-
ciation; and
WHEREAS, Holcombe Rucker died in 1965, and the Rucker Pro Tournament,
also known as the Rucker Pro League, was created by Bob McCullough and
Fred Crawford in his honor; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the Each One Teach One Youth League was created
with a mission of using sports as a vehicle to prevent violence and
motivate young boys and girls to pursue higher education and to explore
various careers; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, the City of New York named the park located at 155th
Street and 8th Avenue, Rucker Park, and in 1972, it was renamed Holcombe
Rucker Square; and
WHEREAS, A basketball landmark, Rucker Park became the site of numer-
ous battles between such NBA stars as Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-
Jabbar, Dr. "J" Julius Erving, and Walt Frazier, and such playground
Legends as Herman "Helicopter" Knowings, Earl Manigault, Joe "The
Destroyer" Hammond, "Pee Wee" Kirkland and Pablo Robertson of The Harlem
Globetrotters; and
WHEREAS, Holcombe Rucker Park has been featured in several major
motion pictures including "Above The Rim," "Rebound: Story of Earl Mani-
gault," "On Hallow Ground," "The Real Rucker Park Legends," and "Street-
ball Champions of Rucker Park"; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, this renowned basketball venue has been written
about in such books as CITY GAME: BASKETBALL FROM THE GARDEN TO THE
PLAYGROUND IN HARLEM, FOUL-THE CONNIE HAWKINS STORY, and ASPHALT GODS:
AN ORAL HISTORY OF THE RUCKER TOURNAMENT; and
WHEREAS, Today, Holcombe Rucker Park is a popular tourist attraction
with over 100,000 visitors arriving each summer from across the United
States and as far away as Japan, China, Italy, and Puerto Rico, just to
take pictures of themselves in front of the Holcombe Rucker sign; and
WHEREAS, It is the intent of this Legislative Body that New York
State's invaluable cultural, educational, and recreational institutions
should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great
State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Rucker Pro Legends; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the Rucker Pro Legends.