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BY JOHN SNYDER
OF PASCACK PRESS
WESTWOOD, N.J.—Jack Corrigan, area actor, middle schooler, and all around mensch, put his passion for hoops into lifesaving action on Sept. 22, organizing a basketball clinic as his bar mitzvah project.
The effort starred the renowned coach Billy Armstrong from Hoop Dreamz and was powered by donation after $5 donation to Cherry Hill-based Go4TheGoal, which works against pediatric cancer.
Supporters also netted gold shoelaces for an additional donation and a chance at prizes. Jack’s mom said the drive, at Westwood Community Center, 55 Jefferson Ave., raised approximately $1,500.
Jack’s bar mitzvah is in December in Passaic. The clinic coincided with Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month.
The Oradell youth told Pascack Press he chose Westwood for the clinic because he’d taken Armstrong’s basketball summer camp here and loved it, and Armstrong graciously offered to host.
Westwood Recreation Department Director Gary Buchheister said the rec was thrilled to be abe to assist in such a worthwhile endeavor, particularly given the cause and Armstrong’s role.
“Billy and Hoop Dreamz have been making great use of the Community Center for at least six years and have an outstanding reputation, and when Heather mentioned they were partnering on Jack’s project, there was no question about signing off on the request,” Buchheister said.
Every year in the United States, 15,000 kids are diagnosed with cancer. Go4theGoal says it works with hospitals across the country to provide financial assistance, grant wishes, develop and fund unique hospital programs, and fund innovative research.
Jack, 13, is the son of Heather and Michael Corrigan, and is a student in River Edge. He’s appeared in commercials and movies.
His mitzvah project comes from his love of basketball and his wanting to help people,” Heather told Heidi Mae Bratt, of “About Our Children,” the parenting magazine for the Jewish Standard.
Armstrong, varsity head basketball coach at Bergen Catholic High School, is a Bergen County native who spent parts of his childhood in Westwood, Oradell, and Rutherford.
His website explains he’s especially grateful for the opportunity to share basketball and life lessons with boys and girls from across Bergen County and nearby communities.
Prior to his coaching career, Armstrong earned a Division I basketball scholarship to Davidson College in Davidson, N.C., and went on to enjoy a six-year professional basketball career in Europe and the United States.
His playing career started at Bergen Catholic High School, where he led the Crusaders to league, county, and state championships in his senior season. Along the way, he earned All-League, All-County, and 1990’s Bergen County All-Decade team accolades.
His Hoop Dreamz runs camps, academies, clinics, and a summer school offering daily objectives to help build strong character and talented players.
The nonprofit is designed to give youth “the right psychology for success,” winning habits, and lifelong skills for decision making.