Konowitz remembered by basketball community

CLINTONVILLE | John Konowitz was remembered over the weekend by players, fellow coaches, and the North Country basketball community at large as a pillar of the sport and of life. Konowitz, who was serving as an assistant coach on the AuSable Valley varsity boys and Plattsburgh State men's basketball teams, passed away Friday, Jan. 28, a shock to both teams. "We will find a way every day to take something he did for us that was good and make it part of our lives," said AuSable Valley head coach Jamie Douglass, who has been involved with Konowitz since his high school days wearing the same uniform. "The life lessons we have had mean everything to us from the beginning. We all wanted to grow up to be like him. There is going to be a big void." "Coach Konowitz was a friend, mentor and teacher to countless Cardinal Basketball student-athletes over the years," Plattsburgh State Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreation Mike Howard said. "It's a tremendously sad day in Cardinal Country, and we extend our thoughts and prayers to Coach Konowitz's entire family." More than a coach Douglass emphasized his mentor was someone who took time for all his former players and children from throughout the community. "He has been there for us through high school, college, when we all got married, had kids," Douglass said. "He has been there throughout our lives and we love him. When we needed someone to lean on, he has always been there for us. He was so much more than a basketball coach. He met kids in the summer, at parks, and gave them basketball and life lessons. He made us and then inspired us to be like this. You wanted to make him proud of you every day, as a coach or as a person." Current AuSable standout Eli Douglas said Konowitz was a positive force in practices and in life. "He was always in a good mood and always came in with a smile on his face," said Douglas, who credited Konowitz with helping him attain the success he has had on the court, recently culminating with his entering the 1,000-career point club in Section VII. Douglas said his relationship with Konowitz started young, and he still remembers when they met. "I was in third grade and we were at the community center," said Douglas. "All I knew how to do at that age was run around — I didn't dribble or anything else, just ran. He goes, 'you know what, I am going to call you speedy from now on because all you do is run around the gym the whole time.' He has called me that until the last time I saw him." "John meant a great deal to us all as he cared so deeply about the student-athletes here and everywhere," said AuSable Valley superintendent Paul Savage. "He was that special person you just always referred to as "Coach" and was a person who would do anything for you... He is a Patriot icon and will be sorely missed by us all. Our hearts go out to his family and all in the patriot family at this time." "I am forever grateful for his commitment to me and to all of my teammates at AVCS to make us better players," said former player and former Jay supervisor Randy Douglas. "During all my years of coaching, Coach Konowitz would always follow whatever team I was coaching rather it was Holy Name basketball, AAU traveling basketball teams or the AVCS varsity baseball teams. Always coming in the locker room at halftime or in between innings to add words of encouragement to my players. Back in 2017 when my AVCS baseball team upset powerhouses Saranac and PHS in the same week, coach was the first person to call me to congratulate us. He cared deeply for all his past players and stayed in touch with us all throughout our lives and careers. He was a true role model for so many and he will dearly missed by the entire AVCS Community and the entire North Country." Alzheimer's Awareness In recent years, Konowitz was the driving force behind the Judy's Alzheimer's Awareness Tournament for both boys and girls basketball, held each year to honor his wife, Judy, who was diagnosed with the disease. "When she was still able to travel with me, the students would be so great to her and help her to a seat, talk to her, and support her," said Konowitz during a recent tournament halftime speech. "This tournament was not just about raising funds, but giving back to those students who gave so much to her and our family." Along with raising funds for Alzheimer's research and programs, the tournament also gave out scholarships to senior members of the basketball teams participating in the event. Recently, the scholarship end was extended from two seniors per team to every graduating member of the roster. "John positively impacted the lives of thousands and thousands of students over the years and he did so with a selfless and caring manner," said Savage. "He volunteered so much of his time for our youth and he had the heart of a champion. Perhaps the greatest characteristics I admired most about John was his love and commitment to his family and how much he gave back to the communities." "We have hosted his tournament for the last 11 years and it means a lot to our kids and our community," said Moriah varsity boys basketball coach Brian Cross. "It hurts to lose John. He was involved in everything and always spoke highly of our kids. We are all going to miss him. It's been a tough couple days to lose Gary Ryan and now John." "My initial thoughts are shock and sadness, but that is tempered by gratitude to have known him and experienced his selflessness and generosity to AuSable Valley and to the broader basketball community in Section VII," said Boquet Valley girls coach Hokey McKinley, whose Griffin team won the girls' tournament title Jan. 25. "John repeatedly visited Westport while I was there to run clinics, offer encouragement, and counsel players and coaches. His role in starting and being the driving force in the Alzheimer's Awareness Tournament will be missed dearly, but hopefully will continue on and become a lasting legacy."

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Konowitz remembered by basketball community

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