Sports

Scholastic Roundup: Shorty is head and shoulders above the rest

June 24, 2022 Andy Furman

Scholastic Roundup logo

Share this:

Dave Newmark has entered the Jewish Sports Heritage Association Class of 2023.

The 1964 graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School – he was a high school All-American – was a three-year star at Columbia University in the 1960s.

The seven-foot man they nicknamed “Shorty” had an immediate impact on the Lions’ fortunes as a sophomore in 1966 when he led the Ivy League in rebounding average (13.3 – 186 rebounds in 14 games), also scoring 22.9 points-per-game, second in the conference.

Named All-American, he helped the Lions reach second-place in the conference with a record of 10-4 (18-6 overall).

After sitting out the 66-67 season with an illness, Newmark returned to the varsity just in time to pair with rising sophomores Heyward Dotson and Jefferson High’s Jim McMillian for one of the most magical seasons in Columbia Basketball history.

In 1967-68, the Lions made history, winning the ECAC Holiday Festival, tying for the Ivy League Championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament on the strength of Columbia’s Big Three. The Lions roared into the national top10.

* * *

Despite playing only two seasons – and only 48 games at Columbia – Newmark remains in the Lions top ten in rebounding, and his sophomore year scoring average of 22.9 points-per-game is the third-best in school history.

Drafted by the Chicago Bulls with the 31st overall pick in 1968, Newmark played three seasons of pro basketball in both the NBA and ABA with the Bulls, Atlanta Hawks and Carolina Cougars.

Newmark is a member of the Columbia Hall of Fame.

Mike Saunders, the Athletic Trainer for the New York Knicks for 27 years (1978-2005), and named Trainer of the Year in 1994 and 2005 – and the NBA All-Star Trainer in 1986 and 1998 was also tabbed for the honor.

Herb Turetzky, the Jefferson High grad who was the Nets’ Official Scorer for 54 years, including all the teams’ incarnations, starting with the inaugural game in 1967 was also tabbed posthumously.

The 2,206 games he scored through his last game in June, 2021 were recognized by Guinness World Records as the most in league history.

A total of eight athletes were selected for the honor and they will be recognized at the Fifth Annual Induction Ceremony, Sunday, April 23, 2023 at 10:30 am at Temple Israel, Lawrence, N.Y.

* * *

Ella Barrington, a rising junior gymnastics star at LIU, spent the past two weeks interning as a stage manager for the ESPN production at the College Softball World Series –won by Oklahoma University.

“I was the eyes and ears of the director of the show and made sure that the talent had everything they needed before going live on TV,” Barrington, an Oklahoma native said in a statement. “I definitely can see myself working with an organization like this after college, which is my goal,” she said.

* * *

After 15 years on the bench with the St. Francis College men’s basketball program, Clive Bentick is moving on from his role as Associate Head Coach.

He was recently honored with the President’s Award medal at the 2022 Charter Day Convocation, recognizing his 15 years of service to St. Francis College.

“Fifteen years ago,” he said in a prepared statement, “I walked through the door on Remsen Street as an assistant coach and I was welcomed with open arms. The St. Francis College community has made this a special place to be, and I am so thankful for the time I spent here.”

* * *

LIU men’s lacrosse assistant coach Troy Reh is returning to Long Island this weekend in his role as a midfielder for the Premier Lacrosse League’s Chaos.

The PLL is playing this weekend at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium.

Reh and the Chaos face Redwoods, Saturday at 4 pm. He began his professional career with the National Lacrosse League’s New York Lizards in 2018.

* * *

Remarkable but true – David (Ditto) Tawil turned 80 last week.

An athlete, teacher, coach and author, Ditto played his high school basketball at Lafayette High and later served as a long-time assistant to head coach Gil Fershtman.

He recently authored Hoop Dance, his memoir as well as a handbook for the weekend basketball warrior.

His son, Jacob Tawil created the video, The Legends of Bath Avenue which is narrated by Ditto.

Andy Furman is a Fox Sports Radio national talk show host. Previously, he was scholastic sports columnist for the Brooklyn Eagle. He may be reached at: [email protected] Twitter: @AndyFurmanFSR