Coach Bruno invites kids to his new b-ball court
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RENOVO -- Chances are if you stop by the new basketball court in Renovo you'll not only be welcomed, but a few coaching lessons will be thrown in as well.
Bucktail basketball coach Gene Bruno has installed a hoop and partial court, rather fitting of a guy that's spent his lifetime coaching basketball.
Bruno coached at Penn College and a couple of high schools including his hometown's varsity team and had an outdoor court built next to his house on St. Claire Avenue in Renovo.
Although he claims he built the court for himself, there's little doubt that younger hoopsters will be frequent occupants and of course the cement court, although not full-sized, leaves plenty of room for drills of all sorts, not just shooting.
"I've preached for my 35-year teaching and coaching career that in order to give kids the opportunity to make healthy choices and stay away from drugs, you have to give them something to do," Bruno said recently just after the court was built. "I had three or four kids out there the day after the concrete was poured. I plan on shooting around myself quite often and I'll always welcome company," he added.
Although the coach does like having the ability to have his players from his Bucktail team always having a place to go on his court, it's actually ballers that are a little younger that he feels he can assist, not just with basketball but with life choices they will make down the road.
"In my opinion I feel that if you can get a basketball in a kids' hands between fourth and sixth grade, that's when you can really make an impression," the retired educator summed up.
The Bruno court is 45- by 35-feet and with 90% of the clinics that he has put on in the past centering on ball handling, that size is plenty for doing what he does best.
With so much of his coaching philosophy being adamant that in order for basketball players to build winning programs, having a basketball in their hands year round is a must, Coach Bruno just gave current and future players alike no chance to make any excuses not to do just that.