PV community celebrates legendary coach
Valley basketball court named ‘Jasper Court’
Pascack Valley’s legendary girls’ basketball coach just had yet another night to remember.
On Thursday night, members of the PV community gathered in the Valley gymnasium for what was dubbed a celebration of “the naming of the school’s basketball court, ‘Jasper Court.’” On Nov. 21, PV Principal Tom DeMaio revealed that the basketball court would be named in honor of longtime PV girls’ basketball coach Jeff Jasper.
This honor comes just a year after Jasper’s 2017-18 season, in which he became the first girls’ basketball coach in New Jersey history to reach the 1,000 win plateau.
With a large crowd in attendance, a few people closest to Jasper spoke to Jasper’s life as a teacher, coach, and friend. The speakers included wife Lois Jasper, son Justin Jasper, Tina Marchiano, Karen Kosch, Pascack Valley Regional High School District President Jeffrey Steinfeld, PV Principal Tom DeMaio, among others.
The event culminated with a speech from Jasper himself, in which he reflected on his life and what the honor meant to him. He noted that he felt particularly honored to join the likes of Joe Talamo, Barbara Sapienza, and Joseph Poli, all of whom have parts of Pascack Valley named in their honor.
During the ceremony, Jasper was awarded a plaque from Steinfeld and fellow PVRHSD board member Joseph Blundo. He was also given a basketball signed by popular musician Bruce Springsteen.
Afterwards, various people, including Jasper himself, spoke about the ceremony’s significance.
