WHAT IS THE HOWIE FRAJBERG METRO CLASSIC?

The "Howie Frajberg Metro Classic" is a benefit game between the "burbs" Long Island/Hudson Valley and the "Boros" New York City's top high school boys and girls players.  The game highlights the top talent in both regions and the proceeds from ticket sales benefits the Make A Wish Foundation and the Howie Frajberg Medical Research Foundation.

HOW DID THE GAME COME ABOUT?

The idea for the "Howie Frajberg Metro Classic" began when Debbie Brajevich, a staff member of the Long Island Alzheimer's Foundation and a well know women's basketball advocate and coach in the New York area, was looking for a way to bring her two passions together.  A game between the best players in Long Island and New York City is what the boys and girls basketball world in the Metropolitan region was clamoring for - and now it is a reality.  The second year of the event, Earl Lewis, AAU Boys National commissioner helped bring about the boys game and the event is now the premier fall high school basketball showcase - which give the Alzheimer's Foundation the ability to make more people aware of their services and raise much needed funds. 

In the third year of the event, Westchester County was added to the "Burb's" team and now in its fourth year, the final format of "Boro's" (NY CIty) v. "Burb's" (Long Island / Hudson Valley) has come to fruition.  Using the Empire State Games boundaries for both the "Boro's" and "Burb's" brings in all the talent in the downstate Metro NY area.  It also equalizes the number of High Schools involved in each area with NY City having approximately 275-300 High Schools and Long Island/Hudson Valley at around 250.  The depth and level of talent is so outstanding, it has become THE best pre-season High School event in New York State, if not the Country.

In it's fifth year Debbie moved on to be the assistant coach at Dowling College and with that position brought the Make A Wish Foundation as the beneficiary of the Metro Classic.  The event was also renamed the "Howie Frajbeg Metro Classic" in memory of a very special coach, player, fan and advocate of the game and the game will also benefit the Howie Frajberg Medical Research Foundation.

WHO IS INVOLVED?

To make a game like this possible, it takes many people and more than one organization.  The website for Long Island girl's high school basketball - www.highschoolhoops.org has provided a web presence for the event.  The Aim High Silver Bullets Youth Organization (www.silverbullets.org) provides the volunteers that will work the event and helps in promoting the event to the community.  The Public School Athletic League (PSAL) www.psal.org provides the High School governing body and oversight of the event.  The Island Garden Basketball Arena has graciously stepped up to serve as the Host of the event donating the most well known Hoops facility in the Metro NY area.  www.islandgarden.com.

WILL THIS EVENT BE HELD EVERY YEAR?

The "Metro Classic" will be held every year - the same time each year (Last Sunday in October).  The event raises funds for a very well known charity and kicks off the boys and girls High School basketball season.

Coverage by NY Daily News, Newsday, The Post, The Hudson Journal, News 12, MSG Network and several other weekly newspapers and websites helps the Howie Frajberg Metro Classic help others through the Make A Wish Foundation.

I CANNOT ATTEND THE GAME, HOW CAN I HELP?

Go to the Sponsorship page on the Metro Classic website www.metroclassic.org and take out a journal ad, become a sponsor or go to the Make A Wish Foundaton website at www.wish.org.  Donations for the Howie Frajberg Medical Research Foundation can be mailed to:  Island Garden / 45 Cherry Valley Avenue / West Hempstead, NY 11552.