Remembering The Glider

By Ray Floriani (@rfloriani)

The first time we met, fittingly, was at Five Star Basketball Camp in 1980. 

Myself, Sandy Pyonin, the coach of the AAU power Roadrunners, and a few others made the drive from New Jersey to Honesdale, Pa. The all-star game was that night and we wanted to get a look at an outstanding player set to enter his senior year in high school, Patrick Ewing. Shortly after arriving I was introduced to Tom Konchalski.

As a staff writer with Eastern Basketball magazine, I came across and met a number of people in the recruiting business. They all seemed friendly, hoping to establish a good relationship and possibly get a good mention down the road in EB. Tom Konchalski immediately made the impression as a friendly, genuine person. That first impression of Tom was a lasting one.

Later in the day, the announcement would be made over what players would make the all-star game. They were chosen by a committee, with Tom — naturally — playing a major part. Shortly after selections were announced, we ran into Tom and a fellow committee member. Our group was soon approached by a player from New Jersey and his father. Said player was not chosen for the game. He stood there silent with disappointment on his face. The father was livid, screaming about his son not getting on the all-star roster. Tom very patiently, in a calm voice, explained to the father the choices for the all-star game were very tough. There were talented players who did not make the cut, and while his son was a very good player, it all came down to the choice of a committee. The father, still boiling mad, stormed off with his son. As they left, Tom never said a bad word about the father. Rather, he spoke of how difficult it was to make the final all-star cuts.

As the years passed, the thought of that first meeting with Tom often came back to memory. In recent days, the thought was frequent as Tom went into hospice and sadly passed away earlier this week at age 74. Tom, a Queens native, graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School, and then — with honors — from Fordham University. His noted love of the game began when he followed Connie Hawkins in games around the city to marvel at his exploits. Tom never coached, despite being 6-foot-6, his own exploits on the court were limited. He never officiated. He taught middle school math a few years before getting involved with Five Star’s Howard Garfinkel’s High School Basketball Illustrated (HSBI) in 1979.

In 1985, Tom exclusively took over Garf’s HSBI. His body of work was legendary. Tom never drove, getting to games by public transportation or through a ride with a friend. He typed out his HSBI rundown on prospects on a Royal typewriter. As technology improved and social media came into vogue, Tom stood by his old-school ways. No Facebook, no Twitter, no cell phone. When asked on many occasions if he was online, the reply was, “I am only on line at the supermarket.”

Tom reviewed every player mentioned in his report by watching them in person. He was the evaluator utilizing no one else to go out, see a player, and give a report. Tom had an encyclopedic memory, and not just remembering dates, games and performances from years back. Meet him once and he would remember your name, home and any information you shared on your first acquaintance. His report was available to coaches only and by subscription. Several hundred college coaches subscribed and used it as a valuable tool in recruiting.

In the mid to late 1980s, I had the opportunity and honor to collaborate with Tom on a few articles for EB and the EB newsletter. A number of the articles involved Big East recruiting, whom the schools were looking at and might have a chance to get. A call would be made to Tom in the early afternoon, prior to his leaving for a game, at his Queens residence. Truth be told, he would give me the information and I put it into words. Again, it was an honor to share the byline and an incredible learning experience for this writer.

We would run into each other on occasion at college games at the Garden, Rose Hill or St. John’s. When my coverage was the PSAL championships at the Garden or the New Jersey TOC title game at Meadowlands Arena, Tom was there with the familiar handshake and cordial greeting. “Good afternoon sir, good to see you. How’s everything going?”

Entering officiating in 1989, I was happy to tell Tom about my newest endeavor in the game. When he was told about my donning the stripes, he simply put a hand on my forehead and gave a mercy blessing from the Lord. I got the feeling Tom was not totally fond of the officials, but I will never know as Tom NEVER said a bad word about anyone. Never.

The blessing also showed Tom was a man of outstanding faith. He attended mass and received Holy Communion on a daily basis, whether at home in Queens or out on the road. Interestingly, as the officiating years passed and offers of better games were available, I would run into Tom more frequently. He could be at the Metro High School Classic held in the summer, an AAU event or a team camp in Linden (NJ). Always, the same pose: Top row of the bleachers, glasses on, watching the action and making notes and recording observations on his yellow legal pad.

Arguably, the best memory was about 15 years ago. Brandon Cruz and myself were working a Metro summer game at Seton Hall University. Brandon, a great officiating friend, works the Big Ten, MAAC and NEC these days. We had Brick Township (NJ) and Seton Hall Prep. Pregame, Brandon and I are getting ready near the scorer’s table. Here comes Tom. “Good afternoon, gentlemen. Must be a big game. I will be watching with you two here.” A really nice compliment and gesture, Tom coming down from his spot in the bleachers to exchange pleasantries. Brandon and I had a good game. Obviously, that blessing was still present.

Always cordial, Tom would greet and show genuine concern over every well-wisher and those meeting him for the first time. Whether he was at ABCD at Fairleigh Dickinson (back in the day) or a sparsely attended team camp, those in the know would not interrupt during the game. If there was an interruption, well, Tom would still be cordial and polite as he took in the action on the floor.

When Tom went into hospice, the outpouring and tributes on social media came from coaches, players and fans throughout the country. Adam Zagoria reached out to a few of the New Jersey coaches reporting on NJ.com.

“He lived a remarkable life,” Hall of Fame coach Bob Hurley told Zagoria, “and I don’t know there’s a group of people who could replace Tom right now.” In the same article, Steve Pikiell of Rutgers noted, “We lost another great person, and more importantly, a great part of the basketball family.” Tom was a person who cared, sincerely.

Dan Hurley, the UConn mentor, told Zagoria when he injured his finger the first practice of his sophomore year at St. Anthony that on getting out of surgery, he was greeted by his mom, dad and Tom. Elizabeth coach Phil Colicchio first met Tom at Five Star as a player. Colicchio recalled when his son was a baby, he had open heart surgery at Columbia. A nurse said he had a phone call. It was Tom, saying he just prayed for his son while at mass.

Last year, Tom retired from his work. At 73, he had years left. On the other hand, he put in roughly four decades and the time may have been right. It turns out illness was the reason for his stepping down. On retiring, Hoopville editor Phil Kasiecki wrote a glowing tribute on Tom’s career. A few days later, Phil’s cell phone rang. It was Tom, calling to say thank you and remember — dates and all — Phil giving him a ride at a summer event.

In 2020, a hardcover book, City Game: Basketball in New York was released. An excellent work edited by William C. Rhoden, the book devoted a section to Tom Konchalski. Rightfully so, as in a few pages, Tom provided insight on New York’s success in the past and what the future may entail. In the section, Tom talked about growing up in the golden age of New York Basketball. He admits that New York lost some of its pride. Playing in Madison Square Garden may not be every kid’s dream these days. He also laments players exiting the city to play high school ball in New Jersey and the prep schools in New England as contributors to that loss of pride.

Tom, a former educator, interestingly still had an effect on education. Through his evaluations and recommendations, hundreds of players went on to get recruited and play in college and have the opportunity of higher education.

When an individual of his stature passes, we are poorer for the loss. On the other hand, the memory enriches us, not simply for what Tom did over the years for those hundreds of kids. It was also due to his genuine sincerity, concern and demeanor with all people. Those of us who were blessed to know him were truly fortunate. To all, Tom’s life was an example and inspiration.