My friendship with John Valore began in September 1976.  It was my first day at Cherry Hill East.  I was completely intimidated as I was looking at a school that was twice the size of my hometown.  I did not know one person on the faculty.  After the initial faculty meeting only one person came up to me to introduce himself.  It was John Valore.  Our friendship began at that moment and it had nothing to do with basketball.  The following year I was appointed to the assistant coaching position with Mr. Valore and remained his assistant until 1990 when I was hired as the Assistant Principal at Beck.  It has been 20 years since I coached with him but I still refer to myself as his assistant coach.  We all know him today as a hall of fame coach.  He is an even better friend.