Sandy Cohen III (Rich Palzewic photo)

BY RICH PALZEWIC
CORRESPONDENT

HOBART – The University of Wisconsin Green Bay men’s basketball team took time out of their holiday schedule to help out youngsters at The Driveway Dec. 27.

The Phoenix players helped conduct drills, signed autographs, handed out game vouchers and posed for pictures with local kids aged 8 to 10.

“I think it’s a great thing,” said UWGB head coach Linc Darner. “It gets our players out since we have a lot of dead time here over break. It’s nice that (owner) Ryan (Borowicz) let us come out and work with the younger kids for camp. It gives the kids a little experience and us a chance to get away from campus and have a little practice session.”

UWGB conducted its own workout after the camp was completed at the facility, which is located at 1220 Flightway Drive in Hobart and has been in operation since June 2016.

Borowicz, a former GB player himself (1994-99), wore a microphone so all in attendance could hear. Ryan and the Phoenix players gave several tips throughout the camp and kept things interesting and fun. Former area standouts Cody Schwartz (West De Pere), Sandy Cohen III (Seymour) and Will Chevalier (Kimberly) were all in attendance.

At one point, winners of specific drills could go to the concession stand and pick out a treat for their efforts.

“I’m happy with where things are at,” said Borowicz about the facility. “I’m as busy as I want to be, so that’s a good thing.”

The camps for the elementary and junior high kids were held Dec. 26-28 and featured ball-handling work, shooting drills and one-on-one situations.

“I think it was great that the GB players came and helped out,” Borowicz said. “I met with one of the boosters about how to try and get the basketball community involved. He set up a meeting with Coach Darner and we just worked it out. The team made the NCAA tourney a few years ago and have three very local players, so it made sense. It also gets the team out of their campus routine a bit.”

Borowicz is hoping it’s a long-term partnership with UWGB, especially over the holiday break, but realizes some years it might not work out with schedules.

“As a former player myself, I felt like I had a connection with the program because I got to go to camp (at GB) and get to know the players a little,” said Borowicz. “It meant that when I went to a game I could say ‘I know that guy,’ or ‘I gave that player a high-five.’ It’s the same thing here – these kids can now go to a game and remember interacting with the players. It gives them a little connection to the community. It’s nice to get that connection now that the Packers’ season is done. They’ve got a great facility (Resch) and have an exciting style of ball.”

Ryan is hoping that the local GB players in the future might consider working a summer camp or workout at the facility if they need a place to go.

For more information on The Driveway or to check out specific offerings of camps and open gyms, CLICK HERE.