NORTH SALEM, N.Y. - In North Salem, community spirit is alive and well - especially on the basketball court.
This winter, three high school students - Patrick Fitzgerald, Braden Kennedy, and Rocky Guy - have made a meaningful impact by volunteering as coaches for a 5th- and 6th-grade boys team in the North Salem Rec Basketball program. alongside PQ kindergarten teacher Donna Ulrich.
While balancing academics, sports, and busy teenage schedules, the trio committed their time and energy to helping young athletes grow both on and off the court.
For Patrick Fitzgerald, a freshman who has been playing basketball since third grade, the experience felt like a natural full-circle moment. Having grown up in the same rec leagues and playing CYO basketball before joining the North Salem school program in seventh grade, he understood the importance of giving back.
“My friend Braden asked me and Rocky to coach with him and we knew it would be a great experience,” Fitzgerald said. “I hope the younger athletes see how much we enjoyed coaching and working with them, and that they would want to do the same someday.”
Fitzgerald and his fellow coaches leaned on their own playing experience to guide the team. They implemented a familiar offensive system—similar to one Fitzgerald previously ran in CYO - and worked to place players in positions that best suited their strengths. But beyond strategy, he emphasized the energy and positivity the coaching staff brought each game.
“The coaches were always very supportive of the players, and I think we all had a great time this season,” he said.
Braden Kennedy, also a freshman at North Salem High School, shared a similar motivation. A multi-sport athlete who plays both basketball and baseball, Kennedy said the opportunity to coach was rooted in appreciation for the program that helped shape his own love for the game.
“I knew the rec league was looking for volunteer coaches, and I thought it would be a great way to help out,” Kennedy said. “We all grew up playing in the program, so it felt like a good way to give back.”
Kennedy described his coaching style as energetic and upbeat, with an emphasis on keeping the game fun while teaching fundamentals.
“I like to keep practices exciting and encourage the players to work hard and support each other,” he said. “Most importantly, I want them to enjoy playing so they keep coming back each season.”
That balance of instruction and enthusiasm became a defining trait of the team. The young coaches made it a point to demonstrate drills, communicate positively, and reinforce respect—for teammates, opponents, and officials alike.
Beyond wins and losses, both Fitzgerald and Kennedy said their goals centered on building confidence and teaching life lessons through the game.
“I hope the kids improve their skills, build confidence, and learn how important teamwork is,” Kennedy said. “Basketball teaches you a lot about working together and putting in effort.”
Their impact extended far beyond the scoreboard. Whether offering encouragement after a tough loss or celebrating a well-executed play, Fitzgerald, Kennedy, and Guy consistently prioritized character and sportsmanship.
In doing so, they became role models for the next generation—showing that leadership isn’t defined by age, but by action.
Their efforts have not gone unnoticed in the North Salem community, where many hope their example inspires other students to get involved. Thanks to their commitment, the future of both basketball and community spirit in North Salem looks especially bright.
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