Friday's City of Palms Extra: Tournament pays tribute to John Naylor; Stepinac meets alumni
City of Palms pays tribute to John Naylor
For 8 ½ years, John Naylor’s passion was the City of Palms Classic.
As the tournament’s executive director, ensuring each edition was bigger and better than the last was his goal, and more often than not, he succeeded.
On Friday night, the City of Palms Classic paused to honor Naylor, who passed away on Nov. 28 at the age of 76.
More:John Naylor, City of Palms Classic Executive Director since 2014, passes away at 76
Tournament director Donnie Wilkie told the crowd that Naylor was the perfect person to guide the Classic’s evolution as it moved from Bishop Verot High School into its current home, Suncoast Credit Union Arena, in 2016.
“A lot of that if not all of that was because of John Naylor’s hard work and his vision for what sports and sports tourism can become in Lee County,” Wilkie said.
A Northwestern graduate, Naylor moved to Fort Myers in 1991 and managed the Pink Shell Beach Resort and Marina, as well as the Sandpiper Gulf Resort on Fort Myers Beach.
Naylor was a founding member of the Lee County Sports Organizing Committee in 1992, and also served on multiple boards locally related to tourism, including FGCU's advisory board on their resort hospitality and management program.
In addition to the on-court tribute, the Classic dedicated the final page of this year’s program to Naylor and encouraged people to donate to the John Naylor Memorial Fund which helps support the FGCU program he championed.
“Everything you see here,” Wilkie said, as he surveyed the scene at Suncoast Arena Friday, “I don’t see a thing honestly that didn’t have something to do with John Naylor.”
Stepinac steps out with alumni
Archbishop Stepinac coach Patrick Massaroni had an activity for his team after their 52-44 win over Vashon (Mo.) Friday night, whether they knew about it or not.
Massaroni was taking his starting five to a regional reception at the Crowne Plaza Friday night to meet many of the 40 alumni from the White Plains, NY, school that were at the game who now call Southwest Florida home.
"We have a huge Stepinac contingent here on this coast," the coach said. "We do a big event in the spring, an alumni golf event with about 50 people in Naples. So they love us being down here. They were into it. And we appreciate that, it means a lot. And that shows the level where the program has gotten to that these guys support us, both locally and in New York, but on the road on a national schedule."
Stepinac has 8,500 alumni nationwide and Massaroni helps tap into that as the school's Director of the Fund in the Advancement Office. He said many still support the school through volunteering and financial contributions or moral support at games. Some of the school's famous alumni include actors Alan Alda and Jon Voight, Atlanta Hawks guard A.J. Griffin and Miami Dolphins defensive back Trill Williams.
Massaroni said he can understand why many alums end up in Southwest Florida.
"We left it was 29 degrees and freezing when we got to JFK the other day, so I don't blame him for moving down here," Massaroni said. "But it was nice to work out this morning with some shorts and a T-shirt on and go to breakfast with flip-flops on. So maybe that's why but that's what is comes to."
Crusaders player Boogie Fland said the team appreciates the support.
"You got a support system anywhere you go," the junior guard said. "And you got like a crowd behind you, you know, just pulling for you and you want to carry on their legacy."
Charlotte honors former coach's late wife
Despite a defeat on Friday, Charlotte made a meaningful fashion choice with what they wore on their feet.
The team donned bright pink shoes, which head coach Mike Williams said was a tribute to Renee Massolio, the wife of former head coach Tom Massolio. Renee Massolio died of cancer at the age of 51 last year.
In March, Tom Massolio stepped down as head coach of the Tarpons after 25 years to become the school's athletic director. Williams, the program’s longtime junior varsity coach, was hired to take over.
Williams graduated from Charlotte in 2001 and was taught by Renee Massolio.
“She was my art teacher, so me and her had a very special relationship and me and Tom have a very good relationship,” Williams said. “She was always very good to me.”
The choice in footwear was something Williams felt he needed to do, and his players were on board.
“They love wearing them,” he said. “We got three team shoes, and this is one they pick the most.”
The team’s unity in honoring Renee Massolio spoke volumes about her impact.
“It was a tragedy to lose her,” Williams said. “She was special.”
Wheeler duo looking to bring 'Dunk City' back
Former FGCU men’s basketball coach Andy Enfield nabbed commitments from two of the City of Palms Classic's best senior prospects in Wheeler teammates Isaiah Collier and Arrinten Page.
Enfield, now in his 10th season with the Trojans, is a decade removed from leading the Eagles on their surprising run to the Sweet 16 in their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Collier, the consensus No. 1 senior in the nation, said he's seen the high-flying highlights of Enfield's FGCU squad and wants to be a part of something similar at USC.
"We're trying to get 'Dunk City' back out there," he said.
Also attractive is the fact that USC employs a fast-paced offense, similar to the breakneck pace that Wheeler features.
"Getting up and down is what I want to do," Collier said.
The commitments of Collier and Page, along with Charlotte (N.C.) guard Silas Demary Jr., has the Trojans' 2023 recruiting class ranked among the top 10 in the nation.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Friday's City of Palms Extra: Tournament pauses to honor John Naylor
