Battle Of The Badges Coaches Announced
April 7, 2010 - NBA G League (G League)
Texas Legends News Release
FRISCO, April 7, 2010 - Two Dallas coaching legends will coach the REAL All-Stars in the first-ever Battle of the Badges Basketball game! Former Mavericks assistant coach Del Harris and three-time Cowboys Super Bowl winner Joe Avezzano will coach in the game on Friday at Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco, Texas. Check out our heroes and these two legends as they play on the same court used at Cowboys Stadium in the 2010 NBA All-Star Game!
With 34 years of NBA coaching experience under his belt, Harris will lead the Firefighter All-Star team, and Avezzano, former Cowboys special teams coordinator, will coach the Police All-Star team.
"This weekend the stars come out in Frisco!" NBA D-League Frisco Owner Donnie Nelson said. "When Del and Coach Joe heard we were trying to help the families of the fallen with a basketball game their response was "where and when". That's just the kind of men they are! Yes, they're Texas coaching legends, but more importantly they're two men with hearts as big as this state. It's an honor to share the court with them as well as all the service men and women competing on Friday! May the best badge win!"
Harris served as general manager for NBA D-League Frisco for 26 days before joining the New Jersey Nets as an assistant coach this season. He marked Frisco's first "call-up" to the NBA.
"This is a great opportunity to give back to the community and have fun at the same time," Harris commented. "These guys are the real All-Stars of our community and their service is invaluable. It's going to be an entertaining evening and I can't wait to diagram my favorite double-backscreen lob for a dunk!"
Avezzano coached the Cowboys special teams units from 1990-2003, winning three Super Bowls in that time. Under Avezzano, the special teams led the league on numerous occasions, and Avezzano is the only three-time winner of the NFL Special Teams Coach of the Year award (1991, 1993, 1998). He was also the first head coach of the Dallas Desperados, taking the Desperados to the AFL playoffs in each of their first two seasons.
"Having a degree in Law Enforcement has always spurred me to contribute to the well-being of officers and firefighters and their families," Avezzano commented. "I've always had a great deal of respect for the members of that fraternity. Guns and Hoses is one group I love being associated with and this special event should be fun as well as a quality fundraiser."
In 2007, Avezzano opened "Coach Joe's" bar and grill in Frisco.
Doors open at Dr Pepper Arena at 6:30 p.m. with a 7:30 p.m. tip-off. Admission is free with a donation. All proceeds will benefit the Guns and Hoses Foundation of North Texas in its efforts to help the families of the fallen Metroplex officers.
For more information about NBA D-League Frisco visit www.NBAdleagueFRISCO.com.
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