Siena Basketball rehabs, dedicates George Street Basketball Court

GREEN ISLAND, NY (NEWS10) -- Community involvement is a staple of Siena College. On Monday, the Siena men's and women's basketball teams hosted their third annual court rehab dedication and ice cream social.

In partnership with Fenimore Asset Management and Dick's House of Sport, the Saints rehabbed the George Street Basketball Court in Green Island, providing a place for kids in the community to hit the court. Both the men's and women's basketball teams were on hand to meet with fans, who also enjoyed a free ice cream.

Both first year head coaches are thrilled to inspire the next generation of hoopers. "These ones hold a little more weight than a lot of things, mainly because you're impacting directly a community," said men's basketball head coach Gerry McNamara. "That was where it started for a lot of us, on the playgrounds in certain cities we grew up in. To get out into the community, to be a part of this program, this one is special because you know that there's going to be a lot of kids in this neighborhood that can access this."

"My experience as an athlete started at a park very similar to this," said women's basketball head coach Terry Primm. "I had the privilege of having the Detroit Pistons refurbish courts, dedicated courts. That inspired me so much that I was allowed to battle through some of the barriers that you could possibly experience. So to be out here today is cool because it makes me feel like the next basketball leaders are out here."

The Siena men's basketball team also made news Monday, adding Capital Region coaching legend Brian Beaury to their staff as a special assistant to the head coach. Beaury led Saint Rose as the head coach for 33 years, and brings a lot to the table for the Saints. "Invaluable experience," said McNamara. "35 years as a head coach. I've worked with his nephew, he's kind of trained under me for the last seven years. He's on our staff her, so it's kind of neat to watch those two work together. I've grown really fond of Brian over the years, watching him operate, talking to him at certain events, going out, recruiting in Glens Falls. You get an opportunity as a head coach, regardless of what position you're in, to get a guy like Brian and his experience, you jump on it."

"I'm there for whatever he needs, whatever the staff needs, whatever the players need," said Beaury. "I've coached over a thousand games and I think that experience has prepared me for an opportunity like this. As I told coach, I'm there to always share my version of the truth. I'm not going to come in and give you advice. That's not my role. So I'm just grateful for the opportunity to play a small part in a program that I've had a great deal of respect for."