Thursday, February 05, 2015

Stanley W. Cohen


OAKLAND, Cali. - As Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle was preparing for a West Coast match up with Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night, his thoughts and his family’s thoughts were with the family of Stanley Cohen, a legendary teacher of the game of basketball in the North Country.

Cohen, 80, a member of the New York State Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014, died on Wednesday morning.

“On behalf of the Carlisle family and all people from the north country, I wish to salute the great and humble life of Stanley W. Cohen who passed away early Wednesday morning. Mr. Cohen quietly but persistently influenced the lives of countless North country people, young and old, over a period of five-plus decades. His long standing work in the academic and athletic departments of both Canton ATC and Potsdam College helped untold thousands work toward their dreams,” said Dallas Mavericks Coach Rick Carlisle a former Lisbon Golden Knight and Ogdensburg native.

“Mr. Cohen was a constant encouraging presence to son Hal Cohen who became the greatest basketball player ever to come out of the North Country in 1976. With Stan Cohen’s continuous guidance, Hal set a high standard of excellence that younger players like myself believed could be possible coming from the North Country.”

“Above all, Stanley W. Cohen was a loving family man of the highest moral values and integrity. He is survived by wife Rose and a loving family that will carry on his legacy of understated high character in perpetuity. Our sincerest condolences go out to the Cohen family. The North Country has lost a great man.”

My son had the honor of playing for Stan and head coach Sherry Dobbs at SUNY Potsdam, winning SUNYAC championships in 2004 and 2005 and advancing to the DIII Sweet 16 in 2004 and the Elite 8 in 2005.

Stan touched every member of that team and every parent as well.

Always a great teacher, gentleman and friend, Stan will be sorely missed and long remembered.

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