Community Corner

'Giant' Fundraiser Brings New York Center to Hillsborough

A Monday autograph signing fundraiser will support Hillsborough basketball coach and his family.

Support of Hillsborough High School Basketball Coach Ian Progin and his family will bring New York Giants Center Shaun O’Hara back to Hillsborough High School for a fundraiser Monday.

O’Hara will sign autographs from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Hillsborough High School Commons that day, with the $20 autograph fee being donated to the Progin family. In addition to signing residents’ own items, local photography studio Milan Rose created and donated 400 posters combining images of O’Hara for residents to have signed.

“(O’Hara) has his roots in Hillsborough and he and Ian went to high school together,” Michael Fanizzi, Hillsborough Athletic Director, said. “I believe they also went to Rutgers together.”

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The fundraiser combines the efforts of several Hillsborough alumni and current and former coaches, Fanizzi added. Timing was imperative for the fundraiser too, since an end to the NFL lockout would mean the beginning of the Giants’ training camp.

“The combination of (current junior varsity basketball coach) Charlie Davis, (former football) coach Rick Mantz, and (alumnus) Jim Ruh put this together to sign autographs for the Progin family,” Fanizzi said. “Ian’s family just asked that they approve the fundraisers before each occurs.”

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Progin, a Hillsborough High School alumnus, guidance counselor and basketball coach, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Glioblastoma, a type of brain tumor, in early May. Since then, the school and athletic community united to help the family defray its medical expenses.

“They are stunned by the outpouring of support for them,” Fanizzi said. “This is a special place (since) this doesn’t happen in a lot of places. It’s an amazing credit to the town and the people here. It is overwhelming.”

The extent of support is not only testament to community values, Fanizzi said.

“It just goes to show you what kind of person Ian is,” Fanizzi said. “He’s a great individual who just really cares about people. From day one that we hired him, this is what he showed me in the interview process.”


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