More than 130 boys and girls from across Cambria County gathered this week for the inaugural Cambria County Basketball Coaches Association Camp, a three‑day tribute to longtime local coach Mike Crisafulli.
A tribute in motion
The camp, taking place at Forest Hills High School and scheduled to run through Wednesday, brought together coaches from schools countywide who volunteered their time to sharpen participants’ fundamentals while fostering new friendships.
Campers spent the day drilling new techniques, scrimmaging in small groups, and listening to messages that extended beyond the hardwood, emphasizing teamwork, discipline and community pride.
Mike Crisafulli, who built a distinguished coaching career at several county programs before retiring from Forest Hills, was remembered throughout the sessions as a mentor whose influence still shapes the region’s basketball culture.
Organizers said the overwhelming response exceeded expectations, noting that the first day’s turnout of over a hundred players signaled strong community support and set the stage for an annual tradition that could eventually include scholarship opportunities for local student‑athletes.
With the camp still in session, the buzz among participants and parents alike suggests the initiative may become a cornerstone of youth basketball in Cambria County, linking past mentorship with future aspirations.