The Stanley S. Lane Basketball powered by Camp Twelve Trails is an annual tradition in our youth sports program here at the Riverdale Y. Following the USA Basketball Youth Guidelines, our Riverdale Y staff and coaches run a program that focuses on developing skills, teamwork, and sportsmanship for young athletes in grades 1-8.
In grades 1-2, we focus on fundamentals through a clinic-style approach and coaches play during scrimmages to support the learning process. Grades 3-6 play weekly games where coaches continue to support skill development with a focus on team play and strategy. Grades 7-8 coaches increase the level of strategy and skill expectation in a gradually more competitive environment with attention to teamwork and sportsmanship.
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ABOUT STANLEY S. LANE
Stanley Lane was born in Warsaw, Poland in 1901. His birth name was Samuel Levine. He immigrated to the United States in 1908, to join his father, Bernard, who had immigrated earlier. The family was quite poor. They often did not have enough to eat, and everyone had to work. Life was hard.
Soon after moving to the Bronx, Stanley and his brother became active in the Bronx YMHA (the predecessor of today’s Riverdale Y.) The YMHA became a home away from home for Stanley; he played basketball and other sports there and was active in the debate society.
In 1917, shortly after the United States entered World War I, Stanley (still known as Samuel Levine) left home and, at age 16, enlisted in the U.S. Army and became a member of the U.S. Cavalry Corps. He had never ridden a horse, but he liked horses and became very adept. His mother obtained his discharge from the Army since he had been underage. As soon as he was able, however, Stanley again enlisted in the Army and, except for a brief interruption from 1928-1932 when he married, he remained in the Army for over 30 years.
In 1929, he married Frances Antis, a school teacher, and adopted New London, CT as his home.
During his military career, Stanley saw service in the Cavalry, the Field Artillery, and the Quartermaster Corps. In addition to World War I, he served in World War II, where he accompanied Gen. Eisenhower’s staff to England and later participated in the invasion of North Africa. He also served during the Korean War. He retired in 1955 with the rank of Lt. Colonel.
After his military retirement, Stanley worked as a Patent Engineer. Although his formal education had ended when he completed the 8th Grade at P.S. 42 in the Bronx, he later studied many subjects involving radio, electricity, and engineering, and he holds several U.S. Patents.
Stanley and Frances had one son, Bruce, and three grandchildren. Stanley passed away in 2005 at the age of 103 1/2. He and his wife, Frances, who passed away at age 98, are buried in Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, VA.
Stanley never forgot the Bronx YMHA, and he spoke of it to his family and friends often. Stanley’s family, Bruce, and his grandchildren, continue to remember their esteemed relative by generously supporting the Stanley S. Lane Basketball League in his memory so that other Bronx youth can enjoy the Riverdale Y as he did.
