On July 31, the City of North Myrtle Beach recognized Coach Joe Lategano for his years of dedication to parks and recreation activities. A basketball court at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center is now known as Joe Lategano Court.
Coach Joe began volunteering with the North Myrtle Beach Parks & Recreation Department in 1993.
He organized and conducted the “Summer Slam” basketball camp each summer for more than a decade. More than 500 children participated in this free basketball camp.
Coach Joe led and coached the rookie basketball program for 20 years. This was a basketball program for kids ages 5 to 6. It introduced them to the game of basketball. Over 750 children participated in the rookie basketball program.
Coach Joe also served many years as a volunteer basketball referee. He would attend games nightly and speak with parents and children.
When it came to basketball, Joe was not an outsider looking in. He graduated from St. Francis College in 1954, where he lettered in basketball.
Joe also served as a league commissioner for the Parks & Recreation Department, organizing basketball and baseball leagues.
In 2007, City Council appointed coach Joe to the North Myrtle Beach Recreation Commission. He became chairman of the commission in 2007 and continues that service today.
Coach Joe is also very active as a sports ambassador, having welcomed hundreds of people to north myrtle beach at our many sports tourism events.
On a more personal note, Joe’s wife, Mary, passed away in 2005. As Mayor Marilyn Hatley said during her talk about Joe, "We know she is looking down today, so proud of and excited for her husband."
Joe’s dog, Buddy, passed away around 2006. It's important to note because Joe would always walk around the Central Park Fields at night with Buddy, talking to children and parents while games and practices were going on.That is how most of the parents and kids came to know Joe back then.
Joe has two daughters, Christyne and Barbara, and five grandchildren.
Joe’s commitment to his nation and his community did not begin and end with sports. He served two years in the U.S. Army and three years as a reserve in the Marines. He also served in the Korean War.
We thank Coach Joe for all that he has given to the North Myrtle Beach community. We are certainly a better community for having him in our midst!
For more event photos, visitwww.Facebook.com/cityofnmb
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