TALKING SPORTS

Hoops honor Audra Sipple-Spath

Part one

BY TED WADELL
Posted 2/22/23

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — “Orange was Audra’s favorite color, so we wanted to bring a lot of sunshine, keep everybody happy,” said Barb Smith, chairperson of the newly launched Audra Sipple-Spath Scholarship Fund.

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TALKING SPORTS

Hoops honor Audra Sipple-Spath

Part one

Posted

LAKE HUNTINGTON, NY — “Orange was Audra’s favorite color, so we wanted to bring a lot of sunshine, keep everybody happy,” said Barb Smith, chairperson of the newly launched Audra Sipple-Spath Scholarship Fund.

The fund was created in honor of the former Livingston Manor first-grade teacher at the “Home of the Wildcats.” 

“Audra was a very kind, giving, compassionate person, and she wanted to keep giving to people,” said Smith. “That’s why we started the scholarship,” which was formally approved by Livingston Manor in December 2022.

On February 11, the Sullivan West High School gymnasium was packed for a series of games of hoops billed as a “benefit basketball day” in tribute of the beloved teacher, who passed from this earth on April 5, 2022 at the age of 54.

The stands looked like a sea of bright orange, as many of the attendees and coaches sported orange T-shirts in recognition of the special hoopfest. In attendance were Audra’s husband John and their daughter Karlee, one of their 21-year-old twin daughters, graduates of the Sullivan West Class of 2019.

Taking center court, John Spath spoke to the crowd during the boys’ varsity game between the Sullivan West Bulldogs and the Wildcats of Livingston Manor.

“Audra was such a bright, shining light in so many people’s lives. She was also a student athlete in her high school career. Her love for education and sports makes this event that much more meaningful to our family… Audra loved her Wildcat family just as she loved the Bulldog family.”

In the third game of the day, the Sullivan West Bulldogs boys’ varsity team (7-9), coached by John Meyers, took on the Wildcats of Livingston Manor (1-12), helmed by Charlie Hicks.

In all four frames, Sullivan West outpaced the opposition (13-5, 23-10, 13-9 and 14-0)

At the final buzzer, the Bulldogs defeated Manor 63-24.

For more information about, or to contribute to, the Audra Sipple-Spath Scholarship fund, call chairperson Barb Smith at 914/799-0473 or email Bsmith12@hvc.rr.com.

Audra Sipple-Spath, orange, livingston manor, wildcats, sullivan west, bulldogs

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