{"id":2200,"date":"2022-06-20T14:51:47","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T14:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2200"},"modified":"2022-06-20T14:51:47","modified_gmt":"2022-06-20T14:51:47","slug":"speaker-adrienne-e-adams-family-members-and-community-residents-unveil-alex-pauline-road","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2022\/06\/20\/2200\/","title":{"rendered":"Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, Family Members, and Community Residents Unveil \u2018Alex Pauline Road\u2019\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"

Queens, NY \u2013\u202f<\/strong>On June 18, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, community residents, friends, and family members gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Alex Pauline, a beloved community figure who mentored young people in the Rochdale Village community. At the street co-naming ceremony, family and friends highlighted the profound impact that Pauline, affectionately known as \u201cCoach Al,\u201d had on neighborhood youth. The intersection of 173rd Street and 134th Road, adjacent to where he grew up in Rochdale Village, has been officially co-named \u201cAlex Pauline Road.\u201d <\/p>\n

Following the street co-naming ceremony, Pauline’s family organized a free basketball clinic at the South Rochdale Playground. Youth participants engaged in basketball and fitness drills, were provided free shirts, and enjoyed free food. Photos of the street co-naming ceremony are attached. <\/p>\n

\u201cAlex Pauline was a selfless community hero who dedicated his life to educating, mentoring, and supporting young people and students,\u201d said Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cThrough basketball and his own nonprofit program, Drug Free That\u2019s Me, \u2018Coach Al\u2019 positively influenced the lives of countless neighborhood youth. His legacy lives on through them, and will be remembered forever with the unveiling of \u201cAlex Pauline Road.\u201d I thank the Pauline family, local elected officials, and community members for gathering to honor Coach Al\u2019s life.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cMe and my family are truly blessed to have had Alex Joseph-Pauline as our king,\u201d said Aleek Pauline<\/strong>, the son of Alex Pauline. \u201cHe has been recognized and received numerous awards for his commitment to our community, but today, we celebrated the biggest honor ever as NYC Speaker Adrienne Adams sponsored the co-naming of 134th Road as \u201cAlex Pauline Road.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cCelebrating the life and contributions to our community of Alex Pauline, \u2018Coach Al,\u2019 lifts up his commitment to our community and his outstanding legacy,\u201d said Senator Leroy Comrie<\/strong>. \u201cCo-naming \u2018Alex Pauline Road\u2019 serves as a testimony to the lives he touched, the young people \u2018Drug Free That\u2019s Me\u2019 impacted, and his lifetime of public service. Thanks to Speaker Adams, the Pauline family, and all who gathered to share the occasion.\u201d <\/p>\n

About Alex Pauline:<\/u><\/strong> <\/p>\n

Mr. Alex Pauline was a well-known figure in Rochdale Village. As a child of \u201cCircle 4,\u201d he grew up playing basketball in South Rochdale Playground with his brothers and friends. This playground and the adjacent school, Public School 80Q, meant everything to Mr. Pauline. His entire extended family attended PS 80Q and as an adult, he never left the area. Mr. Pauline worked as the school custodian, a teacher, and the basketball coach at the school. His workdays began at 7 a.m. in the classroom and ended at 10 p.m. with his custodial work. <\/p>\n

In 1988, Mr. Pauline created a nonprofit basketball program called \u201cDrug Free That\u2019s Me,\u201d which was held on the weekends on the basketball court at South Rochdale Playground. \u201cDrug Free That\u2019s Me\u201d was formed to provide alternatives to drug abuse and crime for young people. The program not only taught basketball and all aspects of the game, but also elevated the importance of education and informed participants of the detrimental effects of drug use. \u201cCoach Al\u201d was a father figure to his students, neighborhood kids, and his basketball players. <\/p>\n

Nine months after Mr. Pauline\u2019s passing in 2019, organized hosted the first annual \u201cDrug Free That\u2019s Me Day in Memory of Al Pauline.\u201d Several players who participated in his program when they were kids attended the event. A local summer basketball tournament, known as B.A.C.E., later presented the \u201cAl Pauline Award\u201d to the player who averaged the most points throughout the tournament. Additionally, Mr. Pauline\u2019s program was featured in the TV One series \u201cUncensored,\u201d which featured NBA star Lamar Odom, who had participated in Coach Al\u2019s program. Many community members still say when they look at PS 80Q, they think of \u201cCoach Al.\u201d <\/p>\n

### <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Queens, NY \u2013\u202f<\/strong>On June 18, Speaker Adrienne E. Adams, community residents, friends, and family members gathered to celebrate the life and legacy of Alex Pauline, a beloved community figure who mentored young people in the Rochdale Village community. At the street co-naming ceremony, family and friends highlighted the profound impact that Pauline, affectionately known as \u201cCoach Al,\u201d had on neighborhood youth.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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