the staff of The Ridgewood Blog
Ridgewood J, Citing: 1) alleged violations of NJ State laws concerning the consumption of alcohol on school grounds, 2) the failure to obtain requisite permits from the Ridgewood Board of Education (BOE), and 3) the receipt of numerous complaints from area residents regarding excessive noise and alcohol use during games, the Ridgewood Board of Education recently served a cease and desist order to organizers of the “Beer Money Basketball League.”
Two (2) League representatives spoke during Monday night’s BOE meeting questioning why they’d been served with the cease and desist order.
Interim BOE School Business Administrator Kathryn Davenport responded by outlining the primary reasons behind the legal notice. Davenport supported the Board’s concerns about alcohol use by circulating hard copies of multiple photographs taken at the George Washington Middle School, posted on the League’s own Facebook page, of spectators consuming alcohol in violation of NJ State law. In addition, she indicated that her e-mail inbox had been “flooded” with complaints from residents living near George Washington about noise during the pick-up basketball games.
BOE member Saurabh Dani told the organizers that although the District had received no complaints about the League’s games interfering with any school sanctioned activities, established policy required the League to obtain all requisite permit(s), and obey rules that strictly prohibit consuming alcohol on school properties.
https://www.facebook.com/BeerMoneyBasketballLeague?mibextid=LQQJ4d
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A bunch of dumbass white men playing pick up ball and getting drunk on school grounds in the process. And the Ridgewood police never noticed anything suspicious? I wonder why? Hmm.
you have a problem with white men? asshole racist
No problem with white men. I’m dating a married white guy. Just stating the facts. Every single basketball player in their posted photos is a white guy.
This is simply incorrect. Maybe the photos you’ve seen but there are plenty of members of this league that are of different races. But you will continue to judge a book by its cover. Classic.
Don’t play thus racists game… The racist wants to argue with you over photographs and not about his Racism and anti-white bigotry. Don’t fall into his diversionary trap.
You’re dating a married white guy? Seems ethical.
don’t fall for this diversionary trap. the Racist mentions dating a white married guy (probably a diversionary lie, but irrelevant nonetheless) just to divert from his RACIST statements and anti-white stance. Don’t fall for the diversion.
Wait, you’re DATING a married guy? You seem like a good person.
Did we ever get an updated on this commenter dating a married white man? Does his wife know about this? Please come forward ma’am.
then watch television EVERY actor in TV commercial is black Even the voice over
you’re dating a married guy?????
I know!!! If only they weren’t white men! We need more beer leagues for marginalized groups!!!
Nice racism bro
Your a loser
I’m in Northern California and we’d only heard positive things about this “beer league”. Seems like a lot to do over nothing. Let these healthy lads run the courts of Ridgewood and sip their Bud Light!! Let them play!
You must be black🤣🤣🤣
So, let me get this straight. The fools were so confident they were untouchable that they posted photos of their illegal drinking on social media? What a bunch of morons.
Why so afraid to show your name? A keyboard warrior like you read about. Coward.
And your name is?
Prince. Yeah. That’s your real name. Coward.
Well, no… you did not get it straight. No one thought they were untouchable. We were never confronted in 10 YEARS by anyone about our league. Therefore, we thought there was no issues. HUNDREDS of Ridgewood residents have come to enjoy watching our games on Sundays over the years. If they all thought it was really that bad, wouldn’t they have reported it to someone? The answer is no because they understood it was a harmless, fun, competitive league. A bunch of morons that grew a league to over 100 players from all over NJ, including opening multiple new branches of the league in college towns, and other cities. You DO NOT know what you are talking about.
100%
We should be happy to see these guys play pickup hoop games. It brings quite a few residents to come and watch. A few beers? Give me a break who cares.
Your league didn’t get shut down. Your use of Ridgewood School basketball courts was shut down. Take your league to another court and enjoy yourselves…
BOE should sue them for back rent.
Rent for an outdoor court?
Yes. Permit required for use by organized groups.
Permit and rent are 2 completely different things.
White boy entitlement. If it had been a bunch of black men, there would have been a SWAT team called to arrest them all. Typical Ridgewood.
and deservedly so
What an absurd/racist remark. Disgusting truly.
You’re talking about this comment, correct?
“A bunch of dumbass white men playing pick up ball and getting drunk on school grounds in the process. “
If so, I wholeheartedly agree.
Would you like the contact information of all the non white players in the league? We would be happy to tell you about how safe and included we feel! Stop making it about color.
Don’t fall into the Racist’s diversionary trap. They are anti-white Racists and don’t care about facts. they want you to talk about photographs and “defend” your position rather than talk about THEIR RACIST statements and attitudes. Don’t fall for the diversion.
You never complain about the all black NFL or NBA teams.
Lets see some ‘diversity’ and get some asians indians whites on the teams even if they don’t meet the ‘standards’. take that and stuff it where the sun doesnt shine you racist
if they were black (or better yet gender challenged) they would be getting money from the BOE, the Village Council and national agitators AND your idiot neighbors would be supporting them and calling YOU a RACIST.
Wake UP.
Black Privilege is America’s reality today.
How was this allowed for 10 years and how did they get access to play indoors at GW?
Its the outdoor court
There are photos of them playing in the gym – but no alcohol.
Yes they rented the gym time for any time you see them in there. Please get your facts straight.
Security camera footage should reveal who opened the doors for them at GW. Investigation should take place to determine if someone was paid off.
They never broke into the school. The league was played outdoors at the school. Please educate yourself before making obscene comments like this.
No, you’re wrong- There are numerous photos on their Facebook page of them playing on the indoor GW court. You can clearly see the “GW” painted on the floor.
There are photos of them playing indoors too.
Educate yourself. Check Facebook
And they rented that gym time legally. Check the records please.
This was allowed for ten years because it was a fun community-oriented gathering and people ten years ago were not petty a$$holes.
any other question?
Tempest in a teapot
Lets be consistent in town with public alcohol consumption. Start checking the red cups at Vets Tues and Thursday nights .
You sound like a fun person in life
This is school property. Vets is town property. Maybe different policies
Correct!
Schools are not for basketball.
Schools are for indoctrinating and grooming our children
I was crying laughing when Davenport pulled photos from their own Facebook page showing drinking at GW. Absurd. Reality is that it sounds like this organization just got too big for its own good. 12 guys can meet up and play. 80 guys playing a league need a legal structure. They need to form a corporation and get insurance–not to mention enforce rules regarding drinking, etc. The sad part is that it actually is a really good thing to have groups like this so people spend time IRL together but the tax payers cannot be burdened with the liability and there are rules.
You need to get out of the matrix bro
All Friday evening games at school grounds have alcohol consumption.
Every other student sitting on those bleachers is drinking alcohol on school grounds.
Police knows about drug deals and does nothing.
Correct.
Nice logo. The bikini clad woman says it all about these guys. Somethings never change.
You’re a joke
Correct. Somethings never change. Just like people like you who love to get involved in a situation that has zero impact on their lives.
would a man wearing a thong in rainbow colors be more to your liking
What does it exactly say about these guys? That they like girls? Is that an issue?
Yeah!
The nerve of these Guys liking bikini clad girls.
What deviance.
We need to force the beer league to have bikini-clad men or state that the bikini-clad woman is transgender…. then everything will be acceptable.
A lot of cowards here using anonymous accounts to post cowardly comments about a great league. How come all of you didn’t hear about it for 10 years? 1. You might be a hermit (unsocial, and that’s OK!) and 2. There was never 1 complaint over the years. Davenports inbox was NOT “flooded” with thank yous. They didn’t know about this until 1 week ago after a decade!
And your real name is?
Jimbo Fisher.
Are you blind?
see my Wikipedia page:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimbo_Fisher
So what you are saying is, since they didn’t get caught for ten years, it’s ok ?!?!?
Still not legal to consume alcohol on school grounds.
So someone finally complained? Maybe they should just play basketball and go to a bar after. Simple solution.
Did you actually watch the meeting? That was part of their solution. To obtain a permit and have a zero-tolerance alcohol rule in place. Simple solution.
Its MEDICINAL ALCOHOL.
Don’t be a science denier.
Not sure what the big uproar is for. Sounds like kids just trying to have fun.
Correct Clark.
Kids? No. Adults
It’s a war in da comments
So many Karen’s in the comment section wow
There’s a lot of bad going on in the world right now, and I am not sure that 20-some year olds playing basketball and drinking a few beers is one of them. This isn’t something that is harmful or violent or malicious, it’s a basketball league…. The world needs more stuff like this to bring people together. No matter race, religion, or creed everyone on that basketball court is there to play ball with their team or enjoy beers with friends. Tough look to villanize these kids who are brought together by their love for the game of basketball. I see a lot of comments bringing race into this situation which is completely off base, and if that is your reason for not liking this league then maybe you should look inward at your own internalized racism. I see nothing wrong with letting these guys enjoy the game they love and encouraging our youth to do the same (minus the drinking if you are underage). Sports are a powerful thing and in a world that beats you up and spits you out it is good that these guys are building a community that they can always rely on. Encourage passion!! Encourage sports!! Encourage community!!
There’s a lot of bad going on in the world right now, and I am not sure that 20-some year olds playing basketball and drinking a few beers is one of them. This isn’t something that is harmful or violent or malicious, it’s a basketball league…. The world needs more stuff like this to bring people together. No matter race, religion, or creed everyone on that basketball court is there to play ball with their team and enjoy beers with friends. Tough look to villanize these kids who are brought together by their love for the game of basketball. I see a lot of comments brining race into this situation which completely off base, and if that is your reason for not liking this league then maybe you should look inward at your own internalized racism. I see nothing wrong with letting these guys enjoy the game they love and encouraging our youth to do the same (minus the drinking if you are underage). Sports are a powerful thing and in a world that beats you up and spits you out it is good that these guys are building a community that they can always rely on. Encourage passion!! Encourage sports!! Encourage community!!
These guys probably aren’t even vaccinated!!! Can we get a vax check on all these players stat!!
I bet some of these guys aren’t even vaccinated!!! Can we get a vaccine report on these guys STAT!!
The only rational person at this meeting was MR. Saurabh Dani.
The league will institute a zero tolerance policy for alcohol on school premises, obtain a permit and continue to be a good thing for the area. Yes, I say a good thing as these young men are driving business in town before and after their games.
– Regularly visit wilkes and other delis/small businesses in town
– I could see them forming a partnership with one of the local small bars to be a gathering spot for after games/etc.
For those concerned over court time – there are 5 elementary schools and 2 middle schools, and multiple parks in town with access to courts.
All in all – sports and leagues are good for both the players (friendships, exercise, etc.) and the town. I see a beneficial resolution to this issue in the near future.
But VAPING will be allowed.
Probably Celebrated.
For many, this league is a way for them to spend their summer playing with their buddies and having a good time. Yes, the alcohol on school grounds is a problem, but if they remove that and obtain the necessary paperwork for the court, it’s a fun time.
Trust me, I am one of the league members and a graduate of Ridgewood High School. The fellas are just trying to have some fun. Obviously, they didn’t know that there would be a problem with permits and alcohol consumption since this league was being played during the summer when schools are closed.
It’s great for the community, we get guys that are from the area to convert to this league who not only want to play but have a good time and talk to their friends. We even have parents come to the game sometimes and they never had a problem at all.
The league will get the right papers and will follow the laws. We believe we can have a great relationship with the town to make this league bigger than it already is.
That sounds like exactly the right solution.
As for building ties, a fun event might be to have each of the adult leagues in town assemble an all-star team to face off, league against league. Maybe winners play the HS team or something. Raise a few bucks for charity in the process.
Talk about ass h!’’”””s , you ever seen the village workers at one of the local bars in town on a Friday afternoon. What a bunch of losers and crying babies talking about fellow workers and their bosses. Wow! What Big mouths .
Apparently your going to the bar in the afternoon also ! Drunk , let the boys blowoff some steam , it happens in every work environment, obviously you have know idea what it takes to keep this town running , people should keep their mouths shut if they don’t know what goes on !
It seems you’re in the bar too on Friday afternoons! This happens in all work environments. I would assume it’s a lot of work that goes into keeping Ridgewood running. I, for one appreciate the village workers.
Let the boys play, obviously there wasn’t a problem for the last ten years. Seems like this country is getting more communistic but the day. Back in my day we wanted the kids to go out and play.
1000% correct
Let them play
Let me drink my beer and watch the games
Life is too short to sweat the small stuff.
The town is becoming Russia in the 50’s, communistic state run by the elite. The fact the school board finds joy from trying to ruin the kids having fun is disgusting. To all the Karen’s in the comments, no your kids won’t make varsity this year so this league is the next best thing to seeing your xe/xer child getting burn time
Ridgewood is becoming Cuba in the 80’s, communistic state run by the elite. The fact the school board finds joy from trying to ruin the kids having fun is disgusting. To all the Karen’s in the comments, no your kids won’t make varsity this year so this league is the next best thing to seeing your xe/xer child getting burn time
Timing is clearly not the issue. It is obvious how much this league means to these young men. If they go through the correct permit process, they should be allowed to continue. Be better Ridgewood…..go Thunderbirds.
It’s clear how much this league means to these gentlemen. TIMING IS NOT AN ISSUE. Let them go through the proper permit process and play. Alliteration aside, they’ll take their chances. Be better Ridgewood. Go Thunderbirds
Even I, a 70 year old woman who knows nothing about ball games and sporting events, know that these young men deserve to participate in their athletic social gatherings. I’ve lived in Ridgewood for over 40 years, and fully support the BOE… but this is just too far. First, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how handsome the young men looked on the zoom device. Their soft, yet mature features made me feel things I haven’t felt since… (I digress). These young men are bringing life and joy to our community. Again, I normally would be against rambunctious behavior. However, upon my grandson showing me their basketball digital page, I knew I had to say something. What I saw was magic. Brotherhood and love combined with high basketball IQ, creative playmaking, and of course… supurb 3 point shooting. Heck, in my day, we didn’t even have the 3pt shot! How times have changed… And now, coming off of the heartbreak that was the covid-19 pandemic, the town wants to further isolate our minds, bodies, and spirits?! I hope the BOE does the right thing and LET THE BOYS PLAY! I fully trust they will.
love all these fake comments
what is this drunk gay basketball???
The village is done, what an embarrassment, the villages, across-the-board. The village used to be leaders, no more their followers. Upper management controls everyone like puppets what a shame.
all about the money both for the league and the schools
Almost half the league are apart of the LGBQT community… is the Ridgewood board of Ed discriminating against them??
If you’re wearing uniforms, you ain’t playing pickup ball.
This was an organized league that flouted some basic rules/laws.
Drinking beer out of a shoe on school grounds. Classy group.