Special player vignettes and halftime entertainment also included as part of the Knicks

NEW YORK, February 27, 2008 – The New York Knicks culminate its Celebration of Black History Month, presented by Amtrak, by announcing it will make a $10,000 donation to support the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). UNCF is one of the oldest and most successful private minority education assistance organizations, and the Knicks are honored to be a part in their continued success. At tonight’s game versus the Charlotte Bobcats, Knicks Alumni Relations Advisor John Starks and representatives from Amtrak will present the donation to Frederick Myers, Area Development Director, Corporations and Fred D. Mitchell, Northeast Regional Development Director, Northern Field Operations for UNCF.

As the nation’s oldest and most successful private minority education assistance organization, the United Negro College Fund’s mission is to increase minority degree attainment by providing financial support to its 39 member institutions, reducing financial barriers to college and serving as a national advocate for minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. For 35 years, UNCF has been known by its iconic motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”^® Learn more about UNCF at www.uncf.org.

Knicks Poetry Slam Program to Announce Important Partnership With Mercy College

NEW YORK, February 26, 2008 – The New York Knicks and Mercy College announced today a joint initiative with the Knicks Poetry Slam Program to provide local teens with the opportunity to earn a four-year college scholarship for the 2008-09 school year.

“We are so pleased that Mercy College will be teaming with the Knicks next season for such an important and worthy cause – to continue educating and giving a voice to tomorrow’s leaders,” said Karin Buchholz, vice president, community relations and fan development for the Knicks. “Knicks Poetry Slam is one of our most valued programs, and we are continually touched by the heart and dedication of the participants. Each year, through their poems, they astound us with their talent, humor, candor and resilience.”

The Knicks Poetry Slam Program supports tri-state area teenagers seeking higher education and provides them with a forum to nurture their passion for the written word. This year, the program is awarding the winner of the “Smith Barney ‘Reason I Write’ Essay Contest” with a full tuition four-year scholarship to the University of Wisconsin. The Mercy College scholarship will be awarded at the culmination of next year’s Knicks Poetry Slam Program.

“Mercy College is so pleased to be collaborating with the New York Knicks in the annual Poetry Slam,” said Michael Sperling, Mercy’s Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. “This program offers an opportunity to hundreds of New York high school students and rewards their creativity and motivation. We are delighted to be able to support the New York Knicks and their outreach to students all across the city.”

Tonight, the 2007-08 Knicks Poetry Slam Finals will be held at the Manhattan Center’s Grand Ballroom from 7:00-9:00 p.m. Knicks playersJamal Crawford, Nate Robinson and Malik Rose and Knicks Legend Earl Monroe and Knicks Alumni Relations Advisor John Starkswill host a reception from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Fifteen students are competing in the finals for prizes including educational grants, laptops and printers, valued at more than $100,000. For more information, please log on to www.knickspoetryslam.com to print your free ticket voucher.

3 PM Eastern time passed very quietly at 2 pennsylvania Plaza on February 21st. Isiah Thomas, who had earlier said that he was not looking to do much at the NBA Trading Deadline, did just that and the roster remained intact for the remainder of the season.  Look at the bright side, at least they didn’t take on another big contract. 

Knicks Partner With “BREATHE EASY. PLAY HARD.” To Host Basketball Skills And Asthma Awareness Clinic

NEW YORK, February 22, 2008 – The New York Knicks join the “Breathe Easy. Play Hard.” Youth Asthma Awareness program to promote the importance of good health and asthma awareness today at Madison Square Garden. The Knicks will host a basketball skills clinic designed to help raise awareness for asthma. Knicks Alumni John Starks, New York Liberty Alumni Kym Hampton and Knicks staff members will lead more than 50 boys and girls in fun drills, stretching, shooting, running and dribbling demonstrations.

New York Members of First African-American Military Flight Team to be Honored in

NEW YORK, February 19, 2008 – In celebration of Black History Month, the New York Knickerbockers have announced the world-renowned Tuskegee Airmenas the winners of the Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award for the month of February. The award, named in honor of Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who was the first African-American to play for the Knicks, recognizes those who have made a significant difference in the lives of others. Each month, a winner is chosen by members of the Knicks front office staff and honored at center court of a Knicks game. The winner will receive a $2,000 donation in their name to a charity of their choice from the New York Knicks.

The Tuskegee Airmen are America’s first African-American pilots, bombardiers, navigators and support personnel trained during World War II. Also known as “The Red Tails,“ they distinguished themselves in combat during the war. On March 29, 2007, President Bush awarded them the prestigious Congressional Gold Medal.

At Friday night’s game versus the Toronto Raptors, the Tuskegee Airmen will accept the City Spirit Award at Madison Square Garden. They will donate the award money to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.’s (TAI) National Youth Program, a program that introduces young people to the world of aviation and science. TAI is a non-profit organization that focuses on providing annual scholarships and awards to deserving individuals, groups and corporations whose deeds lend support to its goals. TAI also gives awards to deserving cadets in the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps.

To nominate your hero, or to read more about this month’s winners and other past winners, please visit nyknicks.com.

The NBA’s New York Knickerbockers basketball team, in its 62nd year of operation, is part of Madison Square Garden, L.P. Cablevision Systems Corporation owns Madison Square Garden, L.P., which includes the New York Knicks (NBA); the New York Rangers (NHL); the New York Liberty (WNBA); the Hartford Wolf Pack (American Hockey League); MSG Entertainment, which includes concerts and events at Radio City Music Hall, Madison Square Garden, The WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, and the Beacon Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and FSN New York; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

An entertaining and close NBA All-Star Game occurred on Sunday evening in New Orleans, with LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers taking home the MVP Trophy. Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics was just as good, if not better, than his conference counterpart. Allen a reserve,  poured in 28 points and was 5-for-9 from downtown, including a few threes in the waning minutes. James started the game and scored 27 points, but his thunderous dunk in the final minute that solidified him winning the honors.The New York Knicks did not have a representative at the game.  

The Knicks dropped their seventh straight game on Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, the latest defeat at the hands of the Indiana Pacers, 103-100. Strong games from Zach Randolph and Jamaal Crawford were for naught as the visiting club pulled away in the late stages of the contest.

After losing all five on a west coast swing, the Knicks have come up on the short end in the last two at home. Next up are the reigning NBA champion San Antonio Spurs on Friday evening before the Knicks embark on another road trip.

The Knicks have to feel grateful, even in the midst of a five-game skid. Because of the success of the Giants and Omar Minaya, Isiah Thomas and his merry men have gotten a pass lately. Who has time to rip the Knicks when there’s a Super Bowl to be played and an introductory press conference coming up to announce the Mets have acquired baseball’s top hurler?

On SBXLII eve, while all the partygoers did it up in Arizona, the Knicks wrapped up their west coast trip with another defeat, this time by one point to the Seattle Supersonics, 86-85. That makes it five out of five, with the prior losses coming against the Warriors, Lakers, Jazz and Trailblazers.

After the hoopla of the Giants dies down (win or lose in the big game), and the tabloids tire of Johan Santana’s money counter, the Knicks will have more of a presence in the media. That’s when Isiah will begin to really feel the flames.