Specially Trained Paramedics Helped Save The Lives Of Two Men After Manhattan’s Crane Collapse Disaster

NEW YORK, March 26, 2008 – The New York Knickerbockers have announced FDNY Rescue Paramedics Marco Girao and Juan Henriquez as the winners of the Sweetwater Clifton “City Spirit” Award for the month of March. 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.

Girao, of Tarrytown, and Henriquez, of Brooklyn, helped save the lives of two trapped men in Manhattan’s crane collapse disaster on Saturday, March 15. One of the men was buried under 30 feet of rubble, forcing rescue crews to dig by hand so they would not cause another collapse. Girao and Henriquez treated the man to prevent crush syndrome, which occurs when a crush victim starts losing circulation to parts of the body turning the blood acidic.

At tonight’s game versus the Miami Heat at Madison Square Garden, Girao and Henriquez will accept the City Spirit Award. They will donate their award money to the Carlos Lillo Memorial Scholarship Fund, a scholarship fund to benefit underprivileged students. Lillo was an FDNY paramedic who lost his life at the World Trade Center collapse during the attacks on September 11, 2001.

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, as well as the legendary Chicago Theatre, and which manages wholly-owned live entertainment properties including the Radio City Rockettes and the Radio City Christmas Spectacular; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and MSG Plus; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

Speculation has begun that Donnie Walsh will be moving into Madison Square Garden once this season has been wrapped up. ESPN reported that the soon-to-be former Indiana Pacer executive will accept the Knicks’ offer of $15 million for three years. One question is why? What has Donnie Walsh done recently to make him the only candidate for a next to impossible rebuilding job? The Pacers have not exactly been the old Celtics of late, and last I checked, have not won a championship since 1971 in the old ABA. Presently, the Pacers are 29-41, third in the division and on the outside looking in for the playoffs, even in the watered down Eastern Conference.Yes, Walsh does have a nice track record in Indiana before the current rebuilding stage. The Pacers have been a perennial playoff  team and Walsh is a highly respected individual. But if James Dolan goes for the first available man, he would be doing himself, the organization and the fans a disservice. It certainly will not be the first time.  

According to a report in the March 19 edition of Newsday, an unnamed Knicks veteran player has suggested that head coach Isiah Thomas has been ‘tanking’ games of late. The player told the reporter, it’s obvious we’re not trying to win now.” Giving this some credibility would be Thomas’ choice for his lineup in the fourth quarter of Monday’s 110-98 loss at Indiana. With the score tied at 83 and nine minutes to go, Thomas sat both Jamaal Crawford (the team’s leading scorer) and Zach Randolph, who had 21 points and 14 boards in the game. The five who went to the floor did not strike fear into the Pacers. Mardy Collins, Fred Jones, Renaldo Balkman, Randolph Morris and Wilson Chandler were outscored 27-15 to send the Knicks to their 48th defeat on the season. Thomas also took Crawford out of the game on Sunday in a home loss to Atlanta. 

Latino Night, presented by Coke Zero, Honors Top Latino Community Leaders

                                        WHERE: Madison Square Garden

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, as well as the legendary Chicago Theatre; MSG Media, which is comprised of MSG and MSG Plus; fuse, the music television network; and the Madison Square Garden arena complex, located in the heart of the New York metropolitan area.

New York Knicks Raise Money for the Garden of Dreams Foundation at

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Garden of Dreams Foundation Promotes Awareness and Hosts Tri-State Area Children in Need

he New York Knickerbockers and New York Rangers will host a weekend of “Garden of Dreams Night” to raise awareness of theGarden of Dreams Foundation. Garden of Dreams is a non-profit organization that works closely with all areas of Madison Square Garden, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Media, MSG Entertainment and fuse to “make dreams come true for kids in crisis.”

Garden of Dreams weekend will continue at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, March 9, at the Rangers-Bruins game. Children from SCO Family of Services and the Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Hudson Valley will attend pre game warm ups and watch the game from a catered suite. Fifteen children from SCO Family of Services will have the opportunity to meet MSG announcers when they visit a MSG broadcasting booth and one child from Make-A-Wish Foundation Hudson Valley will participate in a ceremonial puck drop prior to the game.

WHO: Children and Representatives from Garden of Dreams Partner Organizations

John Starks, Knicks Legend and Alumni Relations Advisor

Cal Ramsey, Knicks Director, Special Projects and Community Relations

Rod Gilbert, Rangers Legend

Nick Fotiu, Rangers Legend

Dave Maloney, MSG Media Radio Analyst

WHAT: Garden of Dreams Awareness Weekend

WHERE: Madison Square Garden

WHEN: Saturday, March 8, 2008 – 7:30 p.m. - NY Knicks vs. Portland Trailblazers

Madison Square Garden, L.P. is owned by Cablevision Systems Corporation, and 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.

The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non profit charity that works closely with all areas of Madison Square Garden, including the Knicks, Rangers, Liberty, MSG Entertainment, MSG Media and fuse to “make dreams come true for kids in crisis”. Garden of Dreams partners with local children’s hospitals, “wish” organizations and community-based organizations to build on-going, unforgettable programs for children in the tri-state area who are suffering from devastating illness, homelessness, abuse, hunger, extreme poverty and tragedy. 

WHO: Knicks City Dancers

Knicks City Kids

300 Members from Dance Studios Nationwide

Michelle Harris, Manager, Entertainment Marketing, New York Knicks

Lauren Trusty, Head Coach, Entertainment & Dance Teams, New York Knicks

WHAT: Knicks City Dancers Dance Team Challenge, presented by the United States Tournament of Dance, Inc. (USTD)

During the months of January and February, members of the Knicks City Dancers have traveled around the nation to teach aspiring dancers authentic routines. Dancers, ages 8-25, from 11 dance studios around the nation, have been participating in amateur workshops taught by Knicks City Dancers for the opportunity to compete for a chance to perform on one of the largest stages, Madison Square Garden’s court. The winning studio will perform on March 24th when the New York Knicks host the New Jersey Nets.

Members of the Knicks City Dancers will serve as judges and present the winners with their prize at the awards ceremony following the competition. Both the Knicks City Dancers and Knicks City Kids will also give special opening and closing performances.

Tickets are still available for this event. Contact Michelle Harris for details, michelle.harris@thegarden.com or (212) 465-6435.

WHERE: The Grand Ballroom at The Manhattan Center, New York, NY311 West 34th Street, Between Eighth and Ninth Avenues, Seventh Floor

WHEN: Sunday, March 2, Noon – 3:00 p.m.Doors open to public at 1:00 p.m.KCD opening performance at 2:00 p.m.