Category: Celebrations

Celebrations of local hoopers from Grand Rapids, MI.

RIP Danny Nap

Spin That Rock around for Uncle Dan

Published by Legacy Remembers on Feb. 23, 2025.
Daniel Thomas Napieralski, age 70, passed away peacefully, Wednesday, February 19, 2025. He was preceded in death by his wife, Christine (Schab) Napieralski; mother, Pauline, father, Florian, and siblings Mary, Dee, Chuck, Richard, Pat, Paul, Bob, John, Agnes, and Flo. He is survived by his children, Michael Napieralski (Paige Underwood) and Elizabeth Napieralski (Johnny Pink); grandchildren Frankie Trinity, Olive Mae, Nora June, and Corbin Prince; and siblings Ray Napieralski, William Napieralski, Jerry Napieralski, and Anne (Napieralski) Karnik.

Daniel came from a large and loving Polish family and was #13 of 15 siblings. He married his high school sweetheart, Christine, in 1975. They remained happily married for 42 years. In Grand Rapids, Daniel ran NAPS Office Supply, before relocating to Cave Creek, AZ in 1985. He owned and operated Action Office Supply in Arizona until his retirement in 2021 and then relocated to Santa Fe, NM.

Daniel was an avid bowler throughout much of life, winning League Championships 1981 and 1985. Daniel was also enjoyed horse and dog racing and was renowned as the first off-track betting teller in the state of Arizona. He became known to many as “Dog Man Dan.” Always good for a laugh, Daniel had a great sense of humor and wry wit. When not tending to business, Daniel was a baseball enthusiast who frequented Arizona Diamondbacks games; and a familiar face at the casino where he relished the “ching” of the slot machines.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society, https://csn.cancer.org/. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled later this year.

The more you know about…Money.

Isaac is the first & only player in the Gr3g League to have played in 30 games.
(17 with City of Bridges & 13 with Greyline Nines, including the 2021 Championship.)
-hard-working single father of 2
-cousin to the Commish & RossTy
-recruited RossTy, PorterHouse, Gustafson, GRCCedar
-heir to the Michigan Murders & Music podcast dynasty
-wears #10 for Dennis Rodman (pictured here in #11)
-our favorite player in the League

The Masked Hooper: The RAM (Season 1, Episode 1)

Guess hoops The RAM is?

Winning guesses received within 48 hours of premiere receive a prize from Silly Jilly Thrift via Bingo Hopper Bonanza!

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Thank you for your response. ✨












BeerCitySports’ inaugural Hall of Fame Class

BeerCitySports is proud to announce our inaugural Hall of Fame inductees, the Class of 2019.

Induction Ceremony to take place at the Roll-It-Out Skating Fundraiser for HQ on February 17th at the Kentwood Fun Spot. Tickets are available here.

Posthumously:

  • Chris Napieralski
  • “Uncle Bob” Schab
  • Pete Camp

GC’s Originals:

  • 1986-87 St. Paul the Apostle Cougars
  • Those Langley Boys (1987 Gus Macker)

Current Legends:

  • Michael “Pops” Sims
  • Allen “The Hulk” Durham
  • Marco Wilkinson

Anybody but (Derek) Anderson….I don’t know his first name.

Chris Napieralski on The 3-Point Turn podcast talking Arizona Cardinals football

 

Allen Durham wins back-to-back Best Import award in Philippines Basketball

For the second straight season, Allen Durham has taken home the award for Best Import in the Philippines Basketball Association.

After taking home the award last season, the former Grace Bible College standout returned to the islands this year and averaged 27.8 points, 19.4 rebounds and 7.1 assists while helping the Meralco Bolts back to the PBA Finals. Durham shot 49% from the field, 45% from behind the 3-point arc and 70% from the free throw line in nearly 40 minutes per game during conference play.

Meralco returned to the PBA Finals against rival Ginabray but find themselves in a 2-0 deficit heading into Game 3 on Wednesday.

Durham is the first player since Gabe Freeman, the winner of the Best Import in 2009 and 2010, to win back-to-back awards.

The 3-Point Turn: The Legacy of Michael Sanders

Finding a way through the world after the loss of a loved one is quite possibly the most difficult task to take on. Elizabeth Sanders has accepted that challenge and excelled at making sure her late husband’s legacy lives on.

Michael Sanders was an avid basketball player who grew up in the Wilcox Park neighborhood. His love for the game was only matched by his devotion to his family. After his cancer diagnosis in 2014, Michael fought the good fight and made sure that Elizabeth knew she was loved and would be taken care of. That fight lasted 18 months. On July 26, 2016, this world lost that fighter. But his legacy lives on.

Elizabeth set up a Patronicity campaign aimed at raising $12,500 in Michael’s name to be donated to update and reinvent the basketball courts at Wilcox Park, a place Mike was known to trash-talk the best of the trash-talkers. On September 11th, the campaign went live. Within three days, the goal had been reached and the Michigan Economic Development Coalition had agreed to match the $12,500 for a grand total of $25,000. But, the campaign was not over yet. With an closing fundraising date of November 10, 2017, we still have the opportunity to help raise funds for even more projects at Wilcox Park. While the original goal was to honor Mike and update the courts, there’s possibility of upgrading the bathroom facilities, the lighting and more. Oh yeah, there’s going to be a bench for us old fogies.

Campaign raises over $12500 in 3 days in honor of Michael Sanders

While Elizabeth is doing all she can to keep Mike’s legacy alive, she’s also jumping at the chance to chase her dreams, something her husband was adamant about. She’s currently researching and schooling herself in Thai Massage and Yoga (you’ll see her soon at Yoga Fever in GR), running and writing the flyoverwidow blog and looking to self-publish her new book (yet to be titled).

Listen to the podcast to hear her real emotions and the love that she has in her heart.

Maybe you’ll join us at the dedication on the basketball court at Wilcox Park and trash-talk the writer of this article. Hopefully, you’ll join us on the brick roads of Eastown to raise a glass and cheers Michael. We hope to see you there.

 

(photo courtesy of Abbey Moore Photography)

Rex Reed Roundball Ruckus honors late teacher from Kenowa Hills

Samuel Reed is a local hip-hop musician who not only preaches, but teaches his love of God, family and friends.

Every summer since 2010, he’s put on an annual 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the Roundball Ruckus, honoring his late father, Rex Reed, a former educator and coach in the Kenowa Hills school district. This year’s tournament was held at his “International Office of Creativity” near Walker Ave. and 4 Mile Road on July 16th.

“It all started with my dad, Rex J Reed, who inspired me in and through the game of basketball (among other things), as well as many of my friends.”

After his dad’s passing in 2009, the younger Reed wanted to honor the man who taught him so much about life through the basketball court. So he decided to start this annual tournament to remember him by, as well as keep some of the close friends “in touch”.

Samuel told us that many of the people who loved to be out on the court with Rex had stopped playing as much since then. He also noticed a decline in outdoor play as a whole, which he blames more on the internet, generational changes and the availability of cost-efficient indoor courts.

Reed spoke of his desire to “be all about REAL outdoor three on three backyard basketball.”

A jack of many trades, Samuel makes most of the trophy hardware by hand and prints the t-shirts in his own shop.

“We have always given at least $100 to the winners, and two years ago we gave $200, since we had a better turn out.” 2016 saw the rains come in early in the day and wash out most of the competition. This year was much different with the clouds opening up and the sun shining down on the court.