THE JASPERS
HILLSDALE
Rod Stewart is crooning over the speakers in the Pascack Valley
gymnasium. Practice is mellow, like the music, for Jeff Jasper’s girls
basketball team. Jasper, a North Jersey coaching legend if ever
there is one, is guiding the girls through a basic catch-and-shoot
drill. It’s late in the season and this is just a way to stay fresh.
Then, the special guests come and the intensity level picks
up. Jack and Charlie Jasper, ages 3-and-a-half and 2, respectively,
arrive along with Indians assistant coach Justin Jasper. Jack and
Charlie have small orange basketballs they heave at the basket or
dribble imperfectly. Their blue and orange shoes squeak lightly on
the polished floor.
The boys know not to bother “Pops” while he’s conducting
practice, but as soon as it ends, they all come together near
the scorers’ table. Sometimes “Lolo,” the boys’ grandmother,
Lois, comes to watch and have fun.
“The other day I think they had the whole team playing with
blocks,” Justin says with a smile.
Three generations of Jaspers in one gym. Jeff – yes, he’s “Pops”
– calls out to a friend, “This is like the circle of life.”
Jeff Jasper has spent his life teaching back cuts, ball screens
and rebounding. But this season, with Justin, one of his three sons,
serving as an assistant for the first time with the Indians, and see-
ing his grandkids frolic underfoot has given him a lesson on what
matters.
“It puts everything in total perspective for me,” Jeff says. “It
is basketball, which is my passion certainly, but when these two
little munchkins come in here, just knowing they are there gives
me such a comfort level that is really sweet.”
Justin, one of three children to Je ff and Lois, had been an
assistant coach at Pascack Hills for four seasons and is a teacher
in Montvale. When an opening developed at Pascack Valley, Jeff
approached him about coming on board.
“It didn’t seem real, but you know, after some negotiations…”
Justin says smiling again, “it was really a no-brainer to come out
and be a part of this.”
It became a three-for-one deal, because what grandparent is
going to turn away a grandkid? Like, ever.
Jeff is quick to note Justin’s contributions to the Indians
season with his insights and knowledge. He also seems to truly
enjoy having his son be able to relate to him on a whole new
level.
Jack and Charlie just make it that much more fun for every-
one.
“The circle goes on,” Jeff says. “He and [son] Geremy were
always here a lot, and Lois was my first assistant coach. That’s
why this whole thing is so funny. My kids were raised in the
back gym on big wheels and chocolate donuts, now we’re still
doing what we’re doing, my kids [first] and now my grandkids.
It’s so beautiful.”
The natural question is, will Jack and Charlie play basketball?
Jeff laughs and says they can be whatever they want. Justin says
Jack’s going to be a dancer. But it is clear, they are learning the
game.
“We have a little Nerf hoop at home and after the first couple
of practices Jack came to me and said, ‘I want to do drills,’” Justin
says. “I had to take out a video. He’s learning a lot about the
game, and Charlie too, just being around here.”
– DARREN COOPER
201magazine.com
“MY KIDS WERE RAISED IN THE BACK GYM
ON BIG WHEELS AND CHOCOLATE DONUTS,
NOW WE’RE STILL DOING WHAT WE’RE
DOING, MY KIDS [FIRST] AND NOW MY
GRANDKIDS. IT’S SO BEAUTIFUL.”
Jeff Jaspers
father, grandfather and Pascack Valley basketball coach
NEXT UP (Top) Jeff Jasper holds one of his grandsons as his son, Justin, holds
his other one. (Above) Justin joined his dad on the sideline as an assistant
coach four years ago, and sometimes brings his little guys along to practices.
(201) FAMILY | APRIL/MAY 2017
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