TIM BLYDENBURGH
Observer-Dispatch

Dale Shackleford approaches the basketball court at the Cosmopolitan Center near Washington Courts where he grew up.

"This is it," Shackleford says. "A lot of memories here."

Basketball has been Shackleford's life for almost all his 47 years, from youthful days at the Cosmo court, to college hoops to pro ball touring Europe and South America. Today, he's the assistant basketball coach at Herkimer County Community College.

But many of his thoughts this week are turning to his alma mater, Syracuse University, as it prepares to play Texas Saturday night in an NCAA semifinal in New Orleans. Shackleford, as a sophomore and senior on SU's teams in the late 1970s, got all the way to the Sweet 16 in the tournament.

One bit of advice he'd offer today's squad -- something he learned right here as a much-watched 6-foot-1 high schooler -- don't rest on your laurels.

"You hear a lot about Carmelo Anthony," he said, referring to SU's freshman sensation. "He's good, but he needs those other four guys out there. You can't get complacent."

"Here," motioning to the local basketball court, "we didn't care about who's better than who. You just worked your tail off to win. Sometimes when you lost here you wouldn't be able to get back in the game for three or four hours ... you could sit and watch or you'd end up in the wading pool."

Early days

On Wednesday, Shackleford, wearing an SU jacket and bright orange cap, walked around Washington Courts, a housing project soon to give way to a wrecking ball. The area, along with the site of former Goldbas Apartments behind the Utica Memorial Auditorium, will become part of the city's Gateway project, a multi-million plan to revitalize that area plus generate private investment.

He sees Richard Washington waiting for a bus and they exchange hearty handshakes. This was a tough place to grow up, but people looked out for each other, Washington said.

"My mother still lives here ... it was one big family," Washington said.

"It prepares you for the outside," Shackleford added.

Shackleford recalls the many dances, 4-H and Boy Scout events, exhibition games the New York Knicks would play at the Aud. The Knicks remain his favorite NBA team.

His father, DeBert Shackleford, died when Dale was a teen, but his toughness, influence and good advice stays with him today. His mother Earline died more recently.

In college days, he returned here with his teammates, Roosevelt Bouie, Marty Headd and others.

The area was good breeding ground for athletes, including Dave Cash, a 1970s baseball star. The two are sometimes mentioned, along with former St. Louis Cardinal Andy Van Slyke from New Hartford, as three of the area's very best athletes.

Shackleford, at the age of 14, scored 44 points in one half while playing for the St. Joseph's-St. Patrick's School basketball team. As a forward-center at Notre Dame High School, he played all four varsity seasons. When he graduated in 1975, he was the all-time leading scorer.

Topping out at 6-foot-5, Shackleford was the first freshmen to start for the Orange's varsity team under coach Ray Danforth. The next year he started under new coach Jim Boeheim -- coach of the 2003 team.

The glare of media lights, the air travel and hotels -- all a far leap from high school hoops -- he remembers it all fondly. He was asked to play every position.

The thrill still touches him today: 9,000 students and city residents in a packed Manley Field House. The high fives. A feeling that home field advantage really counts.

"It was a great experience. I think I adjusted well ... I wouldn't change anything," he said.

Building a career

In 1979, he was drafted in the sixth round of the NBA draft by the Phoenix Suns, but cut in rookie camp. He tried out with the Boston Celtics and played a few exhibition games with the Harlem Globetrotters.

Shackleford played ball in England, Chile and Italy and other countries overseas for 10 years, with his last year of pro ball in 1992. Today, he's a social welfare examiner with Oneida County. Last year he was inducted in the Greater Utica Sports Hall of Fame.

Through it all, he kept close tabs on the Orangemen's ups and downs. As close as he could, that is. In 1987, when SU lost a heartbreaking championship game 74-73 in the last four seconds to Indiana, Shackleford had to read about it in the International Herald-Tribune because he couldn't catch it on TV overseas.

Eyes on SU's game

Shackleford, who lives today on Scott Street, and his fiancee, Carla Clark, will watch SU's game Saturday at Tom Cavallo's Restaurant and Banquet Facility in New Hartford.

"She never knew about basketball and she never knew about me," he said. Today, she's a big fan, loves the Orange clothing and they've watched five games this year. They've had dinner at Boeheim's home.

Carla's three children and now a 7-month-old grandson take up much of Shackleford's thoughts and efforts. With his busy lifestyle, he can't make the game, but he's "with them in spirit."

Shackleford thinks this year's squad has an excellent chance, considering their momentum after knocking off top-seeded Oklahoma 63-47 Sunday in Albany. Hard work will pay off, he said.

"When you play well, you've got to remember what got you there."

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