Albion dedicates 4 memorial benches at new Bullard basketball courts

Photos by Tom Rivers

ALBION – Albion village trustee Greg Bennett, right, was among a group of about 50 people this morning at the dedication of four memorial benches at the new basketball courts at Bullard Park.

The courts opened last October. Today the four coated steel sport benches were dedicated with memorial plaques. The flowers were donated by Homestead Wildflowers in Albion.

One of the benches is in memory of Craig Anderson, who was a three-sport standout athlete at Albion. A 1972 graduate, he led Albion to its first Section 6 basketball title. He passed away from cancer at age 18 in 1973. The high school gym is named in his honor.

Orleans County Court Judge Sanford Church paid the $750 cost to have the bench dedicated for Anderson. Church is good friends with Craig’s younger brother Tom Anderson. Church and Tom Anderson were managers for the Sectional winning team in 1972, back when the two were eighth-graders.

Meghan Doherty speaks about her brother Jonathan. One of the benches is in his honor and was paid for by the Greater Albion Community Recreation and Events. Jonathan was an active promoter of Bullard Park and other causes in the community. He was 38 when he passed away on May 5, 2022.

“His focus was his community, his family and his church,” Meghan said. “He did everything for other people.”

Ron Albertson, a member of the G-ACRE organization and a Lions Club member with Jonathan, said Doherty was well known in the community, by his first name only.

“He is the best team player I’ve ever known,” he said.

 Torin Swartout places the plaque on the bench in memory of his son, Jesse Swartout, who passed away at age 21 in 2002 when he was a senior at Skidmore College. He has family in the local area.

Jesse was a gifted athlete and scholar, and a left-handed pitcher. He loved socializing with his friends by playing sports.

“We hope Jesse’s spirit will help make these courts safe haven for Albin athletes,” his family said.

Alyssa Swanger and her daughter Vivi put the plaque on the bench for Alyssa’s brother, Justin Swanger. He was a basketball star and three-point specialist for Albion. He passed away at age 21 on Nov. 28, 2014.

“I couldn’t think of a better way to make Justin proud and carry on his basketball legacy in this community that would live on for many years to come,” his mother Paula Canne said.

The benches are the latest upgrade to the park. The village would like to add two pickleball courts next to the basketball courts.