FALLSBURG –– Fallsburg coach Mike Ballard has been coaching for over 10 years. Ballard has coached youth football, little league, Special Olympics Unified Basketball, modified basketball, volleyball, softball and more recently girls varsity basketball where he is now in his fifth year. “My goal is to build up our local talent. Being a part of a small community, we’re not recognized as much”, he stated. Ballard hopes to make a combined team that includes both local and inner-city talent and change the dynamics in sports. “It all starts with the youth.”

It’s only fitting that Ballard was nominated and selected to coach this summer at the Jr Knick All-State Game at Madison Square Garden. The All State Game focuses on New York’s top middle school basketball players considering only the best 6-8 graders in the state. 

The All State Game was established in 2004 and just celebrated its 20th year of recognizing the accomplishments of extraordinary young athletes. Both athletes and coaches must be nominated to participate in the games. 

Ballard acknowledges the great contributions of a special group of coaches that inspired him. Like Dick O’Neill, Ron Bauer and others but especially his mentor Fred Ahart and his wife Becky. Ballard says, “I’m trying to change the mindset of our youth from losing to winning and what it takes to be great.”