A West Side Story: A man and a vision

Ottavino "Tovie" Asarese (right) intently watches a playoff game
at the Asarese-Matters Community Center.

   (For Bengal News Online)

Inside the Asarese-Matters Community Center on Rees Street on a Monday or Wednesday night during the winter, next to the scorer’s table sits a man who has seen and done it all for sports in the West Side. 

   He’s 84-years-old, he currently uses a cane, he has aged greatly, but his mind and passion for helping kids in the community has never diminished. 

   

   His name is Ottavino “Tovie” Asarese, the founder and Commissioner of the West Side Play Area Street Hockey League.

   Asarese has been involved in amateur and youth sports for over 50 years. From founding the West Side Little League Football Club, West Side Boys Baseball, West Side Ponytail Softball, and of course the West Side Street Hockey Program. 

   Although Asarese said that the hockey program itself has been stable in terms of interest, he noted that there is a lack of funds coming in to spread the word out further. 

   “We do not have any money, we rely on public announcements.” Asarese said. He also said that he is currently looking for more ways to spread awareness of the hockey program to ensure its longevity for when he’s gone. 

   The Asarese-Matters Community Center itself receives funding from the state of New York and only charges a $5 registration fee for the cost of the trophies at the end of the season. 

   Asarese has inspired multiple generations through his leadership and commitment to keeping kids safe from the streets by forming multiple leagues in sports. Some of them have stayed after they stopped playing to help support it. 

Ottavino "Tovie" Asarese (right), talks with former players turned referees
Marco Marrero (back right) and Vincent Pace (left)
before the start of a game at the
Asarese-Matters Community Center on Rees Street.

  


















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   “I grew up in the league since I was seven and I played all the way till I was 16, then I came back to referee the past two years,” said Marco Marrero, a 21-year-old student at D’Youville College. “The experience here is unique and it kept me off the streets, the league teaches kids sportsmanship and some of them build relationships here that continue to high school.”

   Darryl HIll, one of the coaches in the league, feels that the league is based around family. “A lot of these kids that look forward to playing hockey bring their moms and dads out to support them and sometimes even their whole family, not a whole lot of places around here does that.” Hill said. 

   The league has been around since 1970, nineteen years before the community center was constructed. During those nineteen years, the league was played outdoors on the playground next to the center that used to belong to the Nativity Church that is now closed. 

   “When we built the playground there were no lights, so we contacted Niagara Mohawk to install lights and all we needed to do was pay the electric bill each month.” Asarese said.

   At one point, the league once had 24 teams and had games five days a week. The league since then has shrunk down to four teams in three different age groups ages 8 to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 15. 

   Asarese created the league to give kids in the area an opportunity to play without having the need to spend a lot of money for ice hockey.

   “It is an alternative to ice hockey, it gives kids who didn’t or don’t have a lot of money a chance to play,” Asarese said. “I wanted to keep the kids busy in the winter time, we needed something kids wanted to play.”

   Even with the new blue gym floor that was installed before the season began, most of the equipment used by the kids are outdated and torn. There is also a need for more bleachers for fans to sit and watch the games. 

   

   The Center itself was almost shut down last summer when their five year contract with Erie County expired. With the needs of new equipment and the growing concern for support, the league is in need of assistance from sources outside the state.

   But even after 40 years, the league continues to push forward and the support from the community has never wavered. Asarese who is a member of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, has fought through these concerns and wants this league to continue long after he leaves this earth. 

   Even though the floor, the bleachers, and the players themselves have changed, it is still his league, his creation, and his passion for kids that has inspired multiple generations to have a positive impact on society. 

(Special thanks to Anthony Howard for his contributions towards this story).