What did Frank and Beth Wassenbergh do to earn the Oceanside Kiwanis Club's Heart of Gold Award?

In recognition of their dedication to youth basketball and commitment to the community, Frank and Beth Wassenbergh will be awarded the Kiwanis Club of Oceanside’s prestigious Heart of Gold Award for 2024 at the club’s installation dinner at Temple Avodah, 6: 30 p.m. on Oct. 17. Entry is $100 per person.

The Wassenberghs, who are co-directors and coaches of St. Anthony’s CYO basketball program, have transformed the program into a thriving local institution and will be celebrated for their decades of service, leadership and passion for both basketball and their Oceanside community. Jeanine Badalamenti, a Kiwanis Club member and friend of the Wassenberghs suggested that they be nominated for this year’s award.

“Frank and Beth Wassenbergh have had such a positive impact on our community,” Badalementi said. “They’ve created a fun, supportive environment with CYO basketball where every kid feels valued and loved. There were my sons coaches throughout the years and their dedication goes far beyond just coaching — they’re role models who truly care about making a difference in the lives of young people.”

The Wassenberghs’ connection to basketball is a love story that started long before they became community leaders. Growing up just five blocks from one another in Rockaway Beach, their childhood was intertwined through their shared love of basketball. Both played for the same coach, Jimmy Walsh, who not only taught them the game but also instilled in them core values that would shape their lives.

“Coach Walsh emphasized hard work,” Frank shared, “you get better not just by playing, but through the grit of practice. Those lessons have stayed with us throughout our lives.”

The couple’s friendship blossomed during their time at St. Francis Prep High School, where they became high school sweethearts. Frank attended Molloy College while Beth went on to Bucknell University to play basketball. Though they briefly went their separate ways, their love for each other — and basketball — remained a constant. They married in 2004 and have lived in Oceanside for the past 19 years, raising their four children — Dylan, Logan, Lacey and Cooper — with the same values they hold dear.

When the couple took the reins of the St. Anthony’s CYO basketball program in 2016, it was in the midst of a rebuilding phase. The previous director, James O’Donohue, had revitalized the program, but it was still in its early stages. The Wassenberghs saw an opportunity to make a lasting impact by focusing on youth development, not just through the game of basketball but by instilling life lessons in the children who participated.

“When we took over, the program had around a dozen teams,” Frank recalled. “We wanted to get the kids involved at a younger age, so we introduced a third-grade intramural program and a fourth-grade clinic to teach them basic fundamentals.”

Their efforts paid off, as the program now boasts nearly 30 teams with more than 300 boys and girls participating — the maximum capacity for the program. The program includes grades 3 to 12. The Wassenberghs have also expanded the program to include a men’s “Almost Over the Hill” team and, this year, a new high school boys’ intramural program.

The St. Anthony’s gym, which has undergone continuous renovations thanks to fundraising efforts, has become a place of pride for the community.

“It’s one of our biggest sources of joy,” Frank said. “Seeing kids around town wearing their St. Anthony’s gear makes all the hard work worth it.”

Under the couple’s leadership, the program emphasizes key mottos: “Play hard, play smart and play together” for teamwork, and “Be humble enough to be coachable but confident enough to dominate your position” for personal growth. These mottos reflect their belief that basketball is more than just a game — it’s a vehicle for teaching life skills.

The couple has made a conscious decision to avoid creating teams based on skill level. Instead, they split the teams evenly, allowing weaker players to learn from stronger ones. This approach fosters camaraderie, growth and excitement among all players, regardless of their experience or skill level.

“We’ve found that this method works for us,” Frank said. “The weaker kids get to see what they can achieve, and the stronger players take on leadership roles, helping their teammates grow.”

All four of the Wassenbergh children have participated in some way in the basketball program, whether as players or by helping run clinics, camps and fundraisers. Their son, Logan, in particular, stands out for his dedication, having received the CYO Role Model Award two years ago —the youngest ever to be honored with the distinction.

“Our kids are very much a part of what we do,” Frank said. “It’s exciting for them, and it’s exciting for us to watch them grow and give back to the community through the sport we all love.”

Frank credited Beth’s exceptional organizational skills for keeping everything running smoothly.

“Beth is the behind-the-scenes force,” he said. “She handles the uniforms, rosters and scheduling, while I’m the forward-facing person. Together, we’ve found a balance that works.

“We love creating something that the kids, and the community, can be proud of,” he added. “It’s self-motivating when you see the excitement in the kids and the impact on the community.”

With the expansion of their program into new initiatives like the high school boys’ intramural league, the Wassenberghs are continually looking for ways to grow and improve. However, they are mindful of their capacity, given the limitations of their facilities.

“We’re at the max of what the gym can handle, but we’ll continue to improve it and make it a place the community can be proud of,” Frank said.

As they prepare to accept the Kiwanis Club’s Heart of Gold Award, the Wassenberghs remain humble about their accomplishments.

“We’re just excited to keep giving back to the community,” Frank said. “Basketball has given us so much, and we want to pass those lessons on to the next generation.”