A monument to two men who forever changed professional basketball in the 1950’s continues just across the street from where it originally started in Armory Square.
Maybe it was a little disappointing that dignitaries and guests did not count down from 24 to cut the ribbon and turn on the shot clock in front of the Museum of Science and Technology.
“Five, four, three, two, one," they counted.
The monument was located across Jefferson Street for 20 years before it was removed so a new restaurant could install outdoor seating.
Last month, the shot clock was re-located in front of the MOST. President Lauren Kochian said it's a perfect fit for their Innovation Station, which highlights Central New York innovation.
"If you walk inside, you'll learn about the Brannock device, traffic lights, the Franklin automobile, and the drone corridor," she said. "And now we'll have activities for kids inside to accompany the shot clock outside."
Leo Ferris is largely credited with inventing the 24-second shot clock. He was general manager of the Syracuse Nationals and played a key role in the creation of the National Basketball Association.
“This monument is a great source of pride for our family back in 2017 when Uncle Leo was inducted into the Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame," said his great-nephew Christian Figueroa. "I was able to bring several members of our family to the Shot Clock Monument.”
Danny Biasone was founding owner of the Syracuse Nationals team. His niece Danielle Pires was on hand for the re-installation.
“My uncle Danny had a bowling alley and bar known as the Eastwood Sports Center where he and Leo Ferris and I'm sure many others contributed to the 24-second shot clock," she said. "And as I heard my whole life, saving the game of basketball.”
Pires said the clock had its beginnings in a way that most great ideas are born.
“He and Leo Ferris, the way it's told to me, worked together at the bar on a paper napkin and came up with the 24-second shot clock," she said.
Biasone strongly lobbied for professional basketball to adopt the 24-second possession rule in order to speed up and add excitement to the game. Ferris left sports a year later, but great nephew Christian Figueroa said his legacy is worthy of more recognition.
“Our family's resolve to highlight all that Leo was able to accomplish during his impressive basketball career continues," he said. "We truly hope that one day he's enshrined in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts.”
Ferris has been nominated nine times. Both he and Biasone died in the early 1990’s but their innovation remains in professional basketball and continues in Armory Square with the clock that never stops counting down from 24.
