A legacy of showing up
BYBA John Cooke “Sixth Man” Scholarship Fund
In loving memory of John Cooke, beloved husband of Ann Joyce, father of Kelly Cooke (Donohue), father-in-law to Colin Donohue, grandfather to Declan, Kieran, and Keegan Donohue, and BYBA’s honorary sixth man, cheering from the sidelines at every game and practice he could make.
Please nominate families who work within or actively volunteer in our Bronxville community for the BYBA John Cooke “Sixth Man” Scholarship Fund.
Nominees and recipients will remain confidential and will be notified individually.
Remembering John
Our honorary
sixth man
A teammate, a coach, a grandfather, and a champion for every child on the court.
John Cooke loved sports for the competition, the friendships, and the chance to be part of a team. Born in the Bronx in 1950, he attended St. Nicholas of Tolentine, where he competed in varsity basketball, baseball, and track and field throughout his four years.
One of his favorite stories was about playing against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. For John, sharing the court with a basketball legend was a lesson in being the underdog: compete with determination, keep going when the odds are against you, and believe you have something to contribute. Those were qualities he valued on the court and throughout his life.
After high school, John enlisted in the United States Navy, inspired by his father, who served in the Army and landed on Omaha Beach during World War II. His commitment to service continued long afterward. He and his wife, Ann Joyce, spent years volunteering at the St. Albans VA Hospital in Queens and supporting the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
John brought that same generosity to youth sports. He volunteered as a coach for his daughter’s CYO swimming and basketball teams and town softball team, and later returned to coaching with his grandson’s TYA baseball team.
Some of his greatest joy came from watching his three grandsons play. For the last decade of his life, John spent weekends in Bronxville, on the sidelines and in the bleachers for football, basketball, lacrosse, and baseball. He knew the teammates, the parents, and the coaches. He cheered for everyone.
He congratulated children after a great play, thanked coaches for their time, and celebrated other families’ milestones as readily as his own. Through those small, consistent acts, John showed young athletes what it meant to support one another.
The BYBA John Cooke “Sixth Man” Scholarship Fund honors that example: the determination to keep trying, the generosity to celebrate someone else’s success, and the commitment to show up for your team and your community. It carries forward John’s belief that sports teach lessons that last well beyond the game, and that every young person has something valuable to contribute.
John spent his life cheering people on. Through this scholarship, his legacy will keep doing the same.
Recognize a family
Help us cheer them on
Nominees and recipients will remain confidential and will be notified individually.
Requesting confidential support for your own family? This is exactly what it is set up for and will remain confidential. Apply for a scholarship.
Nominate a family
Keep John’s spirit in the game
Help carry forward his love of basketball, community, and showing up for others. If you are interested in donating to the John Cooke “Sixth Man” Scholarship Fund, you can do so below.
Donate to the fund