February 22, 2024
So, who is this Norelli?
Joe Norelli has been a long-time friend and confidant to OG's founder and Owner, Scott Flansburg. They frequently attend Alice Cooper Concerts, Events, and Charitable Functions and are always close to a Golf Course.
Many of you know that Rock Icon Alice Cooper not only coined the team's name Originals, but he also designed the Team Logo. Scott, Alice, and Joe go way back and are never far apart.
As a child, Joe graduated from Mahopac High School in Mahopac, NY. He went on to attend Oneonta, where he played basketball. Joe and his Wife Judy now reside in Florida. Joe has been a successful businessman and owner of several businesses.
Joe and his wife, Judy, are passionate supporters of Alice Cooper Solid Rock Teen Centers. "The Rock Teen Center inspires teens (12-20) to grow through music, dance, and art. We provide vocational training in sound and recording, lighting and staging, video production, as well as a computer lab and a cool, supervised facility for the teens to engage with their peers. In a time where public schools are cutting funding for empowering programs like music, dance and art, The Rock cultivates a love of the arts to inspire and challenge teens to embrace artistic excellence and reach their full potential."
Joe designed a custom-built Motorcycle themed around Alice Cooper's music, and it was auctioned off with all proceeds going to the Rock Teen Centers. Joe and Judy went on to build a second custom motorcycle inspired by Alice Cooper's 1975 Album "Welcome to My Nightmare."
Joe and Alice share a bond that transcends Rock Music, Business, Kids, and Golf. In addition to massive support for Rock Teen Centers, Joe and Judy founded the Norelli Family Foundation, inspired by their daughter Leah, who had a vision to help underprivileged kids. The not-for-profit foundation's mission is to support social causes, human services, and charitable endeavors. Benefactors have been Alice Cooper's Solid Rock for Teens, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, The Colton Society "Charity without Borders", New Hope for Kids, and Sarah's Angels. The Norelli Foundation also donated a 1 million Dollar Endowment to High Point University.
Joe has been an avid supporter of the Herkimer OGs, from the beginning. Joe and a huge group of Famous Friends traveled up to the OGs First Annual Charity Golf Tournament and instantly won over the respect and friendship of everyone involved with the Team. Last year they attended the Second Annual Golf Tournament, and afterward, they went to a local establishment and threw together a band composed of Chuck Garrick, bass player for Alice Cooper, Christian Kane, Actor, Singer, and Song Writer, and a few others, and they even deepened the existing friendships.
Joe and his partners in Hindsight Vineyards have generously become leading sponsors for the OGs. Last Fall Joe attended team tryouts, suited up and played along with all the other candidates.
Joe Norelli has one more major accomplishment to add to his extensive quiver. Joe signed a contract to play for the OGs. On February 3rd, Joe flew up from Florida to play against the Westchester Stars in a home game. During the game Joe was fouled, which caused him to fall to the floor. Joe responded by scoring a free throw to become, the Oldest Player to ever debut, play, or score in a Professional Basketball Game. Joe, at 65 years of age, shattered the old records of both the NBA and ABA. In 1948 Nat Hickey, who was 45, made his debut in the NBA, while Kelvin Davis, at the age of 47, was the oldest player to play in the ABA.
Congratulations to our good friend and OG Family Member Joe Norelli. Joe and friends, Thank You!
