Mazella Court

This half-court was revitalized and memorial garden installed in honor of the late, great Henninger High School Coach and Assistant Principal, Joseph Mazella.  Maz Court is located in Eastwood Heights at the corner of Avon and Mosley.

Coach Maz was a mentor to thousands in the Eastwood neighborhood as a physical education teacher, administrator and basketball coach at Henninger High School in the Syracuse City School District prior to his unexpected death in 2009. As a coach, he won the title of All CNY Coach of the Year twice, led his teams to five Final Four appearances, and the Class A NYSPHAA State Championship in 2002.

In 2009, plans to redesign the existing basketball court at Eastwood Heights, in honor of Joseph Mazella, “Maz,” were developed by ENA’s volunteer memorial committee, led by Amy Rood, in cooperation with the City of Syracuse

Department of Parks and Recreation. Committee members, attending various public and committee meetings, presented and discussed fundraising, concept designs and progress. Community input, including suggestions from those living near Eastwood Heights, was included into the final designs. The project was completed with the help of hundreds of supporters and committed volunteers.

The project was funded by donations from the Eastwood and Henninger High School community, a state grant secured by Assemblyman Bill Magnarelli ($5,000), and a grant from the CNY Community Foundation ($7,000). Concept designs and landscape architectural drawings generously donated by Keplinger Freeman Associates. In August 2016, ENA cut a check for $25,800 to the City of Syracuse to cover renovations, most of which were completed in October 2016. The signage/archway was installed in June 2020.

You or your loved one can become a permanent part of the Eastwood Neighborhood Association (ENA)’s Memorial Garden, leaving a lasting memory for you and future generations to enjoy. Two paver brick sizes are available:

  • 4 x 8 bricks for a suggested donation of $50 (3 lines of text – 14 characters per line)

  • 8 x 8 bricks for a suggested donation of $100 (5 lines of text – 14 characters per line)

Memorial pavers are still available for purchase. Download the order form for more information.