It's unknown just how many Mineola residents knew that the assistant principal of the middle school once played pro basketball, but since the Christmas Eve passing of Reginald Carter, and the subsequent New York Times obituary and sports column which followed, many have learned what their children probably already knew.

Carter was 42 when he died Dec. 24 after a long battle with sarcoidosis, a genetic disease that affected his heart. He had been the assistant principal of Mineola Middle School for three and a half years. The school plans to hold a special event 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the high school to commemorate the many contributions Carter made to the Mineola community. Titled, "A Celebration of the Rainbow that was Mr. Carter," the evening will feature testimonials from many of Carter's friends, colleagues and students.

The memorial will also serve as the kickoff for a fund-raising drive to generate scholarship funds for Carter's two sons, as well as a Mineola High School scholarship to be given in his memory every year. The school also plans to create a living memorial, perhaps a grove of trees planted on the grounds.

On Jan. 2, Reggie Carter was honored for his life as a New York City basketball legend. More than 1,000 people attended a service at Riverside Church to honor the former St. John's star and New York Knick. Though not a star in the conventional sense ¬ Carter's stint with the Knicks was short lived ¬ he enjoyed a brilliant career at St. John's.

Carter tried out for the basketball team at that very church when he was 12, which became a turning point in his life. His playing took him around the country and eventually landed him entry to Long Island Lutheran in Brookville, where he played with Wayne McKoy, later his teammate at St. John's, and Al Eford Jr.

After high school, Carter was lured to the University of Hawaii by a then unknown assistant coach named Rick Pitino. However, when the program was penalized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Carter returned to New York and to St. John's.

During the 1979 season, when St. John's played the University of Pennsylvania for a spot in the Final Four tournament, St. John's lost. It was a hard personal blow to Carter, who eventually was signed by the Knicks. After two seasons in the early 1980s, Carter was released. After a tryout with the Nets was fruitless, Carter finally got an undergraduate degree from St. John's and a master's from the City University of New York and pursued his career in education.

Many Mineola students and faculty attended the Riverside Church memorial, some getting a first glimpse of their assistant principal's former glory, and many people from Carter's basketball past are expected to attend the Mineola memorial, where they will get a glimpse of the impact he made here.