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Note: The event, originally scheduled for December, will now take place in May of 2006. Exact date, time and location to be determined.

The 2005 "Man of The Year" in Brooklyn, New York is Norman Ostrin, a man who has made it a habit to improve the lives of kids from across the borough and around the city.

Sometime in May of 2005 (new date to be determined), Brooklyn USA Basketball is having their Annual Celebrity Dinner-Dance and Auction. Norm Ostrin, a positive inspiration to countless youth, will be the evening's guest of honor. Born and raised in the Coney Island section of Brooklyn, Norm was a top basketball player at Lincoln high school, which was also attended by Sebastian Telfair, Stephon Marbury, Louis Gossett Junior, Marv Albert and many other top New Yorkers. At Lincoln, Ostrin co-captained the 1953-54 Railsplitters basketball team.

After a lifetime of work in the garment industry, Norman focused on helping student-athletes improve their lives and better their prospects for the future. Norman helped provide guidance and support to Royal Ivey (Atlanta Hawks), Chris Taft (Golden State Warriors), Sebastian Telfair (Portland Trail Blazers), Julius Hodge (Denver Nuggets), Gavin Grant (North Carolina State), Nyan Boateng (University of Florida), Shawn James (Northeastern University), Robert Mitchell (Notre Dame Prep), Cameron Tyler (Fairleigh Dickinson), Dominic Osei (Fordham), Jamal Dart (Northeastern), Kojo Mensah (siena), Ramel Bradley (Kentucky), Joakim Noah (Florida), Jamal White (Nebraska), Peter Mulligan (Manhattan), Abdul Mills (Providence), Antonio Pena (HS), Ricky Torres (St. John's), Kyle Neptune (Lehigh), Lawrence Borha (Utah) and countless others.

The 69-year old Ostrin is still actively involved in helping dozens of kids. He also has some loved ones of his own: a son Holden and daughters Lauren and Ivy. Norm also has four grandchildren.

Louis Gossett Jr. will be main presenter of the award.

A top list of basketball people, hailing from both in and outside of New York, will be on hand.

Some very hot items will be on auction.

We salute Norm Ostrin's efforts in helping kids make better lives for themselves.