In minor league basketball and life in general, loyalty is rare to find. However, if there is one word to describe long-time Head Coach and Clearfield area native, Rick Homer, loyal would be that word. After leading the Dream at the helm as Coach for 4 of the past 5 minor league basketball seasons, Homer is ready to take his talents to the front office and has been promoted to General Manager for the 2022 Premier Basketball League Season.
“I am honored to be named General Manager of the DuBois Dream Basketball Organization,” Homer said. “As The Dream begins it’s sixth season in the Premier Basketball League, the focus of the Dream is, and always has been, providing affordable family entertainment, with an emphasis on player development. The fantastic community support enables us to provide significant, wholesome basketball opportunities for the youth of our area and we are very proud of our ever-growing DuBois Dream AAU & Youth Basketball Club and it’s coaches. I am looking forward to my new role in assisting the DuBois Dream in attaining its goals.”
Attaining its goals is a tall task, but it is one that Homer is ready for. After coaching the Dream in a COVID shortened season in 2021, Homer immediately focused his attention on fundraising and community efforts which included leading the ever-popular “Busketball” basketball school bus in the Tri-County area’s biggest parades and events. Busketball was a big hit for children and adults alike and proved why Homer is the right man for the job this Season.
“Rick just gets it,” Owner/Founder Albert Varacallo, III stated. “He has been my go to guy since the inception of this Dream, and I’m really excited to see him thrive in this new role. I think our fans and the community are going to be impressed with his new thoughts and ideas for this Season. I know I am looking forward to taking a step back and having him take more of a lead role on the business and community side of things. He is the perfect fit with his past history within the Dream as well as his wealth of knowledge and experience in business and just basketball in general.”
Homer’s first task will be finding a successor to coach the Dream this Season, while also putting together the roster for the 2022 PBL Season. Putting together a roster is going to be a little bit different for Homer, as he is acting in a completely new capacity, but he knows what roles and the type of players he is looking for. “In the words of Scottie Pippen, sometimes a player’s greatest challenge is coming to grips with his role on the team,” Homer said. “Our job is to help players find their roles to be successful both on and off the court.”
The DuBois Dream will begin their 2022 PBL Season with a Charity Game in November, before starting the regular season following the New Year.