Abe Andrews Park (formerly Norman City Park), was established in the late 1800s and has served Norman over the decades as a center of recreation and culture. On the east side of the park is a two full-court basketball facility named in honor of Bob Villani. A memorial plaque located at the courts reads:
The Bob Vallani
Memorial
Basketball
Courts
In honor of Bob Villani 1948 - 2001Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Robert Anthony
Peter Villani came to be loved in Norman as just plain "Bob"
He served with the City of Norman Parks and Recreation
Department for almost thirty years - 23 of those years as the
Superintendent of Recreation. Under his leadership, Bob
was responsible for the implementation and operation of
hundreds of recreational programs offering sport and
leisure opportunities to thousands of people. His greatest
joy was working with kids and especially with youth
basketball programs.
A High School basketball star in Brooklyn, Box played
college ball at Oklahoma Christian University. It was there that
he met his wife with whom he would have three sons after his
playing days were over. Bob was drafted by the New Jersey
Nets of the A.B.A.; but his professional career was cut short
by a knee injury. After coming to the City of Norman, he dedi-
cated his career to keep kids playing sports and having fun
through recreation.
In August 2001, Bob passed away from a sudden illness while
visiting his family in New York. In honor of Bob and his never-
ending love for his family, the sport that gave him so much
and the thousands of lives he touched in this City, this basket-
ball facility is dedicated in his name. The City of Norman
Parks and Recreation Department, his friends and his fanmily
will always remember Bob. We hope this sample of New York
street ball is enjoyed by any and all who come out to shoot
some hoops.
Dedicated March 2005