Valley Stream officials honored a late basketball coach on Saturday who they say had an impact on so many young lives.

Basketball is more than just a sport for some kids and in Valley Stream many kids' lives were shaped on the Hendrickson Park courts by its favorite coach, Edward Farrell.

Village officials unveiled a monument to Coach Farrell, otherwise known as "The Legend" at Hendrickson Park. In fact, some of the kids playing on the courts Saturday wore his name on their jerseys.

After 35 years of teaching in Valley Stream and in the area, Farrell died several years ago.

"He thought his teaching job was the best job in the world. He was always a dedicated coach and teacher," said his wife, Susan Farrell.

She came to the dedication with her kids and other family members along with some of the coach's players.

Resident Ray Russo said "The Legend" was always proud of how he could impact lives.

"We played softball, basketball, football... everything together. We went on tournaments all over the country, so yeah, he loved teaching students," Russo recounted. "And he taught my son also – and he came home one day and said, 'Wow, coach Farrell is pretty tough,' And I said, 'yeah, but he'll make you better.'"

Farrell ended his coaching career with 318 wins and 63 losses. So the dedication, his wife thinks, is a fitting tribute.

"I think he would love it even more than I do," she said.

Community donations and coach Farrell's players paid for the monument.