NEW YORK
New York Post
By ZACH BRAZILLER
Ernie Lorch, the controversial founder and director of the powerhouse Riverside Church Hawks AAU program who mentored numerous inner-city youth into NBA basketball careers, passed away Monday morning of natural causes at the age of 80, The Post has learned.
Lorch, a multimillionaire corporate attorney who turned Riverside Church into arguably the nation’s elite program before allegations of sexual abuse of a former player led to his resignation in 2002, died while at a Yonkers nursing home, close family friend Seldon Jefferson said.
He had a stroke two years ago, was in declining health and suffered from diabetes and dementia, those close to him said. His family declined to speak to the media, Jefferson said. Arrangements have yet to be made.
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