Hearing Set for “Victims” in Endicott Basketball Program Lawsuit

Basketball players who contend they were duped by an Endicott-based academy may be given an opportunity to tell what happened at an upcoming hearing in Binghamton.

AAU Connect - also known as Athletes Abroad United Connect and New York International Academy - has been accused of misrepresenting its program and services.

The New York State Attorney General's Office filed a lawsuit against the business last September.

Principals Chris Bevins and Hazel Ward are named in the lawsuit. They have not been available to comment on the allegations.

The AAU Connect website provides an Endicott address of 23 Jackson Avenue, the former Henry B. Endicott School building.

In an April email message, a person purporting to be "Coach Bevins" wrote: "We are still at the same address." Bevins has not responded to repeated phone calls seeking information about the business.

This week, a state Supreme Court judge directed AAU Connect to stop making misleading claims about what is provided through its programs.

A hearing on the attorney general's lawsuit is scheduled for August 26 and 27 in Binghamton.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

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