In upstate New York, families invested significant amounts—ranging from $500 to $840—into the Saratoga Raptors travel basketball program, expecting uniforms and tournament participation as part of their fees. However, after practicing for about a month, scheduled tournaments were canceled and uniforms failed to arrive, leading parents, including Joe Tocci, to question what they had paid for.
Norbert A. Sygdziak, 44, who ran the program, has been charged with multiple counts of fraud and larceny after investigations by the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office revealed a systematic scheme to defraud families. Parents reported losses totaling over $40,000 and 80% pursued charges against him.
Sygdziak disputes the allegations, claiming families received substantial practice time instead of tournaments, attributing complaints to their dissatisfaction with coaching. After the Raptors program’s collapse, parents formed a new team called the Springs City Hoopers, which participated successfully in tournaments.
Potential victims are advised to thoroughly investigate travel programs before enrolling, including verifying tournaments and asking for detailed breakdowns of fees. Parents can report fraudulent activities to law enforcement and consumer protection agencies while preserving documentation related to their investments.
