USA TODAY, October 31, 2001

Fallen firefighter's daughter sits courtside to see MJ

By Tom Pedulla

NEW YORK - Jessica DeRubbio sat at her Madison Square Garden courtside seat and exchanged small talk with fellow Knicks fan Spike Lee.

There was nothing small about the moment for this smiling 12-year-old as she awaited the start of Wednesday's game between Michael Jordan's Washington Wizards and the New York Knicks.

Jessica intently watched the action, wearing a blue cap with "Engine Co. 226" on the front. The back listed the names of four firefighters who died while trying to save others during the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The names were Brian McAleese, Stan Smagala, Lt. Bob Wallace and Dave DeRubbio, Jessica's father.

The bright-eyed girl from Brooklyn did not speak of her grief - only of the up-close-and-personal look she had gained through the generosity of others. Lee auctioned his wife's seat after clearing it with her and an anonymous donor made a winning bid of $101,300. The donor requested that the courtside seat on celebrity row go to the child of one of the firefighters who was lost.

"I've been nervous all day," said Jessica, wearing an Allan Houston jersey. "I've been jumping around, really excited." To top it off, Jordan's comeback coincided with her first Knicks game. "I watch them on TV all the time. I've never been to one," she said.

Lee decided to donate his seat during a 3-day train ride from Los Angeles to New York following the Sept. 11 tragedy. "I live in New York," the film director said. "I felt I had to do something."

Firefighter Jack Halaby, a family friend, said Jessica has been a source of encouragement for Engine Co. 226. "She's stronger than every guy at the firehouse," he said. "She coming up to us and hugging us and smiling. We sometimes wonder how she does it."