Garden City businessman given dual honor
Former Long Island high school and college athletic star James C. Metzger (Half Hollow Hills East 1979 and Hofstra University 1983) recently received a double honor from Hofstra. The James C. Metzger Hall at Hofstra’s James M. Shuart Stadium was dedicated on April 7 and this was followed by his induction into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame on April 12.
Metzger is chairman and CEO of the Whitmore Group Ltd., a leading insurance brokerage and financial services firm located in Garden City. The company employs more than 70 people and provides a full range of insurance products and services. Metzger also is one of the leading civic-minded, community-engaged philanthropists in the New York City area. Besides athletics, Metzger supports a large variety of organizations that include Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, the American Heart Association and Hempstead PAL.
The newly named James C. Metzger Hall is located on the west side of Shuart Stadium. It includes The Fried Center for Student-Athlete Development (second floor), game-day suites (third floor) and the press box (fourth floor).
Through Metzger’s generosity, Hofstra also has completed significant improvements to its athletic facilities. The Lou DiBlasi-Michael D’Amato Traditions Project in Margiotta Hall, which recognizes the achievements of the men’s lacrosse, women’s lacrosse and football programs, was created through his involvement. Metzger also initiated renovations to the men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse locker rooms and the lacrosse offices. The men’s lacrosse locker room was rededicated as the Harry Royle-Vinny Sombrotto Locker Room. The lacrosse offices were named after Metzger.
During 2012, Metzger committed $1.5 million to Hofstra athletics. With the largest gift in the history of Hofstra athletics, Metzger’s contribution established a men’s lacrosse program endowment and supported the capital improvement fund that benefits all 17 sports. The fund was renamed in his honor.
Metzger was inducted into the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame in the “Extraordinary Service to Hofstra Athletics” category. He serves on the Hofstra University Athletics Pride Club Board and also is a member of the Blue and Gold Society that provides fundraising for Hofstra Athletics.
Metzger was the 2011 recipient of the Joseph M. Margiotta Pride Club Distinguished Service Award in recognition of his extraordinary dedication, generosity and service to the Hofstra Athletics Pride Club and Hofstra Athletics. He also has lent his support to the academic side of campus by funding the James C. Metzger-Michael D’Innocenzo Endowed Summer Internship for the Center for Civic Engagement. In 2012, Metzger received a Hofstra University Alumni Achievement Award.
“We are thrilled that the day has come to honor Jim’s many contributions as a student-athlete and benefactor to Hofstra University and the department of athletics,” said Hofstra Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeffrey A. Hathaway. “Jim’s dedication to supporting Pride athletics is unequaled and we are happy to recognize him and his amazing philanthropy towards Hofstra University with this tremendous honor.”
At Hofstra, Metzger was a two-year member of the men’s lacrosse program and an All-American following the 1980 campaign. He led Hofstra in assists for 1979 (12) and 1980 (28). During his second season, Metzger scored 49 points in only 10 games. His 4.9 points per game average ranks fifth in the history of the Hofstra lacrosse program. Metzger’s 1980 2.8 single season assist average ranks eighth all time and he is one of only three players in the history of Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse to score eight or more points three times in one season.
Metzger was inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame during 2014. A year earlier, he received the George Young Award from the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame that is presented to a person who best exemplifies the high ideals of the late general manager of the New York Giants football organization.
