By Frank Rizzo
Athletic excellence in its many forms was on parade on Sept. 30, as men and women who’ve inspired and molded generations of youth were given their due. Twenty-seven individuals become the first inductees into the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame at a ceremony held at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury. More than 600 people were on hand to honor a tiny fraction of the deep bench of Nassau’s great athletes, coaches, administrators and other contributors.
The obvious attractions were former NFL players such as Jay Fiedler and Morlon Greenwood. Football legend Jim Brown, a multi-sport standout at Manhasset HS, would no doubt have been the star of the event, but was unable to make it; Manhasset teammate Rev. Edward Corley accepted for Brown.
The cumulative effect of hearing the citations was to reflect that great natural ability on the field or court—however awe-inspiring—makes up only a part of the sport mosaic.
There were nine individuals who can carry the honorific “Coach” with much more meaning than the moniker usually signifies. To a person, they boasted outstanding won/loss records, multiple championships and unparalelled success. But it is no doubt in the things that can’t be measured—imparting discipline and the habits of hard work and dedication and all those other intangibles—that make a difference in sporting contests. Without these coaches’ guidance, many athletic talents would never have flowered.
There were nine administrators without whose organizing talents and vision athletes might not have had a chance to develop, and the great promise brought on by Title IX—giving females equal opportunity in athletics—might have been delayed.
Sportscaster and longtime reporter Carl Reuter served as emcee, and noted that, with all of his experience covering the world of sports, high school remained his favorite beat.
In his closing remarks, Hall of Fame Chairman Patrick Pizzarelli paid homage to the sponsors, committee members and others who made the Hall of Fame possible, including what he called “ a true partnership between the county and Section VIII athletics.” He took special note of Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, sitting at a nearby table.
“From the very first meeting we had in his office… he put his full support behind our mission. And his announcement tonight that the Hall of Fame will be housed at the new Nassau Coliseum is a grand slam home run!”
Bouyed by the round of applause, Pizzarelli added, “What a great night for Nassau County athletics!”
Hall of Fame nominations are due by Dec. 1. Visit the Section VIII website at www.nassauboces.org and click on the link for “Interscholastic Athletics.”
The Honorees
Administrators: Joan Case, Marie Corrado, Rebecca King, Ethel Kloberg, Dr. Mira Martincich, Marcus Martone, Bernie O’Brien, Judith Salerno, Dr. James Tolle
Athletes: Jean Bartholomew, Carl Braun, Jim Brown, Jay Fiedler, Morlon Greenwood, Jason Morgan, Wall Szczerbiak
Coaches: Diane Chapman, Tom Flatley, Lorraine “Chicky” Hoffman, Buddy Krumenacker, Ted Petersen, Fred Smith, Don Snyder, Howard C. Vogts
Contributors: Donald Ryan, John “Jake” White
