March Madness at Faculty and Staff Game
If a person walked into Louis D. Giani Gymnasium at Huntington High School and didn’t know faculty and staff members from Woodhull and Jack Abrams intermediate schools were engaging in a basketball game for bragging rights over the next year, the scene could have easily been mistaken for a state championship contest.
A capacity crowd filled the bleachers on both sides of the gym, one of the state’s top referees, John Amato, was sprinting up-and-down the court in black pants and striped shirt with whistle in hand, and a school mascot and band kept the spirits of both teams at sky high levels. Each team even had a set of faculty and staff cheerleaders working to keep up their respective fans’ enthusiasm.
The annual March Madness battle between the two schools produced plenty of excitement and lots of laughs. The Jack Abrams School crowd came decked out in Huskies regalia while the crew from Woodhull donned t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Dignity and Respect.” When the final buzzer sounded, Woodhull walked off with a 73-46 victory.
Pre-game festivities included raffles for 15 overflowing baskets as well as Mets and Islanders’ tickets and a Mets jersey. Fans closely watched the two teams’ traditional warm-ups for hints of who might have the advantage.
The event raised nearly $5,000, which was split between the schools and earmarked for enhancements to the educational program. Jack Abrams, a retired school principal and the founding curator of the district’s School Heritage Museum, was himself on hand to select and announce the names of raffle winners.
A roving Huskies mascot kept the Jack Abrams School fans pumped up while band students from Woodhull played throughout the game and kept their crowd cheering.
While the game featured some serious fun, this was a real competitive exercise, with players working hard to win. The two teams held several weeks of practice sessions preparing for the big night.
Jack Abrams School was coached by dean of students Scott Armyn while Woodhull nurse Martha Ironman led her school’s winning squad. Paul Esposito, a legendary Jack Abrams School teacher and musician, served as the game’s master of ceremonies, handling play-by-play duties even while playing the game on the court.
Mr. Esposito frequently darted into the stands with his microphone to get recommendations from Jack Abrams School students on how their team could go about making a comeback in the game. Woodhull students were asked what their team needed to do to maintain its advantage.
Woodhull’s winning team consisted on Steve Fitts, Todd Hiscox, Keith Meyers, Tim Pillion, Jarrett Stein, Stef Sair, James Creighton, Rich Signorelli, Mike Marinello, Robert Grubel, Cara Fennessey, Karen Behrman (who won game MVP honors), Amanda Shimkin and Colleen Fasciano.
The Jack Abrams School squad included Jason Suarez, Scott Leonardi, Dave Zimmerman, Mike Macolino, Mike Nelson, Manny Feliciano, Eric Triolo, Jim Lauter, Mala Rosner, Heather Barfuss, Dawn Ginty, Tammy Castillo, Kelliann Connors and Laurie Jovans.
Mr. Suarez developed the idea for the game several years ago as way to heighten school spirit and raise funds for items not covered by the regular school budget. Since the Jack Abrams School teacher created the event, it has maintained its popularity as witnessed by the huge crowd crammed into the high school gym.
This year’s game succeeded in raising funds for both schools but more importantly, teachers said, was that the students had a great time.
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