QuackerJack and the Ducks Invade Huntington Intermediate
Most of the world may be focused on football and the New York Giant’s drive for a championship at Super Box XLII, but Huntington Intermediate School students enjoyed a brief respite from gridiron mania when Long Island Ducks first baseman Rob Cafiero and team mascot QuackerJack visited on a recent afternoon.
Cafiero, who lives in Massapequa Park and attended Villanova University, addressed the entire student body in the school gym, telling the youngsters that being good high school grades (he was a scholar athlete) helped him land a full scholarship to play college ball. Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2002, the 27 year old has battled through injuries during his career, which has also seen him take the mound on occasion.
“Rob talked about family and school being the two most important things,” school librarian Patricia Dillon said. “He emphasized to the kids that a college education helps a person get a good job. He also discussed how he has been able to do what he loves right here on Long Island.”
Students peppered the player with all sorts of questions, from when he knew baseball was his love (“since my tee-ball days,” he said) to how he happened to end up wearing uniform number 44 (he’s had it since he was six years old). The group also wanted to know why player’s names are on the back of uniforms and not the front. Cafiero told them it’s the team that’s important, not the individual player, hence the featured billing.
One of the more festive moments came when Ducks’ promotions manager Morgan Tranquist read an award winning essay submitted by Huntington Intermediate School student Daniel Mollitor. Asked to write about “Why my community is special to me,” the youngster noted the plethora of fun activities in Huntington, including fishing and boating in the bay, local history (George Washington’s 1790 visit), plenty of sports leagues and opportunities to learn good sportsmanship, good schools where students are not only educated but get to make lots of friends and meet people from all over the country and world, etc.
The youngster received a $50 gift card as a prize and Commerce Bank presented all students with nylon backpacks filled with a baseball, highlighter and letter to parents with a free account offer complete with a $15 credit.
Ducks mascot QuackerJack made the rounds around the gym, visiting with students and staff and posing for photos. The visit left many longing for baseball season.
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