Tri-CYA Honors Huntington Alum Todd Jamison
Cable Todd Jamison is very comfortable being the center of attention. The former Huntington and St. John’s University football great frequently had all eyes in the stadium on him when he quarterbacked the offense of those respective teams. So, he felt right at home as one of this year’s honorees at the Tri-Community and Youth Agency’s 14th Annual Hall of Honor gala at the Harbor Club in Halesite.
Widely known as Tri-CYA, the group is “dedicated to developing our most precious resource . . . . youth,” according its promotional material. It is a non-profit community based agency that serves the local communities. Its mission includes supporting the growth a development of youth and their families.
Mr. Jamison, who is known as Todd, is employed as a security guard at his alma mater, Huntington High School. He was honored along with his wife Lisa Jamison, Elizabeth Hubbard and Bud Willie. The quartet was recognized for their “unselfish commitment to the youth in Cold Spring Harbor, Huntington and South Huntington.” The event drew a strong turnout of community members who support the Tri-CYA’s mission.
“This is a wonderful honor for a very deserving member of our school community,” Huntington Superintendent John J. Finello said. “We salute Todd and the continuing good work of the Tri-Community and Youth Agency.”
The group also used the occasion to announce this year’s recipients of the Joseph A. Martone Scholarship, which was established in honor of a past member of the Tri-CYA board of directors. Each year one senior from each of the school districts that Tri-CYA serves are chosen to receive this scholarship.
The 2008 honorees include James Beck of Huntington High School, Lauren McDonough of Cold Spring Harbor High School and Krista Hannaford of Walt Whitman High School.
Schools may be closed during July and August, but the Tri Community and Youth Agency stays open, sponsoring a variety of summer programs and trips for young people ages 9 through 20. Call 673-3303 for more information.
Mr. Jamison’s family has its roots in Huntington and many of his family members still live in the community. He was an All Long Island quarterback for the Blue Devils, graduating in 1979. During his first year of college, he played football at Hofstra University. After taking a year off due to the death of his father, he transferred to St. John’s University. While playing there, he was a three-time All-American quarterback and was voted NCAA Division III Player of the Year.
Mr. Jamison followed up his collegiate career by signing with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles as a free agent and later with the USFL’s Philadelphia Stars, playing four games with each team. He then inked a pact to play free safety in Italy, but was unable to fulfill the commitment due to injuries. The close of his competitive career spurred Mr. Jamison into “giving back” to his community. He began coaching high school football at Huntington in 1986 and was involved in the program for much of the next 15 years.
While working at the Huntington Housing Authority, Mr. Jamison met his future wife Lisa, when she came to the Authority to speak with his uncle who was a board member of Tri CYA.
While at the Housing Authority, Mr. Jamison was a member of Leadership Huntington’s first graduating class. He participated in many community organizations, including co-chairing of the Drug Free School Zone committee and serving on the Family Service League’s board of directors.
Following his tenure at the Huntington Housing Authority, Mr. Jamison bought a lawn care business, which he still owns and operates today. He makes it his priority to hire young people from the Huntington community to work for him. Two years ago he started working as a Huntington School District security guard.
Mr. Jamison and his wife have been married for more than a dozen years. He takes joy in spending time with her and their son Clayton, a student at Washington Primary School. Mr. Jamison and Clay enjoy playing baseball, football, watching movies together, and being each other’s best friend.
All graphics, photographs, and text appearing on the Huntington Public Schools home page and subsequent official web pages are protected by copyright. Redistribution or commercial use is prohibited without express written permission. Comments or Questions? email the Public Information Office