Booster Club Dinner Honors Remarkable Trio
The Huntington Booster Club honored the remarkable contributions of swimming coach Gil Smith and local businessmen and Huntington High School alumni John and Mike Connell to the Blue Devil athletic program during a dinner gala that drew a crowd of 175 to the Huntington Crescent Club.
The event raised tens of thousands of dollars that will ultimately be used to benefit Huntington’s student-athletes. Over the past nine years, the Booster Club has donated more than $400,000 to the athletic department, mainly through its grant program.
Dozens of alumni joined a large turnout of parents, current and former teachers, Huntington coaches and many school officials at the dinner, including Superintendent James W. Polansky, Principal Brenden Cusack, Huntington School Board President Thomas DiGiacomo and trustees Bari Fehrs, Jennifer Hebert and Emily Rogan.
Past Booster Club honorees Charlie Forte, Steve Henry, Pete Sansiviero, Karen Fischer and Linda Roth were all on hand, along with 1959 Huntington alum and current New York State Supreme Court Justice W. Gerard Asher. Many other dignitaries and colorful Blue Devil personalities dotted the crowd, including several varsity coaches.
“A Wonderful Evening”
“We had a great group of people at the dinner,” Huntington Booster Club President Tim Pillion said. “It was a wonderful tribute to three very special people. The evening was pleasant in every way. Just a fun and enjoyable time for everyone. It was really nice to come together like this and show support for the coaches and athletes that comprise our athletic program.”
Mr. Pillion’s fellow Huntington Booster Club officers include Denise Goldsmith (treasurer), Christina Plant (events coordinator), Maris Jamison (merchandise coordinator), Jodi Biernacki (secretary/scholarships and fundraising), Karen Dwyer (co-grants coordinator), Susan Gerbavsits (co-grants coordinator), Michele Deegan (membership coordinator), Joe Mattio (field house/technology coordinator), Denise Stieve (marketing and advertising), Julie LaBella (promotions/dinner chair) and Tim Madden (summer camp director). Associate members of the executive board include Tiffany Annunziata, Marilyn DeSimone, Bari Fehrs, Betsy Giamo and Judy Weigold. Huntington High School seniors Tom Kopstein and Justin Martinolich are interning with the organization.
Attractive baskets stuffed with goods and gift certificates were raffled off during the evening. Following an extended cocktail hour, an extensive buffet dinner was enjoyed by the large crowd, which dined on an array of pastas, chicken, fish and vegetable dishes, juicy meats from a carving station and salads. The dessert table proved to be a popular destination following dinner. It was jammed with a wide assortment of appealing treats.
All three of the honorees offered the crowd heartfelt remarks, recounting their life stories and careers, thanking those who have helped, sharing humorous anecdotes and recognizing their loved one in touching tributes.
Gil Smith
Huntington High School’s founding boys’ and girls’ swimming coach, Mr. Smith retired last spring after a 39 year career with the Blue Devils.
Mr. Smith founded the Huntington High School girls’ swimming and diving program in 1976. He continued coaching the Blue Devil girls through 2007 before retiring and concentrating on the boys’ program.
Mr. Smith founded the Huntington boys’ team in 1982 and coached it for 33 years, wrapping up his career last March at the state championships. The Blue Devil pool mentor saw Gunther Cassell, his best swimmer ever, win his third state championship and set a new state record time in the 100 yard breaststroke this past winter.
John Connell
John J. Connell’s roots run awfully deep in the Huntington School District. He attended Robert K. Toaz Junior High School, which was located across the street from the funeral home that bears his family’s name and where he lived at the time.
Following his “graduation” from Toaz, Mr. Connell moved on to Robert L. Simpson High School (as Huntington High School was then known). Located on Main Street in the building that now serves as town hall, Simpson was a special place.
Mr. Connell ran on the Blue Devil track team throughout high school, with meets held in Heckscher Park. It was at Simpson that Mr. Connell met his future father in law, Coach William Class not long after he met his wife-to-be, Betty Ann Class, who was a school cheerleader.
When Mr. Connell’s dad passed away in 1955, he went to work at MA Connell Funeral Home. Ms. Class graduated from Cortland State Teachers College in 1960 and the couple married soon after. They had two children, Michael and Debbie, both of whom went on to graduate from Huntington High School.
Following the death of Coach Class in 1984, John and Betty Ann Connell established Huntington High School’s first sports scholarship. The Coach Class Membership Scholarship has been continuously presented to a three-sport graduating senior since 1985.
Mr. Connell has been a very generous supporter of the Blue Devil athletic program through the years.
Mike Connell
Mike Connell is one of the most loyal Huntington grads ever. A 1979 graduate of Huntington High School, he studied mortuary science and funeral directing at SUNY Farmingdale. A highly visible community figure, he has been helping out his alma mater for decades, most of it behind the scenes, but frequently behind the lens of his trusted camera.
Mr. Connell snaps tens of thousands of photos of Huntington athletes each year. They make their way onto the district website, include programs and journals and local newspapers. He routinely displays the ability to get “the photo” that most people cannot.
Mr. Connell has chronicled many of Huntington’s top athletes and most of its teams in recent years. When he’s not at his desk at MA Connell Funeral Home on New York Avenue or busy with a family or personal commitment, Mr. Connell is ready, willing and able to head in the direction of a Huntington game.
Mr. Connell’s wife, Anne, son, EJ and daughter, Grace, give him wide latitude to enjoy his hobby. He’s also been one of the Blue Devil athletic program’s biggest financial backers, helping coaches provide their athletes with a first rate experience.
Plans are already underway for next year’s Huntington Booster Club gala.