50 Wheeler Road
Central Islip, N.Y. 11722
631-348-5112
|
Excerpts from Mr. Philips’ speech:
5:30 PM – Good evening. I am Mr. Philips, the Director of Athletics. Welcome to the annual Varsity Sports Awards Night.
Please stand and face the flag as we say the Pledge. “I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands: one Nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Parents, thank you for attending tonight’s awards ceremony and dinner, and for raising the top all-around students in the school. I want to be brief so you can spend more time watching the student-athletes. Please look at the SPECIAL THANKS page of the program, as interscholastic-athletics could not function without the help of so many extraordinary people. I also want to mention Board of Education member Mr. Philips who has always supported interscholastic-athletics. Mostly, I want to thank my secretary, Ms. Weydig. She is much more than my secretary; she is my assistant and right hand person. She is the lone clerical for athletics, physical education, health and health services. She is also the district’s insurance guru. Ms. Weydig is also my secretary in charge of transportation, scheduling, obligations, eligibility, etc. and the go to person for tonight’s awards ceremony and dinner. Thank you Ms. Weydig for seamlessly running an office that would no doubt overwhelm anyone else.
I especially want to also thank the coaches and let them know how much I respect what they do each and every day. Some examples of their tireless efforts and dedication to the student-athletes and the community include the CROSS COUNTRY COACHES starting A “Run for a Cause” where they raised over $400 for the school’s Thanksgiving Food Drive. The FOOTBALL COACHES working 24/7, 12 months a year with a post-season berth as the ultimate reward, the BOYS SOCCER COACHES for running summer teams, inside clinics and helping start what is going to be an extremely successful youth sports organization, the CI SOCCER CLUB. The GIRLS SOCCER COACHES for continuing to lead by example and winning numerous sportsmanship awards, Coach of the Year honors, having a recent graduate attend a Division I school on a soccer scholarship and having an All-County selection this year. The SWIM COACHES for keeping the student-athletes physically active during the off season and for teaching a class allowing almost 20 swimmers to gain their lifeguard certification. The GIRLS VOLLEYBALL COACHES for annually raising money and awareness for breast cancer with their “Dig Pink” and the BOYS VOLLEYBALL COACHES for not only helping them in those endeavors, but by helping CI’s volleyball program act as one. The CHEER COACHES, who spend countless hours fundraising, getting the girls to gymnastics and who secured a feature role for the squad on a MSG Varsity episode.
The BOYS BASKETBALL COACHES run open gyms throughout the year and a Spring Team that culminated with a home playoff appearance. The GIRLS BASKETBALL COACHES for playing in this year’s Coaches vs. Cancer game and combining to raise over $1500 with the John Glenn team. The BOYS TRACK coaches, who routinely spend one practice a year running to the local Knights of Columbus and setting up for the communities Thanksgiving Feast, as well as spending an abundance of time and money going the extra mile for the direct benefit of their own student-athletes. The WRESTLING COACHES, who spend their time and own money to make sure would-be All-State and All-American wrestlers are able to reach their potential and destination. The wrestlers are able to reach their potential largely because of their off-season work-outs. The BOWLING COACH who not only preaches the importance of academics and character (it was a CI bowler who earned the League IV sportsmanship award) but who has led a resurgence of Central Islip bowling and spear headed an Adopt A Soldier community service project.
We have SOFTBALL COACHES who not only consistently win sportsmanship awards, but continuously receive praise from student-athletes, parents, colleagues and opposing coaches for the job that they do. A BOYS TENNIS COACH who not only advocates for his team, but led them to their first league title since 1989.
Not only have I mentioned each and every coach up here, but also many of their assistants and JV coaches as well. Because of time constraints I have only mentioned a small amount of what the coaches execute on a daily basis. Every one of these coaches is also instrumental in other charitable and volunteer efforts that originate in the athletic office, such as the “Student-Athletes as Reading Partners” and “Holiday Magic” events. These coaches have accomplished all of these things on their own time and they routinely turn 15 week seasons into 52 week ones. If these coaches were paid hourly they would make pennies an hour. So, before we start with the part of the evening you all came to see, let me reiterate how lucky I am to work with such a fantastic group of coaches who work relentlessly for the benefit of the student-athletes and the Central Islip community.
Lastly, the 3rd page of the program lists the Section XI Sportsmanship winners. Sportsmanship is a premier concern in the Central Islip and the Spring results have just been released today. The results were amazing. Congratulations to Varsity baseball, JV baseball, Boys tennis, Boys Track and Varsity Softball for winning the Spring Section XI Sportsmanship awards. We have 7 high school teams that compete during the Spring at the high school level. Five of them won the sportsmanship award, and the other two, JV Softball and Girls track both finished in 2nd place. The Central Islip HS was rated number 1 in Suffolk County for sportsmanship during the Spring season.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Thank you for your patience. It is my honor to introduce Councilman John Edwards. Councilman Edwards has been a true friend to Central Islip. He was instrumental in revitalizing the Clayton St. tennis courts and is in the process of working with the PAL to build two outdoor multi-purpose athletic fields on Clayton St. that will also greatly benefit the community. He also spearheaded improvements to the Clayton St. Park. It was Councilman Edwards who came up with the idea to kick off the opening of the Clayton St. tennis courts with a mixed doubles tournament consisting of Varsity tennis players from the boys and girls teams of Central Islip. Councilman Edwards is extremely proud of and impressed with the boys tennis team, who have won CI’s first league title in tennis since 1989 and the Section XI sportsmanship award. Councilman Edwards would like to congratulate the team personally for an outstanding season. Councilman Edwards::::::
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Coach Donovan
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The Gold Key Award is the highest honor given to a student-athlete by Section XI. To qualify one must earn 8 letters during grades 10-12. When your name is called please come up and receive your well deserved gold key pin and plaque. You can read more specific information about these dedicated student-athletes in the program.
Taylor Boykins, Louis Colon, Darius Jemmott, Byron Kesler, Adrienne Ming and Anthony Reynolds.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The academic gold letter is given to a Senior student-athlete who attains a GPA of at least 3.5 during the season. This is no easy task considering the amount of time spent after school each day competing in athletics. These student-athletes are recognized in the program. I would also like to recognize the academic gold letter winners as a group. If you received the academic gold letter this year please stand so the rest of us can acknowledge your dedication as true student-athletes.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The Musketeer Award is presented to a student-athlete who has demonstrated outstanding sportsmanship throughout their athletic career at Central Islip. Educators universally agree, of all the goals established as outcomes for secondary students involved in school sports, sportsmanship is primary. These students make CI proud. I would like to invite up Coach Taormina to introduce the 1st Musketeer Award. Coach Ryan will do the honors for the 2nd Musketeer Award. Louis Colon and Whitney McNamara
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Billy Klinke is a 1977 graduate of the Central Islip HS. He refused to allow his dwarfism to be a handicap and as a Varsity athlete he lettered in gymnastics, wrestling and lacrosse. He went on to become a successful professional jockey and rode over 1000 winners for his career. Klinke is currently a motivational speaker, emphasizing the negative implications of bullying. Here to introduce the Billy Klinke Award winner is Coach D’Arcangelis. Ana Quintanilla
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The next awards are for our Outstanding Senior Athletes. To be considered for this award, a student-athlete must have earned at least 5 Varsity letters, including 2 in their senior year. They must also have a GPA of at least 2.5. Once the student-athletes meet these criteria the Varsity coaches each receive one vote and select the winner. Coach Pakett will present the first Outstanding Senior Athlete Award and Coach Ryan will handle the honors for the 2nd Outstanding Senior Athlete Award. Jameel Pierre and Paula Rubino
_____________________________________________________________________________________
The Senior Scholar Athlete Awards are the last two that will be awarded. The criteria to win this award are a combination of academic standing, athletic participation, leadership, school service and community service. The student-athletes had to apply for this award. These awards come with a $500 college scholarship. Coach Brzozinski will award the first Senior Scholar Award, followed by Ms. Murphy, who will award the second Senior Scholar Athlete Award. Byron Kesler and Lisa Cajuste
______________________________________________________________________________
In a moment we will make our way to the cafeteria for a fabulous dinner provided by Smokey Bones BBQ. You will line up outside the student cafeteria across from the science rooms. This is the opposite side you went in last year. Please remember to bring your tickets.
A reminder to the student-athletes, you may pick up your packets in the cafeteria. Thank you and enjoy your dinner.
