Category Archives: Section XI News

Retired Suffolk County ADs Gather

LEGENDS! A number of retired Suffolk County athletic directors recently got together and we had to share an image from the moment.

Bottom row: Mary McGlynn, Nick Schroeder, Don Webster, Paula Nickerson, Kathy Jackson Cooney, Mary Lou Assante, Jack Braddish, Bob Mayo

Standing: Mike Tully, Bob Del Rosso, Ed Cinelli, Tom Combs, Joe Cipp, Wayne Shierant, Tom Sabatelle, Dick Cooney

Social Post of the Week: Bay Shore HS

When we see a unique post on social media, we’ll bring it to life on our pages.

Check out Ducks owner and Suffolk Sports Hall of Famer, Frank Boulton, speaking to the Bay Shore football team on Saturday. He is an alum and resident.

Comsewogue’s Butzke Gets No. 11 Retired

The Comsewogue Athletic Department officially retired the soccer jersey of No. 11, Joshua Butzke.

Joshua graduated from Comsewogue in 2010 and tragically lost his life this past January in a skydiving accident.

He was arguably the best soccer player at Comsewogue and was four-time all-league, three-time all-conference, two-time all-county, two-time first team all-state and a two-time all-region player.

He lead his team to back-to-back state championships in 2008 and 2009.

Joshua is survived by his parents, Rich and Lorraine, and siblings Eva and Samantha. Both Joshua and Samantha will be inducted into the Comsewogue Hall of Fame on October 6.

Team Up 4Community: John Glenn Soccer

We will post occasional pieces about community service by our Section XI schools and teams! To learn more, go to Team Up 4 Community!

The Elwood-John Glenn Soccer Program is dedicating this upcoming 2018 season in honor of former player and American hero, MSgt Christopher Raguso (class of 1997).

Chris, a member of the Air National Guard’s 106th Air Rescue Wing, was one of seven servicemen that made the ultimate sacrifice when their helicopter went down on March 15 during a combat mission in Western Iraq while supporting coalition forces in Operation Inherent Resolve, the war against ISIS.

Chris was a treasured father, husband, son, and brother, as well as a 6-time decorated FDNY Lieutenant during his 13-year career at Engine 249/Ladder 113 in Brooklyn and Engine 302/Ladder 155 in Queens.  Lt Chris was also a 20-year volunteer with the Commack Fire Department, who dedicated his life to helping others.

Read more!

Section XI Schools Collect Distinction, Excellence Honors

Section XI athletic directors collected honors from the NYSPHSAA this week for their School of Distinction and School of Excellence awards.

The purpose of the School of Distinction and School of Excellence Awards are to unite varsity coaches in challenging their teams to achieve a statewide honor. This year’s figures represent the highest number of NYSPHSAA member schools being recognized for their academic achievements.

“The increase in the number of schools receiving both awards shows what fantastic student-athletes we have here in New York State,” said Robert Zayas, NYSPHSAA Executive Director. “This is evidence that schools, administration, coaches and student-athletes focus on excellence in the classroom as well as the playing fields.”

Schools can earn School of Distinction status by having 100 percent of its varsity teams qualify for and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award during their respective sports seasons. To earn the School of Excellence Award, 75 percent of a school’s varsity teams must qualify and receive the Scholar-Athlete team award.

Honorees from Suffolk included Babylon, John Glenn, Greenport, Miller Place, Port Jefferson, Northport, Rocky Point, Shelter Island, Smithtown East and The Stony Brook School.

Suffolk schools earning “School of Excellence” distinction include Comsewogue, Hills East, Hills West, Hampton Bays, Harborfields, Islip, Kings Park, Longwood, Riverhead, Sayville, Smithtown West, and Whitman.