There are incredible moments on the athletic fields of Section XI every day. Some we hear about, some we see dribs and drabs of on social media.
There are so many that come across our radar now that we are making a huge effort with Section XI communications.
As we see fun pictures, moments or anything worth sharing from around Section XI, we’ll add them to our pages.
Game-winning OT thriller in Southampton
This week’s shareable moment comes from Southampton boy’s varsity soccer, which won a close game against Hampton Bays, 4-3. Sebastian Pereira scored his second goal of the game off an assist from Devin O’Brien at 7:27 of overtime.
Throughout the school year we post photos from various Suffolk County sporting events on our social pages. Bookmark these pages to stay up-to-date with all of our coverage.
Early this week we have new football, field hockey and soccer images, with plenty more to come!
The football programs at Huntington and Smithtown West displayed an unbelievable act of sportsmanship and collaboration during last weekend’s game.
Eli Mollineaux, a sophomore at Huntington, has a rare and debilitating mitochondrial disease that continues to take its toll on him physically. Regardless, he continues to defy all odds. Furthermore, his positive attitude and huge heart are infectious.
As far back as a year ago, many people in Huntington began discussing doing something special for Eli, who is an avid Blue Devil sports fan. The wish was to set him up to score a ceremonial Blue Devil touchdown. This was coordinated with help from the folks in Smithtown. The halftime ceremony featured a number of presentations. Among them, the entire Smithtown West squad came out of the halftime locker room wearing a white No. 40 jersey with Eli’s name on the back and presented him with a signed jersey from all team members.
Immediately before the second half began, both teams set up at midfield to run a play. The referee blew the whistle and Eli emerged from the backfield to be wheeled 50 yards to cross the goal line, with a packed house cheering his name.
It was a beautiful moment for Huntington, Smithtown and Suffolk County at-large.
Section XI in its never ending mission to provide the student-athletes of Suffolk County with a positive and safe athletic experience has embarked on a journey to make the great game of football even better.
Through the vision of the Cutinella Family and the stakeholders of Suffolk County football we are introducing and implementing the “Tommy Tough Football Standards”.
Boomer Esiason Hometown: East Islip Sport: Football Status: Broadcaster, retired from NFL
Boomer Esiason is one of the most famous sporting figures in Long Island history. He was a standout at East Islip High in both football and baseball and chose the gridiron in college where he starred at the University of Maryland. His career trajectory led him to the Super Bowl as a starting quarterback and a future as one of the most recognizable broadcasters in America today. He is also the founder of the Boomer Esiason Foundation, which leads the way in the fight against cystic fibrosis, a disease that hits close to home for Boomer since his son Gunner has suffered from this since he was born.
We have now entered the second half of the summer and are busy getting ready for the 2016 fall sports season which begins in a couple of short weeks. I hope that you have had an enjoyable summer and that everyone has gotten in some quality relaxation and family time.
Section XI has been busy during the summer as it prepares for another exciting year in Suffolk County athletics. We have undergone some transition within our office and welcome Taryn Marshall to the Section XI family. Chris McKeveny has stepped into a new role and has taken on the responsibilities previously held by Dee Nebgen who has retired after 17 years at Section XI. We wish all three the best as they move on to new chapters in their professional and personal life. The remainder of the staff continues to be busy, scheduling, assigning officials, billing and putting in place everything that needs to be done to ensure a smooth start on August 15 when varsity and junior varsity football begins practicing.
We would also like to welcome back the athletic directors who tirelessly work to provide their student-athletes with enjoyable, positive and meaningful athletic experiences. We cannot thank you enough for your commitment and dedication to your profession. Special welcome to our new directors. We look forward to your insight, feedback and input. I hope you will find your new roles rewarding and enjoyable. Although you may not hear it as often as you should please know that the impact you will have on so many is appreciated. Without you it doesnt happen.
Welcome back to all of our student-athletes, coaches and support staff. Please join us in our commitment to continue to make Section XI the best section in New York State.
For the past 25 years, I have had the privilege to hold the single best job in Suffolk County. Being an athletic director is truly a blessing. This wasn’t my ultimate goal, as I always wanted to be a high school physical education teacher and head football coach.
Pete Blieberg, Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education for the Sachem Central School District.
That dream became a reality when I left Sachem after five years as a physical education teacher and freshman football and lacrosse coach and moved over to Kings Park where I served as the head football coach and a physical education teacher for the next five years. But then life got in the way.
I was excessed from my teaching job to half a position and, luckily, I was fortunate enough to receive a waiver from the state, become the athletic director there while I completed my administrative degree and, as they say, the rest is history.
What most people don’t know about the job is actually what we do; let me try to explain.
During the school day hours, our responsibilities, which vary from district to district, and include but are not limited to, working with K-12 physical education and health teachers, overseeing the school nurses and working closely with school secretaries, custodians and grounds crews to prepare for the interscholastic day ahead.
When most people’s work days end, the second half of our job begins. We are out watching practices and games, checking to ensure that all fields are properly set up, chaperones are in place and timers and scorers are where they need to be. I would be lying if I said that it’s the athletic director that arranges all of this, in each and every case, it’s the athletic office staff that does the majority of the leg work making sure buses are scheduled and on time, as well as school and grounds staff are communicated with every day to ensure a smooth transition from school day to interscholastic athletic day. One only needs to shadow an athletic office on a rainy fall or spring day to see the value and worth of these outstanding ladies that are truly the MVP’s of any (and all) athletic departments.
Probably the greatest part of our jobs is getting to watch our student-athletes perform and represent our school districts and communities. It is here, long after the general population has gone home for the day that the relationships are forged between the AD’s and coaches, the student-athletes and their parents. This is by far the most rewarding aspect of our jobs.
Looking back I have been extremely fortunate to be associated with numerous championship teams. When I was the AD at East Islip, the football team won the schools only Long Island championship, and my youngest son, Alec, was a wide receiver on that team, which made it extra special. It was a wonderful thrill as an AD and a dad!
At Sachem, we’ve crowned numerous state and national champions but when the Sachem East field hockey team won its first state title, and Sachem North football won the Long Island championship, those were two of the biggest highlights of my career.
Another perk that we have, that other school administrators don’t enjoy, is that every three months or so we start a new season, with new faces, teams and fun, complete with fresh expectations. This is what has kept me engaged and focused over a 25-year career as an AD (35 total in education).
Being able to sprinkle in special events such as welcoming back alumni and championship teams from years gone by, hosting athletic hall of fame ceremonies and maintaining the history of our programs allows the current student-athletes and coaches to take pride in the programs they are involved in and helps to keep strong traditions intact.
As in most things, the first ones are the best; at Kings Park we held a full contact alumni football game that attracted one of the largest crowds ever seen at the school. But in all fairness, I’d have to say bringing back the 1986 Rutgers Trophy team at Sachem was the best. First, because of the lifelong admiration I personally have for former Coach Fred Fusaro, and, secondly, because I actually coached a number of those players when they came though the freshman program during my first run here. Moments like this have truly been special.
I couldn’t think of a more rewarding job then to be an athletic director!
Pete Blieberg is the Director of Athletics, Health and Physical Education for the Sachem Central School District. He has served in similar roles in both East Islip and Kings Park. Blieberg is also the game coordinator of the Empire Challenge all-star football game, founded by the Boomer Esiason Foundation and played to raise funds and awareness in the fight against cystic fibrosis.
Boomer Esiason
