Category Archives: Section XI News

Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame Induction is May 18

The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2023 earlier this year. The induction is scheduled for May 18 at East Wind in Wading River, NY. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are officially available here!

INDUCTEE LIST

  • Carl Adams: Brentwood native and college wrestling coach at Boston University
  • Angel Athenas: Special Olympics Power Lifter from Huntington
  • Mike Bowler: Longtime Rocky Point High School lacrosse coach
  • Joe Donnelly: Longtime baseball writer at Newsday
  • Dawn Ellerbe: Central Islip native, Olympian, Cal State Northridge Athletic Director
  • Ryan Flanagan: West Islip native, pro lacrosse player and coach
  • Ross Gload: East Hampton native, former MLB player
  • Joe Grady: Longtime Section XI multi-sport official
  • Chris Higgins: Smithtown native, former NHL player
  • Pat Kirwan: Former St. Anthony’s coach, NFL front office exec and NFL analyst
  • Mike Komisarek: West Islip native, former NHL player
  • Pat Lafontaine: Town of Huntington resident, former NHL player
  • Chris La Morte: Sachem alum and former international gymnast
  • Ed McGuire: Riverhead native and EVP of LA Chargers
  • Tim Melia: East Islip native and MLS player
  • Tom Migliozzi: Longtime Half Hollow Hills West baseball coach
  • Ralph Napolitano: Longtime Brentwood wrestling coach
  • Christopher Pendergast: ALS Ride for Life Founder; lived in Miller Place
  • Jen Sabatelle: Shoreham-Wading River alum, EVP of Communications at CBS Sports
  • John Scully: Holy Family alum, Notre Dame All-American, former NFL player
  • Julia Smit: Mount Sinai alum, Olympic swimmer
  • Justin Turri: West Islip alum, pro lacrosse player, NCAA lacrosse coach
  • Missy Wassell Foote: Ward Melville alum, Hall of Fame college lacrosse coach
  • Historic inductees: Ralph Sammy BunnCarlton “Hub” Edwards, and Constantine Ricci, who played semi-pro baseball in leagues across Long Island in the early to mid-1900s.

Section XI Alums Headed to NFL Camps

Three Suffolk County natives are headed to NFL camps.

John Glenn alum and Stony Brook University product Damien Caffrey signed a contract with the Chicago Bears.

Port Jefferson alum Jacky Chen, a lineman from Pace University, signed a contract with the Minnesota Vikings.

Sayville’s Jack Coan, who spent last season playing in the XFL, has been invited to Seattle Seahawks’ Rookie Minicamp. He played college ball at Wisconsin and Notre Dame before signing as a free agent with the Colts, but was cut in 2022.

Sayville Supports West Islip During Lax Fundraiser

West Islip would like to extend its sincere gratitude to the Sayville High School girls’ lacrosse coaches, players, and booster club for the compassion and generosity they displayed recently during a game supporting a West Islip player’s mom as she fights cancer.

Twenty-four hours prior to the game, attendees were encouraged to wear blue to show support and provide strength to the player’s mom, and the Sayville team not only wore blue ribbons but also made a generous donation to the family to help during these tough times.

“The gesture was very heartwarming to the family, the West Islip team and all in attendance,” said West Islip Athletic Director Tim Horan, “and truly demonstrated a sense of community between two great towns! It was very refreshing to see the teams compete in an exciting game, while still supporting a stranger in need! Kudos to your coaches, players and community on providing this life lesson to all!”

Bay Shore Lax Travels to Support Alumni in Army Navy Game

The Bay Shore girls’ lacrosse team traveled to watch two of their alumni square off in the Army-Navy rivalry game at West Point.

Lola Leone (Navy) and Liz Schmutz (Army) were joined by their high school program on the special game day.

Bay Shore’s trip was funded by alumnus Kaitlin Handley.