Throughout the school year we’ll post exemplary stories of sportsmanship in Suffolk County.
Teaching Kids to be Good Sports … “We’re living in an age where the preservation of traditional values can no longer be taken for granted. It seems we need to have reminders (books, movies, newspaper articles, etc.) to maintain our awareness of the importance of preserving the basic human values which are essential to the survival of a community.”
Click to read more from Dr. Darrell Burnett!
Huntington, Smithtown West team up for special moment
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. Click here to watch it!