Honoring Its Legacy, Looking Forward To New Success

The 2019 Half Hollow Hills High School East varsity boys’ lacrosse season was a bit more challenging than expected following a 15-4 previous season under a new coaching staff and a handful of talented returning seniors. While the 6-10 record this season was disappointing, the challenges faced by the Thunderbirds solidified the foundation of a program with a strong legacy as it prepares for future success.

“We were successful as a club because we continued the tradition of being a family,” explained parent and program booster Paula Martin at the team’s end-of-year banquet. “As with every family, it is through challenges that we are able to grow into a stronger family. The deeper the challenges, the more opportunities we have to tighten the bonds of our family.”

Paul Benway’s second season as head varsity coach was supported by Justin O'Connell, Jay Mauro, Mike Rimmer, Rob Merckling, Lee Giddens and Gary Engelthaler. While legendary goalie coach George Fox, who has influenced many lacrosse programs on Long Island and nationally since 1962, was not available for practices and games this season due to illness, he remained engaged through daily contact with students and the coaching staff.

“The season was a learning experience for many players on the team,” said Coach Benway. “The team was comprised of many starting underclassmen who delivered major contributions. The inexperience of our team showed in our record, but the valuable lessons learned will help us in the future. The team was a pleasure to coach, the players always worked hard and gave their best effort. The boys had fun on and off the field together, and they built relationships and friendships that will last a lifetime.”

Star Alum Greets Players, Parents

The gathering of teammates and parents met with 1970s alumnus and benefactor James C. Metzger, who excelled in the classroom and at football, basketball and lacrosse. Metzger received the 1977 Lt. Ray Enners Award as outstanding Suffolk County lacrosse player and he was a Division I All-American lacrosse player at Hofstra University. Metzger is the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group, a leading insurance services and estate planning company in the New York metropolitan area that is headquartered in Garden City. The James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award for Half Hollow Hills East boys’ lacrosse is named for and endowed by the alumnus.

“Each one of you is a success despite the difficult season,” said Metzger, who supports youth, high school and college lacrosse programs across Long Island. “You always will carry this season with you. Not the record, but the excitement, the great plays and the experiences. Each of you has a special bond with a special team.”

Eric Geringswald, the school director of the youth lacrosse program and a school board trustee, reflected the thoughts of players, coaches and parents to Metzger’s inspiring comments.

“His talk was a great message for all,” said Geringswald. “He spoke to everyone in the room. He provided a great boost to the program.”

Metzger has endowed the boys’ lacrosse program at his alma mater for many years. At the banquet, he announced additional contributions to the program in the names of former Half Hollow Hills East Head Coach Gordon Hodgson and Coach Fox.

Lt. Raymond Enners Honored

At the start of the season, the Thunderbirds honored 1960s graduate Lt. Raymond Enners, who was a lacrosse standout for Half Hollow Hills and at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He was killed in action in Vietnam. The Lt. Ray Enners Award honoring Suffolk County’s best boys’ high school lacrosse player has been presented by the Suffolk County Boys Lacrosse Coaches Association since 1969.

“Lt. Ray Enners was honored with a day worthy of a hero,” added Martin, “with representatives from the United States Army, an a cappella rendition of The Star-Spangled Banner and a rendition of America the Beautiful by a law-enforcement bagpiper.”

During the ceremonies, Lt. Enners' number 26 jersey was retired as was Metzger’s number 21 jersey. The Enners and Metzger banners are displayed on the fence of honor at each home game along with the banners of senior players.

The 2019 Half Hollow Hills High School East seniors and their college commitments:

• Sal Pascarella, St. Joseph’s University
• Matt Manovsky, SUNY Oneonta
• Christian Hrubes, Siena University
• Paul Bruno, Case Western Reserve University
• Alec Armyn, The Ohio State University
• Billy Fitzpatrick, University of South Carolina

Recognition And Awards

All-Division and All-County recognition, along with most valuable player and others awards, were announced at the season-ending gathering.

All-Division recognition was received by junior goalie Evan Stallone. Junior middie Brett Martin and senior long stick middie and team captain Sal Pascarella both received All-Division and All-County recognition. Pascarella was named team most valuable player and he also received the James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award. The recognition reflected his season statistics and his high school career—18 goals and 11 assists for 29 points and 75 ground balls during his senior season, rookie of the year as a sophomore and All-Division as a junior.

The Eric Geringswald Community Service Award was presented to Paul Bruno for his four years of year-round dedication on and off the field to focus on others and to improve the school and the greater community. Bruno was recognized for his character, high academic standing, and respect from his peers and from his lacrosse and football teammates. Besides his studies and athletic commitments, Bruno dedicated time to support the school’s Challenger Program to assist special needs athletes.

The Coach George Fox Award was presented to Stallone, who recorded 161 saves, one assist, 35 ground balls and served as a team captain this season. He began playing for the varsity as an eighth-grade student.

Coach Fox provided words of inspiration for all the players on the varsity and junior varsity teams in his greeting that was published in the evening’s program.

“Many like to measure success by wins and losses,” wrote Coach Fox. “I don’t believe that is how you measure a season. You measure success by how hard you work at being the player and more importantly the person you were meant to be. Being a student athlete is not an easy task. It takes hard work and dedication…

“High school athletics prepare you for life’s challenges. It teaches you about teamwork, friendships and how to deal with adversity. It helps prepare you for decisions that you will have to make for yourself and for your own families someday. It should never be about the wins and loses…it’s about the experience.”

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Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay and Goodreads.