On May 16, 2009 I was inducted into my high school’s athletic hall of fame. The following is my short acceptance speech.
I am so grateful to the West Islip Athletic Hall of Fame Committee for this honor and for giving me the opportunity to stand before my family (Marguerite, Troy, Alexandra and Nicholas in spirit and my dad) and share with them a glimpse into my happy past where that experience is responsible for not only the person I have become but I’m sure indirectly has had a profound impact on them as well. Thank you!
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Words cannot express how awesome it is to see Coach Butler, Coach Nagengast, Coach Smith and Coach Moore. You put a smile on my face and in my heart. You all look fantastic. The lessons you taught me on the field & in the gym have carried me through life.
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I only have a few minutes but I would like to take this moment to share with you some of the wisdom I have accumulated since I graduated from the Class of ’74, 35 years ago.Â
I have the happiest of memories growing up in West Islip because I loved playing sports. I was fortunate to experience success because I was able to do what I loved with people I treasured. My teammates were my friends. And I could always count on seeing my parents and my grandfather in the stands. They were fixtures at all my games.
 As happy as I was playing sports, it took becoming a parent to know that nothing is better than watching someone you love participating in something they love to do. That is pure joy!
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One last important observation. I was lucky to be a part of several championship teams. But there was one award we achieved that wasn’t as glamorous as winning the Suffolk County Championship in Soccer. But I now know how special “ The Sportsmanship Awardâ€Â was. And what an appropriate tribute to Coach Moore who taught me that the measure of being a success in life is not whether you win or lose but it truly is how you play the game!  THANKS AGAIN!
