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Community Corner

Hempstead PAL Lacrosse Is Perfect

The Hempstead PAL boys’ lacrosse team consisting of fifth and sixth grade players celebrated its undefeated season in the Nassau-Suffolk County Police Activity Lacrosse League with family and friends at Lincoln Park in Hempstead on Saturday morning, June 21.

Coach Alan Hodish, who has been coaching youth sports on Long Island for many years and Hempstead PAL lacrosse for three seasons, told the gathering that “we always are looking for good students and good citizens.”

Only four of this season’s 23 players had previously played lacrosse.  According to Hodish, “the rest of the team consisted of brand new players made up of talented athletes who worked hard, had fun and quickly picked up this game!”

The 2014 Hempstead PAL boys’ lacrosse team consisted of African-American and Hispanic players, many of whom are from single-parent households.

Sixth Graders

Mekhi Affrainy

Tyrek Benjamin

Nasir Bishop

Josue Canales

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Lassaun Corely

Daniel Dobson

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Righteous Holden

John Jackson-Tinch

Dahmire Johnson

Jamell Jones

Kalyl Richardson

Jeffrey Rodriguez

Johnathon Rogers

Jordan Satchell

Khalil Young

Fifth Graders

Destin Arms 

Najze Berkeley                                   

Jordon Evelyn                                                                        

Marcus Jackson                                              

Jaden Johnson 

Aazayah Ross            

Lewis Webb                                       

Aaron Williams                                  

Awards Presentations

Each Hempstead PAL lacrosse player received a trophy to celebrate the 9-0 season. Additional individual awards were presented to several players.

The Michael J. Piegare Award was presented to Tyrek Benjamin for his “extraordinary acts of leadership, kindness and teamwork.” The award was established in memory of a Cold Spring Harbor High School and Pace University lacrosse player who died in a motor vehicle accident. The recognition is presented to the player who “best displays the character and outstanding attitude that was demonstrated by Michael Piegare in athletics and throughout the course of his life.”

The James C. Metzger Award was presented to Jordan Satchell for his “strong work ethic and improvement made throughout the lacrosse season.” James Metzger, CEO and founder of Garden City’s The Whitmore Group, is a former three-sport star (lacrosse, football and basketball) at Half Hollow Hills East High School in Dix Hills and an All-American lacrosse player at Hofstra University. He is an avid supporter of the Hempstead PAL lacrosse team.

The Mr. Hustle Award was presented to Jonathon Rogers for offense and Nasir Bishop for defense. The Defender of the Year Award was presented to Goalie Dhamir Johnson.  The Rookie of the Year Award was presented to Kalyl Richardson. The Academic All Stars Award was presented to Daniel Dobson and Lassaun Corley. The Bell Ringer Award for most physical player was presented to Righteous Holden. 

Influence Of Coaches

Along with many of the players, assistant coach Tom Paul also was a lacrosse novice this season. Paul brought with him his basketball coaching expertise and his skills to teach young athletes the many facets of sportsmanship. The team also received assistance from Steven Jacobs, a Hempstead Middle School coach and Hempstead teacher.  The combination of Paul, Jacobs and Hodish stressed that the program remained focused on youth athletic development and that it always provided encouragement to help build confidence and success among the players.

Three former Hempstead High School lacrosse alumni—Arrion Cross (Class of 1984 and Hobart College graduate), James Ford (Class of 1976 and Rutgers University All-American) and Aaron Jones (Class of 1983 and Cornell University All-American)—also served the program as assistant coaches and role models. At the awards ceremony, all players, coaches and sponsors acknowledged the contributions of the Hempstead Police Department and Detective Jackie Jones-Ford.  As the Hempstead PAL director, Detective Jones-Ford provided guidance and great support for Hempstead’s youth lacrosse players. She also runs a number of additional youth programs for the PAL. 

Newly elected Hempstead school board member and Hempstead High School alumnus Rick Cooke, who later played basketball at Adelphi University, spoke with the team and stressed the importance of combining academics with athletics. 

Sports Provides A Foundation For Life

In addition to presenting the Piegare Award, Therese and Joe Piegare, through the foundation named in honor of their son, provided scholarships to three Hempstead PAL players—Amara Koroma, Keshon Miller and Jordan Satchell—to participate in the RECON summer lacrosse tournament.

When James Metzger addressed the team, he advised the players that lacrosse can be a great vehicle for getting into college, staying in college and finishing college.

“Many of us in the business world look for young people with sports connections,” said Metzger, “We know that participating in sports helps build character, teamwork and sportsmanship, all the talent we look for when we hire young men and women who have graduated college. Sports also helps players develop strong relationships, and some of those friendships you will carry with you for your entire lives.”

As a major education and sports benefactor to Hofstra University, Metzger is proud that the Hempstead PAL boys’ lacrosse program has been so successful under Coach Hodish, the other coaches and many supporters in Hofstra’s backyard.

“Jim Metzger is an outstanding sponsor and supporter of our program,” said Coach Hodish, a Garden City attorney who taught and formerly coached varsity lacrosse and football in the Hempstead School District. “Jim is a wonderful role model, who inspires our team to take advantage of all the opportunities that are presented to them. He is a true friend to our PAL Lacrosse Program.”



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