2013 Inaugural Inductees

Jack Agostino
Teakyta Barnes
Ernest “Mickey” Caramanico

Daniel J. Cutillo

Wilbur Devine, Sr.
Wilbur “Butch” Devine, Jr.

Brian and Sharon Fowler

Susan C. Fox
Jacqueline C. Guidroz

Althea Gwyn

Mark Holmes

Lisa Johnson
Samuel Gordon

Ian M. Morgan
Collin “Toby” Mullin

Jesse O'Neill
Donald “Jerry” Pollock
Dan Scott
1999/2000 Boys' Basketball Team

Jack Agostino

Coach & Special Education Coordinator

Jack Agostino began his career at Amityville High School as a Special Education teacher in 1986. Coach Agostino began his coaching career as the junior varsity football and junior varsity baseball coach in 1986. Over the last 26 years Coach Agostino has enjoyed a very successful coaching career for the varsity boys basketball program. After the untimely death of fellow Hall of Famer Fred Williams, Coach Agostino took over and continued the success of the Amityville Basketball legacy. Some of the highlights of Coach Agostino's career at Amityville include:

New York State Hall of Fame
Suffolk County Sports Hall of Fame
456 wins (2nd most All time in Suffolk County and 3" most All time on Long Island)
4 consecutive New York State Championships
2 New York Federation State Championships (only Public School on Long Island to achieve this Championship)
2 New York State Coach of the Year Awards
4 Newsday Coach of the Year Awards
8 Section XI Coach of the Year Awards
127 Out of 127 Senior graduates have gone on to college (35 Full Scholarships)
21 League Coach of the Year Awards
15 Sportsmanship Awards
8 Long Island Class Championships
10 Suffolk County Class Championships
17 League Championships in a row [21 total]
8 Trips to the Final Four of the New York State Championships
8 Small School Suffolk County Championships
8 Overall Section XI Championships
March of Dime Big Apple Educator of the Year Award
University of Pennsylvania L.I. Coach of the Year Award 2004
Recipient of the Wallace Grant for future administrators
Recipient of the 2013 U.N.A.Y.O. Special Recognition Award

Coach Agostino believes the key to any great program is the ability to build long term relationships with the players. Over the last 26 years, Coach Agostino feels this is his greatest accomplishment. So many players' lives have been changed because of the relationships built by Coach Agostino. However, there is not a doubt in the world that Coach Agostino would never have achieved these accomplishments without the relationships built between him and the players. Coach Agostino is eternally grateful to God for this opportunity to work and coach in Amityville.

TEAKYTA BARNES

Class of 1994

Teakyta Barnes was born in Amityville, NY and discovered her love for basketball at the early age of 7. Under the coaching of Hall of Fame member Claude Byer, Teakyta led Amityville to League Championships, Long Island Class B Championships and two Regional Finals. She served as team captain both her junior and senior years at AMHS, leading the team to a 21-3 record in her final season. She scored her 1,000° point February 23, 1994 against Bayport High School, and for her career tallied 1,098 points, where she joins Lawanda Williams and Jackie Guidroz as a 1,000+ point scorer. She is a three-time All-County selection, and was selected 3rd Team All-Long Island and 3rd Team All-State as a sophomore. As a junior, she was selected 2nd Team All-Long Island and 2nd Team All-State and, as a senior, received 1st Team All-State and 1st Team All-Long Island honors.

After graduating from Amityville Memorial High School, Teakyta signed a letter of intent to Syracuse University, where she received a full Athletic Scholarship. She was named Rookie ofthe Year and led Syracuse University in 3-pointers in her first year of play. As a junior, she broke Syracuse's all-time 3- point record and led the team in scoring with 15 points per game. In her senior year, she averaged 18 points, 6.1 rebounds, broke her own single season 3-point record with 75 3-pointers and ended her career as their all-time leader in 3-point field goals. She became the 15" Orangewoman to score 900 points in her career and ranks 13° on Syracuse's scoring list.

Upon graduating from Syracuse with a Bachelor ofArts degree in Sociology, she received an invitation to the WNBA’sWashingtonMysticsand fulfilled her dream ofplayingprofessionalbasketball. She continued to play basketball professionally for the next six years with various teams throughout Europe —France, Austria, Spain and Portugal, as well as Israel.

Teakyta fondly remembers the AMHS program as the point of where leadership, teamwork, togetherness and hard work helped her to grow to become a successful professional athlete.

Ernest "Mickey" Caramanico

Class of 1936

Ernie Caramanico spent his summers in Amityville as a child and in the 1930s, the Caramanico family settled in Amityville for good.

At 15 years old and being from Brooklyn, Ernie was a wiry 5’4" and 105 lbs. He was well-liked and, with an outgoing personality, Ernie quickly became popular with his classmates.

It was wrestling that Ernie excelled at, as he was an integral part ofa team that went undefeated in 1935 and 1936.

Under the watchful eye of Coach Lonnie Kittle, Ernie went onto be the Suffolk County Wrestling Champ in 1934, 1935 and 1936 in the 105 lb. weight class. Ernie was the Long Island Champ in 1936 and had undefeated seasons with a record of 26-0 in both 1935 and 1936.

Ernie also excelled in track, running the 440 dash in 58 seconds. Ernie was always atop finisher in the events he competed in.

Ernie graduated from Amityville High School in 1936 and he opened E.C. Fuel Oil of Amityville. In 1941, Ernie entered the Army and attained the rank of sergeant before being discharged from the Army in 1947. Ernie returned to Amityville and, in 1949, opened Amityville Firestone on Broadway. The business will be celebrating 64 years of service on October and is now run by Ernie's son Ernie.

Ernie married Anita Salviati in 1951 and raised two children, Ernie and Joan.

Daniel J. Cutillo

Class of 1970

Dan Cutillo was the last of the four Cutillo boys at Amityville. He credits his older brothers with mentoring him both in words and deeds. He had large shoes to fill as those three all excelled in multiple sports. John at Notre Dame, Billy and Jerry at Southern Mississippi .

Playing football, Dan received league, county, state and national recognition beginning in his sophomore to senior year. He was selected to both Parade and Scholastic Coach magazine All-American teams.

Dan was a nationally recruited player and signed a scholarship to play for legendary Coach Woody Hayes at The Ohio State University. While there, he was a three year lettermen. He played in two Rose Bowl games (1973 and 1974). He has been a devout follower of Coach Hayes’ message of “paying forward“. Simply stated, to lend a hand to a young person so that they can reach their goals and their potential in life.

Cutillo received his B.S. in Education from OSU in 1975. He has been a Marcos Pizza franchisee since 1987. Presently operating nine pick-up and delivery stores (soon to be 10) in Northwest Ohio. He lives in Perrysburg, Ohio with his wife Barbara with two daughters Cameron and Lauren. He mentions “I'm semi-retired(fortunate to have smart, stand up guy for a son in law), play some golf, some boating, some travel. He's blessed and grateful to those he's met along the way.

Wilbur Devine Sr.

Class of 1938

The election of Wilbur Devine, Sr. and Wilbur “Butch” Devine, Jr. is a historic moment for the Amityville Memorial High School Sports Hall of Fame, as it is the first election of a father and son. Butch Devine nominated his late father, of whom he is very proud.

The senior Devine attended AMHS from 1934-1938 and was a member of the football and wrestling teams. He was an outstanding athlete in both sports and was named and All Long Island Football Offensive Guard in 1937 and Suffolk County Wrestling Champion in the 1651b weight class in 1938.

He married the love of his life, Dorothy Israel Devine, Class of 1938 in 1942 and they were the proud parents of Wilbur “Butch” Devine Jr., born in 1944. Wilbur Sr. served in the United States Army from 1940-1942 and received an honorable discharge from the service.

Wilbur Sr. was the owner and founder of Wilbur Devine Plumbing and Heating Inc. He was one of the first Black Master Plumbers in Suffolk County. Butch relates that his dad, “Believed in helping people in need of his services as a plumber, even if they did not have the money to pay him!!!”

It is truly a historic moment that we are able to honor both father and son tonight as Amityville Sports Hall of Fame for the legacies they have achieved in the annals of Amityville Sports.

Wilbur "Butch" Devine Jr.

Class of 1962

Wilbur “Butch” Devine, Jr. bled “red and gray” the Amityville colors, from the day he entered kindergarten at the Park Avenue Schools to the day of his graduation from Amityville Memorial High School in 1962. While at AMHS he was a member of the following teams: football, soccer, track and wrestling.

Butch made his mark in wrestling in 1962 when he was the League I Wrestling Champion at a slim 131 pounds, Suffolk County Wrestling Champion and the team leader in points scored in that season.

Butch was an all around student and was elected President of the Student Council at AMHS in 1961. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Iowa on a 4-year wrestling scholarship. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and in 1979 he earned a Master of Arts Degree in Public Administration and Sociology. Butch served our country from 1967-1971 in the United States Air Force and received the Air Force Commendation Medal and an Honorable Discharge.

Other outstanding accomplishments include being the second of seven Black Americans to wrestle first team for Iowa during their years of eligibility as well as being the only black wrestler in the Big 10 Conference from 1963-1965. He was the President of the Des Moines Alumni Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc from 94-96 and President of the University of Iowa National Varsity Club, 1998-1999. He is also a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus, Council 12242, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Presently, Butch volunteers as a youth wrestling coach at Waukee Schools inWaukee,1owa. In the past he coached beginning wrestling for youth with ODD, ADD and ADHA as well as tutoring them with their academic subjects. The purpose of the program was “To give the youth tools for their toolbox of life, so that they could be good men, good fathers, and good citizens.”
Butch has many fond memories of the sports program at AMHS. They include the coaching of Joe Valla, Lou Howard, Ralph Forman and Jack Schmitt. To quote Butch, “The AMHS sports program was the creme de la creme of high school sports. There was tough competition within the Amityville programs and that is why I believe that Amityville won championships in football, wrestling and track. There were no race issues, as we were all one color, Red and Gray!!!!”
Butch quickly added that he would be remiss not to mention his mentor and Hall of Fame member, Coach Joe Valla. Tie was an expert in getting the best out of you. I wouldn't have progressed in wrestling if I had not had his tutelage. Thanks Coach!!

Brian & Sharon Fowler

Sports Contributors / Class of 1984 (Brian)

Brian and Sharon Fowler met in the summer of 1986 in Brooklyn. A year later, they married in St Mary's Church in Amityville. Brian is an AMHS 1984 alumni and Sharon is a Midwood HS, Brooklyn, 1984 alumni and a 1997 Katharine Gibbs graduate with an AS degree. They have two wonderful children, Brian Jr. (2005) and Gerome (2008), both Amityville alumnus.

Brian's love of track and field began in high school. He participated in cross country and track and field. Sharon loved the sport but did not participate.

As their children entered middle school, the Fowlers took every opportunity they could to be involved in their kids' activities. By the time Brian Jr. and Gerome had entered high school, Brian and Sharon were going to every track meet, at home and away, with other parents. They would carpool to the away meets and plan where to find lodging. The furthest they've travelled was to watch the Amityville team compete at the 2008 state championship at Buffalo State University. Anytime those kids were on the track, it was a wonder to see. Their fondest memory is being the sideline coaches (which their children resented) and becoming surrogate parents to the team members. They hosted many sleepovers and pasta parties.

One of the greatest inspirations Sharon was to the track team was her dedication to attending the meets despite her personal struggles with health issues. She would never complain, was there with a smile and the boys would often surround her to support her while she was supporting them.

When the new track was built, an idea to sell meatball parmesan heroes, all beef hot dogs, assorted bagels, candy and hot & cold beverages at the concession stand took off. The last Saturday in May, with freezing hands and feet, they would serve up these delicacies. The funds raised assisted with travel expenses for the team, which made it a bit easier on the parents. They continue to do it every year although their children have long graduated. For them it's a lot of fun, very gratifying and a good way to give back to the community.

Susan C. Fox

Class of 1985

Susan was always athletic as a young child, so her parents signed her up for basketball at St. Martin's Youth League. She played from the 6"to the 8° grade. After seeing her play in gym against the boys, Coach Claude Byer told her she had to come to the high school try-outs.

Susan played on the Amityville Memorial High School varsity team from 9* grade until graduation. She also joined track to be with her friends and to keep busy. At the suggestion of Coach Jerry Pollock, she tried the shot put, only to find out that she was a natural.

Susan received a host of awards each year such as All-League and All-County in both sports. She also received a number of awards given by New York State for Academic and Athletic leadership. She received ‘Most Athletic’ in her senior year, voted on by her peers and she received the Long Island Academic and Athletic honor.

Susan's greatest memory is winning the State Championship. Down by 20 at half-time, Coach Byer gave a ‘Don't Quit ‘speech and each and every player dug deep inside, pulled something out and went on the floor and won. More than a group of players, Susan always felt like she was part of a family and she will never forget Coach Byer and Coach Pollock, both of whom were also her teachers, for seeing something great in her and pushing her to do her best.

After receiving many offers from colleges across the country, Susan decided to stay near home and play basketball for LIU C.W. Post. To this day, Susan still coaches and trains Post players.

Susan wants to thank her family for all their love and support. Through all the years she played, Susan can count on her fingers the number of basketball games or track meets her dad missed. He was always there. Similarly, Susan has three sons and is their biggest fan!

Susan recognizes that playing sports at AMHS taught her discipline, hard work, dedication, unselfishness and the drive to never quit. She has carried these qualities into her professional career and raises her children with them. She thanks all her coaches and teammates that guided and trusted her to give her best.

Althea Gwyn

Class of 1974

Althea Gwyn, the second of three children, was born and raised in Amityville. Ralph and Ella Gwyn are her parents. Sandra Bechdol and Ralph “Butchie” Gwyn, Jr. are her siblings. Althea attended Amityville Memorial High School from 1971-74. She participated in all sports but basketball seemed to be her forte. Under the watchful eyes of Amityville Sports HOF coaches Pat Bums and Sally Brubaker, she led her team to a state basketball championship in 1974 and was named to the All-State team. As a result, Althea was recruited by various colleges which was pretty much unheard of at the time.

After visiting some of the college campuses, Althea decided to stay close to home and chose Queens College to continue her education and play basketball. In college, Althea's basketball career continued to blossom under the leadership of Coach Lucille Kyvallos. The Lady Knights were the first women's basketball team to play in Madison Square Garden where they hosted Immaculata College. There were over 12,000 in attendance as they stood to Helen Reddy's “I am Woman”.

Althea's Queens College team was always ranked in the top ten during her career. She also played on several USA national teams. Althea's forte besides scoring was rebounding. She led the nation in rebounding for both men and women, collegiate and professional, for two years in a row, 1975-1978. Althea was selected as a Kodak All-American in 1978. Her uniform #31 was officially retired by Queens College in 1989.

At the end ofAlthea's collegiate career, what would officially become known as the first women's professional basketball league was formed. Althea would be selected as the number one draft pick to represent the New York Stars, whose home court would be Madison Square Garden. She led the Stars to the league championship, defeating the Iowa Comets in 1980. Althea was selected for the All-Star team twice and was also All-Pro.

After the demise of the W.B.L. in 1983, Althea decided to take her talents abroad. She played five years in Italy where she was an All-Star each of her five years. Then she moved to Spain were she continued to receive accolades for her basketball skills and community work. Althea played on numerous World Cup Teams including Arvika, Sweden.

In 1992, Althea decided to hang up her basketball shoes and search for life after basketball. During this time an opportunity came about that would lead her to Fayetteville, N.C. While visiting, she decided to make this her home. In 1997, Althea became a member of the Fayetteville Fire Department, where she is currently serving as a Lieutenant for the department.
Althea writes that, “I look back on those days of my youth and now realize that the saying of ‘It takes a community to raise a child’ holds so true. I am truly thankful for these resources: family, neighbors, teachers, coaches, friends and sometimes strangers cheering me on as my childhood dreams became my reality. The support that I received, not only helped me obtain my goals in basketball, but serves me in my everyday endeavors.”

Jacqueline C. Guidroz

Class of 1974

Mark Holmes

Class of 1976

Mark Holmes certainly liked to run and represented Amityville Memorial High School well in his four years of high school. In 1973, his freshman year, he was awarded athlete of the year. In 1974, he started making his mark, earning All-League in both the 100 and 220 yard dashes.

1975 brought more accolades with Mark earning All-League as well as setting a county record in the 100 yard dash. In the 220 yard dash he was All-League and All-County. He was a member of the 440 relay team that won All-League honors and the 880 Relay team that won All-League, All-County and placed second in New York State.

In 1976, Mark again was All-League, All-County and placed second in New York State in the 100 yard dash. He was All-League in the 220 yard dash.

Mark also played football for the Tide from 1973 through 1976 and was a member of the 1975 League champion team.

After high school, Mark continued to run track for the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps.

Lisa Johnson

Sports Contributor / Class of 1979

Lisa Johnson was born and raised in Amityville, graduating from Amityville Memorial High School in the Class of 1979. She earned a BS in Respiratory Therapy from Quinnipiac and her Masters from Stony Brook University. Her strong values of hard work in academics and athletics were inspired by her late parents, Jane and Robert Bean.

Lisa's contribution to the Amityville athletics, in particular the boys track team, began as a supporter in the winter of 2005 when she started attending track meets to support her son Brian. Her attendance at the meets was split by attending and supporting her eldest son, Aaron at his sporting events.

While attending the meets, she found herself providing words of encouragement and support for all the members of the Track team. She often would reflect on the times her father had come to support her and her sister Toni when they were athletes Amityville Memorial High School.

A friendship developed with fellow parents and supporters of the track team, Sharon and Brian Fowler. They found themselves attending conference and county meets on Long Island, traveling together to invitational meets in the city, other areas of New York and out of state. Lisa found herself, along with the Fowler's providing other means of support for the team interns of snacks and meals at meets, encouraging academic achievements and often providing a place for the boys to sleep before meets. She never minded providing an extra space at the dinner table for members from the team. She would take this time to speak with the boys about the importance of education and planning for their future. She relishes the fact that these young men continue to thrive and accomplish in their lives.

Since the time her son was on the track team, Lisa assisted the Fowler's, other supporters, and the track coaches with fundraising for the team. At the annual March Track Invitational at Amityville Memorial High School, she and the Fowlers have gotten food supplies for the hut and solicited individuals to contribute. They often would solicit help from other track parents, family and friends to come help in the hut. They would tirelessly clean-up, set-up, sell and cook the meatball heroes and hot dogs.

The greatest accolades are often the acknowledgement from others, and Lisa is humbled by her induction into the Hall of Fame. She would like to thank Coach Hawkins, Coach Pollock and their families for their tireless dedication and commitment to the Boys Track Team.

Samuel Gordon Leftenant

Class of 1942

Samuel Gordon Leftenant was born March 16, 1924. He was the eighth of thirteen children of the late Eunice and James Leftenant, Sr.

Sam attended Amityville Public Schools, graduating in 1942. While in high school, Sam wrestled as his brother James did before him, and his brother Charles after him. Sam held six wrestling championships, three Long Island and three Suffolk County titles. He wrestled in the 103 and 128 pound classes.

After graduating, Sam went to work for Grumman until November 1943, when he enlisted in the service. His military service included receiving his wings of a pilot (which his Mother pinned on him at the ceremony) and his 2°^ Lt. commission in the 99° Fighter Squadron of the Tuskegee Airmen on September 8, 1944 at Tuskegee, Alabama, combat training at Waterboro, South Carolina, then leaving for overseas duty in February 1945 to be stationed in Italy.

While escorting bombers to SanktVeit, Austria on April 12, 1945, Sam's P-51 Mustang was involved in amid-air collision causing him to bail out of his damaged plane. He was reported missing in action and officially was declared dead in 1946 since he was never found.

Sam was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart which is presently on display on a tribute to Veterans at the Old Town Hall of Babylon at Babylon, NY. His name is also listed at the Florence American Cemetery and Memorial in Florence, Italy.

We, the Family, still miss him as Sam was loved by all who knew him.

Ian M. Morgan

Class of 2004

lan was born in Manhasset, NY and attended the Amityville School system from kindergarten until graduation. As a youth, Jan loved sports and participated in bowling, Little League baseball, the Amityville Intramural Soccer League and Amityville's middle/high school football. However, it was the track and field team, under Coaches Reynolds Hawkins and Jerry Pollock, that Ian excelled as an athlete.

During his freshman year (2001), Ian was a non-factor on the track team. However, the legend of Ian Morgan was born when he asked to run in a seeded 200-meter race. It was in that race, with Ian in second place and heading down a straightaway approximately 50 meters from the finish line, that Coach Hawkins noticed the fear on the face of Ian's teammate Omar Logan (100-meter state champion) when he realized how close Ian was to him.

2001-2002 Sophomore year - Ian was a member of the State and Federation indoor 4x200 meter championship team, not only winning the race but having the fastest time in Long Island history and in the top 5 in the entire nation.

2002 Outdoor season - Ian was a member of the County and State 4x400 relay championship team. This team again set a county record and ran the 6th fastest time ever recorded at a state meet. During that season, Ian and his teammates qualified and competed at the outdoor Nationals where they placed 3rd in the 4x100- meter relay, 5th in the 800-meter sprint medley and 5tli in the 4x200-meter relay.

2003 Outdoor season - Ian was a State Federation 200-meter champion and a member of the 2nd place 4x200-meter relay.

2003-2004 Indoor season - Ian was County champion in the 300-meter, took 3rd place in the 300-meter at the State meet, ranked 2nd in the 200-meter in the States and finished 4th in the 200-meter at the Indoor Nationals.

2004 Outdoor season - Ian ran the 3rd fastest 400-meter race in New York State. Coupled with that, he won the County and the State meet in the 200-meter. From these accomplishments, Ian was selected to participate in the Golden West Track and Field Invitational, which was held in Sacramento, California. When Coach Hawkins got the call from the meet director (of more than 15 years), he said that this was the first time that he had ever invited an athlete to participate in 3 events.
Upon graduation, Ian established 6 school individual records, 5 school relay records, 5 County relay records, 1 individual County record and 3 Long Island relay records. In addition to the many records that still stand, Ian is Suffolk County's fastest 200-meter runner - a record he still holds.
Ian was voted “Athlete of the Year” 4 times by the Suffolk Coaches’ Association and he graduated a 5-TIME- ALL-AMERICAN.

After graduating from Amityville High School, Ian attended SUNY Farmingdale and Norfolk State University. He is presently planning to return to college to pursue a career in Physical Therapy. Ian is appreciative for the memories and high school experiences of the competition and the friendships acquired and the traveling around the country as a member of the Amityville Track and Field Team.

Collin "Toby" Mullin

Coach and Physical Education Teacher / Class of 1962

Collin “Toby” Mullin was born and raised in Amityville. He attended Amityville Schools starting in Kindergarten at Park Avenue and graduating from Amityville Memorial High School in 1962.

While at AMHS he was a team member ofboth the Championship Football dynasty coached by AMHS Sports Hall of Famer Lou Howard and the Championship Wrestling dynasty coached by AMHS Sports Hall of Famer Joe Valla. In Wrestling Toby was the 1962 League II champion in the 1811b. weight class.

Although an outstanding athlete, Toby is being honored for his coaching years here at AMHS. Upon graduation from AMHS, Toby attended Gettysburg College in PA, graduating in 1966. He served his country in the United States Army starting in 1966 and was honorably discharged in 1968.

In February of 1969, Toby started teaching Physical Education and coaching various sports at AMHS and remained at Amityville for 30 1/2 years. During his coaching tenure in Amityville he coached a variety of sports and played an integral part in developing the athletes on the “feeder” teams who moved up to compete on our championship teams. He coached junior varsity and 9" grade football as well as junior varsity basketball for 29 years. He also coached Boys Varsity Track, was an assistant Boys and Girls Track Coach and Cross Country Coach. At one time he was Assistant Middle School Wrestling Coach as well as Boys Tennis Coach.

Toby's fond memories include “coaching” in an era when we had two and three sport athletes.” He added, “these were the greatest athletes that Ihad the opportunity to watch while growing up, play with during my student years and watch and coach during my teaching years.

The Hall of Fame thanks Collin “Toby” Mullin for giving his many years of knowledge and service to the AMHS Sports Program including being the Assistant Coach of the 2000/2001 NYS Championship Basketball Team we are also inducting this year.

Jesse O'Neill

Class of 2000

During Jesse's 4 years at Amityville(1995-99), he was lucky enough to be a member of the baseball and football programs (football captain, senior year). His senior year for football was particularly special, not only for personal accolades ,but because the team made the playoffs for the first time in his career. By the season's end, he was proud toaddAll-League,All-County,A11-Long Island, and All-State honors, as well as winning the coveted Zellner Award, which is given to Suffolk County's top lineman.

Playing football for Coach Mattera and his staff felt more like a privilege. To hear stories of traditions, past players, and accomplished teams, everyone on the team wanted to honor them the best they could, and make the ‘99 team’s own mark in time. Playing for Amityvilletaughteveryone invaluable life lessons, as a group of young men from all different backgrounds and ability were able to come together as a family to fight for a united goal.

Upon graduating high school, Jesse was awarded a full athletic scholarship to attend the University of Delaware and play Division I Football. He is a 4-year letter winner, and starting tight end on the 2003 National Championship Team. Jesse lives on the East End of Long Island with his wife, Stephanie and two daughters, Summer and Tamsin.

Donals "Jerry" Pollock

Coach & Athlete - Class of 1967

Jerry was born and raised in Amityville. He attended St. Martin of Tours school through 8° grade, but transferred to public school in 9° grade where he was in the first 9'" grade class in the new Edmund W. Miles Middle School. While attending Amityville Memorial High School, Jerry participated in soccer, wrestling and his true love. track. He made All-League honors for track in 1965, 1966 and 1967 and All-County in 1966 and 1967.

Jerry attended Buffalo State University College and graduated with his Elementary Teaching degree in 1971. While attending Buffalo, Jerry ran cross country, and indoor and outdoor track. He was Captain of the cross country team in 1969 and 1970 and captain of both indoor and outdoor track in 1970 and 1971. Jerry earned All-State Honors nine times, including the State Championship in 1969 for the Indoor mile. In 1969, he was inducted in the Cross Country State University New York Athletic Conference Hall of Fame. Senior year, along with teammate Randy Smith, Jerry earned the President's Award for Athletics. In 1968, running with some of his teammates, Jerry participated in the Boston Marathon, placing 192.

Coming back home, he accepted a position in the Amityville School District as a fourth grade teacher in the Park Avenue Memorial School. Always interested in sports, Jerry became the cross country coach at the High School. He coached cross country for 4 years. Changing sports in 1976, Jerry began coaching varsity soccer. During the 28 years he coached, his teams earned one League and two County titles.

In 1975, Jerry started coaching the wrestling team with Norm Maisel and, when Norm retired, continued coaching with Ralph Forman and Bill Maisel. In his 38 years coaching wrestling, the teams earned 11 League, 1 Conference, and 4 County titles. In 2012, Jerry was honored with the Wrestling Grand Master Award.

Jerry began coaching track in 1974 and still continues to coach today. Coaching as both a varsity and assistant varsity coach, Jerry still has many talented athletes. As of this year, his teams have earned many honors including 27 League, 9 Conference, 10 County and 2 State Championship Titles. In 2012, Jerry received the great honor of having the Amityville Memorial Track named after him. To date, Jerry has coached 110 seasons of sports at the Amityville Memorial High School.

Locally, Jerry has been a member of the Amityville Zoning Board and the Amityville Planning Board for 25+ years. Jerry has been married to Linda (Haff) for 42 years. They have four children, Dan, Kevin, Jason and Kelly, all of whom attended Amityville Memorial High School and participated in the sports programs, and eight grandchildren: Emma, Genevieve, Sienna, Olivia, Gavin, Colin, Miles and Cassidy.

Jerry would like to thank the Hall of Fame Committee, who nominated him for this honor, and all his fellow coaches and the members of his many teams for their support and participation.

Dan Scott

Class of 1970

On January 18, 1952, Daniel Washington Scott, the first of five children, was born to Emil and Margaret Scott in Babylon, NY. Always a bundle of energy, full of ideas, questions and answers, he was idolized by his younger siblings. From early, childhood and being large in stature, Dan was always interested in sports, especially football.

When he was in the 6'h grade, Dan brought a permission slip to play football horne to be signed. His mom refused to sign it, stating how dangerous the sport was. He solicited the help of his grandfather and after four hours of talking, pleading and begging, the slip was signed, leaving both Dan and his grandfather hoarse. That intervention started his athletic career.

He joined the Junior Varsity Football team as a defensive tackle under Coach Norman Maisel. Football was his calling and Dan had found his niche. When he came to Amityville Memorial High School, Dan truly excelled. He joined the varsity football team as first string and also the Black Watch under Coach Vic Neimi.

Though football was his first love, he also dabbled in other sports during the off season. He participated on the basketball team in the winter and the track team in the spring. While on the track team, he broke the school's shot put record and his new record stood for several years.

During his junior and senior years, Dan Scott's name became synonymous with Amityville High School Football along with his good friend, Dan Cutillo. They became known as the ‘Dandy Dan's’. Dan was never without his #77 Football jersey that was showing signs of wear and tear. He called it his lucky jersey. Not wanting a new one, he always asked his sister to patch and repair the old one.

Soon came the parade of talent scouts and recruiters from around the country. Dan received offers from USC, UCLA, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and even West Point, to name a few. In his senior year, Dan won the prestigious Hansen Award in 1969, earning a full scholarship to the school of his choice. He chose Ohio State University under Coach Woody Hayes. Dan Cutillo also attended Ohio State University and together, they put Ainityville Memorial High School on the map.

Everyone at home would gather together excited to see their two hometown heroes on television, but no one could be prouder than Dan's mom who was once reluctant to have him play at all. It was also at Ohio State that Dan met his college sweetheart, Pat Skriletz.

Alter college, Dan was drafted by the Cleveland Browns. Unfortunately, his professional Football career was cut short due to severe injuries to both knees. With football behind him, Dan headed to Califoniia where he married Pat. They had two children, a daughter Cassidy and a son Tyler, and two grandchildren, Amira and Kalya. Dan enjoyed a long career at Chevron Oil. Always an over-achiever, lie rose quickly through the ranks to a senior management position.

Illness forced an early retirement. Taking it all in stride, Dan passed the time with his family and indulging his love of bike riding, sometimes riding 50 miles in a day. His illness progressed and, although he put up a valiant fight, he lost his battle on June 15, 2012. Dan went quietly, surrounded by his family. Dan will always be remembered for his skill on the football field, his strong work ethic, his wit and his love of family and friends

Paul Eastman - Lifetime Achievement Award

Physical Education and Coach (1957-1986)

In 1957, Homer Ball recruited Paul Eastman from Springfield College to become an Amityville teacher. From 1957 to 1963, he coached cross country, junior varsity soccer, junior varsity baseball and varsity baseball until 1967. In the winter, he learned wrestling under Joe Valla and handled the junior varsity wrestling team during meets.

In 1963, Eastman began teaching in the new Edmund W. Miles Junior High School and, at that time, started the interscholastic teams in soccer and wrestling. In 1967, William King and Eastman switched baseball coaching assignments and Eastman coached 57 Junior High School interscholastic teams. Each sports season, team members’ first interscholastic experience came under the direction of Eastman. Varsity coaches always appreciated his efforts preparing participants for their High School athletic career and many players remember the fundamentals and lessons taught by Eastman.

Paul now lives in New Hampshire and, unfortunately, will not be able to attend the ceremony. Paul writes that “I send my best to all my Amityville friends and the former and present Hall of Fame inductees.”

1999/2000 Boys' Basketball New York State Championship Team

Left to Right: Coach Jack Agostino, (3) Richard Payton, (11) Tristan Smith, (S) Roderick Henry, (23) LionellWatlington, (32) BillKretz, (20) Jason Fraser, (10) Trevour McIntosh, (33) Eugene Nottingham,

(25) Ryo Itch, (12) Max Rose, (4) Reggie Shore - not pictured are Kwame Lindo and Assistant Coach Toby Mullins

This team is the first team to be inducted in the AMHS Sport Hall of Fame along with its Coach Jack Agostino and Assistant Coach Colin“Toby”Mullin.

The team was the first to win 25 games in a single season with a final record of 25-3. They defeated two private schools to win the public school state championship. Amityville defeated Utica Notre Dame, 66- 52 for the NY State Championship.

The Tournament MVP was Tristan Smith with All-Tournament Honors going to Jason Fraser and Billy Kretz.

The team because eligible to compete in the NYS Championship games by winning the overall Section XI Championship defeating Longwood High School in over time 70-67. They then went onto win the Long Island Championship by beating Westbury High School 68-59.

Coach Agostino remembers, “the ‘TREMENDOUS’ fan support through out the season and the Police Escort down Route 110 after returning victorious as the NYS Champions.” He added that all the players went onto college and ten have at least a bachelor's degree.