VALLEY STREAM HERALD
Community fights for sports
High school board hears pleas to save rifle, bowling teams
By Andrew Hackmack
2/20/13
http://liherald.com/stories/Community-f ... nt_source=
Students, parents and graduates came out in support of sports teams that could be cut next year under a preliminary budget plan presented by Valley Stream Central High School District administrators.
At the Feb. 12 Board of Education meeting at Memorial Junior High School, trustees were urged to keep the rifle, bowling and golf teams. Just a week earlier, it was revealed that those three sports could be eliminated as district officials seek to cut $2.65 million in order to meet the state’s tax levy cap.
Most of the support was for the bowling teams at the three high schools, as well as the district-wide rifle team.
“Cutting these sports, no matter what sport it is, you’re taking away our lives, our dreams, our heart,” said Central High School junior Chris Messina, a member of the bowling team. “You’re taking away everything.”
Messina, who spoke on behalf of bowlers at all three schools, said he would be disappointed if the sport was cut in his senior year. He also explained that being on the team has kept him motivated to do better in school.
Speaking in support of the rifle team was its captain, Central High School senior Danielle Cuomo. In what was perhaps the most emotional speech of the night, Cuomo cited her many accomplishments, including setting a county record, ranking high in the state and taking part in the Junior Olympics. Being on the rifle team, she said, was also a key factor in her acceptance into the United States Military Academy next year. She will head to West Point in the fall as a cadet and a rifle competitor.
The Valley Stream rifle team has won six straight state championships, and seven of the last eight titles. “I have been blessed to be on teams that have gone undefeated, and they are Nassau County and New York state high school champions,” Cuomo said. “We are a proud group of kids. We work hard for our sport. We work hard at school and we demonstrate a proud posture in our conduct.”
Nick Novello, a South High graduate, was a member of the rifle team from 2005 to 2008, and competed for four years at Ohio State University. While at South, he also qualified for the Empire State Games and the Junior Olympics. “The opportunities that this team gave me were once in a lifetime,” he said, adding that it would be a crime to cut the sport given the many scholarship opportunities it creates.
Joanne Cuomo, Danielle’s mother and a member of the rifle team herself in the late 1970s, presented the board with a list of athletes from the past two decades who have qualified for full or partial scholarships because of their success on the rifle team.
Denise Diodato, the mother of a rifle team member, noted that the sport has been in the district since the 1930s, and its non-contact nature creates a level playing field for all participants. It is also one of the few co-ed teams.
Angela and Joe Lucente spoke up for the bowling team. Their daughter, Maria, bowls for the North squad. “We will do whatever it takes to keep bowling in the high school budget,” Angela said, adding that her daughter is hoping to get a college bowling scholarship and is even hoping to turn pro.
Michele Marcus, the South bowling coach for seven years, said that the teams at all three high schools have a history of success. Valley Stream makes up three-fifths of Conference VI, she explained, so the elimination of bowling would affect other schools as well.
“For a significant number of our kids, bowling is the only sport that provides the opportunity for them to be a member of a team,” she said. “It means everything to these kids.
“If you ever hear someone mention bowling is not a real sport,” she added, “come out one day and watch the enormous talent of our Valley Stream students.”
Board of Education President Tony Iadevaio said that none of the cuts are final, and that the 2013-14 budget is still in its preliminary stage. No board member wants to make these cuts, he said, but trustees must assemble a budget that the taxpayers can afford. He added that there is no way to make $2.65 million in cuts without some impact on students and staff.
Superintendent Dr. Bill Heidenreich explained that the reason he chose the three sports to cut was because the per-athlete costs are among the highest in the district. The rifle range, he noted, must undergo a lead abatement every few years to meet health and safety standards, and that costs $100,000.
Heidenreich said that for years the district trimmed sports without actually cutting any teams. Teams were combined and assistant coaches were eliminated at all levels but varsity in an effort to control costs while preserving opportunities for students. “All along,” he said, “it was a trimming around the edges, let’s preserve the program.”
The preliminary budget, Heidenreich said, spreads the pain around. Fifteen full-time teaching positions would be cut, including at least one in every major subject area, along with several support staff positions. He explained that, given a choice between cutting sports and increasing class sizes, he choses the option that would have the smallest impact on academics.
Iadevaio said that board members have and would continue to lobby state and federal representatives for more money, and he hopes state aid will come in higher than the governor’s original proposal.
Board members will continue to discuss the budget at upcoming meetings, and will likely adopt a proposed spending plan at either the March business meeting or the April committee meeting.
Budget Cuts Threaten Long Island New York HS Rifle Team
Moderators: pilkguns, m1963, David Levene, Spencer, Richard H
I shot on the Berner High School Rifle team from 81 to 84 in Nassau county. Probably one of the biggest reasons for how I live my life and who I have become. Learned responsibility and sportsmanship. Met many people that I could look up to unlike the pro athletes of today. Kids today are looking up to athletes that are thugs and criminals. I can think of other sports that could be cut and those cuts would be a benefit to society.
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sureshot007
- Posts: 93
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2004 8:24 am
- Location: Rochester, NY
I shot against that team at State Championships in the late 90s. Many great shooters came through that program. It's a real shame to hear.
Is it really financial, or political? If it's financial, I can certainly understand why. Ammo and transportation isn't cheap when you are talking about fielding a team of a dozen kids. It is an issue that could be addressed simply by having volunteer coaches and ammo donations. Hell, I'd donate a case of ammo to help save the program.
I fear that there is more to it, though. As a former NY high school coach, I can tell you that it's an uphill battle when administration doesn't like the idea of a rifle team.
Good luck, I hope you guys find a way to keep it going.
Is it really financial, or political? If it's financial, I can certainly understand why. Ammo and transportation isn't cheap when you are talking about fielding a team of a dozen kids. It is an issue that could be addressed simply by having volunteer coaches and ammo donations. Hell, I'd donate a case of ammo to help save the program.
I fear that there is more to it, though. As a former NY high school coach, I can tell you that it's an uphill battle when administration doesn't like the idea of a rifle team.
Good luck, I hope you guys find a way to keep it going.
When I shot in Nassau county there were 18 cartridge teams. Now I believe there are 3 cartridge teams and 6 air rifle teams. Some of the programs have both styles so there are less then 9 schools with a program. My schools team is gone because the school does not exist anymore but the other school in the school district has both cartridge and air. Some of the teams were lost to EPA regulations which were a convenient reason to get rid of them without it looking political. Unfortunately most of those closings happened before air was really popular so they weren't able to make the switch. It is really a shame that the programs are gone because they really were a good thing for the kids that participated on them. I know at least a few that went on to shoot in college and one that even coached on the college level.
When I coached in Nassau many years back, there were at least 50 teams and around 40 in Suffolk. The fact that there is still a team shooting .22 matches in Nassau is a definite Wow to me!!! Long Island is loaded to the gills by anti-gunners and have been for about 50 years or more. The loss of an awfully large number of ranges, specially school ranges after Columbine has also nearly seen the end of competitive shooting for adults as well. Fewer ranges; ergo fewer clubs, much less competition for rifle & pistol. The Valley Stream Central facilities is one of the largest & oldest left on the Island "Doc"
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VS Rifle
VS Rifle Team
The VS Rifle Team is the most successful team the district has! compared They have won 7 state championships in a row. Throughout the years the students have received Scholarships (full and partial). Not to mention its in compliance with Title 9 requirements.
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NYrifle
Thanks for the support sureshot007. We are confident this is a purely financial issue. The district is supportive of paying the cost of ammo, transportation, targets, and coach. However, the real issue is the large annual expense the district pays for lead abatement in the range. They claim it is a New York state requirement.sureshot007 wrote:
Is it really financial, or political? If it's financial, I can certainly understand why. Ammo and transportation isn't cheap when you are talking about fielding a team of a dozen kids. It is an issue that could be addressed simply by having volunteer coaches and ammo donations. Hell, I'd donate a case of ammo to help save the program.
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NYrifle
There are three High Schools in Nassau County shooting 3-Position smallbore .22; Valley Stream, Freeport, and Massapequa. All three schools shoot in ranges located within the schools. Valley Stream and Massapequa are the two top high school rifle teams in New York, they have won the past 7 state championships.Bob-Riegl wrote:The fact that there is still a team shooting .22 matches in Nassau is a definite Wow to me!!!
Most of the air rifle only teams shoot at the Nassau County range. The exceptions are Glen Cove and Sewanhaka. They shoot air rifle at their respective schools.
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VS Rifle
board meeting
if you are a valley stream resident, and you support scholarships for high school athletes, please attend the march 12th board meeting at 8pm in memorial jhs.
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Guest5
Valley Stream Rifle Team
Sad but not surprising - they want to cut the smallest teams and claim its money? Why not cut down on the number of players on the football, basketball, lacrosse, etc. teams to save money? $100,000 per YEAR for range cleanup? Seems awfully high - I'd ask to see the invoice.
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Guest1
VALLEY STREAM HERALD
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Another state title for rifle team
By Andrew Hackmack
3/20/13
Even with a less experienced roster, the Valley Stream Central High School District rifle team found a way to bring home another state title and set a few records along the way.
For the seventh consecutive season, the team captured the state championship in the air rifle competition at West Point on March 2. However, for the first time in seven years it missed out on the .22 smallbore title after failing to qualify at the county level.
Members of the team say they are quite thrilled to bring home a championship, especially with several newcomers to the varsity squad. Central High School senior Danielle Cuomo and South High senior Sean Wraith were the only returning shooters from last year. New to the team were South senior Melissa Schmidt, North junior Kristen Mantel and Central junior Jurell Wilson, an alternate.
At the state championship, Valley Stream broke the team air rifle record with 1,138 points out of 1,200, topping the previous high mark by two points. It also broke its own Section 8 record by 14 points. During the season, the team set a new Nassau County high score of 763 out of 800 during a match.
Cuomo, a fourth year varsity starter and the team’s senior captain, tied the individual state record in air rifle with 291 points. “I was really proud of myself because I worked really hard,” she said. “It came down to the last shot.”
In the fall, Cuomo will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point and will shoot for the rifle team there. She said she is looking forward to the increased level of competition and further honing her skills.
Wraith, who will likely attend SUNY Geneseo, says his rifle days are now over but valued his time on the high school team. “I ranked third in the state in air rifle and we won as a team,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end it.”
A state championship in .22 smallbore just wasn’t in the cards, Wraith said. The team could not fend off a strong Massapequa team in the county championships in Glen Cove in early February.
Cuomo and Wraith did get to join an all-stars team with the shooters from Massapequa in .22 smallbore at the state championship, however.
Mantel, a newcomer to the varsity team, said he hopes to continue to improve her skills and lead the team to another state title in 2014, if she gets the chance. The rifle team is slated to be cut next year under the district’s proposed budget.
Wilson, although he wasn’t one of the team’s primary shooters, said he did enjoy his experience at the state championship. “I was nervous the whole time going through,” he said, adding that his teammates told him to treat the event like just another day of practice at the range.
The team prepares in the rifle range in the basement of Memorial Junior High School.
Coach Blake McCauley said the team exceeded his expectations this year. He noted that making the transition from junior varsity to varsity is significant, and the shooters who did that, Mantel, Schmidt and Wilson, did so seamlessly.
He said the leadership of Cuomo and Sean really made a difference in helping the new members get acclimated to the team. “They really did set the example,” he said.
McCauley noted that Valley Stream holds many state and county records, and that the program is well respected among other schools. He said his shooters are good students who display high moral character.
“I’m proud of them as always,” he said. “Any state title is a great season.”
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS
Another state title for rifle team
By Andrew Hackmack
3/20/13
Even with a less experienced roster, the Valley Stream Central High School District rifle team found a way to bring home another state title and set a few records along the way.
For the seventh consecutive season, the team captured the state championship in the air rifle competition at West Point on March 2. However, for the first time in seven years it missed out on the .22 smallbore title after failing to qualify at the county level.
Members of the team say they are quite thrilled to bring home a championship, especially with several newcomers to the varsity squad. Central High School senior Danielle Cuomo and South High senior Sean Wraith were the only returning shooters from last year. New to the team were South senior Melissa Schmidt, North junior Kristen Mantel and Central junior Jurell Wilson, an alternate.
At the state championship, Valley Stream broke the team air rifle record with 1,138 points out of 1,200, topping the previous high mark by two points. It also broke its own Section 8 record by 14 points. During the season, the team set a new Nassau County high score of 763 out of 800 during a match.
Cuomo, a fourth year varsity starter and the team’s senior captain, tied the individual state record in air rifle with 291 points. “I was really proud of myself because I worked really hard,” she said. “It came down to the last shot.”
In the fall, Cuomo will be attending the United States Military Academy at West Point and will shoot for the rifle team there. She said she is looking forward to the increased level of competition and further honing her skills.
Wraith, who will likely attend SUNY Geneseo, says his rifle days are now over but valued his time on the high school team. “I ranked third in the state in air rifle and we won as a team,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better way to end it.”
A state championship in .22 smallbore just wasn’t in the cards, Wraith said. The team could not fend off a strong Massapequa team in the county championships in Glen Cove in early February.
Cuomo and Wraith did get to join an all-stars team with the shooters from Massapequa in .22 smallbore at the state championship, however.
Mantel, a newcomer to the varsity team, said he hopes to continue to improve her skills and lead the team to another state title in 2014, if she gets the chance. The rifle team is slated to be cut next year under the district’s proposed budget.
Wilson, although he wasn’t one of the team’s primary shooters, said he did enjoy his experience at the state championship. “I was nervous the whole time going through,” he said, adding that his teammates told him to treat the event like just another day of practice at the range.
The team prepares in the rifle range in the basement of Memorial Junior High School.
Coach Blake McCauley said the team exceeded his expectations this year. He noted that making the transition from junior varsity to varsity is significant, and the shooters who did that, Mantel, Schmidt and Wilson, did so seamlessly.
He said the leadership of Cuomo and Sean really made a difference in helping the new members get acclimated to the team. “They really did set the example,” he said.
McCauley noted that Valley Stream holds many state and county records, and that the program is well respected among other schools. He said his shooters are good students who display high moral character.
“I’m proud of them as always,” he said. “Any state title is a great season.”
I shot at Sewanhaka back in the late 50's at their range in the basement. They didn't have a team then, but there was rifle training. I think the coaches name was Otto Lindwahl (?) There was a sporting goods store with a range on the same street (Tulip Ave.) where I'd practice. I've never been back to the area, but I shot trap, skeet, and some pistol matches further out on the Island for a couple of years much later. My brother was a shooting instructor at the police academy in Westhampton.
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peakconti6
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Guest
Re: Valley Stream Rifle Team
Guest5 wrote:Sad but not surprising - they want to cut the smallest teams and claim its money? Why not cut down on the number of players on the football, basketball, lacrosse, etc. teams to save money? $100,000 per YEAR for range cleanup? Seems awfully high - I'd ask to see the invoice.
Guest 5-
Hello,
i have the invoice and this years cost is only $15,800. Huge difference from $100,00. Down south we call this home cooking. Also this is a DISTRICT team. because v.s. has 3 high schools. Other sports have 1 team per school.
Thank You
hope you can get back to me
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LIrifle13
East Meadow was a great team in the 70s and 80s, they won the Nassau County Championship just about every year during that time span. What happen to the program? Why did it get shut down?peakconti6 wrote:I shot for NHP Memorial from 81-83, then for St Johns U from 83-87, coached East meadow from 87-90, then Kings point 90-91
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VS Rifle