East Rockaway’s varsity football team received multiple awards at the Nassau County Football Awards Dinner at the Crest Hollow Country Club on Dec. 7.
Congratulations to seniors Mike Goldsmith, who was named Unsung Hero, and Tom Rogers, who was designated All-Conference. Senior James Tierney received All-County honorable mention, Academic All-Conference and the National Football Foundation Student Athlete Award. Junior Colin Barnes received All-County honors.
The team won the Community Service Award for numerous events they coordinated, including a three-on-three basketball tournament/charity event at the ACDS School in Plainview for students with disabilities, where they sold T-shirts and raffle tickets. They also assisted with setup, ticket sales and handing out surveys when East Rockaway alumnus Don Murray (Class of ’47) visited the school for a screening of a documentary about his life and career in Hollywood. Other activities included raising money for a student diagnosed with cancer, conducting a teen talk with students in the district’s life skills program and participating in the lunch buddy program as a way to engage middle school students.
The team also started a program called “Above the Line” based on a book of the same name by college football coach Urban Meyer. It has been designed to teach the players about the importance of leadership, teamwork and community.
Photo Caption: Pictured (from left): East Rockaway varsity football head coach Russell Pajer, seniors Tom Rogers and Mike Goldsmith, junior Colin Barnes, assistant coach Dan Vito, senior James Tierney and assistant coach Luke Tesoriero.
Photo courtesy of the East Rockaway School District
