Weldon E Howitt High School - Hi Life Yearbook (Farmingdale, NY)

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Below: Assisting and working to Center: Coach of the boys' and improve his players' tennis game is girls' swim teams. Bill Annis coach Steve Bitel's duty. studies the form of a key swimmer. Coaches Inspire and Lead Teams to Victory In the final seconds of the last game to determine the county championship, there is a look of intense concentration on the faces of the players as they con- template in silence. How- ever, one voice repeats en- couraging words. One per- son mumbles quietly “OK, we’re going to win this one.” At every sporting contest the coach is destined to re- main a voice from the side- lines. His eyes never leave the action as he paces back and forth like an expectant father. The coach is not only a teacher for his team; he is a surrogate parent and a friend. “I coach because I enjoy teaching the kids the basics of the sport and then allowing their skill to take over,” Angelo DeFrancisco, varsity baseball coach, ex- plained. Although most coaches suggest that they coach in order to benefit the stu- dents, most admit that coaching enables them to stay in touch with their own high school athletic suc- cess. “I guess I’m like Peter Pan. He didn’t want to grow up and neither do I. I am still playing and enjoying the sports I played at age ten,’’ DeFrancisco stated. While coaches are re- quired to sacrifice an in- credible number of after school hours, Long Island high school coaches are not paid accordingly. Al- though in other districts the coaches are protesting this to the detriment of the stu- dents, Farmingdale High School coaches have con- tinued to stand by their young athletes. Many attribute the suc- cess of the Farmingdale teams to the coaches. While they encourage com- petitiveness, they also pro- mote sportsmanship and dignity. The players learn not only how to win, but also how to accept defeat. SIDELINES “A good coach cares about the people on his team. He is always ready to help, and he gives his team confidence” — Ross Fabregas, senior. “A coach who is really into his sport can bring up the spirit of the team” — Melody Sharp, senior. “I've been satisfied with all of the coaches that I have had” — Cathy Shellhorn, junior. “Most of the coaches are dedicated. They give the team members confidence and inspiration” — Tom Soluri, senior. Left: Wrestling coach Irv Apgar watches intently for the outcome of the match. 145

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Below: Yelling instructions to his players or comments at the referee keeps basketball coach Carl Savalli in his element. Right: A strategic move is planned out by football coaches Don Snyder and Bob Mulligan in a game against Oceanside. Above: The lacrosse team huddles during a time out in a game against Bethpage as coach Bob Hartranft gives instructions to his players. Center Left: Volleyball coach Rosalie Lebenick discusses the game plan. Center Right: A major asset of the cross country team was coach Al Parks, who was cited as a main reason for its winning season. 144 Above: Track coach Walter Brem keeps time as the team does its daily laps around the gym.

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Below: After a hard game of volleyball. Sue Domni rests on Jill Right: Pete Constandy anxiously Brem's shoulder. waits to get back into the game. Farmingdale Upholds Winning Tradition Many coaches and ath- letes refer to Farmingdale as the Notre Dame of high school sports, because every year, Farmingdale produces some of the finest athletes and teams in New York State and the country. Long standing sports records continue to fall as the quality and determina- tion of Daler athletes im- prove with each season. In an ideal athletic pro- gram, the players would have an opportunity to hone their skills, learn teamwork, and develop good sportsmanship with no problems. Naturally Farmingdale, like other schools, cannot completely achieve this ideal. There will always be conflicts among players, dis- agreements with coaches, and criticism from fans to prevent complete harmony. The Daler athletes have proved, however, that they can overcome such difficulties and concentrate on playing well. Farmingdale can be jus- tifiably proud of its winning tradition, and Daler fans have much to cheer about. C WRAP-UP “This year's teams kept up Farmingdale's winning tradition as well as ever — Mike Mena, senior. “It was an exciting year in sports. Many of the athletes experienced a fulfilling and rewarding sea- son” — Barbara Rice, sophomore. “Overall it's been a good year for Farmingdale. I also think it was a learning season for many of the teams. — Dave Palmer, senior. “There's only one way to describe all the victories: what a rush! — Tony Trifaro, senior. 146