Summer Classic Celebrates 40 Years

By Katie McFadden

The St. Francis de Sales Summer Classic turns 40 this year and on Saturday, July 20, some of the people that have made it happen, kept it going and participated, all gathered for a slam dunk shindig at The Rockaway Hotel.

Hundreds gathered at the Hotel for a night of celebrating 40 years of basketball in the St. Francis schoolyard, with a buffet, drinks, DJ music by DJs@Work, live music by The THE BAND Band, and much deserved awards for the families and individuals that began Summer Classic and have kept dribbling for all these years. The event was emceed by Joe Courtney and John Ronayne.

In place of Fr. Bill Sweeney, Fr. Jim Cunningham of St. Francis de Sales thanked everyone who has been a part of the Summer Classic program and to the committee that made Saturday’s event possible, before leading a prayer. “So many have been blessed because the summer league has provided so much opportunity and fun for our young people and adults,” Fr. Cunningham said.

He was followed by Margaret Powers, who presented a New York City citation on behalf of Councilwoman Joann Ariola, to Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg, who was instrumental in getting Summer Classic off the ground and has kept the tradition going.

Before announcing the night’s honorees, Courtney and Ronayne spoke of the influence the Summer Classic has had on the community. The first honoree was the Cleary family. When Summer Classic first started, John “Red” Cleary shed some light on the courts, with his electrical expertise, by installing the lighting. “We beat Wrigley Field in nighttime sports by three years,” Ronayne said. That giving spirit was passed down to the family and Lori Cleary accepted the award on their behalf.

Next up was the DeMatteis family, as Al DeMatteis of the DeMatteis has provided his construction talents to the SFDS church and schoolyard, helping to shape the Summer Classic courts. John Blum accepted the award on behalf of the family, noting their continuous generosity toward the Rockaway community.

The Moriarty family was credited for enhancing the lighting and the courts, starting with the late Jim Moriarty. His sons, Terrence and Jim, accepted the award for the family. “Thank you for this award. It’s really very special. Our father has been gone for 18 years, so it’s really nice that they remember his contributions from back in the day,” Jim Moriarty said, before turning the attention to Marybeth Goldberg, Bugsy’s wife, for all of her support, and provided her with flowers.

Next was the Whelan family, as Kenny Whelan served as director of the league back in the day, his wife, Roseanne played a big role in the female leagues and their son, Ryan, ran the Men’s Open League. Kenny Whelan accepted the award, giving a short speech.

With a bit of a longer speech, Steve “Poppa” Stathis accepted his award for serving as league director for several years before going on to serve at president of The Graybeards, a charitable nonprofit organization that formed out of the Graybeards division of the Summer Classic, after 9/11. “The Graybeards organization wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for Flip and Bugsy getting this started in the beginning because this league was the foundation for The Graybeards. Something really great came out of this league,” Stathis said. He went on to also thank the wives behind the men who made it happen, and the many kids who have participated throughout the years, including those who are now adults, playing in the adult leagues.

To loud applause, Ronayne introduced “the man behind the miracle,” Keith “Bugsy” Goldberg. Ever humble, Bugsy mostly made his acceptance speech about everyone else around him, including the folks in the room, and especially his family for their support. In turn, his sons presented him with a Summer Classic painting that they commissioned. Bugsy then introduced another big name who helped make it all happen. “Summer Classic would not have started without the idea of Flip Mullen,” Goldberg said. Mullen accepted his award after presenting a mirrored mantlepiece gift for Marybeth Goldberg, and thanked his own wife, Rita, for her support, who was presented flowers by Courtney.

After the speeches, the night of fun continued with another set by The Band, including a few songs where Bugsy joined in to sing, and DJ music. Congratulations, Summer Classic!

Photos by Jessica Woods.