Stanner Golf Classic – Nearing a Sellout!
- When: Monday, May 4th, 2015
- Where: Plandome Country Club | North Hills Country Club
- Contact: Maria Ford | mford@molloyhs.org | (718) 943-3186
- REGISTRATION NOW CLOSED
We are happy to report that the 29th Annual Jim Kinnier Stanner Golf Classic is nearing a sellout! Over the past several months we have shared articles highlighting many of the exciting aspects of the golf outing (Raffle Tickets, Honorees/Journal, Auctions, Parents). Now we begin the final push toward what will be another historic day for our school. The generosity of our community through the Stanner Golf Classic has directly led to over $2 million raised for Molloy’s scholarship program since 1987. Your kindness has ensured that countless students in need can be afforded the opportunity to receive a quality, Catholic education. Last year over 300 golfers answered the call to swing for Molloy students, and with similar numbers coming together in 2015, we are confident that 2015 will be remembered as another successful effort.
Though a sellout is within reach, there is still time to register a foursome, sponsor a journal ad, purchase raffle tickets, or make a donation to the Stanner Golf Classic. Volunteers are crucial to the success of the Stanner Golf Classic. Whether aiding morning registration, organizing prizes and items, or helping to keep the games moving throughout the course, each task is an important part of the day. We look forward to hearing from some new volunteers this year. Your support of Molloy and the Stanner Golf Classic is truly appreciated.
Around the School
Stanners Give the Gift of Life
Shortly before Easter break, dozens of Stanners and faculty members volunteered to give the gift of life. The New York Blood Center, which made its annual visit to Molloy on March 31st, has served over 20 million people in New York, New Jersey, and beyond since 1964. According to the NYBC, one in three people will benefit from donated blood at some point during their life. Nearly 2,000 men, women and children in our communities, including cancer, transplant and surgery patients, trauma victims, newborn babies and many others need blood transfusions everyday. These facts prove that each donation plays a critical role in saving a life. “Our community came together to donate 134 pints of blood during this year’s blood drive,” said Ms. Kathy Forgione, Molloy’s on site Registered Nurse who coordinates with the NYBC. “We all appreciate their willingness to donate and hope they will consider doing so again in the future. Overall it was a very successful drive and I look forward to the NYBC’s visit next year.”
St. Ann’s Academy: Military School?
Proud Stanner and Georgia resident Don Eustace ’52 recently took some time to research his alma mater. His interest in the subject was sparked after communications with Br. Brendan (John) Brennan ’54, who he has remained good friends with over the years. Don’s research led him to archived blog entries published by Br. Patrick McNamara. Br. Patrick’s blog featured several vintage photos of St. Ann’s Academy, the Marist Brothers, and Esopus. One of the most unique photos dates back to 1914 and shows a youthful military lineup outside St. Ann’s on Lexington Avenue. According to Br. Patrick, and unbeknownst to many, St. Ann’s doubled as a military academy for a brief period during its early history. A fact many do know is that St. Ann’s offered its quality Catholic education to elementary grades in addition to grades nine through twelve. It also served as a boarding school, which made sleeping quarters an important part of life at St. Ann’s for many students. Don also shared historic photos of some of St. Ann’s other facilities including the boarders’ study hall, the chapel, the courtyard during a gym exercise, and an early photo of the exterior of the school. Don estimates that the exterior photo may date to the early 1900’s considering the subway station was not yet in place.
Br. Patrick’s blog also featured a photo, dating back over half a century, of Marist Brothers posed together at the grounds at Esopus. The Brothers initially purchased the Esopus property in 1942. It is fortunate that they were able to secure it as all of the Marist owned and affiliated schools today know it as a beautiful retreat and home away from home. The Marist Brothers Center at Esopus currently hosts all of Molloy’s retreats, encounters and of course, our incoming Freshman Camp. Esopus also serves as a hub for Marist Evangelization programs such as Sharing Our Call and the Marist Youth Gatherings. Many of Molloy’s students, alumni and faculty volunteer to work the summer camps for children with special needs.
Thanks to Don for sharing these items!
Ed Kurpiel ’71 and the Longest Home Run
Stanner Hall of Famer Ed Kurpiel ’71 is known around the Molloy community as one of the school’s greatest all-time competitors. A two sport athlete, Ed played basketball and baseball under the guidance of Coach Jack Curran during the golden days of the late 60’s and early 70’s – a time when Molloy enjoyed a great deal of success on the court and diamond. Ed was on the front lines of that success. On the court, Ed was an imposing center who dazzled crowds and opponents with his aggressive play. As a slick fielding, smooth hitting left-handed first baseman, Ed powered the Stanners and eventually set the NYC high school record for homers. He even helped lead the Varsity team to three consecutive city championships from ’69 to ’71. Kurpiel has been described as disciplined, dominating, and even a prodigy. So it might not surprise those who saw him play that many believe he slugged the longest home run ever hit in the history of the sport. Truth or myth? Tablet reporter Jim Mancari recently took a deeper look at the tall tale.
The home run in question was hit while Ed was a member of the Class-A Modesto Reds on May 31st, 1972 at Moana Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Tagging a three-run homer to right field, the ball cleared the fence and seemed to go into orbit. Pleased to simply break out of a slump, Kurpiel didn’t think much of the feat back then, but the legend grew over time. The play has stayed in the consciousness of many baseball buffs since then. When Moana Stadium was demolished in 2012, an investigation, taking into account sea level and utilizing a fiberglass measuring device, revealed that Kurpiel’s homer landed 738 feet from home plate. Whether or not the test is accurate is hard for this Beehive editor to say, but read a few of Kurpiel’s quotes in Jim’s article and decide for yourself. Read Jim’s full article.
Phil McBride ‘73 will be inducted into two Halls of Fame later this spring. On May 14th, Phil will be awarded with induction into the CHSAA Hall of Fame based on his many reputable years as a basketball referee in the Catholic High School League. The CHSAA Hall of Fame honors those individuals from its history who nurtured and guided the organization to its current position as a national leader in high school sports and activities. On May 15th, Phil will be recognized with induction into the CYO Hall of Fame for over 40 years as a youth basketball coach in the CYO League. The CYO Hall of Fame honors individuals that have made significant contributions to the CYO in the Diocese of Brooklyn as a player, coach, clergy, coordinator, official, parish representative, athletic director, or other member of the community whose accomplishments and actions have brought life to the Mission, Philosophy, and Values of the Diocese of Brooklyn CYO. Everyone at Molloy extends their sincerest congratulations to Coach McBride and wish him many more years of success.
Richard Lally ’71 is proud to announce that one of his books will receive some star treatment in the near future. The Wrong Stuff, a baseball drama based on the bestselling memoir by Lally and ex-pitcher Bill “Spaceman” Lee, will bring Josh Duhamel, Ernie Hudson, Hilary Swank and Loretta Devine together for a film adaption. Directed by Brett Rapkin and produced by Stephen Nemeth, the film chronicles the rise and fall of pitcher Bill Lee, a short-fused “madman” in a French Canadian amateur league who is unable to look beyond himself as a baseball player. Richard met Bill while working on a different baseball book many years ago. They became friends and Richard soon realized that Bill would be a great subject for his next book. They started writing in 1982 and saw it published by 1984. Within a month Richard and Bill saw The Wrong Stuff reach several best-seller lists. “I thought Bills life would make a great movie even before we started working on the book,” said Richard. “He’s the ultimate baseball counter-culture hero, the sort of irreverent rebel who usually plays well on the big screen.” Richard hopes the movie adaption will capture Bill’s passion for baseball. If the film does well, they have hopes to expand the story of the original in more books and films.
Vinny Blandino ’86 shares news that his daughter, Nicolette Blandino ’14 (pictured back row, second from the left), is the newest member of the Brooklyn Cyclones Beach Bum Dance team. Previously, Nicolette was once a proud member of Molloy’s Dance Team, and she has continued to develop her talents. She will dance with her new team during every Brooklyn Cyclones home game at MCU Park at Coney Island during the 2015 season. Vinny is also proud of his son Vincent Blandino ’18, who is currently a member of Molloy’s JV baseball team.
Congratulations to Tom Stanton ’93 and wife Katy as they welcomed Joseph Patrick Stanton to the world on March 31st. Joseph weighed in at 7 lbs 2 oz. Mom and baby are doing well, while big sister Cecilia has been very excited to have a new little brother. Everyone here at Molloy extends best wishes to the Stanton family!
We were recently informed of the passing of Robert Stone on January 10th, 2015. Robert had attended St. Ann’s for several years in the 1950’s before leaving the school, but befriended many Stanners during his time there. He would have been a member of the Class of 1955. After St. Ann’s, Robert found himself through his writing. He would work to become a successful and respected novelist known throughout many corners of the globe. His first novel, A Hall of Mirrors, was published in 1966 and preceded Dog Soldiers (1974), A Flag for Sunrise (1981), Children of Light (1986), Outerbridge Reach (1992), Damascus Gate (1998), Bay of Souls (2003), and Death of the Black-Haird Girl (2013). He also wrote several short stories, nonfiction pieces, and screenplays. Two of his works, the aforementioned A Flag for Sunrise and a short story, Bear and His Daughter, were both finalists for the Pulitizer prize. He was also a multiple time finalist and winner of the National Book Award and a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award. His works often featured action, adventure, political unrest, nautical themes, and dark humor – much of which was inspired by his own tumultuous experiences. In the later stages of his career he taught creative writing programs at Johns Hopkins and Yale and was the endowed chair in the English department at Texas State University-San Marcos. He later relocated to Key West, Florida, where he spent the remainder of his life. Upon his passing, the New York Times published a full page obituary detailing his life and accomplishments. He is survived by his wife Janice and their children, Deirdre and Ian. Please pray for Robert and his family.
We are saddened to share the passing of Francis J. Kelly ’51, uncle of Mike Mangan ’93. We ask that you please keep Mr. Kelly and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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