Former Newsday Thorp Award winner Alex Rivas leads Long Island football clinic
Former Newsday Thorp Award winner Alex Rivas of East Meadow leads campers through football fundamentals during the East Meadow PAL Program Tackle Football Camp in Westbury on Thursday. Credit: Derrick Dingle
Even as a steady summer rain fell Thursday evening, more than 80 young athletes kept smiling and competing across the East Meadow School District field in Westbury during the final day of camp.
East Meadow fullback Alex Rivas runs for a touchdown after catching a pass against Farmingdale on Sept. 29, 2007 in East Meadow. Credit: Jack McCoy
From the sideline, East Meadow PAL Football Camp director Alex Rivas — the 2007 Newsday Thorp Award winner — watched football players, cheerleaders, parents and high school volunteers fill the field, a scene he said captures what the camp is all about.
“I think it’s part of the athlete journey to share what you learn with the next generation,” Rivas said. “One of the joys of life is to share and contribute.”
The camp, offered at no cost to children registered in the East Meadow PAL youth football program, brought together football players and cheerleaders, ages 5 to 13, for instruction from varsity athletes from East Meadow High School and Clarke High School.
“The connections that you make with people are what’s really important,” Rivas said. “You have all this technology today, but being out here with the kids, the parents, the coaches — that’s what community is about.”
Each day featured positional instruction, relay races and small games as campers rotated through stations led by varsity athletes.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” said 11-year-old Massimo Amador, who returned for his second summer at the camp. “Especially when we do the 3-on-3s and 2-on-2s.”
“I just want to keep going and never stop,” 8-year-old Aiden Mitchell said.
John Spirou, who has volunteered with East Meadow PAL for more than four decades, said this year marked the football camp program’s 20th anniversary.
“This is my passion,” Spirou said. “We’ve always stressed academics first and sports second, but it’s about keeping kids active, keeping them together and watching them grow. That’s what it’s all about.”
East Meadow coach Matt Castaneda, entering his first season as head coach after serving on the staff for the past decade, said watching the campers return throughout the week was especially rewarding.
“It’s wonderful,” Castaneda said. “Seeing the kids come back every day was special. As the week went on, more kids showed up because they were telling their friends how much fun they were having. They were excited to come back and learn.”
First-year Clarke coach Joe Roche enjoyed seeing his players return to mentor the next generation.
“A lot of these guys played in this PAL program and did these camps,” Roche said. “To see them come back at the varsity level and give back to the youth of the community is really special.”
For Clarke sophomore linebacker Rocco Riccobono, volunteering was a chance to continue the cycle that helped shape him.
“I remember looking up to older kids when I came to this camp,” Riccobono said. “Now we get to make that impact on the next group.”
The camp also featured a cheerleading program, where volunteers worked with cheerleaders on cheers, dances and beginner stunts.
Jessica Martinez, a Clarke senior who helped coach the camp, said watching young cheerleaders gain confidence throughout the week made the experience rewarding.
“A lot of these girls are trying this for the first time," Martinez said. “They were so happy to see their palms. Seeing how excited they get when they learn something new means a lot.”
Coaches and participants at the East Meadow PAL Program Tackle Football Camp in Westbury on Thursday. Credit: Derrick Dingle
Rivas credited the camp’s success to a collaborative effort among East Meadow School District Superintendent Ken Rosner, who allows the camp to use the district’s fields in Westbury, East Meadow PAL President John Spirou, Vice President Andy Spirou, Officer in Charge Bobby Valera, East Meadow athletic director Rachel Barry, Clarke athletic director Josh Friedman, East Meadow coach Matt Castaneda, Clarke coach Joe Roche and dozens of volunteers who helped organize and run the four-day event.
The final whistle blew as campers gathered one last time after repeating the camp’s daily mottos — “Never Quit,” “All In” and “Finish Strong.”
“You never know what impact you’re going to have on a kid,” Rivas said. “If you can help build confidence, teach good habits and inspire them while they’re young, that can stay with them for the rest of their lives.”
