Each Father's Day, Newsday invites Long Island high school student-athletes to honor their fathers with personal letters. The individual scripts vary, but overall, they reveal stories of love, respect and appreciation. 

To: John Clarke

From: Sandra Clarke, Westhampton basketball

Dear Dad,

Happy Father’s Day! Looking back at my time playing basketball on Long Island and traveling across the country for AAU, I am incredibly grateful for you. You invested so much time, energy and resources to make sure I could pursue my passion. Seeing you in the stands at every game meant the world to me.

Your greatest impact on my life, however, has been off the court. Watching your dedication as a physician inspired me to pursue higher education and put my career first. You showed me that the discipline required to succeed in sports is the exact same drive needed to achieve my biggest dreams.

As I head to Cornell University as a pre-dental student, I carry every lesson you’ve taught me about hard work and ambition. Thank you for being my ultimate role model and the most supportive dad I could ever ask for.

Love, Sandra

To: Dan Coan

From: Patrick Coan, Sayville football and baseball

Dear Dad,

You’ve had the biggest impact on both my life and athletic career. No matter what sport I was playing or what goal I was chasing, you were always there to support me every step of the way.

Growing up, you were more than just a parent in the stands. You were my PAL football coach, my mentor and someone I could always rely on. From teaching me the fundamentals of the game when I was younger to helping me navigate the challenges that came with sports as I got older, you were always someone I could count on.

One thing that stands out most is the amount of time and effort you’ve invested in me. The countless hours driving me to practices, camps, workouts and games. Whether it meant waking up early on weekends or getting home late after a long day, you never hesitated. Looking back, I realize how many sacrifices you made to give me opportunities and help me pursue my goals.

You celebrated the good moments with me, and were there during the difficult ones, offering advice, encouragement and support when I needed it most. Knowing I always had you in my corner gave me confidence both on and off the field.

Sports have helped strengthen our relationship over the years because they gave us so much time together. Some of my favorite memories are the conversations we had driving to games, practices and camps. Those moments allowed us to build a relationship based on trust, respect and support.

I am incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done for me.

Love, Patrick

To: Edwin Melendez

From: Tiffany Melendez, Valley Stream North softball

Dear Dad,

Ever since I was 5 years old, you have been the person behind my love for softball. You were the one who first put a bat and ball in my hands and taught me the fundamentals of the game. Watching and hearing about your experience playing Division I baseball at Wagner College inspired me from a young age. Because of you, I always dreamed of one day playing Division I sports and following a path like yours.

Throughout my entire softball journey, you have been there every step of the way. From driving me to lessons every week and spending countless hours hitting with me at the park, to traveling all over the country so I could chase my dreams. Your support has always been there. No matter how busy life got, you always made time for me and for the sport that became such a big part of my life.

You are the reason I fell in love with softball and the reason I stayed committed to it through every challenge and success. Thank you for always believing in me, encouraging me and being my biggest cheerleader. I hope you know how much I love and appreciate you. I am forever grateful for everything you have done to help me become the player and person I am today.

I love you, Dad.

Love, Tiffany

To: Jeff Schiereck

From: Maeve Schiereck, Massapequa softball

Dear Dad,

Words cannot begin to describe how much you mean to me. The number of selfless things you have done for me and our family are countless, and I will forever be grateful for that. Nobody knows the amount of work you put in to help take care of me, Danny, Katie and especially Sean.

Ever since I was little and made it very known that I wanted to play baseball with the boys, you were nothing but supportive. Not only were you supportive, but you also helped me succeed. You forced me to become a lefty and never even let me pick up a bat in my right hand, causing me to become the dangerous lefty hitter I am today. Because of this, I was able to become the clean-up hitter on an all-boys baseball team.

As I continued with baseball and wanted to play in middle school, you still supported me all the way through. I still remember the words you told me when I made the baseball team in middle school out of 166 boys: “I’m proud of you.”

Now, I’m proud to say that part of the reason I wear 19 in high school is because of you — my dad, the man who made me the player I am today.

Love, Maeve

To: Ryan Anatol

From: Anthony Anatol, Ward Melville cross country and track

Dear Dad,

I wanted to take a moment to tell you how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me. Your support, guidance and encouragement have meant so much to me throughout my life, and I am grateful for all the sacrifices you have made to help me become the person I am today.

You have supported me during times I needed it most. I will never forget when we would spend hours debating whether I should stick with my lifetime sport of soccer or abandon it to pursue my ambitions of running. Despite being a Division I soccer coach yourself, you never pressured me to follow the path that was most familiar to you.

Instead, you gave me honest advice and supported the decision that you believed would make me happiest, because above all else, you knew better than anyone that it wasn't the sport that makes the athlete, but the passion, dedication and commitment they bring to it. By allowing me to find the sport that I was willing to give everything to, you helped me not only discover my potential as an athlete but also showed me that the most important qualities in all aspects of life revolve around the effort and heart you put into it.

That lesson has stayed with me far beyond sports and continues to shape the way I approach every challenge and opportunity I have and will continue to face.

Love you, Dad. Happy Father’s Day!

Love, Anthony

To: Davond Motes

From: Nevaeh Motes, Division girls lacrosse

Dear Dad,

Happy Father’s Day! I just wanted to thank you for everything you do for me. You have always supported me — especially with sports — and I really appreciate it. You always push me to work hard and keep going, even when things get stressful or difficult. Having someone who believes in me the way you do means a lot.

I also appreciate all the little things you do that probably go unnoticed. Even when we joke around or mess with each other, I know you care and always want the best for me. You have helped me become a stronger and more confident person, both in sports and in life.

I am so lucky to have a dad like you who is always there for me no matter what. Thank you for always supporting me and encouraging me to do my best. I hope you have an amazing Father’s Day because you deserve it.

Love, Nevaeh

To: Ismaeel Mojeed Sr.

From: Melo Mojeed, St. Dominic basketball

Dear Dad,

I just want to say thank you for everything that you do for me. Whether it’s on the court and you're screaming from the sidelines to get me going or telling me to stay involved in the game. The pregame talks before the game telling me to be aggressive and play your game. After the game giving me constructive criticism or making me feel better or getting hype about a great game and a big win. It never went unnoticed.

You never put pressure on me saying I must play basketball, but you still supported me extremely hard. With rides to and back from games. The early morning and late nights. I can go on all day about what you have done for me, but the point is that I love you and there’s no one else I’d rather have as my dad.

Love, Melo

To: Michael Going

From: Maeve Going, Sacred Heart cross country and track

Dear Dad,

Thank you for all of the unwavering love and support you have given me. From pursuing success in academics, athletics and overall personhood, you have never ceased to lead me and bolster my goals.

When the time came for me to complete grueling workouts, balance school and track and navigate high school, your support was never up for question. Your accompaniment for early morning runs, race strategy and workout advice always pushes me.

Dad, you have been with me every step of the way. All your advice and mentorship mean the world to me and I could never get here without you. Thank you for always being there for me and inspiring me. I hope you have a wonderful Father’s Day!

Love, Maeve

To: Anthony Morice

From: Vincent Morice, Bethpage football

Dear Dad,

I wanted to thank you for showing up to every one of my games fired up. You are my No. 1 fan, and your support has been very much needed and felt throughout the season. Without you at every game, I don’t know what my high school football career would look like today.

You always pushed me to be my best, from coaching me when I was a little kid to now. No matter where we played, I always got a hug at the end of the game.

You are my biggest role model and there is no one else I would rather look up to.

I love you so much.

Love, Vincent