The History of CYO

 

  

St. Anthony’s Catholic Youth Organization was founded in 1984 by Joan Morris, at the request of, then Pastor, Fr. Frank Gaeta, to provide programs for our children that would let them participate in activities in a friendly and supportive atmosphere.  That fall, St. Anthony’s fielded two soccer teams.  One was coached by the CYO’s first volunteer, Maurice St. Pierre, and the other by Joan’s husband--Brian.  From these humble beginnings, the program grew, with the support of the parish and Fr. Joe and now Fr. Richard.  The soccer program alone now had over 700 children participating in the 2004 season.  After 10 years, Joan was succeeded as director by George Edwards.  The present director is Brian Morris.

 

The CYO activities are centered on four sports.  For the current school year, fees are $25 - $50 per child per sport, with a family maximum of $70 or $100 per sport.  CYO has a no-questions-asked scholarship program for any child whose family cannot afford the fee.  Each child receives a uniform and a trophy.  The sports are:

 

v       Soccer --  played from September to mid-November, for ages 4 to 14.  Our soccer program is entirely intramural, and all games are played on St. Anthony’s field.  The older divisions have boys’ and girls’ teams, the younger divisions are co-ed.  Our soccer coordinators are Diane & Brian Burke.

 

 

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v       Track -- an interparish activity for pre-K to eighth.  Track meets are on Sunday afternoons in September and October, with a practice on one weeknight. 

 

     Our Track Program is in hiatus, as we are looking for a Track Program Coordinator.  If you are interested in learning about the position, or becoming the Coordinator, contact Brian Morris, Director of CYO at Director@StAnthonyCYO.org.

 

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v       Basketball -- intramural for ages 7 to 10 and interparish for ages 11 to 14.  The times and places of play and practice are determined by availability of facilities.  Usually the 7-8 year olds play at the Carasiti School on Sundays, the 9-10 year olds at St. Anthony’s on Saturdays, and the older children play and practice on weeknights and weekends, depending on the schedule.  The seven-8 year-olds are co-ed, after that we have boys’ and girls’ divisions.  The basketball season is January to St. Patrick’s Day.  Our basketball coordinators are Joanni & Brian Morris.

 

 

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v       Baseball, Softball and T-Ball -- played from early April to mid-June, for boys and girls aged 5 trough 9th grade.  These are intramural programs, and all games are played on St. Anthony’s field.  The schedule varies, but in general, almost all children play on Saturdays and the older children play or practice once on a weeknight.  The younger divisions are co-ed, and the older children divide into girls’ softball and boys’ baseball.  Our baseball/softball coordinator are Mike & Elaine Gasparini.

 

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Our programs are supported by several very important people covering four important aspect of the CYO Program.  Michelle Lombardi is the CYO’s purveyor of haute cuisine as the coordinator of Le Shack -- our concession stand.  Mr. Brian Morris is the acting field maintenance coordinator.  We have a yet unfilled position for Equipment Coordinator.  In addition, Gail Vagle, our financial secretary, is the keeper of the books.

 

The CYO is governed by the CYO Council.  The membership of the council consists of the:

  • Director

  • Seven coordinators

  • Two parent representative

  • Three Trustees, and

  • Our Pastor -- Father Richard Hoerning.

 

The CYO is above all a volunteer organization, open to all.  The contributions of the volunteers range from the monumental hours given by the sports coordinators, to the weekly commitment of the hundreds of coaches, to the occasional hour selling hot dogs in Le Shack, but all the volunteers are willing to give of themselves for our children.  By this gift, they make St. Anthony’s a better parish, and Rocky Point a better town.

 

 

As a side note please, without volunteers, CYO would cease to exist--that is the truth.  The people who are the program coordinators have lives that are just as busy as yours are, but they have found the time to keep the program running.  Can you take the step beyond coaching and move up to be a coordinator so when one of our coordinators decides to “retire” our program can continue seamlessly?  

 

If you can give of yourself for the kids of the community and take one of these positions, please email Brian Morris at Director@StAnthonyCYO.org.

 

Updated: 31 Jan 2010