“I like bowling because it was a new sport for me to learn. We were able to compete and meet students from different schools which doesn’t happen often.”
Such was the sentiment of a member of the South Richmond High School bowling team, the school’s first-ever to participate in PSAL competition back in 2016. A sentiment that is music to the ears of Principal Anthony Casella, who together with Assistant Principal Gerard Tingos, have worked tirelessly to bring an athletic program to the school.
“It was definitely a passion of mine,” said Casella. “For far too long, kids in District 75 were not privy to the PSAL sporting events. The fact that we’ve been able to get PSAL approval for indoor track, wrestling, table tennis and handball, in addition to the bowling team that is already competing is really going to put South Richmond on the map. We’re looking to give the kids a comprehensive idea that they can participate”
Luke Timmons was the original coach of the South Richmond HS bowling squad, which debuted in 2016. (Staten Island Advance photo)Staten Island Advance photo
The process by which the school was granted approval was arduous and not without its setbacks.
“We got an email in September for schools requesting approval for additional PSAL sports,” said Tingos, who is also the Varsity baseball coach at Moore Catholic. “Ironically enough, we were denied each of the four sports we requested. We were able to appeal as to why we should be granted approval for them. It was a lot of back and forth with the PSAL to get approved. We explained how we felt it was needed for our kids and that we had a lot of outreach from parents that really wanted this as well. Fortunately, the PSAL listened and we got the four additional sports which will begin in September.”
South Richmond High School PS/IS 25, a school for students with special needs whose main campus is on the grounds of Mt. Loretto, consists of a number of sites across the Island with approximately 150 high school students.
“All of our high school kids are eligible to participate, no matter the site,” said Casella, who bowled for Port Richmond HS back in the early 1980s and knows the value of sports in education. “That’s very important for us. I really believe the whole demeanor of one’s self gets elevated. Also, there’s a sense of pride; Panther pride. I try to really hone in on our culture of celebrating abilities. This is the mantra that we live by, that every student can be successful and have productive lives.”
Tingos agreed wholeheartedly, citing the academic benefits of being a scholar-athlete.
“It’s good for our kids. We want to get our kids into school,” he said. “We want them here every day, we want them to be involved in things. When you’re part of a team, you’re going to be held to a higher standard. You become motivated, you know you have to keep your grades up so they can participate because, even though we’re a Special Ed program, we still have to follow the same PSAL academic requirements as everyone else.”
For Casella, the athletic program is about much more than wins and losses.
“Our bowling team (had) its best year, which is great,” he said. “But, as far as I’m concerned, it’s not about winning as much as it is being part of a competitive spirit that’s given these kids something they haven’t seen in a long time; the camaraderie of a team sport. By infusing these sporting events into our program, these kids have an opportunity to rise above what they previously thought they were capable of. With their teammates, they have that wonderful feeling of being part of something bigger than themselves. That’s what we want to foster; that feeling that you can accomplish anything you put your mind to. "
As far as these two trailblazers are concerned, this is just the beginning of the process.
“We want to get our feet wet with these sports and see how everything is received by the students and how well it goes,” said Tingos. “Once we’re fully engaged in these sports we do want to add additional sports. We have a huge interest in basketball. That’s something we might apply for 2024-2025. As long as our kids show interest, we’ll apply for as many sports as they want.”
“I’m very proud of the fact that we’re going to do something wonderful for the kids of South Richmond,” said Casella.
As well he should be.