16 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JANUARY 2022
LIFE COACHES: JAMES METZGER AND THE
BY JAMES METZGER
When I initially committed to endowment
programs for Half Hollow Hills
High School in Dix Hills, I did so with
certain hopeful thoughts and goals in
mind. Cautiously, I became increasingly
optimistic at what was beginning to
unfold at the school with its student-athletes,
administrative leaders, teachers,
coaches, and alumni. All of it is playing
out beyond my wildest dreams!
Half Hollow Hills High School played an
unmeasurable role in my life. For those of
you who know me personally, or through
the media, know that everything I ever
needed to know about business I learned
on the sports fi eld. The foundation of that
experience was at Half Hollow Hills, and
I am simply at a loss to express the love
and gratitude I have for the coaches
who not only taught me how to play the
game, but more importantly, the value of
expressing one’s character with loyalty to
teammates, dedication, and winning and
losing honorably. Among the gentlemen
I’d like to highlight in this regard are Lou
DiBlasi, Lou Dominick, Bill Russo, and
Stan Kowalski.
In addition to my parents, I will forever
be indebted to these individuals, my
teammates, teachers, and the competitors
who helped mold my life — personally
and professionally — during
my HHH years. Thank you all.
On Oct. 15, 2021, I was honored by
HHH by having my high school football
jersey #21 retired. Driving to the
Louis Mathurn receiving the James
C. Metzger MVP Award and Dakim
Griffin with the Scott Mc Lam Team
MVP Award
Eric Geringswald Presents Award To
Dakim Griffin
event that aft ernoon, I was unusually
anxious. Odd, I thought. I’ve been in
situations like this hundreds of times.
What’s up? Those instinctive feelings
were well founded.
I’ve had more than a fair share of recognized
successes in my life, but what
happened on the turf fi eld at HHH was
beyond great!
Coach Marcelin, Award Winners Mathurin and Griffin, student-athlete alum
James Wallace
As part of my sponsorship and endowment
packages with the school’s football
and lacrosse programs, I was able to
have 12 Football Awards for players on
the 2021 team named on behalf and in
honor of my former teammates: MVP
awards, Coaches awards, and position
awards, among others, including three
Scholarship Awards. And the school
made a 13th award in my honor: the
James C. Metzger Off ensive MVP Award.
Having several of my former teammates
there with me, and three more who I
know were watching from heaven, was
a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I don’t
know who was more excited – me, my
former teammates, or the student-athletes
and their parents. It doesn’t matter:
It was remarkable for many in their
own special ways.
Being able to recognize and thank these
guys was unbelievable – just a special
gift .
Also at the event was the individual who
is most likely responsible for my ongoing
support and endowment for Half
Hollow Hills. Eric Geringswald followed
me at HHH West, playing lacrosse, and
graduating in 1980. He went on to play
lacrosse at Washington College. In 2004
Eric started a HHH PAL youth lacrosse
program. It became a quasi/unoffi cial LAX
feeder program for HHH and other high
schools as Eric built relationships with
high school and elite team coaches and programs.
In 2009, he joined the HHH School
Board. He served as the board’s president
for seven years and is still active today.
Eric has infl uenced and advanced student
athletes on Long Island and beyond
for more than two decades in his special
way. Eric’s sweat equity in support of
HHH lacrosse, football programs and
youth sports regionally is emblematic
of dancing while no one is watching.
He just does it for the kids, looking for
nothing in return.
James Metzger at the #21 jersey retirement celebration on October 15, 2021
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