Holy Cross H.S., Flushing, held its Hall of Fame induction ceremony on Nov. 16 to honor a group of individuals who have made their old stomping grounds very proud.
This year’s inductees included Father Kevin Creagh, ’87; Kieran McGrath, ’77; John Owens, ’60; Drew Scarano, ’79; Michael Spicer, ’71; Hardy Vieux, Esq., ’89; and Jack Gaeta, ’90.
Gaeta was the student-athlete of the bunch, having played three sports as a Knight. His primary sport was soccer, though he also played basketball and football — thanks to his strong leg.
Gaeta’s family immigrated to Flatbush in 1955 and settled in Canarsie when he was born. The family then moved to Flushing when Jack was 2, and he grew up attending St. Mel’s parish and school while playing Catholic Youth Organization soccer.
When the time came for a high school decision, Holy Cross was actually No. 3 behind St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, and Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood. However, seeing some of his teammates from the Auburndale Soccer Club choose Holy Cross changed his mind and allowed him to thrive in Flushing.
Gaeta played all four years of soccer as a midfielder for the Knights — three on the varsity team.
As a senior captain, his team won the CHSAA city championship. He also played four years of basketball, first as a forward and then as a guard.
Interestingly, midway through Gaeta’s junior fall soccer season, the football coach approached him about kicking for the football team after the position became available.
Gaeta was intrigued, and after some training, he became a natural fit.
For the rest of the season, he made 7-of-8 field goals — a rare feat for a high school kicker. He even started getting college looks, including from the late Joe Paterno at Penn State University.
However, soccer remained his first love, so he went on to play four years at Division I Columbia University in Morningside Heights. In his first two years, the team was nationally ranked in the Top 10 and made the NCAA Tournament.
After graduating with a political science degree, Gaeta first worked for Prudential Insurance. He later opened his own insurance brokerage, and since 2018, he’s worked as a commercial insurance risk manager for InterCity Agency, Inc.
This past spring, he received a call from Holy Cross President Mark Mongelluzzo, ’92, informing him that he’d soon be inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame.
“I was incredibly excited, humbled, honored … everything altogether at once,” Gaeta said. “Holy Cross has been such a great part of my life, and I still hold it dear to my heart. I was extremely thrilled to get that call.”
He enjoyed seeing some faces from the past, including his former teachers and coaches. A group of 10 of his friends with whom he still keeps in contact was there to support him during his special night.
“I formed many friendships on the soccer field, football field, basketball court, and in
the school in general,” Gaeta said. “Holy Cross brought us together, and we’re like brothers.”
Playing sports, he said, thoroughly contributed to his memorable high school experience. Especially with playing two sports in the fall of his junior year, he learned important time management skills that he’s carried with him throughout his career.
Holy Cross opened the door, and Gaeta was eager to embrace the opportunity.
“Holy Cross continued my Catholic upbringing that started with my parents and grammar school,” he said. “Holy Cross guided me along the path that God set out for me and fine-tuned it for college and beyond.
“I still value that to this day.”
