A Story of Faith and Football at St. Francis (with video)

Joey Troina, a senior at St. Francis Prep, Fresh Meadows, is a committed young man. He’s a captain of the school’s football team and a member of the Prep’s student government. But his devout Catholic faith and his willingness to profess that faith openly set Troina, 17, apart from his peers. On Sept. 18, Troina […]

The famous handshake

Faith Inspires ‘Shotgun’ Shuba’s Baseball Dream

The name “George Shuba” likely rings a bell for many Brooklyn Dodgers’ fans. Back in the glory days of baseball at Ebbets Field, Shuba and “Dem Bums” captivated the borough of Kings. These days, “Shotgun” Shuba, now 87, can still recall the memories of his baseball career. Through it all, he’s relied on his Catholic […]

Anthony “Buckets” Blakes of the Harlem Globetrotters poses with children from Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens’ Out of School Time program in the auditorium of Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope. (Photo by Jim Mancari)

Globetrotters’ Bully Pulpit

Known as the “Ambassadors of Goodwill,” the Harlem Globetrotters have combined an entertaining style of basketball with a broader community service mission for over 85 years. The Globetrotters brought their goodwill to Brooklyn on Sept. 18 by visiting Bishop Ford H.S., Park Slope, for an anti-bullying and violence prevention assembly. This event marked the first […]

Jim Mancari

Female Athletes Join Ranks at McClancy

With Msgr. McClancy M.H.S., East Elmhurst, going co-ed this fall, six new female teams have been added to the school’s sports program, which was previously comprised of nine boys’ teams. Young women will have the chance to participate in soccer, volleyball, basketball, track and field, cheerleading and softball. As part of the process of becoming […]

New Auxiliaries Share Love of the Game

The Diocese of Brooklyn’s two new auxiliary bishops — Bishop Paul Sanchez and Bishop Ray Chappetto — are two passionate men. They are passionate about doing everything in their power to help others and spread the mission of Jesus Christ throughout the diocese. However, the two auxiliaries share another passion: baseball, America’s pastime. From a […]

B’klyn Boxer’s Faith KO’s Addiction

Boxing isn’t exactly a sport that exemplifies Catholic values. Two competitors enter the ring with one goal in mind: to knock out their opponent. However, just because the sport by nature is violent, that hasn’t stopped a few boxers from openly professing their faith. Born in England and raised in Ireland, Seamus McDonagh, 59, always […]

Jim Mancari

Cyclones Pitcher Has Symbolic Glove

In baseball, it’s common for players to adorn their gloves with personal symbols such as their initials, their autographs, the area code where they grew up or the flag of their country of origin. Brooklyn Cyclones lefty relief pitcher John Mincone, a Huntington, L.I., native, has followed this trend — however not by using any […]

Spalding contest winner Carlos Mayorga, left, is pictured with Miami Heat guard Mario Chalmers. (Photo by Jim Mancari)

Taking on the Heat: Corona Student Plays NBA’s Mario Chalmers (With Video)

Fresh off winning the 2012 NBA Championship, Miami Heat point guard Mario Chalmers had one last tune-up match before starting his preparation for next season. As part of the sporting equipment company Spalding’s “Arena to Driveway” contest, Chalmers visited East Elmhurst on Aug. 17 for a game of one-on-one basketball. His opponent was 17-year-old Carlos […]

Mets’ Baxter’s Catch Preserved History

It took the New York Mets 8,020 games, but on June 1, 2012, lefty ace Johan Santana tossed the first no-hitter in franchise history. Santana was the star that evening, but it was an incredible defensive gem from Whitestone native Mike Baxter that preserved the no-hit bid. Baxter, a graduate of Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood, […]

Brooklyn Swimmer, 17, Wins Olympic Bronze

What did you do the summer before your senior year in high school? Maybe you had a part-time job, were busy filling out college applications or even lounged each day on the beach. Fort Greene native Lia Neal had different plans this summer, mainly swimming for her country in London at the Olympics. Neal was […]