Two coaching legends at St. John’s Prep, Astoria (formerly Mater Christi H.S.), will live forever in the school’s gymnasium. On Nov. 24, the school hosted a court-naming ceremony during the boys’ varsity basketball game to honor longtime coaches Jim Gatto and the late Ed Flood — both of whom dedicated their lives to the school’s community. Former student-athletes, teachers, administrators, and family members returned to celebrate these two coaching titans.

Gatto grew up in Bensonhurst playing baseball and basketball at St. Athanasius parish and went to Lafayette H.S. in Bath Beach. His nearly 40-year basketball coaching career began at Mater Christi in 1963. His teams won over 500 games, multiple CHSAA division championships, and back-to-back city titles in 1978 and 1979. He also guided the squad to three straight championships in the former Catholic High School Basketball League. Gatto is a member of the New York State Basketball Hall of Fame, the CHSAA Hall of Fame, and the Basketball Old-Timers of America Hall of Fame.

“When I walked through the building, I was just so overwhelmed to see everyone…my players, teachers, secretaries, and students,” said Gatto, who coached high school All-Americans and future Olympians. “The way the school did it was so professional.”

Gatto was invited to sit on the bench with the Red Storm student-athletes during their game. He enjoyed reliving the memories of the past with his family — including his seven grandchildren — who were in attendance. “It’s a great honor,” he said. “I scratch my head sometimes when everyone says I was a great coach. I just had great players in those years. Once we started to win, more great players came.”

Flood, who died in 2019, grew up in Elmhurst and played basketball at Holy Cross H.S., Flushing. He earned an athletic scholarship to the College of Santa Fe and achieved numerous accolades throughout his collegiate career. He went on to receive a master’s degree in education at St. John’s University, Jamaica.

His first year teaching and coaching at Mater Christi was in 1968 when he led his freshmen boys’ basketball team and tennis team to city championships. In all, he spent 50 years at the school — truly his home away from home. When Mater Christi went co-ed, Flood coached girls’ basketball for many years, and he was delighted to have coached the daughters of many of his former players. He most recently served as the school’s athletic director.

“It was very emotional, heartfelt, extremely memorable … seeing students I hadn’t seen in so long,” said Ed’s wife, Maureen, who has taught at the school for 50 years and is now a vice principal. When Ed’s name was revealed on the court, Maureen said she could feel her husband’s spirit present. The family was still talking about the memorable moment weeks later.

“When my children and grandchildren saw it, it just touched them to such a high degree,” she said. “Everything he did was about the students, the school, and our family. We worked together for 50 years, and we loved every minute of it.”

To mark Flood’s 50 years of service, his family, friends, and former students established The Flood Family Scholarship to allow the opportunity for deserving students to become part of the school community through financial assistance. This scholarship is Flood’s true legacy. For a coach, the highest honor is having the court where you shaped countless lives named in your honor. Gatto and Flood will forever be associated with the values of St. John’s Prep athletics, thanks to their unsurpassed commitment.

It’s an influence that extended well beyond championships and will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.