For the first time since 2019, the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) of Brooklyn and Queens hosted its Hall of Fame induction dinner.
The event, which took place Feb. 15 at The Rockaway Hotel in Rockaway Park, honored the seventh class of CYO Hall of Famers – taking the full total of those enshrined to 79 members.
“These individuals are not being recognized for games or championships won but for their years of dedicated service and commitment to the Catholic Youth Organization,” said CYO Executive Director Keith Goldberg. “Our honorees have all helped teach the lessons to the youth enabling them to achieve spiritual growth, assume leadership roles, and establish a sense of Christian community throughout our diocese.”
“These men and women have proven time and time again to be promoters and examples of what is right, good, and holy,” said Father James Kuroly, rector principal of Cathedral Prep and Seminary, Elmhurst, who serves as the spiritual liaison to CYO. “Therefore, all these men and women are worthy of being called a Hall of Famer.”
Here’s a complete look at the new seven-member class:
Father Joseph Gibino
Father Joseph Gibino is the pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, Brooklyn Heights, and the vicar of evangelization and catechesis in the Diocese of Brooklyn. His background in education has spanned nearly five decades.
He also served as spiritual liaison for CYO, and his leadership was instrumental in contributing to the organization’s growth during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
Andy Kotowicz
Andy Kotowicz graduated from St. Kevin’s School, Flushing, and later served as the school’s CYO athletic director for 33 years starting in 1988. In addition to directing the parish’s track program, he also became CYO’s track coordinator in 1997 until his retirement in 2021.
In this role, he oversaw over 10 meets each year during the cross-country, indoor track, and outdoor track seasons – which involved more than 20 parishes and 1,000 children collectively.
Bob Posio (posthumously)
Born and raised in Maspeth, Bob Posio was a standout basketball and baseball player at St. Adalbert School, Elmhurst. He later coached basketball at Our Lady of Hope, Middle Village, for over a decade.
He guided three different girls’ CYO hoops teams to diocesan championships. He also served on the parish’s athletic board and as the parish athletic representative before his death in 2020.
Kathy Feeley
Kathy Feeley played her CYO basketball and softball at St. Sebastian, Woodside, where she also attended grammar school. In 2000, she began coaching softball when her daughter started playing and then started coaching basketball the following season.
She soon assumed the role as the parish’s athletic director for basketball and softball. Her teams won three diocesan softball titles and one basketball diocesan championship.
Dave Finnigan
CYO sports at St. Sebastian has been a way of life for Dave Finnigan. He grew up as a parishioner there and played for the parish’s sports program.
He then spent 15 years as a baseball and basketball coach at the parish and then had a 16-year stint as the parish’s athletic director for both sports. He was – and still is – a fixture in the St. Sebastian’s gym, especially during CYO playoffs and championships.
Marty Zecca
Marty Zecca began coaching his daughter’s basketball team in 1993 at St. Mary’s Winfield, Woodside. Since then, coaching has been his lifelong commitment and passion – coaching as many as four teams simultaneously while also serving as the parish’s girls’ basketball athletic director and parish athletic representative.
He also spent time coaching baseball and boys’ basketball at the parish. For the last 15 years while continuing to coach CYO, he’s been a member of the Archbishop Molloy H.S., Briarwood, girls’ junior varsity and varsity basketball coaching staffs.
Ron Hooks
Ron Hooks was a standout basketball player at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea, Far Rockaway, and also a star baseball player growing up. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates and later played Division I basketball at Hofstra University.
Given his love for sports, he decided to continue his connection to the game after his playing career wrapped up. He became a CYO official in 1999 and has since officiated basketball, softball, and flag football for 25 years, while also refereeing games in the CHSAA and PSAL.
