The St. Edmund Prep H.S., Sheepshead Bay, Athletic Hall of Fame inducted its Class of 2014 Nov. 7 at the Oak Room at Buckley’s, Marine Park.

This year’s class includes Sister Denise McCarthy, O.P. (inducted posthumously), Maryanne Marshall Marsaggi, Robert Wiatre, Jeanne Sullivan Toomey, Christopher Wright, the 1977-1978 girls’ varsity basketball team and the 1997 boys’ varsity baseball team.

Sister Denise McCarthy, O.P. 

One of the most recognizable names in St. Edmund history, Sister Denise McCarthy, O.P., was an enthusiastic supporter of Tiger athletics. She was a fixture at volleyball, basketball, and softball games as a scorekeeper and statistician for many years.

Sister Denise joined the faculty of St. Edmund in 1968 after serving as principal of Mary Queen of Heaven elementary school. She served the school for more than 25 years in numerous capacities, managing the bookroom and tutoring in various subjects.

Sister Denise displayed a commitment to academics throughout her career, and the award for the graduating student-athlete with the highest GPA bears her name. She was inducted into the Girls CHSAA Hall of Fame in 1991. Sister Denise passed away in 2000, after more than 60 years in religious life.

 

1997 Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team

1997 was the first season of Varsity Baseball at St. Edmund Prep, and this special team was the first boys team in school history to win a City Championship.

Following the tragic death of sophomore outfielder Donny Duval in April, the team forged ahead under the leadership of Coach Mike Ammirati and the play of CHSAA All-Stars Lou Welsh and Eddie Quiles. The Eagles won 13 league games and a division title on their way to an exciting City Championship game win over Salesian.

Members of the 1997 Boys’ Varsity Baseball Team

Joseph Aruanno ’98, Thomas Belmonte ’98, Joseph Bernardo ’99, Daniel Borgia ’98, Anthony Brunetti ’98, Steven Casazza ’98, John Coiro ’98, Frank Contino ’99, Robert Loria ’99, Michael Maldari ’98, William Moran ’98, Patrick Murphy, Eddie Quiles ’99, Raymond Tous ’99, Lou Welsh ’99, Charles Zagara ’98

 

Jeanne Sullivan Toomey, ’78

A standout two-sport athlete during her time as a student at St. Edmund, Jeanne Sullivan Toomey is being recognized for her contributions as a basketball coach at her alma mater.

Jeanne was a co-captain of the 1977-1978 Girls Basketball team which won the Diocesan championship and is being enshrined in the St. Edmund Prep Athletic Hall of Fame.

After graduating high school in 1978, Jeanne went on to Wagner College in Staten Island. She scored over 1,000 career points and was inducted to their Hall of Fame. She then returned to St. Edmund, serving as a coach of the Girls Basketball team from 1982 to 1989. Jeanne earned the Coach of the Year honors from the Catholic High School Athletic Association in 1988.

Jeanne moved to New Jersey, where she raised her three children and works as a special education teacher at Red Bank High School. She has remained involved in basketball, coaching the Central Jersey Hawks AAU team, officiating high school games, and serving as the director of the Holmdel Youth Athletic Association basketball program.

 

Rob Wiatre, ’00

The first Division I men’s basketball player in St. Edmund Prep history, Rob Wiatre earned numerous accolades throughout his high school career. He was named to the CHSAA All-City team in 2000 and was named to the All-Tournament teams for the Msgr. King and Brother Arnold Memorial Tournaments. Rob played on two teams to win division titles and was the captain of the 1999 CHSAA city championship squad.

He graduated from SEP as the all-time scoring leader, with 907 career points. He was the Sister Denise Student-Athlete of the Year recipient as well as the class valedictorian. Rob then moved on to St. Francis College where he was a four-year letter-winner in men’s basketball and an Academic All-American.

Currently, Rob lives on Staten Island and works as New York State Court Officer.

 

Maryanne Marshall Marsaggi, ’89

Playing volleyball, basketball, and softball during her time at St. Edmund, Maryanne Marshall Marsaggi was one of the best all-around athletes in school history.

She earned distinction as a CHSAA Basketball All-Star, scoring over 1,000 points in her high school career. In each sport, Maryanne was an impact player who was regarded as a leader by her teammates and coaches alike. Maryanne earned an athletic scholarship to Molloy College, where she continued as a three-sport athlete. She was enshrined in the Molloy Athletic Hall of Fame earlier this year.

Maryanne has been a New York City middle school special education teacher for over 20 years and currently resides in Middle Village, New York.

 

Christopher Wright

Christopher Wright has been a math teacher at the Prep for 28 years, and throughout his tenure he has been integral to the advancement of the athletics program.

Chris served as head coach of the Girls JV Softball Team from 1987 to 1989 and the Varsity Softball Team from 1990 through 2000, winning the 1993 Division Championship.

That same season, Chris was selected as the Newsday Softball Coach of the Year.

As the school’s Athletic Director from 1994 to 2002, Chris oversaw the introduction of boys’ sports teams. Always committed to athletic excellence, Chris served on the executive board of the Girls Catholic High School Athletic Association for over 10 years and was president of the league from 1997 to 2003. Chris was inducted to their Hall of Fame in 2008.

Chris and his wife, Joanne, still reside in Marine Park with their dog Duke.

 

1977-1978 Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team

Having won five straight division championships, the 1977-1978 Girls Basketball Team solidified its record of distinction by winning the diocesan title.

Under the watchful eye of CHSAA Coach of the Year Ruth Ann Gerdes, the Tigers posted 10 league wins.

St. Edmund rolled past Stella Maris and St. Francis Prep in the playoffs to earn the championship.

On the court, the team was led by co-captains Cathy Viverito and Hall of Famer Jeanne Sullivan Toomey, who combined to score 47 points in the championship game.

Members of the 1977-1978 Girls’ Varsity Basketball Team

Joan Caccamo ‘79, Irene Sullivan Coleman ‘79, Maureen Dempsey ‘80, Terry McTernan Dowdy ‘78, Debbie Riggio Galavan ‘78, Mary Lou Jones ‘79, Donna DeForte LeCardi ‘79, Denise Mulroy McGill ‘79, Eileen O’Brien ‘79, June Medican Sawyer ‘79, Patricia A. Sullivan ‘80, Jeanne Sullivan Toomey ‘78, Cathy Viverito ‘78

[hr]Video coming soon.