Hempstead PAL Lacrosse Team’s 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony

On Saturday, June 22, 2013 the Hempstead PAL lacrosse team had its 2nd Annual Awards Ceremony at Lincoln Park in the Village of Hempstead.

Just a second year program Hempstead fields a combination fifth and sixth grade team in the Nassau County Police ActivityLacrosse League.

The team is comprised of mostly first year players and is a very diverse group composed of African-American and Hispanic boys. Amazingly after going 8 and 2 this year, the team now has a two year 16-4 won-lost record. The team is coached by Alan Hodish a Garden City attorney and East Meadow resident. Hodish formerly taught and coached VARSITY LACROSSE IN THE Hempstead School District.

James Metzger, chairman and CEO of the Whitmore Group, LTD, for the second consecutive year attended the awards ceremony. Jim addressed the youngsters and told them to respect their efforts together with those of their coaches and to strive hard to achieve in the sport of lacrosse. He inspired the boys by telling them that lacrosse can be a wonderful vehicle to play in high school and to eventually get an opportunity to play collegiately. He related his own experiences as an outstanding high school player and an All-American at Hofstra University to emphasize his points. He told the kids that his godson, Cornell lacrosse player Robb Pannell, this years’ Tarwarton Award winner, the nation’s most outstanding lacrosse player, (similar to football’s Heisman Trophy winner) parlayed lacrosse into an outstanding Ivy League education which will provide him with a bright future. Rob currently plays professional lacrosse for the LI lizards.

Hodish commented “Jim Metzger has been an outstanding sponsor and supporter of our youth program. Many of our kids need role models such as Jim to inspire them to take advantage of future opportunities. Jim not only contributes financially to our program but as all can see he has taken a “hands on ” role with respect to our players. I, together with the Hempstead PAL greatly appreciate all Jim Metzger has done for these youngsters.

In his honor the team awarded the second annual “James C. Metzger Award” to Trayvon Alexander ,given to the player who “best shows outstanding leadership and a strong work ethic” throughout the season. Last year’s “Metzger Award Winner” Amara Koroma was also in attendance and posed with Jim and Trayvon Alexander for photos.

The “Michael Piegare Award” was also presented. This award is presented in honor of Michael Piegare who played high school lacrosse at Cold Spring Harbor and was a member of the Lacrosse team at Pace University. Michael tragically died in a motor vehicle accident. The Michael Piegare foundation annually presents an award in Michael’s name to the player who best displays the character and outstanding attitude demonstrated by Michael in athletics and throughout the course of his life. This year’s recipient was LJ Hough. Alan Hodish stated that “we are proud to have the Piegare foundation as a major sponsor. Their financial contributions are greatly appreciated. I knew Michael Piegare well . He was a wonderful young man. By presenting this award, Michael’s spirit and legacy will be kept alive.”