Jay Katz ’87 Gives Big Boost To Wreckers’ 5K And Half-Marathon Runs

Jay Katz ’87 and his wife Kara have given a gigantic jump-start to the Staples soccer team’s efforts to raise money for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

Many players plan to run in a 5K June 25 (Saturday) or half-marathon June 26 (Sunday) in Fairfield.

To participate, each player must commit to raising at least $250 for the center that serves children coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Jay — a retired businessman — has generously offered to cover half the cost ($125) for each of the 1st 20 Staples soccer players who register.

“This is an amazing gesture, showing great faith from an alum in our current program — both as players and as people,” head coach Dan Woog said.

“The guys who were at the kickoff meeting earlier this week know how important the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is.  Jay is a huge supporter of that organization too.  It’s great we’re all working together on this fantastic project.”

To encourage participation, Woog and captains Jake Malowitz and James Hickok are devising prizes.  They’ll go to the grade with the most runners; the grade that raises the most money; the grade with the fastest average time, and the fastest individual finisher.

Sign-ups begin soon.

Alumni and friends of Staples soccer who wish to donate any amount — for each runner, or for any individual — can email dwoog@optonline.net.

Wreckers attending the recent 5K/half marathon kickoff meeting included (front row, left to right) Steven Sobel, Diego Alanis, James Hickok and Walker Marsh. In the rear: Foster Goldberg, Roscoe Brown, Jack Scott, Dan Woog. (Photo by Katharine Hooper)

Obituary: Mollie Donovan P’79, ’82 — Updated Information On Memorial Service And Contributions

Mollie Donovan — mother of Doug ’79 and Dan ’82 — died peacefully this morning, after a long illness.

Mollie Donovan

While her decades of volunteer efforts throughout Westport — particularly with the Westport Historical Society, Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection and Westport Arts Center — drew the most notice, she avidly followed her sons’ careers.  Both starred in the Westport Soccer Association, then at Staples High School and Lehigh University.

While her husband Jack took photos, Mollie worked behind the scenes as an early “soccer mom.”  One particularly memorable experience occurred when Mollie and Jack drove to Buffalo with Doug’s U-16 team.  The WSA squad competed in the U-16 Region I finals, narrowly missing the championship.

A private family burial is planned on Saturday.  This Sunday (May 1, 11 a.m.to 1 p.m.) the public is invited to a Celebration of life at the Westport Historical Society.

Memorial contributions may be made to her favorite causes:

• Westport Historical Society, 25 Avery Place, Westport, Connecticut 06880
•  The Westport Schools Permanent Art Collection, c/o Nancy Harris, Westport Public Schools, 110 Myrtle Avenue, Westport, Connecticut 06880
• The Douglas Donovan Scholarship Fund, c/o Staples Tuition Grants, PO Box 5159, Westport, Connecticut 06881-5159.

Vote For Mikey Scott’s Wreckers As FCIAC Team Of The Week

Second base on the Staples baseball team belongs to Staples soccer.

Jack Hennessy graduated, but Mikey Scott has filled those spikes nicely.

Second baseman Mikey Scott in action.

Batting .563, with 6 RBIs and a .650 on-base percentage, the soccer midfielder has helped the Wreckers to a perfect 6-0 record.

Last week Staples went 3-0, taking down a pair of undefeated teams in the process:  Brien McMahon (10-0) and Fairfield Warde (6-4).

In the Warde game, Mikey led off the 7th (final) inning with a single, then scored the winning run.  (Read all about it here in the Connecticut Post.)

The Stamford Advocate took note of the Wreckers’ accomplishment, nominating them for FCIAC Overtime Team of the Week.  To vote for Staples — and help them beat the other nominees, New Canaan softball and McMahon boys lacrosse — click here.  Voting ends Wednesday at noon.

Top Of Hill Team Donation Enables TV Broadcasts This Fall

A $1,000 donation from the Top of the Hill Team will go a long way to ensuring TV broadcasts for Staples soccer next fall.

The boys soccer booster club grant — along with major funding from the girls soccer and baseball teams, and smaller donations from field hockey and girls lacrosse — will enable the Staples Television Network to purchase remote equipment needed to televise contests at Loeffler Field, Jinny Parker Field and the baseball diamond.

Games will be available to Cablevision subscribers in Westport on Channel 78 — and Wrecker fans around the world, on streaming video.

Brandon Edelson and Eric Gallanty — seniors who helped found STN — thanked the Top of the Hill Team for its generous donation.  Ben Greenberg and other returning WWPT-FM broadcasters look forward to making the move to television for select matches this fall.

Gudis’ Glastonbury Goal Galvanizes SportsCenter

It happened over a year ago, but Greg Gudis’s tough-angle strike against Glastonbury has made it to YouTube fame.

As part of its new user-generated content campaign, YouTube is running an AT&T-sponsored/ESPN SportsCenter “My Highlight” feature.  All videos are sent in by viewers.

This morning, Gudis’s 2009 goal — a great effort from the far corner that clanked in off the far post, giving Staples a 1-0 lead in the state semifinals — was My Highlights’ #2 play.

Charlie Stoebe ’04 works at NBC Sports.  “It felt nice bragging to my co-workers that my high school was just on all the TVs around the office,” he says.

PS:  Gudis’s goal, 4 minutes before halftime, was only the 1st in a wild match.  By intermission it was 2-1 Staples; the Wreckers went up 3-1 in the 2nd half, then held on for a 3-2 win.

Mary Meinke Checks In From Haiti

Several years ago Chris Meinke ’05 traveled with his father, Dr. Alan Meinke, to India.  They delivered medical aid to people in dire need.

Last month Dr. Meinke and Mary — sister of Chris and Will ’12 — headed to Haiti.

Mary — a student at Hamilton College — sent a photo and report.

We worked at the main trauma center, Bernard Mev’s Hospital, in Port-au-Prince.  The night this photo was taken we had an influx of patients from a political riot.  I am suturing a lacerated ear.

My hat just goes to show that Staples Soccer extends far beyond Connecticut.

We also brought some soccer balls to kick around in the hospital courtyard with kids when we had a slow afternoon.  Haiti affirmed my belief that you can truly connect with anyone over soccer, whether in the context of Loeffler Field or a triage tent.

Congratulations, Mary and Dr. Meinke, for all you do — and for spreading  Staples soccer across the globe!

Wreckers To Run For Hole In The Wall Gang Camp

Soccer is a running game.  It’s estimated that some players cover 7 or 8 miles during a match.

So it’s no surprise the Staples boys soccer program is running in late June.  Their participation benefits the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp — Westporter Paul Newman’s center serving children and their families coping with cancer and other serious illnesses.

Many players will participate in the Fairfield Road Races — a 5K on Saturday, June 25 or a half-marathon (13.1 miles) on Sunday, June 26.  Both events begin at 8:30 a.m., at Jennings Beach.

Now in their 31st year, the races are among the premier running events in the Northeast.  Last year, 4700 runners raised $350,000 for charity.

Staples players who raise $250 each receive complimentary registration.  As an added inducement, the junior, sophomore and freshman classes will compete to see who can register the most players, raise the most money — and record the best times.

All players are encouraged to attend a meeting on Monday, April 25 (7 p.m.) at the Westport Library.  Westporter Dorian Kail will explain the importance of the event, describe the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, and get players excited about the race.

(To donate to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for a particular player — or through Staples boys soccer in general — email:  dwoog@optonline.net)

Ryan Armour, Taylor McNair Earn Language Honors

Two varsity players were recently inducted into the World Language National Honor Society.  They were honored for their stellar grades in their language courses, and their commitment to community service.

Senior Ryan Armour joined the Delta Epsilon Phi chapter at Staples for his proficiency in German.

Taylor McNair was named to the Chinese National Honor Society.

Principal John Dodig was the keynote speaker.  He urged students to use their languages to show respect for other cultures, and gain a deeper understanding of the world.

Glückwünsche, Ryan!

祝贺, Taylor!

Ryan Armour

Taylor McNair

Amazing April Fool’s YouTube Soccer Videos

For April Fool’s Day, YouTube has turned every video into “1911-style.”

Click on any Staples soccer clip (from the “Video” tab at the top of StaplesSoccer.com), then click the “1911″ button at the lower right corner, and watch the Wreckers transform into players from 100 years ago — complete with appropriate music.

Hurry — it might not be around after today!  No foolin’!