Frank McGuire Foundation Honorees

The Frank McGuire Foundation honors outstanding high school coaches that exemplify the coaching ideals of Frank McGuire. The honorees are nominated by their peers, players or school faculty, and a panel of sports journalists selects the winners each year. A financial grant is awarded to the honoree's school athletic program.

What some of our past Frank McGuire Honorees have said…

Tony De Matteo: The idea of honoring high school coaches, the unsung heroes of America, was a wonderful idea but raising funds to give to the school each coach represents is brilliant. Everyone realizes the value of sports in our school systems, but not many are willing to give needed funds to support these programs.

Bob Cimmino: A lot of times, you can't step outside the box, boundaries that you're in, and you hope that you're doing the right thing. But then, to get recognized by a foundation like the McGuire Foundation, it kind of puts a stamp of approval and you walk around with your chest out a little more. And, I think that my players enjoyed that I got the recognition as much as anybody.

Maria Nolan: When I was selected that year, I didn't know about the Frank McGuire Foundation but now having been involved with it, being an Honoree and being involved with the seminars that have gone on, I see how important it is and how it's such an incredible organization, that it reaches so many coaches, that you can gain so much by being involved also, by coming to the clinic.

Charles Bentley: It was great being honored because I was surrounded by a lot of coaches that are trying to do the same thing that I do. And, having someone give us an award for it, you know, we do these things because this is what we do. And now, we have people to recognize these things and other people that care for kids and trying to do the right things for kids.

Vinnie Ascolese: I think it was one of the greatest awards that I've ever received. We're coaches. We'd probably do it if we weren't getting paid. Then, to get an award and to get a nomination for getting that award, it was just very hard to sink in and believe that someone would honor you with money to help your program.

Joe Vito: I felt like I shared that award with all the players I've ever coached, all the coaches that I've ever coached with and been coached by. It's the ultimate award in coaching in the Metropolitan area, and I'm so honored that I've been a recipient. And each year, I get so excited to see who is going to join the fraternity.

 2009 McGuire Foundation Honorees

2008 McGuire Foundation Honorees

Mike Chiapparelli, Mamaroneck H.S. – Baseball / Ice Hockey / JV Football

Lou Marinelli New Canaan H.S.--Football

Spencer Mayfield, White Plains H.S.–Basketball

Tim St. Lawrence, Warwick H.S. --X-Country / Track

2008 McGuire Foundation Annual Mike Pressler Awardee

Solly Walker--An Educator and Basketball Legend

2007 McGuire Foundation Annual Mike Pressler Awardees

Jack Moran, Chaminade H.S.--Lacrosse

Chuck Ruebling, Delbarton H.S.--Lacrosse

Frank McGuire Foundation Honorees 1999-2007

2007: Tom Pugh, Nancy Williams, Chuck Gramby, Don Doherty

2006: Joe Casarella, Jeff Jasper, Tom Murray, Ed Petrie

2005: Dom Cecere, Jim Gatto, John Mathis, Jim McGowan

2004: Vinnie Ascolese, Bob Cimino, Dennis Kornfield, Harry Shatel, Vanessa Watson

2003: Phylis Graham-Anderson, Lou Panzanaro, Ed Stinson, Ed Wicelinski

2002: Charlie Bentley, Andy Caellan, Gene Chyzowych, Vito Montelli, Anthony Purpura, Joe Vito

2001: Ed Bowes, Bob Farrell, Moe Finkelstein, Mike Turo, Warren Wolf, Morgan Wootten, Johanna Wright

2000: Ted Adams, Joe Cuozzo, Bob Hurley, Maria Nolan, Vincent O'Connor

1999: Jack Curran, Don Dematteo, Mickey Lione, Dave McCombs, Tony DeMatteo