Amityville’s high school basketball coach Jack Agostino was honored Saturday during an alumni homecoming event.
Veterans of Agostino’s teams, some who went on to play in Division 1 NCAA and even the NBA, came together for a friendly game.
“He poured into us more than most coaches do as far as X’s and O’s. He extended it with his time and effort off the court as well,” said Tristan Smith, the organizer of the event.
Smith says he looks back fondly at his time at Amityville and working for Coach Agostino. He says it was that mentoring that helped him get to play college ball for St. John’s, and St. Francis.
Coach Agostino helped lead the Warriors in basketball and football for nearly 30 years. He went on to coach in the NCAA before going back to Long Island.
Agostino says he is touched to be honored and is proud of all the kids he worked with over the years.
“People can't understand the admiration I have for these players because they are my family and I have a big family at home,” said Agostino.