Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame introduces 2020 class

The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame introduced its Class of 2020 Tuesday, and it includes the Nets' coach, a World Cup winner and two high school athletes whose deaths have left an impact on the Island and beyond.

News 12 Staff

Feb 25, 2020, 6:26 PM

Updated 1,514 days ago

Share:

 
The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame introduced its Class of 2020 Tuesday, and it includes the Nets’ coach, a World Cup winner and two high school athletes whose deaths have left an impact on the Island and beyond.
Kenny Atkinson, a Northport native, has been coaching the Nets since 2016. Allie Long, also of Northport, was on the U.S. women’s soccer team that won the World Cup in 2019.
Northport’s Louis J. Acompora died in 2000 from a blow to his chest. He was playing in his first high school game. Following the 14-year-old’s death, the Louis J. Acompora Memorial has work to spread awareness about the importance of owning automated external defibrillators.
Thomas Cutinella died Oct. 1 after suffering a traumatic head injury playing football for Shoreham-Wading River High School. The Thomas Cutinella Memorial Foundation has since worked to improve awareness of football-related head injuries.
Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano will also be honored. The Sachem volleyball coach became a motivational speaker and an advocate for cancer patients before his death this year at the age of 42.
The Hall will also induct Phillies International Scouting Director Sal Agostinelli, Mets scout Larry Izzo and University of Michigan women’s basketball coach Kim Arico.
Newsday’s Mark Herrman and Andy Slawson, Hofstra’s Rick Cole Jr., Brentwood’s Ron Eden, St. Anthony’s coach Rich Reichert, Shoreham-Wading River coaches Paul Koretzki and Bob Szymanski, Stony Brook’s Joe Spallina, UConn coach Raymond Reid and former NFL player Kevin Riccio round out the Class of 2020. The Suffolk Hall will also recognize Dr. H. Jean Berger, Ruth Gracey, Jeannette Rogers and Annamae McKeever-Kress as pioneering females. Baseball historian and sportswriter Henry Chadwick is the 2020 historic inductee.
The inductees will be honored in a ceremony May 26. The Hall of Fame is also marking its 30th anniversary.
 
 
 
 


More from News 12
1:55
8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

8-year-old from Valley Stream becomes first in NY to undergo gene therapy for rare disease

2:17
Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

Brightening skies and warmer temperatures heading into the weekend

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

2:27
2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

2016 whistleblower tip warned of barrels buried at old Grumman property in Bethpage

0:25
Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

Long Islander wins $1,000 a day for life from lotto ticket

1:34
Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

Police: Drunk driver hits patrol car at scene of DWI crash; Suffolk officer hurt

2:00
Police: Man’s wallet blocks bullet during Coram shooting; suspect wanted

Police: Man’s wallet blocks bullet during Coram shooting; suspect wanted

0:44
NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

NuHealth holds breast cancer screenings at Plainview-Old Bethpage Library

0:49
Suffolk Sheriff’s Office holds 1st wellness conference at Suffolk Community College

Suffolk Sheriff’s Office holds 1st wellness conference at Suffolk Community College

0:13
Police probe shooting incident at Patchogue home

Police probe shooting incident at Patchogue home

0:23
West Islip man sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years for stealing millions from Williston Park school

West Islip man sentenced to 8 1/3 to 25 years for stealing millions from Williston Park school

0:25
Police: Man threw cellphone, injured officer responding to disturbance on road in Valley Stream

Police: Man threw cellphone, injured officer responding to disturbance on road in Valley Stream

0:19
Police: Suspect wanted for shooting at car in Riverhead

Police: Suspect wanted for shooting at car in Riverhead

1:09
The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

The East End: Hamptons Handpoured

1:52
Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

Find fun, interactive activities for family and friends at Main Street Board Game Café in Huntington

0:37
North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

North Babylon HS gives away dresses, suits ahead of prom season

0:22
Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

Central Islip man sentenced to 22 years in prison for raping daughter

1:45
Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

Long Island pizzerias come together to raise funds for family of slain detective

0:30
Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

Hempstead man pleads guilty, gets 8 years for drug trafficking

0:19
Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex

Nassau Legislature approves 2 new outdoor fields for Mitchel Athletic Complex