JOHN DIGIROLAMO
HAVERSTRAW HIGH SCHOOL
CLASS OF 1962
John DiGirolamo was one of the best all-around athletes to come out of Haverstraw High School in 1962. He played on the varsity every game from his freshman through his senior year in football and baseball and was a key player on two Red Raider championship football teams and two championship baseball teams.
John was one of the all-time best linemen and hardest-hitting players in Rockland County. He helped lead the way to two Rockland County Public School Athletic League (RCPSAL) championships in 1960 and 1961, and an impressive record of 25-6-1 over four seasons. He was selected:
- All-County First Team Center (Bergen Record), 1959
- All-County First Team Center (Journal-News), 1960
- All-County First Team Tackle/Linebacker, (Journal-News), 1961
Haverstraw High School recognized John with both the Ernest “Joe” Goods Memorial Award for the Most Outstanding Senior Football Player in 1961, and Joseph Filgueras Memorial Trophy for the Most Outstanding Lineman in 1960.
Cited in Player of Decade, Team of Decade Voting
Subsequently, when the Bergen Record conducted the Player of the Decade Voting for the 1960s, John was among the top 10 football players long with his teammate Jo Jo Mackey, who was selected first. In addition, John was voted first team All-Rockland County as a tackle for the 1960-69 period by a board of expert sportswriters and coaches. The article chronicling that feat stated: “Almost every voter was not content to merely mention DiGirolamo’s name. They usually added that the 195-pounder was one of the hardest hitting players of that period”.
Not surprisingly, the Haverstraw football teams that John played on in 1960 and 1961 were among the top 5 teams for Team of the Decade Voting, which included archrivals Nyack (1968) and Clarkstown (1963).
All-County Outfielder for Haverstraw Baseball Champions
In 1961 and 1962, the Haverstraw baseball teams were RCPSAL champions under Coach Bob Stewart. Haverstraw players Jo Jo Mackey (shortstop) – and hard-hitting John DiGirolamo (outfielder) were among the county’s best performers. As a two-time All County outfielder, John was a powerful long-ball hitter. In 1962, in 10 league games he hit .438. He had 14 hits, drove in 32 runs, and cracked many home runs.
Embarking on Teaching and Coaching Career
Upon graduation, John went on to study at Colorado State Teachers College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in education in 1966. Later John earned a master’s degree in adaptive physical education from Long Island University. John began his teaching and coaching career at Marlboro Central Schools in New York, and transferred to North Rockland Central School District, where he taught physical education and coached for more than 30 years. From 1970-1988, John coached many young athletes at the freshman and junior varsity levels, teaching them the fundamentals and preparing them to become successful varsity athletes on the football and baseball teams.
Success as Line Coach for Championship Football Team
In 1988, John was promoted to line coach for the Red Raiders varsity football team, which was a powerhouse both offensively and defensively, winning several Section 1 football championships. In 1993 North Rockland won the inaugural New York State High School Class A football championship. John served as assistant coach with head coach Joseph Casarella for 10 years. Coach Casarella had this to say: “John was meticulous about technique and repeating the sequence of the plays. Most importantly, the players knew that John had gone to school in Haverstraw and was a great football player. They knew that Coach DiGirolamo would help them improve, make them a better team and successful to win.”
Prosperity as North Rockland Baseball Coach, RCC Assistant Coach
In 1988, John was promoted to head baseball coach and his team promptly won the Section 1 baseball title, with John earning Coach of the Year honors. The success of his teams can be attributed to John’s coaching and the teamwork of many talented players who played together on his JV teams, including his son Brian, who became a stellar first baseman on the varsity Red Raiders. As a result of his success, John was recruited by athletic director Dan Keeley to become an assistant baseball coach at Rockland Community College. Their teams won three Region XV championships – in 1991,1992 and 1993 – and qualified to compete in the prestigious Junior College World Series at Grand Junction, Colorado.
Paying Tribute to His Mentors and Role Models
Upon reflecting on his athletic career at Haverstraw High School, John is very appreciative of the teachers and coaching staff who always encouraged him to do his best in the classroom and on the athletic fields.
He said that he and his teammates were fortunate to have experienced coaches who taught the fundamentals, special skills, and teamwork necessary to be successful in sports and in life. He offered special thanks to Ralph Cordisco, head football coach and athletic director, and his assistant coaches Frank Maze and Joseph Nartowicz. He also acknowledged Bob Stewart, who was head baseball coach, and Gerald Neary, his first baseball coach. The lessons that he learned from the teachers and coaches at Haverstraw High and the friendships with his teammates have lasted a lifetime.
John was grateful to work with such a good coaching staff recruited by Athletic Director Joseph Casarella: Joe D’Auria, Pat Amendola, Papo Cancel, Gene Dall, Gary Dworkowitz, Duffy Dwyer, David Evangelista, Danny Keeley, John Sottile, Pete Warner, Charlie Bridgetts and Greg Grasso.
After his successful teaching and coaching career John retired in 1997 and moved to Lakewood Ranch, Florida, where he resides with his wife, Leslie. They have a close-knit extended family and are blessed with six grandchildren. They enjoy time together on family vacations in Florida.
Their son Brian serves as chief engineer of their family-owned and operated engineering company, Inertia Switch, Inc. Brian and his wife, Emily, work in the family business in Orangeburg and they live with their children Brian, Ariana and Ava in New City. John’s daughter Nadine and husband Robert Nodhturft live with their three children Addyson, Amber & Joie in Orange County.
Congratulations to John DiGirolamo on your induction into the Rockland County Sports Hall of Fame!
