Office of Borough President James P. Molinaro
Staten Island, New York
Borough President Molinaro announces $2 million funding for John M. D’Amato Athletic Field
Presents crystal football to widow of Island attorney and local sports legend
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. – Borough President James P. Molinaro today announced the allocation of $2 million from his capital budget for the creation of an athletic field in New Dorp Beach Park to be named after the late Island attorney and local sports legend John M. D’Amato.
A prominent attorney and lobbyist, D’Amato was also a Staten Island Sports Hall of Famer who graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School and attended Ohio State University on an athletic scholarship and went to the Rose Bowl with the 1975 football team. D’Amato died of cardiac arrest last July after collapsing while jogging near his Dongan Hills home. He was 52 years old.
“This is a little token of what we feel we can do for someone who was so great in the community,” said Molinaro, noting that D’Amato chaired Staten Island Family Events, Inc., which
helps to raise funds for the Borough President’s Office’s annual events, such as the “Back to the Beach” festivals, “Starlight Concerts” and fireworks displays.
“He would have loved this. This is a great tribute, said D’Amato’s widow, Teresa, who was presented with a crystal football statue by Molinaro, as her sons Steven and Mark looked on.
To a group of youngsters from the Staten Island Pee Wee Football League who attended the announcement, Molinaro said, “John was once what you are today and he went on to become one of the greatest people who ever lived on Staten Island. You can be, too, if you just follow in his footsteps.”
Work is scheduled to begin this fall on the John M. D’Amato Athletic Field, a regulation-size, artificial-turf field that will overlook the beach at the end of New Dorp Lane. The field is expected to be ready to host players by the beginning of the football season next year.
June 25, 2008