MAY 12th  2007

The Dyker Heights Athletic Association and St. Bernadette parish hosted a children’s runners’ two mile marathon this past  Saturday May 12^th, on 12th Avenue.   

The Dyker Heights Athletic Association and St. Bernadette parish hosted a children’s runners’ two mile marathon this past  Saturday May 12^th, on 12th Avenue.    There were over 240 kids that ran in our Freedom is Not Free marathon that was held in honor of our fallen heroes of this war on terror.  Each runner wore a t-shirt and wrist band to honor and commemorate the fallen heroes.   The kids were asked to obtain pledges to run and the funds raised were to benefit the St. Bernadette church and the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund   
 

The Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund was founded in October 2003 as a means of providing College Grants and Financial Assistance to surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.   Monsignor Romano, Senator Marty Golden, Councilman Vincent Gentile & Brooklyn Boro President, Marty Markowitz were all present to show our kids how important this event was and how wonderful a cause it truly was.   Each gave brief speeches about the struggles that our great nation has endured during our history to secure our freedom and the continuing struggle that is going on today to protect what we take for granted day in and day out.   Marty Markowitz presented the Knights with a Proclamation declaring May 12^th Dyker Heights Athletic Association “Freedom is Not Free” Children’s Marathon Day in Brooklyn commending all the young runners who had come here today in service of others.  

There were several soldiers present on Saturday to run with the kids.   1^st Sgt Mannion, Captain Sullivan and Staff Sgt Devito.  joined the kids from the from the 773nd TC.   Captain Rivera, Sgt Dominquez and Specialist Rodriguez joined us from Fort Hamilton army base.  Each chose a group of kids to run with.   Also present was Colonel Roy Campbell from Xavier High School with several of his ROTC cadets.     The Xavier cadets along with Arielle Tramontano led the kids in singing the National Anthem. 

The race was from 82^nd street and 13^th avenue down 12^th avenue to 66^th street and back to 82^nd street.  The kids ran according to the grades.  Winners of the 8^th, 9^th and 10 grade group were Julian Morelli, Anthony Congiusta and Dominick Congiusta.  Winners of the 6^th and 7^th grade group were Steven Lowe, Joseph Watson and Frank Bellia.  Winners of the 4^th and 5^th Grade group were Jonathan Rando, Manny Giurato and Ralphael Ventra.  Winners of the 2^nd and 3^rd grade group were Tyler Hunter, Matthew Mangano and Nicole Sparacio and the winners of the K and 1^st grade were Bianca Cannata, Raymond Donohue, Gianna Mastrapasqua, John Prestipino, Nicholas Angilletta and Daniel Vittiburga. 

News 12 was present as the event media consultant and interviewed some of the children as to what this day meant to them.  WKTU radio thanks to Vito Bruno sent down a crew to host a post marathon party to raise additional money for the Children’s fund.  Glitzy Chicks led by Lisa Cannata also joined WKTU for the post marathon festivities.   There were many raffles for sports memorabilia donated by many of the New York sports teams for the event.   This was truly a great day for the kids. 

MAY 1ST  2007  UPDATE

News 12 Brooklyn has agreed to be the media sponsor of our Marathon. They will be running a graphic spot on the News promoting our Marathon and putting it on their InfoBar, both for the week leading up to the Run.  Our Marathon will also be entered onto the News12.com website under "What's To Do".

APRIL 26, 2007 UPDATE

Dear Knights family:

Dyker Heights Athletic Association and St. Bernadette School kids "Freedom is not free" marathon has now 180 kids running on May 12th. If you would still like to register to run, please go to www.knightsaa.org an do so.

Our State Senator, Marty Golden and Councilman Vincent Gentile will be joining us.  We have several soldiers joining us run with the kids. We will have the Cadet chorus from Xavier coming down as well as some representatives form Xavier's ROTC. News 12 will now be covering the marathon through the media and may even be joining us that day depending on events that unflod that day. There will be vendors present distributing goodie bags to the children that are participating in the marathon.

After the marathon, WKTU radio will run a post marathon fundraiser for the sole purpose of raising additional donations for the Children of the Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund. This fund is a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that was founded in October 2003 as a means of providing College Grants and Financial Assistance to surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Rebecca Campbell will be on hand to represent the Fund that day as well.

If you visit their web site at www.cfsrf.org you can read all about their organization and work to date.

WKTU will run some contests and give out prizes. The party crew and Speedy will be on hand to entertain the crowd for a couple of hours. Glitzy Chicks and King Henry Entertainment will be on hand to entertain the children as well. There will be food and drinks as well. The Dyker Heights Athletic Association and St. Bernadette School will raise additional money through raffles of Sports Memorabilia, selling of Relief fund items such as wristbands, T-shirts, coffee mugs and water bottles. Over 20 vendors have made donations to our cause including the Jets, Giants, Nets, Cyclones, Dyker Pharmacy, Marty Golden, Leopoldi Hardware, New Dimension, Gino's Restaurant, Rippe and Kingston, Century 21, Pastosa, Kraft & Kennedy, Inc., T&E Stores, Crest Office Products, Greenhouse Cafe, Torregrossa Funeral Home, Bay Ridge Toyota, Knights of Columbus (John Hughes Council).

All sports memorabilia raffles will be for autheticated signature (Steiner) framed photos 8x10 or 16x20 /balls of New York sports stars. Including (these are very nice pieces of memorabilia):

Henrik Lundqvist

Jaromir Jagr

Jorge Posada

Lastings Milledge

Steve Avery

Eli Manning

Jose Reyes

David Wright

Don Mattingly

Jets team autographed football

Robinson Cano

Chad Pennington and more.

We will be distributing to the runners T-shirts and Wrist bands on May 9th and May 10th starting at 6:00 p.m. in the St. Bernadette gym . schedule for pickup is as follows:

A-F - 6:00 p.m.

G-L - 7:00 p.m.

M-Q - 6:00 p.m.

S-Z - 7:00 p.m.

Please bring us your sponsor form on May 9th or 10th. If you need to collect money after the Marathon that is fine. Enclosed is a pledge form and registration form if needed.

If you cannot attend and want to make a donation, donations can be sent to:

Dyker Heights Athletic Association

c/o St. Bernadette Rectory

8201-13th Avenue

Brooklyn, New York 11214

Attn: Peter J. McCarthy

Marathon 2007 donation

Our Tax ID is 11-3422707

Thank you.

Sincerely Yours,

Peter J. McCarthy

President – Dyker Heights Athletic Associatione-mail: info@knightsaa.org or call 718-259-4469

Download forms:

Registration form

Pledge Form

February 13th 2007   

Freedom is not free” kid’s two mile marathon

Saturday May 12^th  9:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. 

83rd Street  to 66^th Street 12^th avenue

Boys and Girls Ages 6-14

Prizes for top finishers in each age category and Grand prizes for highest fund raisers

    The Knights have decided to host a  children’s runners’ marathon, which will be held on Saturday May 12^th, on 12th Avenue, starting from 9:00 a.m. and ending at 12:30 p.m.  Our “Freedom is Not Free” marathon will function for two goals.  One goal is focused on raising money for the St. Bernadette Parish, particularly for the “organ fund”.  The 75 year old organ in the St. Bernadette church is in desperate need of repairs. 

    Our second goal is focused on honoring our fallen heroes of this war on terror.  Each runner will wear a t-shirt to honor and commemorate the fallen heroes for all the soldiers who lost their lives, especially from the five boroughs of New York, as well as Long Island.  Each runner will also wear a G.I. band (color of the purple-heart), which will state on it “FOR THOSE WHO SERVED”.  The funds raised for these bands along with the other funds to be raised by the Knights Organization, through raffles and business donations, will be donated to the Children of Fallen Soldiers Relief Fund a non-profit 501 (c) 3 organization that was founded in October 2003 as a means of providing College Grants and Financial Assistance to surviving children and spouses of our U.S. military service members who have lost their lives in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.  This fund also offers financial assistance to disabled service member families as well.    The most important lesson we are trying to teach our children is that freedom is not free, and the only thing we can do for these men and women who have lost their lives in the line of duty, is to remember them, and to honor them.

“Only two people have ever offered to die for you.  One was Jesus Christ, and the other is the American G.I.  One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom.”

    The race will consist of boys and girls, ages 6 through 14, who wish to give something back to the community in which they live, as well as to honor these fine soldiers.  Each child will obtain sponsorships of at least $30.00 for the run.  They can collect the money per mile or one flat amount for the entire run.  Please note that forms will be distributed.  Also, prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each age group and for the runner that raises the most in donations. 

December 17 2006 - Knights run Toys for Tots drive and raise over 120 gifts

The Knights ran there own toys for tots program this 2006 Christmas season and gathered over 120 toys for the program.  The Knights wish to thank all the families that donated to the drive.  

October 7 2006

 

September 30 2006

The Knights players and families marched in the RAGAMUFFIN PARADE this past Saturday Sept 30th 2006.   The Ragamuffin Parade is an annual tradition in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn where kids dress in Halloween costumes and march down third Avenue.  Danny Mangano and Cliff Keeling were on hand to help the kids carry the Knights banner down third avenue.   Some of the Knights that were present were Monica Mangano, Sabrina Mangano, Cliff Keeling, Deanna Keeling, Bianca Pisciotta, Stephanie Poulos, Kristina Angilletta, Matthew Mangano, Kimberly Nicolucci, Alexa Colontino, Rose Maxwell, Alexandra Colletti, Gillian Colletti, Chris Lamonica, and Alexa Poulos.  

July 11th 2006

Mangano Leads UNDEFEATED Knights 7/8 Sandlot Team to Title

    The DHAA Knights 7/8 Sandlot baseball team defeated the South Brooklyn Mob Squad 11-10 to complete their playoff sweep and finish their season undefeated with 20 wins and 0 losses.  The Knights jumped out to an early lead and were looking to put the game away early, but South Brooklyn rallied back to tie the score set the stage for an exciting finish.  With the score tied 10 to 10 in the last inning, Jesse Mangano crushed a walk-off home run, his second of the game, to seal the victory and the title for the Knights.  In addition to his two home runs, Jesse Mangano pitched 3 solid innings and left the game with the score in favor of the Knights.  Ralph Ventra and Dominic Arato also handled pitching chores for the Knights.   The Knights offense was led by Mangano who in addition to his power surge, also hit a single, walked and drove in two runs.  Nicholas Guttilla ripped two hits, including a double and had two RBIs.  Ralphael Ventra was  not far behind with two hits, and Joe Donohue and Christian Mollica each had big hits and one RBI.   Bryce Khan managed an important RBI and Catcher Joseph Cirruzzo gave the Knights a solid defensive effort behind the plate.  Matthew Melio walked twice in the game and drove in the team’s 10^th run which was an important run, and Dominick Arato crushed a 2 run home run to round out the offense.   Three players, Jimmy Piscotta, Steven Politano, and Vincent Iorio were a big part of the Knights undefeated season but were unable to play in the championship game.

Coaches Tom Mangano, Jimmy Pisciotta, Joe Donohue and Ralph Ventra are very proud of their team and the effort they put in to finish their season as undefeated champions.

June 28th 2006

Sigismondi Leads Knights 9-10 Sandlot Team to Kings Bay Title

The DHAA Knights 9-10 Sandlot team won their best two of three playoffs against the Kings Bay Bears last week.  After finishing their season undefeated, the Knights earned the right to advance to the Championship  finals by defeating two teams in single elimination playoff games.

 Knights 8 Kings Bay Bears 3

Coach Marty Valenti’s young Knights won their first game of the championship round by the score of 8 to 3. The game was well played and the score was close early on but the Knights’ bats came alive to build a big lead and put the game away.  Anthony Sigismondi was the starting and winning pitcher in both victories to lead the

Knights to the Championship.  Anthony pitched 5 1/3 strong innings allowing 1 hit, while striking out 10 batters and allowing just 2 runs.  Anthony Devivo came on in relief in the 6^th inning, allowing no hits to save the game, and Justin Pedone threw on pitch to end a bases loaded rally in the last inning.

Michael Bracco lead the Knights’ offense ripping 2 singles, 2 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 2 stolen bases.  William Meany also stroked 2 singles, had 2 RBIs, and 1 run scored. Jonathan Rando ripped a double to drive in one run and Anthony Devivo ripped a double to score a run with 2 stolen bases.  Matthew Valenti had a single and a double, and stole 3 bases.   Anthony Sigismondi stroked a single, scored 1 run and had a stolen base.  Michael Maher had an RBI and 1 run scored, Anthony Gaudio scored a run and had a stolen base, Michaelangelo Anastasio scored a run, and Justin Pedone had

an RBI to round out the offense. 

 Knights 6 Kings Bay Bears 5

The Knights secured the championship by defeating the Kings Bay Bears in the deciding third game of the series by a score of 6 to 5.  This game was a thriller from start to finish with both teams receiving excellent pitching from their starters. 

Once again the starting and winning pitcher for the Knights was Anthony Sigismondi who went the distance allowing 6 hits, allowing 2 earned runs, and striking out 5 batters.   In the second inning, the Knights bounced back from a 2 run deficit by scoring 2 runs to tie the game.  Michael Galbo walked, Anthony Gaudio singled, Matt Valenti single, and with 2 outs, Anthony Sigismondi singled to drive in 2 runs.  For the day,  Sigismondi stroked 2 singles to drive in 3 runs and score 1 run as well.  The score was tied until the bottom of the third when Kings Bay erupted for 3 runs to take the lead 5 to 2.  Kings Bay pitcher Louis Spina was cruising along and pitching an excellent game to keep the Knights off the scoreboard until the 6^th inning.  With the score 6 to 5 and one out, the Knights batters started to come to life.  Down by three runs, Jonathan Rando came up and quickly fell behind 0-2 but managed to work out a walk. Coach Valenti described this as the at-bat of the game and probably the season.  That gutsy at-bat gave the Knights hope when Matthew Valenti came up and singled through the left side giving the Knights 1^st and 2^nd with one out. That hit gave the Knights hope but there was still one out with the Knights were behind by 3 runs, facing pitcher Spina who was still in command.   Next up was Anthony Sigismondi who singled in a run to make it a 5-3 game and putting runners on 2^nd and 3^rd as both runners took an extra base on the throw home. Anthony Devivo stepped up and drilled a game tying double. Justin Pedone stepped in and singled putting runners on the corners. James Swiontak came up and hit a ball to the right side that the Bears’ 1^st baseman, ranging to his right, made a nice play on and managed to get a force at second. They were unable to

complete the double play Devivo scored from 3^rd to give the Knights the lead. Michael Angelo Anastasio came up with two outs and cracked a single and then Joseph Barone hit one up the middle that the Bears pitcher stopped and ended the inning.

In the Bottom of the inning, the Knights still had to handle the tough Bears’ hitters. Sigismondi showed he still had his best stuff and struck out the leadoff man. The second Bears batter of the inning hit Sigismondi’s first pitch sharply to third but Justin

Pedone snared the “rope” back-handed for the second out. The Bears last hope the hit a slow roller in front of home, on a 3-2 pitch that Sigismondi fielded and quickly fired to 1^st baseman Joseph Barone to end the game and secure the title

April 12 2006

Lady Knights are the Champs again..!!!!!

 

 

OCTOBER 29TH 2005

The Dyker Heights Athletic Association/St. Bernadette held its 3^rd annual Halloween party fundraiser Saturday, Oct 29^th at the Regina Youth Center.  The event which was full costume was attended by some 250 people.  The party featured a DJ, and incredible six room haunted house and more hot food and delicious ghostly desert treats than one could eat.   The party was an incredible success with great music, dancing all night and many terrific costumes.  There were many great prizes for the best costumes in each age group (boys and girls) and for the best family costume.  This event is held every year to help support the Association with its extra capital expenses associated with maintaining the Victor Allegretti field at 17^th avenue and Shore Parkway , maintaining the St. Bernadette gymnasium and other facilities plus the purchasing training equipment for each sport.  The Association has grown over the years and now serves over 550 of our community kids in Baseball, Softball, Flag Football, Basketball and Indoor Soccer.  

The Knights wish to thank all of the volunteers who helped make this event a hugh success but especially our Halloween  committee.  The Dyker Heights Athletic Association would also like to thanks the following contributors for their generous donations and support:

Panda Sport & Golf  9217-5^th avenue, Pier Luca Hair Salon 7620-13^th avenue, B&R Floral Decorators 7413-13^th avenue, Pollina Pharmacy, 7601-13^th avenue, Modern Touch Hair Salon 1272-Bay Ridge Parkway, Dyker Heights Floral Co. 7819-17^th avenue, Party Fair 8609-20^th avenue, Gino’s Restaurant 7414-5^th avenue, Food Dynasty 1525-86^th Street, Precious Nail Salon 7311-13^th avenue, Body Fit 275-94^th Street, La Sorrentina Restaurant 6522-11^th avenue, Puritan Restaurant 1454-86^th Street, Glitzy Chicks.com (Spa & Make-over parties), Delacqua Salon & Spa 2027-86^th Street, Bruno’s Salon & Spa  6911-Shore Road, Trzaska Funeral Home 7614-4^th avenue, B&A Pork Store 7818-13^th avenue, Bobby’s World Entertainment 8424-13^th avenue and AM PM Entertainment Vito Bruno  

SEPTEMBER 10TH 2005

       The Knights

    Dyker Heights Athletic Assoc./St. Bernadette

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1^st ANNUAL B.A.S.E.S.

Baseball Skills Evaluation System Workouts