News Item
After 75 years, Varsity Football is Back at Monticello – Go Panthers!
August 2010
During the past two years, Monticello
Athletics Director Doug Murphy has worked side-by-
side
with football coach Matt Buddenhagen to build a football program
from the ground up. It began in 2008 with a modified team. In 2009,
they added JV. Now the determined duo has the chance to create a
top-notch varsity line-up.
Football was once a popular sport in Monticello Schools, but was cut
from the athletics program 75 years ago. With its re-emergence,
district personnel believe it is the type of sport that can bring a
community together and give students an alternative outlet. It can
also help youngsters learn discipline and build camaraderie.
Helicopter Man Adds Glam to First Varsity Game
To help celebrate the excitement of
the first varsity football game in 75 years, Michael Croissant,
owner and pilot of Shamrock Helicopters in White Lake,
stunned the crowd when he landed his helicopter on the football
field to deliver Athletics Director Doug Murphy and the game ball.
Mr. Croissant donated his services - which would have cost about
$1,000 - as part of the charity work he does locally for many
organizations. He is also a Monticello High School alumnus (Class of
1986) and was happy to be a part of the return of football to the
district. Mr. Croissant’s helicopter service is located at the
Sullivan County Airport and provides charter flights to all the
major airports, New York City, Westchester, the Hamptons or anywhere
a person may want to go. He is a certified flight instructor and
offers flying lessons for those who are adventurous enough to want
to take the driver’s seat. For more information, call Michael at
Shamrock Helicopters at 914-799-5645.
Due to budget constraints, the JV football team had to be cut this year. Keeping the modified team will allow kids of all levels to still participate.
Photos: Coach Buddenhagen began daily practice in mid August to help get the varsity team ready for its first game on September 11.
In an August 23, 2010 editorial in the Times Herald-Record, the Monticello Central School District was commended "for bringing back varsity football, a move that already is proving popular judging by the turnout for the first practices of the season. Things are rough in Monticello right now, with a tough economy, a challenged local government and a school with some discouraging test results. A team that the community can rally around won't solve those problems, but it will give everybody a reason to come out and cheer."
The links below are to stories that appeared in the Times Herald-Record:
Football: Monticello returns to field -- 75 years later (08/17/10)