Chaminade Coach Is Finalist For Jr. Knicks Coach Of The Year Bernardi Receives Presidential Volunteer Service Award

Anton Media Group Staff

editors@antonmediagroup.com

Coach Lou Bernardi of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy was recently honored with the gold-level Presidential Volunteer Service Award, recognizing his more than 500 hours of service with Valor Sports volunteering at free baseball clinics and other events.

Bernardi commented to Anton Media Group on his volunteer work: “It varied from toy drives, food drives, clothing drives and volunteering at events. But mainly in providing free clinics and training for amateur players. The game of baseball has given me so much that I owe it to the next generation of players to give back to them and make sure they have the same opportunities I had growing up.”

“Anytime someone is recognized for an achievement it is humbling to say the

(Courtesy least,” Bernardi continued. I am obviously grateful, but for me the recognition is a challenge to do more. The hard part is what comes next.”

Chaminade High School boys’ basketball head coach Dan Feeney has been named a finalist for this year’s Jr. Knicks Coach of the Year award presented by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS).

On December 6th, 2022, Coach Feeney had to go above and beyond his normal duties when a student athlete suddenly collapsed during practice and began seizing before going into cardiac arrest and stopped breathing. Coach Feeney quickly called 911 and helped administer CPR along with one of the team’s assistant coaches. The coaches and team trainer were able to regain the student athlete’s heartbeat before administering two shocks from the AED. The student athlete ultimately received treatment at the hospital before returning to the court just six weeks later.

Each year, the Jr. Knicks Coach of the Year award presented by HSS celebrates coaches making a positive impact on and off the court in each of their respective communities. Those recognized are celebrated for their demonstrated qualities of commitment, dedication, integrity, character, mentorship and participation within community service initiatives.

The Jr. Knicks Coach of The Year program, presented by Hospital for Special Surgery, celebrates coaches who embody the values that make a positive impact on young basketball players, both on the court and in the community. The Knicks and HSS will choose six nominees, five finalists will each win $2,000 and the Coach of the Year will be awarded $20,000 and be entered as the Knicks representative in the Jr. NBA’s National Coach of the Year Program.

HSS will also provide all finalists and the winner with access to the HSS “Move Better Play Better” package for one year that includes workshops, webinars and classes to teach coaches, parents and athletes various lessons on health and fitness.

— Submitted by the Hospital for Special Surgery