Cover Feature

THE METZGER LACROSSE AWARDS 2022

Photography by Ralph DePas Giving Back and Paying Forward

JAMES C. METZGER CEO / CHAIRMAN THE WHITMORE AGENCY

Playing Division 1 All-American lacrosse at Hofstra University Metzger went by the nickname “Hollywood.” His sophomore record-setting scoring average of 4.9 points per game still stands. Metzger’s single season average ranks fifth in the history of the program and his single season assist average ranks eighth all time. Metzger is one of only three players in the history of Hofstra’s Men’s Lacrosse to score eight or more points three times in one season. During the 1980 season he led the team in points per game scoring | At Half Hallows Hills High School – 1977 Lacrosse AllAmerican, and Ray Enners Award Winner.

VINNIE SOMBROTTO VICE PRESIDENT THE WHITMORE AGENCY

Vinnie’s handle at Hofstra was “Silk.” He too was a Lacrosse Division I All-American | Player on four World Lacrosse Championship teams | Player on 10 U.S. Club National Championship teams with L.I.-Hofstra | Two-time Team USA captain | Member of 1982 All-World Team | Three-time National Club Player of the Year | 15-time All-Club player | Member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame | Named to Newsday’s All Century Lacrosse Team | At Hofstra in 1980, he was the team’s overall leading scorer with 54 points. Hofstra’s lacrosse locker room is the named The RoyleSombrotto Men’s Lacrosse Locker Rooms.

THE ANNUAL JAMES C. METZGER LEADERSHIP AWARDS

NASSAU COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL BOY’S LACROSSE

The annual James C. Metzger Leadership Awards for Nassau County high school boys’ lacrosse were presented to one player on each of the eight teams that competed in the finals of the 2022 Section VIII Nassau County high school boys’ lacrosse championships. Each award recipient reflected the tenacity, honesty, commitment, and positive attitude required in Nassau lacrosse. Each player also possessed the ability to inspire others on and off the field.

AWARDS PRESENTED BY METZGER AND SOMBROTTO AWARDS PRESENTED BY METZGER

Spencer Newman | Syosset HS Luke Paskewitz | Garden City HS

Garret Geraci | Cold Spring Harbor HS Victor Diaso | Manhasset HS

Tommy Kenny | Locust Valley HS Alexander Vieni | Sanford H. Calhoun HS

Henry Haberman | Schreiber Sr. HS Brady West | South Side HS

THE ANNUAL JAMES C. METZGER MVP AWARD

LONG ISLAND LACROSSE CHAMPIONSHIPS

James C. Metzger, Tyler Kuprianchik and Northport High School Coach Larry Cerasi

James C. Metzger, Cole Webber, Brenden Staub, Steve Finnell and Hempstead PAL Coach Alan Hodish

Manhasset Coach Keith Cromwell, Jack Petersen, James C. Metzger and Hempstead PAL Coach Alan Hodish

Cold Spring Harbor Coach Dennis Bonn, Max Hawkinson and James C. Metzger

Tyler Kuprianchik Wins James C. Metzger MVP Lacrosse Award Northport Defeats Port Washington in Class A Long Island Championships

Behind the dominant faceoff wins by Tyler Kuprianchik, Northport High School defeated Paul D. Schreiber Senior High School in Port Washington 13-9 in the Class A 2022 Long Island Boys Lacrosse Championships at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday, June 4.

Registering 19 of 25 faceoffs, many of which directly led to goals, senior faceoff/midfielder Kuprianchik received the game’s James C. Metzger MVP Award.

Staub And Webber Win James C. Metzger MVP Lacrosse Award Garden City Defeats Comsewogue in Class B Long Island Championships

In a game-long defensive battle, Garden City High School defeated Comsewogue High School 9-6 in the Class B 2022 Long Island Boys Lacrosse Championships at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday, June 4.

Catalysts in defending their zone by securing eight ground balls and causing four turnovers were senior defenseman Brenden Staub and junior defenseman Cole Webber. They shared the game’s James C. Metzger MVP Award.

Jack Petersen Wins James C. Metzger MVP Lacrosse Award Manhasset Defeats Mount Sinai in Class C Long Island Championships

In a game that was closely played until the fourth quarter, Manhasset High School defeated Mount Sinai High School 12-7 in the Class C 2022 Long Island Boys Lacrosse Championships at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday, June 4.

Junior midfielder Jack Petersen scored three goals and assisted on two additional goals to lead Manhasset and capture the game's James C. Metzger MVP Award.

Max Hawkinson Wins James C. Metzger MVP Lacrosse Award Cold Spring Harbor Defeats Port Jefferson in Class D Long Island Championships

Cold Spring Harbor High School, behind the dominant faceoff wins and goals of senior midfielder Max Hawkinson, defeated Port Jefferson High School 9-3 in the Class D 2022 Long Island Boys Lacrosse Championships at Hofstra University’s James M. Shuart Stadium on Saturday, June 4.

By capturing 13 of 14 faceoffs and scoring three goals, Hawkinson received the game's James C. Metzger MVP Award.

THE SECOND ANNUAL METZGER CUP

For more than a decade, The Long Island Lacrosse Showcase, widely recognized as the premier event for exposure before college coaches of all levels, provides players the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities while competing to earn a spot to represent their county in the Long Island Showcase Nassau vs. Suffolk Games. Hosted in collaboration with the Nassau County Lacrosse Coaches Association and the Suffolk County Lacrosse Coaches Association, the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase is a must-see event for college lacrosse coaches. Dozens of colleges are represented at various rounds of the showcase every year.

The Long Island Lacrosse Showcase culminated with the Metzger Cup Games. The winners of each Nassau vs. Suffolk game were presented with the Metzger Cup by benefactor James Metzger, of the Whitmore Agency. The Most Valuable Players of each contest were also presented with their trophies by Metzger / Sombrotto.

The winning Suffolk team, coached by Peter Mitchell of Comsewogue High School and Marcelo Sandoval of West Babylon High School, received the Metzger Cup.

Attackman Christian Colantonio of Mount Sinai High School scored five goals, including the overtime winning goal, in the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase Top 25 Game of Rising Seniors in Suffolk County’s 9-8 win over Nassau County at Hofstra University on June 23. Colantonio received the game’s James C. Metzger Most Valuable Player Award.

The winning Suffolk team, coached by Tom Zummo of East Islip High School and Jeff Aiello of Bayport-Blue Point High School, received the Metzger Cup.

Attackman Luke Breslin of Commack and St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington scored three goals in the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase Top 25 Game of Rising Juniors that was instrumental in Suffolk County’s 8-4 win over Nassau County at Hofstra University on June 23. Breslin received the game’s James C. Metzger Most Valuable Player Award.

The winning Suffolk team, coached by Brett Jeffares of Connetquot High School and Tom Corcoran of West Islip High School, received the Metzger Cup.

Goalie Drew Walendowski of East Islip High School, with more than eight saves on quality scoring chances, and attackman Matthew Triolo of John Glenn High School in Huntington, who scored four goals, were named co-winners of the James C. Metzger Most Valuable Player Award in Suffolk County’s 9-7 win over Nassau County in the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase Top 25 Game of Rising Sophomores at Hofstra University on June 23.

The winning Nassau team, coached by Eric Dunne and Mike Scheuerer of Farmingdale High School, received the Metzger Cup.

Goalie Dylan Rappaport of South Side High School let in just one goal in the first half of the Long Island Lacrosse Showcase Top 25 Game of Rising Freshmen that was instrumental in Nassau County’s 16-7 win over Suffolk County at Hofstra University on June 23. Rappaport received the game’s James C. Metzger Most Valuable Player Award.

2022 METZGER CUP RISING CLASS MVPS

SENIORS JUNIORS

Christian Colantonio, Attack Mount Sinai HS

SOPHOMORES

Photography by Mike Virgintino Drew Walendowski, Goalie | East Islip Matthew Triolo, Attack | John Glenn Luke Breslin, Attack St. Anthony’s HS

FRESHMAN

Goalie Dylan Rappaport South Side HS

LT. RAY ENNERS AWARD

Joey Spallina

Position: Attack School: Mount Sinai Coach: Harold Drumm Designation: All-American Playing at: Syracuse

“Ever since I was a kid, my dad told me two things while I was playing, to be a good teammate and be a good person,” said Spallina, who is the No. 1 recruit in the country and will play at Syracuse University. “From the stories that I’ve heard, Ray was that guy.”

The Lt. Ray Enners Award is presented annually to the most outstanding high school lacrosse player in Suffolk County, Long Island. The award is presented by the Suffolk County Boys’ Lacrosse Coaches Association, Section XI Athletics, to the player who best exemplifies courage, teamwork, skill, and leadership. The award is named in memory of Lt. Raymond Enners. Raised in Farmingdale, New York, Enners attended Half Hollow Hills High School (Half Hollow Hills Central School District) in Dix Hills, where he was an outstanding lacrosse player.

While leading a platoon in Vietnam, Lt. Enners was killed in combat on September 18, 1968. Lt. Enners received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Purple Heart for extraordinary heroism in combat in South Vietnam.

HEMPSTEAD PAL LACROSSE

“We are excited for the players in capturing the championship with an undefeated record,” said Alan Hodish, the Tigers head coach since the program began more than a decade ago. “It is all about the sportsmanship, teamwork and introducing them to the game with the hope that they will take a deeper interest and allow lacrosse to become part of their high school and college success.”

Hempstead PAL Lacrosse Enjoys Undefeated Season Tigers win championship and receive awards from college/pro star Rob Pannell.

This year featured a second straight winning lacrosse season for the Hempstead PAL Tigers, with the 2022 team of fifth and sixth graders taking the Nassau league championship with a perfect 7-0 record. Hempstead defeated Floral Park, Carey, New Hyde Park, Uniondale, Malverne and Hewlett twice. Hodish is a former lacrosse and football coach at Hempstead High School. An attorney in Garden City and an East Meadow resident, he has coached youth lacrosse on Long Island for decades. Hodish is a member of the Long Island Metropolitan Lacrosse Foundation's Hall of Fame. During the season, the head coach received support from a handful of other coaches—James Ford, Bob Schmitt, Tim Pratt and L.J. Hough—along with Hempstead PAL Administrator Ruth Roberson and Hempstead PAL Director Detective Sheryl Roberts.

HALF HALLOW HILLS EAST AND WEST OUTSTANDING PLAYER AWARD

The 2022 Metzger Award

for Team Leadership And

Play was presented to goalie Jacob Shapiro. As he presented that award, coach Hagans commented that Shapiro “took a ton of shots this season.” A total of more than 150 stopped shots appear on the scoresheets.

Jacob Shapiro and Coach Connor Hagans

Half Hollow Hills High School East established the James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award during 2011 as an annual recognition presented to the school’s best lacrosse player.

SIR GARY KONG

LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM

By Michael JacoBson iMages courtesy of the gloBal hero foundation usa

Sir Gary Kong

The power to transform a life often rests in the ability to maximize given opportunities while creating more than a few of one’s own. For Sir Gary Kong, this is the secret to his drive and success. Coming first from China to Guatemala at 16 with no money, Kong later made his way to the United States where he realized the American dream using his innate talents and business acumen to seize on relevant business opportunities, scout out new trends, and create success seemingly out of thin air. Naturally, the actual process was more work than that outlined above, but Sir Gary Kong’s effortless grace and charm make it appear as though any roadblock set before him is yet another way to maximize his talents and abilities.

Sir Gary Kong is a successful businessman and philanthropist. He has a real estate portfolio; produces The 1 Wine out of Napa; will be rolling out in 2023 his new water, Wausau, from Wisconsin, where he also produces Classic New York Beer; is founder of the Global Hero Foundation USA, a philanthropy that supplied frontline workers with needed PPE during the height of the pandemic; and was appointed president of Sino American Commerce Association. In 2023, to kick off the New Year Mr. Kong will be bringing to Flushing Queens the first ever Happy New Year’s Day Parade on January 1st, bringing together the bustling mixed Asian community to celebrate in unity being proud Americans.

What brought you to America and fueled your dream to make it big?

I left Fujian China for Hong Kong at the age of 5 and stayed there 10 years. Then I came to America after receiving a visa from Guatemala and decided to swim from Mexico to America in pursuit of the American dream.

What were some of your early jobs once you relocated to America?

I started out working as a dishwasher at some famous restaurant in Manhattan and worked my way up to sous-chef.

How did you eventually crack the real estate market?

I understood real estate and numbers. By the time I was 18, I owned my first building and for the next 25 years I purchased a building each year. I own several homes, apartments, and land.

What were some of the early challenges you had to overcome after arriving in the States?

My biggest challenge was the language barrier. Learning English was difficult at first but with great determination I knew I would be fluent.

How long did it take for you to feel like you had made it in America?

I think back on my life and career. I feel like I first made it when I started going back to those same fancy restaurants as a patron taking clients to business dinners, and after buying my first home.

Real estate isn’t your only interest. Can you tell us all about Classic New York Beer and The 1 Wine?

To create a business around one’s passion is truly a gift and godsend. I am a beer and wine connoisseur, so I decided to start my own winery in California where I developed several blends and The 1 Wine came to fruition. Today, we are focusing with my agency MAA to take The 1 Wine Love brand nationally and will continue producing several other blends for our loyal customers. Our beer is unique, and we have assorted flavors, including the popular Blueberry and Apple.

What sets your beer and wine companies apart from the other breweries and microbreweries around today?

What separates us from other breweries and wine companies is our

Sino American Commerce Association

labor of love, diversity, uniqueness, and our flavors which no one else can emulate. I own a winery, as well as have a direct relationship with one of the best Napa wine makers in the industry.

If you could speak to your 16-year-old self, what advice would you offer?

I would say never give up on your dreams. Work smartly and get an education.

In 2022, you were named president of Sino America Commerce. What does this honor mean to you and your career in business?

Becoming the 2022 president of Sino America Commerce is a true honor. I will continue their efforts to bring ChineseAmerican and American businesses together in unity through expanding our efforts throughout America.

During the pandemic, you played a major part in helping fellow New Yorkers. Gary, you donated 40,000 surgical masks and 800 N95 masks. What drove you to making this donation?

Helping others, especially during the pandemic was especially important to me both in the U.S. and in China. During the early days of the pandemic China was running out of masks and much-needed medical supplies. I had my agency, MAA, wheels up 26,000 pounds of PPE from New York to China for the Chinese Red Cross, via Chapman Freeborn air cargo planes.

How did the pandemic impact you daily? How did it affect your business and work?

Many of my businesses were shut down. This gave me an opportunity to focus my attention on much-needed philanthropy and develop new platforms for my water, beer, and wine companies. I’ve received three President Community Service awards from Obama, Trump, and Biden for Lifetime Achievements.

Haiti Presidential Candidate, Jude Elie; Helena Pasquier; Sir Gary Kong

The Global Hero Foundation USA is near and dear to your heart. Can you tell us about this organization and your role within it?

As a founder of GlobalHeroFoundationUSA.com, I am always looking to help organizations, especially the front-runners during the pandemic: hospital workers, firefighters, and police departments. We support these via financial contributions and staging fund raiser events as well as dinners. To kick off the 2023 New Year, we’re staging the first ever Happy New Year’s 2023 America Day Parade on January 1st, 11 am to 4 pm up and down Main Street in Flushing, with over 30 decorated floats, costumed characters, New York’s favorite politicians, and more.

What are other Covid-related works of the Global Hero Foundation USA?

We donated a variety of PPE to India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Haiti, the USA, and China and received their administrator appreciation letters.

Can you tell us about some of the philanthropic activities you have in store?

We are always looking for new causes and people in need. In 2022-2023 we will support this organization with donations, events, and dinners.

What is your advice to someone seeking to become an entrepreneur in 2022 and beyond?

Work hard. Timing is important, and do not give up on your dream even when obstacles come your way during your journey.

If you had the power to change just one thing in the world, what would it be?

The elimination of prejudice against the different races, and equal opportunities for all who work hard and are honest.