John Fodera is not one to miss big games in person as far as St. Peter’s is concerned.
Fodera, who is currently St. Peter’s president and has been associated with the New Brighton school for all but his four years of college since 1958, is more often than not in attendance when the stakes are high for the Eagles.
Suffice it to say Fodera would have been front and center Friday when STP’s varsity baseball team played its biggest game in program history — the CHSAA Archdiocesan championship game against defending champion Iona Prep. The Eagles, of course, took home the Archdiocesan crown with a 4-0 triumph over the Gaels.
HS baseball: St. Peter’s claims school’s first-ever CHSAA Archdiocesan crown (photos)
Eagles qualify for state event, but will play for CHSAA city crown first.
“I would have been in the dugout with the boys‚’’ he proudly proclaims.
But Fodera is just three weeks removed from having total hip replacement surgery at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The Castleton Corners resident, who was principal at St. Peter’s between 1990-2017, has made significant strides since his surgery, but it was still too soon for him to make the long trip to Fordham University in the Bronx.
“I would have loved to have been there, but fortunately I was able to watch the game, first pitch to last, on LocalLive,’' explained the 1962 St. Peter’s alum. “It’s something I wouldn’t have missed for the world otherwise. I was crushed that I couldn’t be there.’'
Fodera, of course, has been keeping close tabs on St. Peter’s incredible run, which includes a stretch of 13 victories in 14 games and a seven-game winning streak in the playoffs. He was thrilled to watch Friday’s nip-and-tuck contest, which included a huge pitching performance from junior southpaw Chris Laieta.
“This was a long-time coming for a group of very talented athletes and a coach (Bobby Glennerster) who has given 110 percent to the team and St. Peter’s,’' the president said. “It’s a landmark win for St. Peter’s and something we are so proud to bring to Staten Island.
“Our sports program has put yet another stamp on its great reputation,’' Fodera continued. “We are so grateful to all our alumni and parents, who have been so supportive all season.’'
Glennerster, of course, was aware Fodera wasn’t in attendance, but was thrilled to deliver St. Peter’s first Archdiocesan title.
“Mr. Fodera has been able to watch on the livestream and has texted me after every playoff game this year,’' said Glennerster, who is also STP’s Admissions Coordinator. “And he always gives me a breakdown of what he saw, which is awesome.
“He truly cares about the program and school and we, of course, appreciate his support.’'
The Eagles, of course, are not done yet this season. In defeating he Gaels for the Archdiocesan crown, they earned a spot in the CHSAA Intersectional championship best-of-three series and will meet the St. Francis Prep-Archbishop Molloy winner in Game 1 Thursday at St. John’s University in Queens (7 p.m.).
St. Peter’s graduation is Friday, then Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) are Saturday and Sunday, respectively, at SJU.
Regardless of the Intersectional outcome, the Eagles have already clinched a spot in the Catholic state playoffs later in June.
Other recent local sports stories by Charlie De Biase Jr.
*CHSAA Archdiocesan softball championship: Ashley Weisenstein’s arm, bat vault Sea to first title in eight years
*CHSAA Archdiocesan softball championship: NDA mom hopes daughter can duplicate what she did 32 years ago
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*CHSAA JV softball semifinals: Mia Artsen shines in the pitcher’s circle as Sea advances to title game
*CHSAA softball Archdiocesan semis: Super sophomores pave the way as NDA stuns state-ranked Moore Catholic, 4-1
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