Former Coach Inducted into
Hall of Fame
Former Huntington High School football coach Joseph Lucey has been inducted into the Long Island High School Football Hall of Fame. He coached the Blue Devils for 27 seasons through 1987 and won 125 games.
Lucey was honored during the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame's annual Suffolk scholar athlete brunch at the Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.
The retired Huntington High School physical education teacher went to Chaminade High School where he lettered in football and baseball and was the Flyers' quarterback as a junior and senior. Lucey went on to earn a BS degree at Cortland State University and an MA at Hofstra University. He was drafted into US Army in 1952 and served in France. He came to Huntington in 1955 and retired in June 1988.
At Huntington, Lucey compiled a record of 125-95-9 for a .566 winning percentage. His teams won league titles in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1970, 1971 (tie), 1974, 1975 (tie), 1978 and 1987. The Blue Devils won the conference crown in 1987 and were conference finalists in 1974, 1978 and 1987.
Former Blue Devil player and current assistant football coach and dean of students Ron Wilson was at the Crest Hollow for the induction ceremony. "It was a huge surprise when I saw Coach Lucey sitting on the dais," Wilson said. "We were all very happy that such a distinguished award was given to him. I didn't get a chance to play for him, but I sure did watch many of the championship games that were played out on the field in the 80s. Todd Jamison, Steve Muller, and Kevin Thorbourne all played for him and said he was an outstanding coach and a better person."
After retiring from teaching and coaching, Lucey, who resides in East Quogue worked for Wolf's Sporting Goods Co. for 11 years. He was given a standing ovation at the induction ceremony in recognition of his long career with the Blue Devils.
"He delivered a very powerful speech, thanking the Hall of Fame for even considering him for such a prestigious award," Wilson said about Lucey.