June 4, 2018

Bill Class came to Huntington in 1929 and over the next 34 years established a standard of excellence that continues to this day in the Blue Devil athletic program. He retired more than a half-century ago and passed away in August 1984, but he will always be remembered in the community for his work at Huntington High School.

A $1,000 scholarship in Coach Class’ honor was presented to senior Samuel Bergman at the 50th annual Blue Devil senior athletic awards banquet last week. The teenager is headed to SUNY Brockport in the fall. He plans to study biology and pursue a pre-med track while playing on the Golden Eagles’ football team.

In addition to Mr. Bergman’s participation in three separate varsity sports programs, the teenager served as vice president of Huntington’s National Honor Society chapter, held down membership in multiple clubs and performed with the high school band.

“I am very honored to be the recipient of this year’s Class scholarship,” Mr. Bergman said. “It means a lot and it will be something I always look back upon and cherish.”

During last week’s awards dinner, Mr. Class’ grandson, Mike Connell, read a short profile of the man who spearheaded the development of Huntington’s sports program as the district’s athletic director and its most widely known coach.

The Class scholarship is awarded annually to a college bound male or female athlete who has participated in three varsity sports, demonstrated outstanding athletic achievement, character, leadership and sportsmanship qualities both in the playing arena and the classroom.

Well known for always putting forth his best effort, Mr. Bergman has been an exceptional scholar and athlete. The teenager has excelled in football, indoor track and lacrosse, repeatedly winning honors in each of the three sports.

Mr. Bergman captured All-County football honors. He was a finalist for the James LaBue Award, presented to Suffolk’s top scholar football player and was named to the National Football Foundation’s Golden Eleven team, which includes the top scholar football players in the county.

The senior placed second in the county in weight throw (a type of indoor hammer throw event) and reach the state championships in the event. Mr. Bergman also earned All-Division honors as the Blue Devil lacrosse team’s goalie.

“Sam’s teachers have always been impressed with his work ethic and have found his devotion to her studies, clubs and athletics to be uplifting,” Mr. Connell told a crowd of about 200 in Louis D. Giani Gymnasium. “His physical education teachers feel that Sam puts his all into every activity and situation and is a great role model. Huntington is very proud of him.”

Coach Class was a giant in teaching and athletics. He developed a modern physical education program at a time when only a handful existed in the country and his teams won numerous county championships in football and baseball. He was convinced that every student should participate in athletics, so they could experience a more well-rounded education and to help develop enhanced school and community spirit.

Coach Class comes to Huntington

Coach Class graduated from Cortland State Teachers College in 1927 and came to Huntington two years later. He coached football, basketball and baseball and started the wrestling program in 1937, coaching that team for two seasons. Serving as the athletic director, Mr. Class put together the framework for a modern sports program.

“He won county championships in football in 1946, 1947 and 1948,” Mr. Connell said. “He won seven county championships in baseball from 1929 to 1952.”

In 1954, Mr. Class turned over his coaching duties to his trusted assistants and became the administrative head of physical education and health, special services and transportation, eventually overseeing the construction of a new Huntington High School. He retired from the district in 1963.

At a testimonial dinner held in his honor, high school Principal Robert Cushman said “Coach Class never permitted himself to do less than his best, and he couldn’t tolerate slipshod habits among his boys. Another characteristic was to teach students to play the game and then let them use their own initiative and ingenuity. His methods of training were characterized by refinement, and he never used profanity.”

When asked how athletics had affected his life, Mr. Class responded, “The opportunity to work with young men to improve their ability and knowledge of the game and to instill the desire and drive to be good in their chosen field has been both challenging and rewarding as a life’s work.”

Mr. Bergman was presented with a handsome plaque and the $1,000 stipend the scholarship carries. A separate, permanent plaque hangs in the main athletic showcase in the lobby outside Louis D. Giani Gymnasium with the engraved names of all the William Class Scholarship Award recipients through the years.