When a leak resulted in damage to the Huntington High School gym floor and lower level coaching offices, locker rooms and equipment areas the Blue Devils faced an immediate need to relocate 16 varsity and junior varsity boys’ and girls’ basketball games.
Huntington turned to its neighbors and three good friends rallied to the Blue Devils side. Four varsity and four JV boys’ basketball games will be played at Walt Whitman, three varsity and three JV girls’ basketball games will be hosted by Harborfields and one set of varsity and JV girls’ basketball games will be played at Elwood-John H. Glenn.
Due to water damage and its effects, Huntington’s entire 19,000 square foot gym floor has been removed and is in process of being replaced. The large area beneath the gym is also being repaired after water from the flooded gym seeped through ceilings.
South Huntington Superintendent Dr. Vito M. D’Elia and Supervisor of Athletics David Barth; Harborfields Superintendent Dr. Rory J. Manning and Director of Athletics Robert Franco and Elwood Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Bossert and Director of Athletics David Shanahan all rode to the rescue of the Blue Devils.
Northport-East Northport UFSD Superintendent Robert Banzer and Director of Athletics Mark J. Danuono and Half Hollow Hills Superintendent Dr. Patrick Harrigan and Director of Athletics Debra Ferry also offered to lend a hand should Huntington need it.
“In the true spirit of community and camaraderie, our neighbors stepped up without hesitation and asked very simply how they could help,” Huntington Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “We are beyond grateful for their generosity and for the true example of kindness set for students in all districts to follow.”
Within 24 hours of the flood, Harborfields was already hosting Blue Devil varsity and JV girls’ games in its Taylor Avenue gym in Greenlawn. Mr. Franco even arranged for the game to be live-streamed.
With the Huntington High School gym unavailable for the next month, the four basketball teams have also seen their practice plans disrupted. The varsity girls’ team is practicing at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School and Coindre Hall, which town and county officials have made available to Huntington UFSD. The JV girls’ team is using Washington Primary School and J. Taylor Finley Middle School. The varsity boys’ team is practicing at Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School. The JV boys’ team is practicing at the STEM school and at Finley.
Fortunately, the Blue Devil wrestling team had completed its home schedule and its practice room near the high school gym was unaffected by the leak and damage.