Joey Zink Captures Joe Lucey Coaches Award

Senior Joey Zink has always worn his Huntington High School football uniform proudly. The 5’11, 160 lb. teenager has played quarterback, defensive back and wide receiver, among other positions and he’s given the Blue Devils everything he has. The coaching staff chose him as this year’s Joe Lucey Coaches Award recipient.

“Joey Zink is one of the hardest working athletes we had on our team,” Blue Devil varsity head coach Ronald Wilson said. “He was a coach on the field and would gladly play every position if he could. We’ll definitely miss him.”

Zink is a three-season athlete, playing on the football, indoor track and field and lacrosse teams. He wore uniform No. 1 on the football field.

Wilson presented the award to Zink at the Blue Devil football team’s annual dinner in the school cafeteria, which drew a crowd of about 250, including parents, players, coaches, retired coaches and alumni who support the program.

Lucey retired from teaching and coaching in June 1988. Born and raised in Baldwin, he attended Chaminade High School, where he quarterbacked the football team and also played basketball and baseball before graduating with the Class of 1947. He went on to earn an undergraduate degree at Cortland State Teachers College.

Following college, Lucey served in the US Army as a military police officer and also participated in special services work. He was stationed at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Paris during the Korean War.

Lucey returned to Long Island in 1954 and enrolled as a full-time student at Hofstra University to pursue a master’s degree in physical education. He soon landed a teaching position in Great Neck. He came to Huntington in September 1955 to work as a physical education teacher, initially serving as an assistant football coach on the staff of head coach Al Donofrio.

Lucey became Huntington’s head coach in 1961. In 27 seasons he compiled a record of 125-95-9 for a .566 winning percentage. In his final season, Darren Ward was named the Blue Devils’ first ever Hansen Award recipient, presented annually to Suffolk’s best player.

Under Lucey, the Blue Devils won league titles in 1961, 1962, 1964, 1970, 1971 (tied), 1974, 1975, 1978 and 1987. Huntington won the conference championship in 1978 and was conference finalists in 1974, 1978 and 1987.

Married to Joyce Brittan in 1956, the Lucey’s became the parents of three daughters, Jill, Deirdre and Heather. The family resided in Commack.

Lucey’s retirement initially included a good amount of traveling with his wife, who predeceased him after 46 years of marriage, as well as working many years as an athletic equipment salesman. He passed away on September 22, 2020 at the age of 91.