Harry Baliber Captures Huntington Fire Department Award

Former Huntington Fire Department Chief Neil Getter presented the Bill Harris Sr. Award for Baseball to Class of 2024 member Harry Baliber. The award is named for the father of former Blue Devil varsity coach Billy Harris. It carries with it a $500 stipend.

Known as a hard worker on and off the field, Mr. Baliber captained last spring’s Blue Devil varsity baseball team. He’s been the team’s catcher for many years and played on the varsity team as an eighth grader. He has been recruited to play on the SUNY New Paltz baseball team. He plans to study business.

The teenager has also been a starter on the Blue Devil varsity basketball team, which he also captained. Mr. Baliber got his start in the district as a Washington Primary School kindergartener. He’s always been well-regarded by his teachers and classmates and prized for his competitiveness and leadership by his teammates.

Mr. Baliber credits his success to the support he receives from his family and friends. The relationships he’s developed with his classmates, teammates, teachers and coaches have also benefitted him over the years. Chosen as a Natural Helper, he has assisted classmates who are dealing with challenging personal and family situations.

The new Huntington alum has also volunteered with the high school’s Habitat for Humanity chapter and participated in the A World of Difference (AWOD) club that promotes anti-bias and diversity programs, which allow students to better understand the issues of prejudice and bigotry as well as providing a forum for exploring diverse viewpoints.

Bill Harris Sr. was a captain in the Huntington Fire Department and a longtime volunteer.