Adrian White Captures Joe Lucey Coaches Award

Joe Lucey was an old-time, hard-nosed Huntington High School football coach who could be both gruff and silver tongued when the need warranted either approach.

Adrian White is this year’s recipient of the Joe Lucey Coaches Award, which was presented at the Huntington football team’s annual dinner at the Halesite Fire Department. The 5’7, 165 lb. senior played running back and linebacker for the Blue Devils. He wore uniform No. 4.

The award was presented to White by varsity assistant coach Malcolm Eugene, who spoke eloquently about what the senior meant to the Blue Devils.

Lucey retired from teaching and coaching in June 1988 and passed away on September 22, 2020 at his East Quogue condo at the age of 91. 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.

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 as well as working many years as an athletic equipment salesman for Wolff’s Sports Shop, which had stores in Rockville Centre and Huntington and supplied equipment to dozens of Long Island athletic programs.