A 1950s Tappan Zee Football Player Gets His Due

Anthony Ventriglia—who has been known as Jake ever since childhood—makes no pretense about his induction into Tappan Zee High School's second annual Hall of Fame class.

"Absolutely, this means everything in the world to me," Ventriglia, class of '53, replied when asked whether the honor held any special significance. "I don't know about being one of the greats, but I'm going in."

The induction ceremony will be held Sunday night, 5 p.m., at the Colonial Inn (545 Tappan Rd. Norwood, NJ).

Now 75 and 13 years removed from the —where he served 38 years and rose to the rank of Det. Lieutenant—Ventriglia was a co-captain in both football and baseball. He was a two-way tackle on the gridiron, a backup fullback and also handled the punting chores. On the diamond, he caught, played first base and also filled in at third base.

The 1950 football team was unbeaten in the county under coach Nick Mottola (since deceased), and the 1953 baseball team won the county title.

Ventriglia spends each winter in Bradenton, FL, where he usually hits the links three times a week. It's all a welcome respite from his police career—one that included a 27-year stint as a search-and-rescue helicopter pilot for the county.

"I quit when I was 67; I was getting a little nervous up there," Ventriglia said. "I had three forced landings due to mechanical problems–that was enough."

Ventriglia will be cheered on by a group of at least 13 well-wishers, including three daughters and six of nine grandchildren. A son, Brian, lives in Centennial, CO with his three sons but is unable to attend.

Jake's daughters are Kathy Kiveland of West Nyack, Linda Cardinal of Guilderland and Eileen Ventriglia of Pearl River. Kathy's husband, Patrick, is a member of the . Their son Patrick is a junior at Rutgers, where he plays safety and on special teams for the football team.

Linda's daughter Ali is a standout in soccer and lacrosse at Guilderland High School. Fittingly, perhaps, Guilderland's colors are red and white and the school nickname is Dutchmen. Ironic, interesting—whatever the case, the Tappan Zee connection is instantaneous and it brings a wide smile to the new Hall of Famer's face.

So, then, when Ventriglia proudly holds up his granddaughter's red and white jersey with "Dutchmen" emblazoned on the front, he might as well be waving it for Tappan Zee's entire 2010 Hall of Fame class.

The 2010 inductees include: Ed Coates, class of '58; Matthew Rechtorovic, class of '59; Jim Spearman, class of '63; Bob Favre, class of '69; Lisette Hautau, class of '78; Roberta Barrett, class of '79; Blaise Winter, class of '80; James McCloskey, class of '83; Deirdre Collier, class of '87; coach Dan Dinan and the 1954 boys basketball team.

For ticket information please contact athletic director Liam Frawley at 845-680-1640.