The Rochester Lancers paid tribute to Gary Schenk, the Naples boys soccer coach who passed away suddenly on Oct. 6.
Mr. Schenk also was a Naples Town Councilman for 19 years and a teacher at Naples Central School for 30 years.
The Lancers honored Mr. Schenk prior to the start of the MISL contest against the Baltimore Blast on Saturday afternoon at the Blue Cross Arena before a crowd of 5,102 in the Rochester Community War Memorial.
Mr. Schenk's sister, Diana Yacuzzo, and her family were on hand for the ceremony as Mr. Schenk's wife of 41 years, Jeanne, and two sons, Tim and Bill, were unable to attend.
Mr. Schenk directed the Naples varsity soccer team for over 43 seasons, winning 557 games, 20 league titles, and seven sectional championships.
"He was a man of principal, a man of integrity who loved the game, the players, and the community," the BCA announcer said.
Rather than a moment of silence, the crowd gave Mr. Schenk a standing ovation to pay tribute.
Lancers head coach Billy Andracki presented Diana Yacuzzo a pair of green soccer shorts, which was autographed by all the members of the Rochester Lancers.
"It was a beautiful tribute for a beautiful person," Diana Yacuzzo said. "I was honored to be his sister, and I was proud to be here on behalf of my sister-in-law, Gary's wife, who was unable to be here.
"Jeanne had to go out of town because of the holiday weekend for a trip she and Gary had planned the day he died. She had to leave this morning for that.
"The ceremony was wonderful. I want to thank everybody on behalf of the Schenk family."
The Lancers also recognized the Section 5 Boys Senior All-Stars, who played a game two weeks ago at Monroe Community College where a moment of silence was held for Mr. Schenk, as well as all the Section 5 boys sectional champions and runners-up teams.
The Rochester Lancers paid tribute to Gary Schenk, the Naples boys soccer coach who passed away suddenly on Oct. 6.
Mr. Schenk also was a Naples Town Councilman for 19 years and a teacher at Naples Central School for 30 years.
The Lancers honored Mr. Schenk prior to the start of the MISL contest against the Baltimore Blast on Saturday afternoon at the Blue Cross Arena before a crowd of 5,102 in the Rochester Community War Memorial.
Mr. Schenk's sister, Diana Yacuzzo, and her family were on hand for the ceremony as Mr. Schenk's wife of 41 years, Jeanne, and two sons, Tim and Bill, were unable to attend.
Mr. Schenk directed the Naples varsity soccer team for over 43 seasons, winning 557 games, 20 league titles, and seven sectional championships.
"He was a man of principal, a man of integrity who loved the game, the players, and the community," the BCA announcer said.
Rather than a moment of silence, the crowd gave Mr. Schenk a standing ovation to pay tribute.
Lancers head coach Billy Andracki presented Diana Yacuzzo a pair of green soccer shorts, which was autographed by all the members of the Rochester Lancers.
"It was a beautiful tribute for a beautiful person," Diana Yacuzzo said. "I was honored to be his sister, and I was proud to be here on behalf of my sister-in-law, Gary's wife, who was unable to be here.
"Jeanne had to go out of town because of the holiday weekend for a trip she and Gary had planned the day he died. She had to leave this morning for that.
"The ceremony was wonderful. I want to thank everybody on behalf of the Schenk family."
The Lancers also recognized the Section 5 Boys Senior All-Stars, who played a game two weeks ago at Monroe Community College where a moment of silence was held for Mr. Schenk, as well as all the Section 5 boys sectional champions and runners-up teams.
