Calhoun Athletes Show Support for Coach

Submitted by Bellmore-Merrick Schools

Members of the Sanford H. Calhoun High School varsity football team and varsity cheerleading squad took the new turf field on Sept. 27 wearing a very special tribute to a Calhoun teacher recovering from a severe stroke.

In recognition of Stroke Awareness Day at Calhoun, the football players sported red tape on their wrists, while the cheerleaders wore a red ribbon in their hair. The symbols held special significance for former varsity coach and special education teacher Joe Bianca.

On July 26, Bianca suffered a severe stroke and was airlifted to Stony Brook University Medical Center, where he underwent an operation to remove the clot from his brain. In what Bianca described as a miracle, the operation was successful and he has been working toward his return to Calhoun ever since.

Bianca was once the head coach of the Colts football program and maintained his ties to the team. Shortly after Calhoun dedicated its turf field with a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Bianca stepped onto the midfield logo and performed the coin toss. Afterward, he walked up and down the sideline, hugging students, reuniting with assistant coaches and telling the team to play with heart.

The team responded with a 34-7 win over Herricks. During that week, Calhoun staff showed support for stroke awareness: tying ribbons and handing out informative cards on how to look out for the signs of an oncoming stroke.

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