Hills Vs. Autism Lacrosse Tournment Raises Awareness, Dollars

Excessive heat, some rain and significant lightning did not damper the spirits of players, coaches, referees, organizers and fans who participated in this year’s Hills Vs. Autism lacrosse tournament at Half Hollow Hills High School East in Dix Hills. The foundation by the same name was created by Drew Quinto during 2012 to honor older brother Corey.

On July 17, athletes pledged donations and each player contributed $30 to participate in the tournament. Jerseys and shirts were provided by the Hills East alumni association, and about 50 referees donated their time to officiate the games. The Hill Vs. Autism foundation fosters grants and it funds appropriate programs to support people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

“Growing up with an older brother who struggled with a developmental disability,” said Quinto, “truly opened my eyes and made me realize that there was a need for socialization programs in the community for children and young adults with ASD.”

The lacrosse tournament is one of the foundation's most successful fund-raising initiatives, gathering more than half a million dollars. As many as 20 Long Island teams participate each year in the day-long event that is capped by the alumni game between the Half Hollow Hills East Thunderbirds and the Half Hollow Hills West Colts.

New Mark Of Excellence Award

James C. Metzger, a Hills East alumnus and a three-sport award-winning high school player during the 1970s, was invited to participate in this year’s program. He supports high school lacrosse throughout Long Island, including the Hills East program, leadership awards at the Nassau County championships and most valuable player awards at the Long Island championships.

Metzger is the founder and CEO of The Whitmore Group, a Garden-City based insurance brokerage firm. He has been instrumental in bringing the state lacrosse championships to Long Island. The championships will be held at Hofstra University’s Shuart Stadium for three years beginning with the 2020 season. Metzger was an All-American lacrosse player at Hofstra.

During halftime of the alumni game between the Thunderbirds and Colts, Metzger presented the Colts' Christian Mulé with the inaugural James C. Metzger Mark of Excellence Alumni Cup. The award was established to honor outstanding accomplishments on and off the lacrosse field by a Half Hollow Hills East or Half Hollow Hills West player. The annual award will be presented at all future alumni games.

Mulé scored 105 points as a junior, 103 points as a senior and 331 for his high school career. He set district records that included breaking Metzger’s scoring record for points in a season that had stood for more than 40 years. Mulé has committed to play lacrosse at Duke University.

“I am honored to again acknowledge an outstanding student-athlete who is successful on the lacrosse field, in the classroom and in the community,” said Metzger, whose company also supports many local charitable programs such as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island and The American Heart Association. "I'm even more honored to have this award associated with the cause to help our young people who face the challenges of autism. Drew Quinto, another outstanding student-athlete from Hills, and his family have moved mountains in only a few years. More is coming and I am pleased to be part of the momentum.”

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Mike Virgintino is the author of Freedomland U.S.A.: The Definitive History, the story about America's theme park located in The Bronx. Published by Theme Park Press, it can be found on Amazon, eBay and Goodreads.