"Social Life" Features HHH East’s James C. Metzger

During the 1970s, James C. Metzger was a three-sport scholar-athlete at Half Hollow Hills East High School. Since 1989, he has owned The Whitmore Group, a leading insurance brokerage and financial services firm headquartered in Garden City. This month, Metzger is featured on the cover of the September 2018 edition of Social Life Magazine.

Titled “The Big Assist,” the article in the premier luxury publication for the Hamptons explores Metzger's philanthropic contributions to sports and education programs along with a multitude of community and charitable organizations. His charitable contributions include the HHH East boys’ lacrosse team and the presentation of its annual James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award. He sponsors additional Long Island high school lacrosse awards, a high school football award in New York City and also provides opportunities for youth lacrosse at the Hempstead PAL.

Sports Star, Giving Philosophy

At HHH East, Metzger was an All-American in lacrosse. He won the Lieutenant Ray Enners Award as Outstanding Lacrosse Player in Suffolk County for 1977. He set school records for points in a season and assists in a game, season and career. Metzger also was a stand-out in football and the only high school athlete to be selected and participate in both the Suffolk County North – South All-Star Football Game and the North – South All-Star Lacrosse Game. As a sophomore, he played for the 1974-1975 varsity basketball team in the Suffolk County Playoffs.

Following high school, Metzger was a Division 1 All-American lacrosse player at Hofstra University. He has been inducted into the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame and the Hofstra Athletics Hall of Fame. His uniform jersey #21 was retired earlier this year by HHH East.

In the Social Life Magazine feature article, Metzger cites two significant influences in his life that have led to his success and his support for communities and organizations.

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Photo: September 2018 issue of Social Life Magazine features James C. Metzger. Courtesy Social Life Magazine

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“It starts with my parents,” said Metzger. “They are wonderful people, and they raised me placing a strong emphasis on character, trust and helping others when you can. The second reason relates back to making insurance personal, a core value that guides me and our organization. Many of our philanthropic contributions are directly for charitable and cause-related organizations that are supported by our clients. They feel good about helping others less fortunate or with special needs, and we feel good knowing they appreciate us doing what we do.”

Besides his contributions to local sports and student-athletes, Metzger supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island, The American Heart Association, many other health care initiatives, Island Harvest and many additional programs.