Port Washington Youth Activities To Induct 2 Men To Hall Of Fame

PORT WASHINGTON, NY--Port Washington Youth Activities (PYA) announced that its Hall of Fame will be gaining two new members at its annual Gala on Friday, May 31 at the North Hempstead Country Club in Port Washington. Longtime directors Wayne Desimone and Mike Mongelli will be honored as exceptional volunteers at its 29th annual fund-raising celebration. Desimone and Mongelli have both aided in the vision and growth of the PYA, which was founded in 1963.

Desimone served as a director on the PYA board for over a decade. He burst onto the scene when he served as commissioner of the boys and girls basketball programs while coaching both sports. He did the same for the baseball and football programs. Even after he stepped down from the board, Desimone has continued to coach and officiate football and girls basketball. He is responsible for leading the charge on security and safety initiatives while working closely with the Field Committee.

Mongelli served as coach and commissioner for intramural and travel baseball, and basketball from 2004-2016. He initially got involved with the PYA by coaching flag football before transitioning to the intramural tackle program. He is responsible for the organization's return to travel tackle football following a 50-year hiatus. Mongelli's fundraising prowess, which he has become well-known for, have boosted the PYA's events such as the annual Hall of Fame Gala, the PYA Golf Outing in the fall and the PYA Endowment Fund.

Desimone and Mongelli will be inducted at the Gala, which kicks off with a cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m. Dining and dancing will take place from 8:30 to midnight. The Gala will feature a silent auction and raffle prizes. The price is $175 per person and includes an open bar. Anyone interested in attending the PYA Gala should visit the website.