Roosevelt to "Play It Smart"
Play It Smart is an organization supported by the National Football Foundation, the NFL, the NFL Players Association and the College Football Hall of Fame with the mission of "developing the qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, competitive zeal and the drive for academic excellence in America's young people".As a result of the publicity generated this past year regarding the helping hand given to Roosevelt's student athletes, the NFF has offered a spot in their Play It Smart program to Roosevelt. Roosevelt would be the first suburban school given such status. One of the benefits this provides is a full-time "academic coach". Dave Caldiero, a long time educator and football coach, has been appointed as Roosevelt's academic coach. Along with being a Professor in the Physical Education Department at Stonybrook University and the Seawolves defensive coordinator, Dave will be looking out for Roosevelt's student athletes. He was enamored with how well Roosevelt's kids performed on their SAT tests after their prep sessions with the trio of Cold Spring Harbor student tutors. Three of the Roosevelt boys did well enough to now go on to four year colleges. Dave has asked that this collaborative effort remain in place and become indoctrinated as a part of Play It Smart's local program.