Where Are They Now?
It has been two and a half years since this story emerged. What has happened to some of the key players since then?
From Roosevelt, Mike Mayo went on to get a scholarship at Division 1A Central Connecticut, but later transferred to Division II American International in Massachusetts, retaining 4 years of eligibility. In the 2008 season, Mike led the Yellow Jackets as a freshman with 783 yards in rushing (5.7 yard avg.) and 5 touchdowns to a 9-1 regular season record and the Northeast Conference championship. Joining Mike at AIC was Jon Harris, an outstanding offensive lineman and another beneficiary of the tutoring sessions. This was the school's first conference championship and the Yellow Jackets went on to a Division II playoff berth, eventually losing to Seton Hill, 14-7. Ebene Gabaud, Roosevelt captain and line backer, went on to matriculate to Mount Ida College in Massachusetts and is currently a starting linebacker on their Division III football team.
From Cold Spring Harbor, Peter Ottaviano went on to the University of Virginia and earned a degree in Cognitive Science. Peter turned down the opportunity to play football at Wesleyan University to go to UVA, a school he had set the goal of attending back in 4th grade. Andrew Gabriele and Michael Kuchta, the other two tutors, matriculated to Princeton University. Andrew was Captain of the Princeton Sprint Football team (under 172 Lbs.) and Michael played tennis. Kevin Piegare, one of the CSH students participating at the joint car washes, went on to the University of North Carolina, where he played Division I lacrosse.
In a sad and sobering note, James McClenic, who was a running back at Roosevelt and attended a few of the tutoring sessions, was lost to continued gang violence. James did not go on to college, but remained in Roosevelt as a member of the Bloods gang. His demise and the terrorizing of his family by Crips gang members is now part of FBI lore.