St. Peter’s football coach Mark DeCristoforo, back right, is joined by players Shakim Douglas, Chris Ledlum and A.J. Mistler during a visit to P.S. 65. (Photo by Keri Kielty)
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on February 28, 2017 8:30 AM, updated February 28, 2017 9:55 AM
Staten Island, NY – St. Peter’s varsity football coach Mark DeCristoforo called an audible recently.
And it might very well be one of the best checks he’s ever made.
DeCristoforo’s son, also Mark (AKA ‘Bubba’), is a first-grade student at the Academy of Innovative Learning (P.S. 65) and his son’s teacher, Mrs. Keri Kielty, asked DeCristoforo if he’d mind speaking to the class as part of the school’s series of Community Helpers.
DeCristoforo was more than happy to accommodate Mrs. Kielty’s request, but took it a step further when he suggested bringing a few of his players on the visit.
Hence, the audible.
When DeCristoforo made his visit to the Tomkinsville school earlier this month, he brought along three Advance All Stars in junior defensive end Shakim Douglas, sophomore wide receiver Chris Ledlum and senior safety A.J. Mistler.
Talk about an eye-opening experience for the students.
Talk about an eye-opening experience for the students.
“Bringing some of the boys was a great idea … the kids love sports and seeing high school kids was exciting to them,’’ said Mrs. Kielty. “It was a nice community thing that everyone enjoyed.’’
The four visitors from St. Peter’s wound up speaking to a total of four classes that day, including kindergarten, first, second and third grades. Douglas, Ledlum and Mistler each donned St. Peter’s football jerseys and DeCristoforo brought some equipment, including a helmet and shoulder pads.
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