Copiague School District honored the legacy of longtime wrestling coach and physical education teacher Anthony Cipriano during a dedication of the wrestling room named in his honor on March 10. Board of education members, administrators, family, friends, colleagues, student-athletes and community members gathered together to remember the late coach.

Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Bannon and Copiague School District’s director of physical education and athletics William Bennett welcomed guests to the dedication ceremony and thanked both the Copiague community and the wrestling community for their support.

Wrestling coach and teacher Darwin Ryan addressed the audience and spoke about how the community has come together for one another during the past year. “The community has been so supportive and has opened their hearts and arms to us,” he said. “We all recognize that one man alone cannot replace Coach Cip. And we have all picked up the pieces and carried his legacy on.”

In addition to the sign in the wrestling room, signage also hangs outside in the hallway for anyone who walks past the doors. Coach Cipriano’s mother cut the official ribbon as guests entered the newly named wrestling room. In memory of Coach Cipriano, the Copiague Booster Club gifted a jacket in his memory and Susan E. Wiley Elementary School Principal Cynthia Florio unveiled a bench that will be placed outside the school in his honor.

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Date Added: 3/17/2023