Staten Island college sports: CSI honors four decades of cross country at school

Last weekend, the sports department at the College of Staten Island held a ceremony to commemorate the school’s cross-country program’s 40 years of existence.

Former coach Robert Russo, whose team won its second of three consecutive CUNY titles ten years ago, joined founding team members Jeff Benjamin and Darryl Petersen for the celebration, which was held during halftime of the men’s basketball game against Dyouville College (a Dolphins victory that followed).

CSI XC Anniversary Commemorative Shirt: Staten Island Running Association

According to Russo, the 2014 men’s team did something really remarkable that season by demonstrating to the rest of the conference that they were the team to beat. With numerous team and individual accomplishments throughout that season, these athletes demonstrated that their competitiveness was only beginning with the 2013 championship.

Alongside fellow alumni Kenneth Morella, Liam McMunn, Rich Ruggiero, Josh Ribaudo, Samuel Obisanya, Justin Mills, and Khaled Halwani, Andrew Scharf, who in 2014 led the Dolphins to the championship with his overall victory, attended the celebration. Assistant coach Christine Pagano and volunteer assistant coach Dan Caggiano were also recognized.

Benjamin, a member of the CSI Sports Hall of Fame who now teaches a Sports Business Management course at the institution, said, “We’re very grateful to Brian Guidera (acting AD), Joe Foreman, Mike Mauro, Emily Albano, and the rest of the athletics department for bringing everyone back.”

I had a great time seeing everyone.

On the left are CUNY champion coach Robert Russo, 1983 team member Jeff Benjamin, and former CSI assistant coach Christine Pagano. (Photo courtesy of the Staten Island Running Association)The Staten Island Running Association

According to Russo, the reunion gave the boys a chance to connect with former cross country program participants Jeff, Darryl, and Andrew Pate.

Even though I was pleased of them at the time, thinking back on their lives and discovering who they have grown into made me proud of this team once more.

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