On Wednesday, Feb. 27, the 81st Anniversary New York Daily News Golden Gloves Boxing Competition returned to Glen Cove. The Glen Cove High School gym was abuzz with more than 400 fans there to see the 14 Novice Division bouts ranging in weights from 132 to 178 lbs.

The Glen Cove Boxing Club and the City of Glen Cove Department of Parks and Recreation sponsored the annual event. Mayor Ralph V. Suozzi, along with City Councilman Nick DiLeo, began the night with a special presentation of a citation to Sgt. Ron Oldenburg Jr., a United States Army veteran who carries the distinction of being the first Glen Cove resident to serve in Iraq. Mayor Suozzi thanked Sgt. Oldenburg, as well as the sergeant's family members, for his service to our country.

Proceeds from the event helped to fund a scholarship, which was awarded to Glen Cove High School senior Isaiah Jones, at ringside with his proud father, Anthony Jones. The scholarship was also partially funded by the Glen Cove Anglers Club, of which event organizer Frank Pena is a proud member.

A donation was also made to the Glen Cove High School girls lacrosse program, with more than 20 players in attendance to staff the concession stand and feed the hungry fans. The girls, dressed in their matching team rugby shirts also sold raffle tickets.

Other proceeds will go towards a major fundraising event in conjunction with the City of Glen Cove in an effort to build a new facility to house the Glen Cove Boxing Club, as well as the Glen Cove Hall of Fame, and serve as a community meeting space. A temporary training space, provided by the City of Glen Cove, will be open in mid-April and will accommodate all interested Glen Cove youth at no cost.

The Glen Cove Boxing Club would like to thank the following for their cooperation in making this event such a success: Christopher Ali; Glen Cove Parks Department; Coca Cola Distributors; Glen Cove School District; Glen Cove Anglers Club; Virginia Montognero; Glen Cove Auxiliary Police; Frank and Barbara Pena; Glen Cove EMS; Billy Strigaro; Glen Cove Police Department; Brenda Weck and the Glen Cove girls lacrosse program and Coach Gow.

As an aside, it was learned at press time that Frank Pena has been invited to serve as an official for the 2008 U.S. Future Stars National Championships at the Olympic Training Complex in Colorado Springs, CO beginning March 9. More than 270 top male and female amateur boxers from across the United States will compete and Mr. Pena stated it was an honor to be chosen to officiate.