(Editor's Note: Jim Colligan is the Director of Athletics for the Carle Place School District.)

Marino "Chick" Ceccoli, coordinator of Girl's Athletics and long-time physical educator and coach for Carle Place Middle School and High Schools, recently retired after a brilliant and memorable 33-year career in the district.

Mr. Ceccoli was a 1964 graduate of Carle Place High School and received his bachelor's degree in physical education from SUNY Brockport in 1968. It was at Brockport that he met his wife, Susan, also a physical educator who retired last year from the South Huntington School District. The Ceccolis have a son, Michael, a graduate of Rutgers University who played on the men's lacrosse team.

Mr. Ceccoli returned to his alma mater in September 1969 as a physical educator in the Cherry Lane School. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Ceccoli transferred to the Rushmore School where he spent the next 24 years teaching physical education. He assumed the duties as coordinator of Women's Athletics in September 1991 and a few years later went to the middle/high school as a full-time teacher.

Throughout his career, Mr. Ceccoli coached football, track and field, volleyball and girls lacrosse. As a coach, he was a master of teaching skills, building character, developing team strategy, as well as promoting a high level of sportsmanship with his players and fellow coaches. In addition, Mr. Ceccoli spent countless years as a summer recreation supervisor, an intramural coordinator and a participant of the Winners Walk Program with the United States Organization for Disabled Athletes as well as a host of other volunteer programs. Mr. Ceccoli was the recipient of the Larry Blake Sportsmanship Award in 2001.

There is no doubt that Mr. Ceccoli has made a huge impact in the Carle Place School District. As an athletic administrator, he was instrumental in elevating the girl's athletic programs to new heights. Mr. Ceccoli has helped promote girl's/women's athletics throughout Nassau County and has embraced the importance of Title IX throughout his professional career. His continued support of Nassau County's Women's Sports Foundation has always been appreciated by his colleagues.

Mr. Ceccoli always exhibited the highest standards of ethical behavior and sportsmanship throughout his coaching and teaching career. He earned the respect of the athletes and coaches for his hard work, wisdom and guidance, as well as his many sacrifices and unselfish and humble personal traits. The coaches on his staff valued his opinions and always felt valued by him as their immediate supervisor.

As the director of athletics for the Carle Place School District for the past 24 years, I have been privileged to work with some very amazing and talented people. I do feel privileged, blessed and grateful to have had Chick Ceccoli as a colleague and as a very dear friend. He has always been and will continue to be the most giving and unselfish person I have ever had the pleasure of working with during my 32 years in the Carle Place School District. Mr. Ceccoli will be deeply missed, but never forgotten. Your friends and colleagues absolutely love you and wish you their very best.