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Canarsie H.S. Grid Coach Gets Tabloid's Top Grid Honor
& Neil S. Friedman To his astonishment, Canarsie High School boys varsity football head coach Mike Camardese was named the Daily News 2006 Coach of the Year last Saturday at its annual banquet in Manhattan. In an interview with the Courier on Monday, Camardese said the award was "a shock," then added, "It's a nice feeling to know you're appreciated." Camardese's Chiefs had a stellar 9-2 regular season, earning a number three ranking, and went on to win two playoff games before being overwhelmed in the PSAL semifinal game by Curtis High School, 28-0. Camardese almost certainly earned the award for guiding the Chiefs to a stellar season that was briefly marred by an early season brawl with Tot-tenville High School that cost his team two forfeits. Camardese has repeatedly said that the melee was the most embarrassing moment of his career and was subsequently forced to kick some players off the team because "they have to know what's right and wrong because football is no joke and no nonsense." He also explained that the clash apparently unified the team, which helped propel them to the playoffs. Despite the two forfeits, which were the only blemishes of the regular season, Camardese seemed pleased with last season. "Looking back, based on all the turmoil, we did pretty good be-cause we overcame many obstacles," he said. Following the fateful September 22 scuffle, the Chiefs won five straight games to end the regular season and earn a post-season slot. After winning two playoff games against Clinton and Midwood, the Chiefs were ousted by Curtis. In his 24 years as head coach at Canarsie, Camardese has earned a reputation from his players and rivals for his determination and perseverance. Coach Cam - the name by which he is commonly referred to by his team and students - played football at Canarsie High School from 1969 to 1972. He has been coaching for 31 years and started off as a volunteer while in college. He has been head coach at the Rockaway Parkway school for twenty-four years in which he has com-piled an incredible 171-70-7 record. Under his guidance Chiefs' teams have reached the PSAL finals four times and semi-finals three times. When asked how long he intends on continuing to coach Camardese jokingly replied, "Until coaching is not fun anymore." Senior tackle Hughes Saintus, said that he was grateful to play for Coach Cam. "It's an honor to have had him, because he really taught me the game, but also life lessons that would stay with me for the rest of my life." Another local honor went to South Shore quarterback David Legree, who was named to the newspaper's 2006 Football All-Star team.
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