WBW Newspaper 2

By Andrea Halpern

A new local nonprofit organization which seeks to help athletes see themselves as worthy - both in and out of sports - is gaining momentum.

Winning Beyond Winning was recently founded by local resident - Tom Sabellico and former major league baseball player Rosendo "Rusty" Torres. Using funds raised by a Jan. 26 inaugural dinner, the organization has already sent former professional athletes to speak to students at Long Island schools, including Weldon E. Howitt Middle School in Farmingdale. Now, after another successful fund-raising dinner, the group is planning additional upcoming engagements.

The most recent dinner, which was held March 30, was well-attended - with approximately 75 guests. It yielded $1000 in proceeds for Winning Beyond Winning, which Sabellico said will fund speaking engagements by former professional athietes at both Plainedge High School and Polytechnic University in Farmingdale.

Ed Kranepool, a former player with the New York Mets, was the guest of honor at the March 30 dinner. He gave a speech about the need for young athletes to have an education and a second career to fall back on. In addition to adults who heard the talk, six youngsters under the age of 16 were present.

Both dinners were held at Annabella Restaurant in Farmingdale. Sabellico - who is an active member of the Farmingdale business community, as well as a coach for local youth baseball teams noted that he is trying to keep the organization local in order to benefit Farmingdale.

Former Professional athletes who speak to students throuqh Winning Beyond Winning stress the importance of having an identity other than that of athlete, and try to steer youth away from drugs and alcohol. They also urge youth who aspire to become Professional athletes to prepare for a second career. "It's a pro-education, anti-drug and alcohol type of message", said Sabellico.

The organization intends to reach not only secondary school students, but also college and professional athletes. Famous athletes who have committed to give talks include: Torres, who played with the Yankees, Angels, Indians, White Sox and Royals; Kranepool; former undisputed middleweight boxing champion of the world Vito Antuofermo; and former Yankees Ron Bloomberg and Oscar Gamble.

Disclaimer - All material on this web site is provided "As Is." Winning Beyond Winning does not guarantee, expressly or by implication, the accuracy, validity or timeliness of any information provided. Winning Beyond Winning disclaims the fitness for use of any material for a particular purpose. Neither Winning Beyond Winning, its elected officials, officers or affiliates, will be liable or have any responsibility for any loss or damage you incur or may incur due to failure or interruption of this Site, or from the act or omission of any other party involved in making this Site, whether or not the circumstances giving rise to such cause may have been within the control of Winning Beyond Winning or any party engaged by Winning Beyond Winning.

Privacy Statement - The only information that Winning Beyond Winning retains, concerning visitors to this site or their reference to another individual, is supplied voluntarily by the visitor. No visitor to this Site is required to reveal any information. Winning Beyond Winning will not disclose information obtained about any visitor to anyone outside the Site unless its disclosure has been authorized by that party or their authorized agent, or as required pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law or by court order.