Sports

Sachem Alum Frank Conti Dies at 23

Former Black Helmet winner and Outstanding Defensive Lineman passes away.

At a time when Sachem High School North's football program was feeling the growing pains of its recent split a year before, Frank Conti proved to be a leader on the field at a perfect time for the Flaming Arrows.

He was the prototypical Sachem lineman, playing for the name on the front of his jersey and ultimately earning the Black Helmet Award as the program's most passionate and dedicated player on the field in 2005.

Conti, who was also named Outstanding Defensive Lineman that season and Team MVP, died Sunday night while working at his summer job. He was 23.

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It is still unknown how Conti, a recent graduate of Stony Brook University, where he played Division I-AA football for the Seawolves, died.

"Frank was a great person with a big smile and an even bigger heart," said Sachem football coach Dave Falco. "He had the ability to play hard and nasty on the field and off the field he was the nicest person you would ever meet."

Falco said he was so very proud of him after he left Sachem, achieving his goal of playing at the Division I-AA level.

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"The last two seasons we played at Stony Brook and when we got off the bus, Frank was the first person to greet us with his big smile and hugs all around, as usual making all around him smile," Falco said. "As a Black Helmet Award winner and Team MVP, he was one of our all time great players but that is only half the story he was a great person and I feel lucky to have coached him."

Conti, who played at Nassau County Community College before transferring to Stony Brook, was an All-Division selection at Sachem his senior year as well.

Conti, who played in six games in 2010 with Stony Brook, was one of the most well-liked players on the team. The consummate teammate, he always was smiling and was there for support and encouragement.

"The Stony Brook football family lost a great person and role model," Stony Brook coach Chuck Priore said in a statement. "His smile and work ethic was contagious to his teammates, coaches and staff. Frank's positive impact on our community and football program will last a life time."

Conti, who graduated in the spring with a degree in sociology, is survived by his mother, Francine, and father, Charlie.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 at the St. James Funeral Home on 829 Middle Country Road in St. James. On Thursday, there will be a prayer at the funeral home at 12 p.m., with the burial to follow. The family has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Stony Brook Football Fund for Excellence in Frank's name.

Make all donations in Frank's memory payable to the Stony Brook Foundation and send to: Stony Brook Office of External Services, c/o Rob Emmerich, Stony Brook University, Indoor Sports Complex, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11794-3500.

Donations also can be made online by clicking here.

Please be sure to list Frank Conti in the tribute section of the online form.


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