Shanahan, Fusaro Win Second LIC at Glenn

The last time Fred Fusaro coached on the turf at Hofstra, Sachem lost the 1995 Class I Long Island title to Lawrence, 14-7.

That loss was partially vindicated for the coaching legend Friday when John Glenn, where he serves as the defensive coordinator under Sachem alum Dave Shanahan, beat Roosevelt, 56-21, in the Class IV Long Island championship at Shuart Stadium. It’s the second straight Long Island title for Glenn.

“I told the kids the last time I was here we had a good football team and we ended up losing,” said Fusaro. “No matter what kind of year you have, if you come to this game and you lose it, it’s kind of like a hollow feeling. Our kids this year rose to the occasion, they really did.”

Glenn’s defense accounted for five interceptions in the victory, including a Long Island championship record 68-yard interception return by Nick Wagner in the second quarter. Fusaro praised linebackers Wagner and Tom Forsberg after the win.

“They’re stallions,” he said. “They could play for anyone.”

For Shanahan, having his friend and mentor with him as his program makes history has been a pleasure. Fusaro joined the Glenn (11-1) coaching staff shortly after retiring from Sachem in 2003.

“He is a tactician and a strategist,” Shanahan said of Fusaro. “He helps us in every aspect. You learn something new every day from him. I love him and he means so much to me.”

Shanahan, who won a Suffolk title with Sachem 25 years ago in 1986, also had the fortune of winning on the same field where his brother Doug, Sachem Class of ’97, has his No. 26 Hofstra lacrosse jersey retired.

“It means a lot to me to win here,” he said.

Shanahan now has 101 career victories in 17 seasons at Glenn. He's 91 away from tying the 192 Fusaro achieved in his career at Sachem.

Fusaro spent a period of time coaching at Hofstra under legendary Flying Dutchmen coach Howdy Myers in the 1960s and early 1970s. In 1971 he started his career with the Flaming Arrows.

Surrounded by former figures from Sachem’s past like supporter Pete Lazzaro, coach Greg Lauri, longtime assistant and friend Steve Hackett in the stands, and, of course, Shanahan, Fusaro has found a second home with the Knights and Friday's victory is as special as any in his career.

“Getting here once and winning is hard,” Fusaro said. “Getting here twice, that’s a dream come true.”