DFS Newsletter

Congratulations! You are cordially invited to participate in the 20th running of the DFS NCAA Tournament Pool! As we close our second decade in operation, we look back fondly on our more formative days.

John Ferraro prevailed in our first pool in 1991 over a field of 15 participants. He took home what, to the then-10 year old, seemed to be ample prize of $70. At his wedding last summer, the former child star moaned about the fact that last year’s champion, John Kidon, prevailed over a field of 212 and won an astronomical $3,315.

“I applaud Ferraro’s triumph, but let’s be honest, it was kid’s stuff then,” Kidon sneered. “John’s a nice fella and all, but I’m not so sure he can hack it against today’s stiffer competition. I’m looking forward to squashing the entire field like a grape – just like I did last year.”

That comment raised the eyebrows of Kylie Bryan, who as a 16 month old, placed in 2nd, just two points behind Kidon. Her lump sum was $937. Gerald Keegan, meanwhile, pulled off a shocker of sorts by finishing 3rd ($530). He considers himself lucky when he breaks the Top 100.

Fourth place finisher Dan Kees ($397) is probably not much of a threat to Kidon’s supremacy. Kees reportedly made his picks by throwing darts at the brackets down at the Lake Side Pub during a “Coaches Meeting.”

Kidon probably won’t have to worry too much about Chamberlain Ricco, who five years after placing in 2nd place, dropped to last. Other non factors will likely be Kelly Pompea and Charlie Kabbash, who barely placed ahead of young Ricco.

DFS PHOTO: CYO BASKETBALL

THE BEST OF THE BESTWhat's the best IHM CYO Team ever? It's been a hotly debated topic for years. The 1979-1980 team and the 2009-2010 teams are widely considered to be the two best. Please voice your opinion on our blog home page. Both teams are pictured below.

1979-1980 - Which one is your pool commissioner?

________________________________________

2009-2010 - Joey is in front row, third from the left.

DFS PHOTO: BOYS CLUB VS. PAL

BOYS CLUB VS. PAL On who was a better youth football player - father or son - there can be no debate. Although in fairness to Joey, the turtle neck dear ole dad is wearing underneath his shoulder pads is a little overly intimidating . . . THANKS MOM!!!!!!!!!! If I remember correctly, it was quite chilly that day. Please also note the blue and gold tube socks! The commissioner played for PAL! Please do not let Coach Starrs see this! Both father and son are pictured below.

1977

__________________________________________________

2009

DFS PHOTO: THE FRUIT DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE

Like dad, Cara has developed a reputation for being a basketball player who can slash to the basket and score off a jump shot. Similarly in soccer, she has demonstrated a knack for handling the ball, passing, shooting and defending extraordinarily well. Basketball and soccer photos are below.

DFS PHOTOS: FOUR MONTHS TO GO!

As Grandpa Scancarella cruises to the 100 Year Mark on July 23, he has expressed only one true regret - turning down "repeated and persistent" recruiting efforts to join the Passaic High School Wonder Team, which won a record 159 straight games between 1919 and 1925. "The streak ended when I was in high school in a nail biting loss to Hackensack," he bemoans. "If I was on the team it would have lasted a lot longer. I've lived with that burden on my mind ever since." He takes solace in the fact that he has achieved an "unbreakable" record of another kind. As a season ticket holder to all Jack, Joey, Cara and Drew's games, he easily holds distinction for attending more Scancarella youth sporting events (spanning four generations) than anyone else. In fairness, it's doubtful that anyone else wants to break that record. (Return to the Pools Home Page)

Pool History

CHAMPIONS
1991: John Ferraro
1992: Augie Gentilucci
1993: John Ricco
1994: Jonathan Chang
1995: Doug Ryan
1996: Ed Shanley
1997: Lara Caporale
1998: Grandpa Scancarella, Jeff Glozzy, Danny Glozzy
1999: John Mahoney
2000: Mike Schwartz
2002: Neil Braunstein
2003: Ed Lehanski
2004: Kathleen Manahan
2005: Sean Looney
2006: Dan Kudrik
2007: Rob Schmetter
2008: Tom Donaghey
2009: John Kidon, Jr.


LAST PLACE FINISHERS
1991: Doug Scancarella, David Ferraro
1992: Grandpa Scancarella
1993: Joan Scancarella
1994: Mike Burns, Rod Bolger
1995: Mike Burns
1996: Lisa Burns
1997: Great Uncle John Scancarella
1998: Kathy Bucci
1999: Michael Melani
2000: Lauren Glozzy
2001: Scott Ojay
2002: Nancy Cronin
2003: Gary Arlio, Dan Kudrik
2004: Karol Scancarella
2005: Maureen Mahoney
2006: Andrew Blake
2007: Joseph Afflito, Sr.
2008: Marie Lachanski
2009: Chamberlain Ricco

MONEY WINNERS
1st: John Kidon, Jr. $3315
2nd: Tom Donaghey: $2,910
3rd: Dan Kudrik: $2,782
4th: Rob Schmetter: $2,665
5th: Sean Looney: $2,390
6th: Ed Lehanski: $1,937
7th: Kathleen Manahan: $1,898
8th: Neil Braunstein: $1,595
9th: Pat Deignan: $1,062
10th: Jack Bryan $1070
11th: Kylie Bryan $937
12th: Doug McDonough: $880
13th: Augie Gentilucci: $850
14th: Matt Feeney: $827
15th: Paul Konopka: $737
16th: Mike Schwartz: $720
17th: John Mahoney: $644
18th: Ed Shanley: $615
19th: Gerald Sean Keegan $530
20th: Loretta Looney: $528
21st: Michael Byrne, $514
22nd: Russ Marshall: $514
23rd: Karen Chang: $482
24th: Tom Gentilucci $475
25th: Alex and Matt Widovic: $475
26th: Doug Ryan: $457
27th: Dennis Updike: $428
28th: Dan Kees: $397
29th: Lara Caporale: $360
30th:Jack Kripsak: $360
31st: Zachory Strzegowski $352
32nd: Karen Chang: $344
33rd: Grandpa Scancarella: $310
34th: Jeff Glozzy: $310
35th:Danny Glozzy: $310
36th: Marcia Schwartz: $298
37th: Chamberlain Ricco: $290
38th: Jonathan Chang: $270
39th: John Ferraro: $268
40th: Jack Looney: $228
41st: John Ricco: $190
42nd: Tony Salino: $180
43rd: Greg Struznzgowski: $145
44th: Ed Deignan: $138
45th: David Braunstein: $138
46th: Michael Melani: $120
47rd: Robert Feher: $102
48th: Barry Durfee: $90
49th: Barbara Parowski: $90
50th: Jeff Bryan: $80
51st: Lan Hoang: $80
52nd: David Sussman: $80
53rd: Jim Crowley: $76
54th: Joe Scancarella: $50
55th: Doug Scancarella: $50
56th: Gary Arlio: $50
57th: Lisa Burns: $44
58th: Tim Brennan: $44
59th: David Ferraro: $24

Most Money Winning Performances
3: John Ferraro (1st: 1991; 2nd: 1992, 1996)
3: Karen Chang (2nd: 1999; 3rd: 1997; 3rd 2008)
2: Augie Gentilucci (1st: 1992; 2nd: 2001)
2: John Mahoney (1st: 1999; 3rd: 1997)
2: Matt Feeney (2nd: 1996, 2002)
2: Sean Looney (2nd: 1996; 1st 2005)
2: Loretta Looney (2nd: 2007; 3rd 1999)

Most Last Place Finishes
2: Mike Burns (1994, 1995)

Youngest Champion
John Ferraro, 1991: 10 Years Old

Eldest Champion
Grandpa Scancarella, 1998, 87 Years Old

Youngest Money Winner
Chamberlain Ricco, 2002, 3rd Place, 44 Days Old

Youngest Participant
Jack Lachanski 2007, 3 Days Old

Participant Base
1991: 15
1992: 22
1993: 33
1994: 45
1995: 82
1996: 112
1997: 78
1998: 103
1999: 115
2000: 131
2001: 133
2002: 145
2003: 154
2004: 153
2005: 181
2006: 219
2007: 215
2008: 231
2009: 212

Pool Headquarters
Wayne, NJ: 1991-1992; 1997; 2000-2009
Hoboken, NJ: 1993; 1995-1996
Union City, NJ: 1994
New York City, NY: 1997-1999