AUBURN - It was a day that was long anticipated when ground broke last fall for the construction of permanent facilities at David's Field, home of the Auburn Indians Pop Warner football team.
Ryan Day / The Citizen
Frank L. Gaglianese III, left, and Frank L. Gaglianese, Sr. stand next to a plaque honoring David Mancini at the entrace of the Auburn Pop Warner facility. Both have donated time and money to build a new facility at the field that will house concessions, restrooms, and a press box. More than $50,000 has been donated for the construction.
Frank L. Gaglianese III, left, and Frank L. Gaglianese, Sr. stand next to a plaque honoring David Mancini at the entrace of the Auburn Pop Warner facility. Both have donated time and money to build a new facility at the field that will house concessions, restrooms, and a press box. More than $50,000 has been donated for the construction.
These facilities that will house concessions, offices, trophy displays, restrooms and a press box have long been needed as Auburn is the last program in the Central New York Conference to have such facilities.
“This is an idea that goes back at least 15 years,” Tony Tabone, longtime board member and coach said. “I think it will make everything look better and it will reflect well on the community and show that we are moving forward and progressing and getting better. We will be able to offer the kids and parents the convenience they deserve.”
The project can be traced back to the days of David Mancini, the former Auburn Pop Warner president who passed away in 1995. Mancini resurrected the program in Auburn and his efforts are still felt today.
“In the '80s (the program) was drying off,” Tabone said. “Dave did everything ... he cooked, ordered the equipment, cut the grass. He sparked everything and got results.”
A stone with a commemorative plaque honoring Mancini sits at the entrance to the Pop Warner field. All the uniforms for both players and cheerleaders also sport a decal with the letters “DM” in honor of Mancini.
Making this project a reality has been a joint effort with contributions coming from the community, former players, area families and organizations like the Emerson Foundation.
Much of the progress thus far has been the product of working with BOCES.
“It has been a win-win situation,” Tabone said. “They are getting a lot of experience working on this project and we are getting the facility we need and it is helping us cut a lot of the cost and save a lot of money, but still get a good top quality facility. And there has been a lot of help from local contractors. We really wouldn't be able to do this without them being willing to donate their time and effort to what we do.”
Leading the charge has been Frank Gaglianese, Sr. who along with his son, Frank Gaglianese III, owns Gaglianese Construction.
Gaglianese moved to the Auburn area five years ago and has been a longtime supporter of the Auburn Indians.
“He has always been very generous with us,” Tabone said. “He doesn't have any kids in the program or anything and he has always gone above and beyond to help us out, even getting back there and cooking for the concession stands. He has always been there to help us out.”
Gaglianese said that quite simply, this is a program that he believes in.
“Anything I can do,” Gaglianese said. “I'm always glad to help where I can and see the benefits of that go to the kids and making something good for them. That is very important to me.”
Over the summer Gaglianese donated $50,000 worth of construction and labor to the improvement of the fields and helping get the new facility on its legs with water and sewer hookups.
“Three of our guys hooked up 410 feet of pipe for the sewer and the water,” Gaglianese said. “We donated everything, all of our services. We just want to make something better for Pop Warner and the parents and the kids involved with the program.”
According to Tabone, the generous support of people like Gaglianese has been invaluable to getting the project moving along.
“He is a godsend,” Tabone said. “What he has done for us in unbelievable. He is a very good-natured man and he has been so generous to us. I really can't say enough about how grateful we are to him for all of his hard work and how much it means to all of us and this program and how valuable it is to getting us where we need to go.”
While Gaglianese's first objective is to ensure a fine facility for all the kids and families involved in Auburn Pop Warner, he said he also hopes that his efforts will be seen as a rallying call to other businesses and individuals who can help the program.
“I'm not looking for accolades,” Gaglianese said. “I hope other people see what we are doing and will stop and take the time to help out and not say they are too busy or there is nothing they can do or donate something and walk away. There is a lot to do to make this a good facility for the kids and parents and that is something we can all help with some how. People can make a difference in this area and it does make you feel good to be able to help out.”
Many other also contributed to the funding of the new building including: Michael Palmieri (architect), Vitale Concrete, Steve DePalma (masonry), Casler Masonry, Auburn Cement Products, Callahan Masonry, Hoadley Plumbing, HEP Sale, BOCES, Upstate Paving, Brad Olin, FAHS Construction, 84 Lumber and the Auburn School Board.
“This is an idea that goes back at least 15 years,” Tony Tabone, longtime board member and coach said. “I think it will make everything look better and it will reflect well on the community and show that we are moving forward and progressing and getting better. We will be able to offer the kids and parents the convenience they deserve.”
The project can be traced back to the days of David Mancini, the former Auburn Pop Warner president who passed away in 1995. Mancini resurrected the program in Auburn and his efforts are still felt today.
“In the '80s (the program) was drying off,” Tabone said. “Dave did everything ... he cooked, ordered the equipment, cut the grass. He sparked everything and got results.”
A stone with a commemorative plaque honoring Mancini sits at the entrance to the Pop Warner field. All the uniforms for both players and cheerleaders also sport a decal with the letters “DM” in honor of Mancini.
Making this project a reality has been a joint effort with contributions coming from the community, former players, area families and organizations like the Emerson Foundation.
Much of the progress thus far has been the product of working with BOCES.
“It has been a win-win situation,” Tabone said. “They are getting a lot of experience working on this project and we are getting the facility we need and it is helping us cut a lot of the cost and save a lot of money, but still get a good top quality facility. And there has been a lot of help from local contractors. We really wouldn't be able to do this without them being willing to donate their time and effort to what we do.”
Leading the charge has been Frank Gaglianese, Sr. who along with his son, Frank Gaglianese III, owns Gaglianese Construction.
Gaglianese moved to the Auburn area five years ago and has been a longtime supporter of the Auburn Indians.
“He has always been very generous with us,” Tabone said. “He doesn't have any kids in the program or anything and he has always gone above and beyond to help us out, even getting back there and cooking for the concession stands. He has always been there to help us out.”
Gaglianese said that quite simply, this is a program that he believes in.
“Anything I can do,” Gaglianese said. “I'm always glad to help where I can and see the benefits of that go to the kids and making something good for them. That is very important to me.”
Over the summer Gaglianese donated $50,000 worth of construction and labor to the improvement of the fields and helping get the new facility on its legs with water and sewer hookups.
“Three of our guys hooked up 410 feet of pipe for the sewer and the water,” Gaglianese said. “We donated everything, all of our services. We just want to make something better for Pop Warner and the parents and the kids involved with the program.”
According to Tabone, the generous support of people like Gaglianese has been invaluable to getting the project moving along.
“He is a godsend,” Tabone said. “What he has done for us in unbelievable. He is a very good-natured man and he has been so generous to us. I really can't say enough about how grateful we are to him for all of his hard work and how much it means to all of us and this program and how valuable it is to getting us where we need to go.”
While Gaglianese's first objective is to ensure a fine facility for all the kids and families involved in Auburn Pop Warner, he said he also hopes that his efforts will be seen as a rallying call to other businesses and individuals who can help the program.
“I'm not looking for accolades,” Gaglianese said. “I hope other people see what we are doing and will stop and take the time to help out and not say they are too busy or there is nothing they can do or donate something and walk away. There is a lot to do to make this a good facility for the kids and parents and that is something we can all help with some how. People can make a difference in this area and it does make you feel good to be able to help out.”
Many other also contributed to the funding of the new building including: Michael Palmieri (architect), Vitale Concrete, Steve DePalma (masonry), Casler Masonry, Auburn Cement Products, Callahan Masonry, Hoadley Plumbing, HEP Sale, BOCES, Upstate Paving, Brad Olin, FAHS Construction, 84 Lumber and the Auburn School Board.
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