Wrestlers hear a life-saving message

Before hitting the mat at the annual Paul Grammatico Tournament, wrestlers from seven schools heard a message about the dangers of drinking and driving, and about the value of becoming an organ donor.

The annual wrestling tournament at Valley Stream South High School is named for an alumni of the school who was killed by a drunk driver. Paul Grammatico graduated in 1991 from South, where he participated in soccer, baseball and wrestling. 

To begin the Dec. 19 presentation, Nassau County District Attorney Kathleen Rice talked about how car crashes are the No. 1 cause of death among teenagers. “You have to make good choices in life,” Rice said. “And even when you do, bad things can happen. But don’t let it be because of a bad choice you made.”

Paul went to college, became a stock broker and was a vice president of his company. He was also planning to marry his girlfriend. In 1999, at 26 years old, he was in car being driven by drunk driver. The vehicle was involved in a crash in Atlantic Beach and Paul and his best friend were thrown from the vehicle and died.

“Paul was very outgoing, just a tremendous young man,” South High School Athletic Director Ken Ward said, opening the tournament. “We lost him tragically.”

For Rice, who has led the crusade against DWI, this was her first visit to the tournament. But not for Grammatico’s mother, Claudia, who attends every year. She talks to students about the importance of being an organ donor. After her son died, she was asked by medical staff at Nassau County Medical Center if she wanted her son’s organs to be used to help other people. “I had to step out of my pain and think about that,” she said. “I did it because that’s what he would have wanted me to do.”

Rice, who met Grammatico for the first time at this year’s tournament, said she was moved by the mother’s efforts to help save lives. The district attorney described Grammatico’s accomplishments as “nothing short of heroic.”

“It’s really so life-affirming what she did, even in the face of unimaginable grief,” Rice said.

Because of her decision to donate Paul’s organs and tissue, 14 lives were saved. She said it helped people throughout the country and she still keeps in touch with many of them.

Grammatico wanted the 180 plus wrestlers on hand meet one of those “living miracles” and introduced them to Joe Senatore. “If I put my hand on Joe’s chest, that’s Paul’s heart I’m feeling,” she said. 

Scott Stueber, a physical education teacher at South High School, organized the wrestling tournament. He said that Grammatico’s presentation always has a strong impact on the wrestlers. “I think a lot of the kids get it,” he said.

Not only is it named for a South High School alumni, the tournament is also attended by numerous graduates who went through the wrestling program. Stueber said that many of them come to watch the matches, work at the scoring table or donate food.

The tournament has been an annual tradition since the year after Paul’s death. Stueber said the school community continues to support it because it emphasizes such an important message. “It’s not the biggest tournament in the county by any means,” he said, “but it brings a lot of kids together.”