Thursday, October 1, 2026
Locust Valley High School coaches Brian Lorusso, Andrew Bock, Andrew Siegel, Ben Martinez and Elliot Aramayo were presented with the American Red Cross Lifesaving Award for their response when senior Francesco Allocca suffered a cardiac event on the basketball court on Nov. 17.
The Lifesaving Award for Professional responders is the highest recognition given to individuals who use Red Cross training to save or sustain a life.
“Each coach responded with clarity, coordination and heart,” Jose Dominguez, chief executive officer of American Red Cross on Long Island, said during the awards ceremony on March 5. “Every decision, every moment, every act of calm under pressure, was essential, and because of their teamwork, because of the refusal to hesitate, a life was saved.”
High school coaches in New York are required to complete and maintain certifications in first aid, CPR and use of an automated external defibrillator. When Allocca collapsed during varsity basketball tryouts, the coaches quickly responded by administering CPR and using the nearest AED. Allocca regained consciousness within minutes before being transported by ambulance to a local hospital.
“It’s awesome,” Allocca said, the day after the ceremony. “I think they’ve done a great job in the training, and they’re prepared as they could be, and they acted as quickly and as best as they possibly could.”
While Allocca, who started playing basketball in fourth grade, was not medically cleared to play in his senior season, he got to participate in the team’s senior night at the end of February. He shot the first two points before coming out of the game. Allocca described is as a “great way to end” his high school basketball career.
Students at Locust Valley High School take a class in which they undergo training in first aid, CPR and use of an AED. The school has also recently added more AEDs throughout the building.
Siegel, who is in his fifth year coaching at Locust Valley, described Allocca as “such a great kid” and said that he continues to be present with the team, encouraging the other players.
“I’ve always tried to stay involved as much as I could, support the team, because I’ve been playing pretty much my whole life,” Allocca said. “So, I didn’t want this to change that, even if I couldn’t step out onto the court.”
