On April 5, a heartfelt tribute unfolded as Glen Cove High School officially renamed its baseball field John Dolecki Field in honor of beloved former coach John “Jon” Dolecki. In an emotional ceremony held before the team’s home opener, the dedication recognized a man who spent more than three decades shaping not only championship teams but generations of young athletes—all on the very field he took great pride in maintaining. The ceremony, celebrated Dolecki’s 34-year coaching career, which included 532 career wins, three Nassau County championships, and the school’s only state title in 1986.
Dolecki, who died on Feb. 18 at the age of 77, was remembered not only for his coaching achievements but also for the values he instilled in his players and the pride he took in the field that now bears his name. The event drew a crowd of about 100 friends, family members, former players, and colleagues.
“This day belongs to none other than the greatest coach Glen Cove City Schools has ever witnessed, the great Jon Dolecki and his loving family,” said Peter Falen, a physical education teacher who coached basketball and baseball alongside Dolecki for 26 years.
Dolecki began working at Glen Cove High School in 1971 and taught industrial arts for 36 years, including wood shop and architecture until his retirement in 2007. His influence extended well beyond the classroom and baseball diamond, shaping the lives of students and athletes over generations.
“If you truly knew coach Jon Dolecki, then you would know exactly how much pride and passion he took in manicuring his field to make sure it was the best looking field in Nassau County,” Falen said.
Falen highlighted Dolecki’s remarkable career, noting his six county championship appearances, three of which were victories, and his leadership of the 1986 team that won Glen Cove High School’s only state championship. “The team of 1986 captured the heart of this city, and coach Dolecki led Glen Cove to the only state championship the school has ever had,” Falen said. “To have a leader, such as Jon, at the forefront is something amazing that only us coaches would dream of.”
Beyond his athletic success, Dolecki’s former colleagues and players emphasized the life lessons he taught.
“I learned many things, not just about the game. I learned about organization; I learned about planning; and I learned about how to be a man,” said Kevin Nolan, who coached with Dolecki for 24 years and accumulated more than 300 victories alongside him. Adelki Paulino, who played for Dolecki starting at age 10 and later coached with him, added, “It wasn’t just about baseball; it was about life. I learned so much.”
Dolecki’s wife of 52 years, Irene, spoke during the ceremony and said the renaming would have meant a great deal to him. “It means a lot to me, and it would’ve meant a lot to him,” she said. “He loved Glen Cove. He loved the school, and he loved the town. He just thought it was the greatest place to live.”
The couple raised their three children—Justin, Jamie, and Katherine—in the city and were active volunteers in the community.
In a poignant moment during the ceremony, Dolecki’s grandson Rylan threw the ceremonial first pitch to his father, Jamie. The field now features signage reading “Welcome to Jon Dolecki Field” on the backstop behind home plate, Dolecki’s number 13 painted behind the pitcher’s mound and near third base, and a commemorative plaque on the third base dugout. The Glen Cove team also wore shirts bearing Dolecki’s name and number, and the family was presented with a framed jersey.
Softball coach Kimberly Kessel, a 2008 Glen Cove graduate, revealed that the decision to rename the field was approved six days before Dolecki’s death. Though the family was informed two days after the approval, Dolecki himself never learned of the honor, as the dedication had been planned as a surprise.
