By Andrew Hackmack
When Valley Stream's Little League opens its season in a few months, it will have its own home field for the first time, built to Little League specifications. Because of the leadership of John Faust and Chris Viggiano, the new field at Howell Road School has been completed and will be ready for play.
Faust and Viggiano have been selected the Herald's People of the Year for their efforts in steering this project from start to finish. Dozens of people had a hand in the project -- from those who actually built the field to those who chipped in toward the funding -- but it was Faust and Viggiano whose leadership brought all of the components of the project together and made the Little League's dream a reality. They worked well as a team, and never took their eyes off the prize.
The new field will now allow the Little League to host competition. "We were tired of playing our tournament games away," Viggiano said. "Now we can be a home team. There isn't a town that we play that doesn't have its own field."
Some 750 both boys and girls ages 5 to 18 play in the league. All the members of its board of directors are volunteers, and Faust serves as president and Viggiano, a past president, is treasurer.
Meredith Brosnan, District 13's assistant superintendent for business, said that Faust and Viggiano first approached the district about a new field in the spring of 2005. Little League officials had been unable to find a suitable location, including at village facilities. The final contract with District 13 was signed on Dec. 19, 2006. "It was a real negotiation for the mutual benefit of both groups," Brosnan said, adding that Faust and Viggiano took the lead throughout the entire process.
Superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Lison said she remembers visiting the four elementary school sites in District 13 with Faust and Viggiano, and deciding the Howell Road property was perfect. "They just never gave up," Lison said of the two men and their mission. "They were just so directed. Now they have a field they can be proud of."
Less than 10 months passed from the time the contract was signed until the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 6, an unseasonably summer-like day. Faust and Viggiano oversaw every step of the construction process. Lison said the two were very aware of the fact this project was being done on school grounds, and made sure none of the work was scheduled when it would disrupt school activity. Despite that obstacle, work progressed at a rapid pace.
"They were relentless to get the task done," Lison said. "Once the contract was signed, the next thing, the field was done."
Lee Bogner, executive vice president of the Valley Stream Little League, praised Viggiano's and Faust's efforts. They not only worked with District 13 officials, but reported back to the league board and raised funds for the project -- all while running the league, Bogner explained. "It was a lot of work, a lot of elbow grease," he said. "They were tireless. These two guys would not give up."
Bogner noted that Faust and Viggiano were never out for themselves, as their children are beyond the ages of the players who will use the field. "This was done by guys who knew their children wouldn't be playing on it," Bogner said.
Even since the ribbon-cutting, Faust and Viggiano have regularly visited the field, ensuring that it is clean and that the sprinkler system is in working order.
Jeanne Greco-Jacobs was the District 13 Board of Education president during much of the negotiation process. She cited the professionalism of Faust and Viggiano throughout it and their tireless efforts to make the project a reality. "I found them to be flexible and respectful of the district's needs," Greco-Jacobs said. "The beautiful field that exists at the Howell Road School today for all the community to enjoy is a testament to the integrity and hard work of both John and Chris."
Greco-Jacobs described the pair as selfless community volunteers who are passionate about children and baseball. "With the increased demands of everyday life and everyone so pressed for time," she said, "it is refreshing to see two resident who find it within themselves to give so much to the children of our community."
Lison said that district officials couldn't be happier about how the project turned out. She looks forward to the league's opening day next spring. "It exceeded my expectations," she said.
Forgive the cliché, Brosnan said, but if it weren't for the efforts of Faust and Viggiano, the children of Valley Stream would not have a "field of dreams" of their own.
Comments about this story? AHackmack@ liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 265.
