By:Jerry Burke
The Elmont native has been the coach of the Elmont South Little League team, "Alfano's Avalanche," sponsored by Assemblyman Tom Alfano, for the past six years. The team has won back-to-back titles as regular-season champions. Dangerfield is the type of young man every town should have.
Unfortunately for Elmont, that town will be in Florida as of next January, as Dangerfield and his family prepare to move to the Sunshine State. But while he's still here, team members wanted to express how much he meant to them.
The end-of-the-season dinner at King Umberto's Restaurant last Thursday held a little more signficance then just handing out the trophies. It gave players, some of whom have blossomed under Dangerfield's tutelage, as well as parents, the chance to say thanks.
During the dinner, the 13- and 14-year-old players stood up and thanked their coach for having confidence in them. Biondis Vasquez, a pitcher and second-baseman for the Avalanche, said, "T.J. was my first real coach who taught me how to field the ball and fixed my hitting."
Brian Williams, a pitcher and first-baseman, who has played for Dangerfield's teams for four years, added, "He made us work hard, and he helped make me the player I am today."
Perhaps the most heartfelt moment of the evening occurred when outfielder Sebastian Clerge stood up and told Dangerfield, "You taught us to take control of the game. You were tough. We practiced hard, and when we made a mistake you told us, but you also supported me and told me I did a good job. We always felt we were a team."
Parents added their thoughts as well. Mother Lita Gilkes, choking back tears, said simply, "We're so proud of you, T.J., and thank you for caring for our children."
Fellow parent Sue Williams added, "I've seen you grow up with these kids, T.J., and I'm proud of you and grateful for what you've done for these boys." Also on hand to thank Dangerfield were those who shared the coaching duties with him over the years, including Andre Ward, Scott Cushing and Maurice Terlonge.
Assemblyman Tom Alfano, for whom Dangerfield has worked a staff member for the past four years, added his praise. "T.J. is a role model for young people," said Alfano. "The heroes aren't the guys who play football and baseball and make the million-dollar salaries, they're the guys like T.J. who teach and make you into the fine young men you are today. I'm proud to call him a friend."
Dangerfield isn't quite done with Elmont just yet. After one of its best seasons to date, besting teams from Garden City South, Cambria Heights, Malverne, Carle Place, Valley Stream and West Hempstead, the Avalanche began practice for a tournament in Queens this week.
Dangerfield will also continue working toward a teaching degree and serving as a community liaison to Alfano's office. In the evenings, he'll be putting his teams through the rigors of practice in baseball, football and the Gateway Youth Outreach basketball program. He still has one season left to coach the Elmont Cardinals football league, and he will be assisting the New Hyde Park football team this fall.
When the speeches concluded, Dangerfield, obviously moved by the ceremony, thanked his players, parents and fellow coaches. "I am so proud of all you," he said. He then gathered his team into a circle, shouted, "On three...1,2,3..."
The team shouted back, "Elmont!" and Dangerfield, ever the coach, reminded them they had practice on Monday.
