When staff and students make their way back to Sachem North this week for the first time since last winter, they’ll be greeted by a new court design in the gymnasium.
The court is now named in honor of Sachem alum, teacher, and coach Matthew “Dezy” DiStefano, who died in January after his battle with kidney cancer.
DiStefano, who played basketball and volleyball on that court in the 1990s, and later coached the same sports at his alma mater, left a lasting impact in the final months of his life. His spirit and legacy will live on in the building.
The Dezy Strong Foundation was started in 2019 to lend support to those fighting cancer.
The gym was already named in honor of former longtime Sachem athletic director and alum Tom Sabatelle in 2015. This latest court revision allowed for “Thomas J. Sabatelle Gymnasium” to be written in beautiful font on both sides as well.
Designed in Carolina blue and orange in honor of Dezy Strong colors, the logo stands out amongst the massive arrow at center court. Dezy was a fan of North Carolina, hence the blue, and the kidney cancer awareness color is orange. The awareness ribbon is part of the court design as well.
The Sachem Alumni Association advised on the court revisions, and the final design was submitted by The Dezy Strong Foundation.
There will be a court unveiling at some point when things settle down in the school year.
