Hall of Fame
For over 50 years Dick Cerone has been a leader and visionary in Section V and NYSPHSAA football. Whether as a coach or as the Section or state chairperson Dick gave it his all. Although he stepped down as state chairman of high school football after 43 years and now after 33 years as Section V football chairman he isn’t done… Nor do we think he will ever be. While over those years high school football post season play changed, the core of why kids play this sport hasn’t.
It was under Dick’s leadership that the state football tournament was developed in the 1990s and continues to be one of the most outstanding tournaments in NYS and across these United States. Another program that Mr. Cerone was instrumental in developing is the Eddie Meath High School All-Star Football Game which he co-founded 35 years ago. This summer event show-cases the best of the recently graduated senior athletes, both players and cheerleaders, from the previous fall football season.
Wishing to celebrate the outstanding players, coaches, officials and high school football contributors who over the history of Section V football had made outstanding contributions, Dick worked and established the Section V Football Hall of Fame in 1998. Over the years, hundreds of outstanding individuals have been recognized at this annual event.
At 82 years old Dick continues to work. This summer begins his seventh year as athletic director at University Preparatory Charter School for Young Men. Previously in his career, Dick had been the athletic director and Greece Athena and Aquinas High Schools.
Although he is trying to lighten his football administrative duties, there’s no question that Dick will continue to see plenty of football with his son Rob, being the head football coach at Athena HS and his son-in-law Jason Benham, the head football coach at Gates Chili.
Whether coaching, administering, envisioning new ways to promote the sport of football and cheerleading or recognizing the excellent in people (students and adults) Dick Cerone has made an indelible mark on Section V, the New York State Public High School Athletic Association and tens of thousands of coaches, officials and student-athletes.