Local student honored by Police Athletic League

Dan Foley, of Ridge Meadows Drive, Spencerport, was awarded the Frank Stevens Memorial Award for Leadership and the Merit Achievement award for excellence and sportsmanship from the Police Athletic League (PAL) football program on November 13.

"Dan is a great player. He is dedicated, funny, and intelligent - a real leader. His teammates look up to him, and he is a great example for the players in (the PAL) program" Coach Grace DiMascio said at the annual PAL banquet on Sunday.

Foley, a seventh grader at All Saints School, Spencerport Road, has been involved in the PAL League for four years. Despite a two-year losing streak for the PAL Giants, Foley chose to stick with his team for his final season. The Giants went 4-1-1 this year, winning the championship title. Foley played defensive nose tackle, offensive guard, and long snapper for punt runs, and led the team in tackles this year. "I'm so happy my son had the opportunity to learn through the program. Not only has he acquired football ability, but leadership skills and sportsmanship character," Laura Foley, his mother, said.

Foley was the Most Improved Player in his first season on the Giants. Growing concern about weight limits in the Pop Warner League prompted the Foleys to switch to the PAL program in 2000. "It's a great opportunity for kids to be involved in something positive. The Greece Police are great; they promote respect, commitment, and build character in their players," Laura Foley said.

The PAL football program is a self-contained four team tackle football league for children ages 9 through 13. Each team is divided into two squads. The "A" squad consists of children ages 12 and 13 and also 11-year-olds over 125 lbs. The "B" squad consists of children ages 9 and 10 and 11-year-olds under 125 lbs.

The Greece PAL program thrives on the interaction of police officers and young people. The league's goals are to help reduce juvenile crime by providing athletic activities for the youth of Greece and surrounding areas, and to provide a forum where kids and cops can interact positively. All PAL activities, football, softball, and a 5K run, are free. For information about PAL football and other programs, contact Officer Todd Gumaer at 581-4027 or visit http://www.greecepal.org/

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