EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ, October 2, 2023: The San Miguel Academy Rowing Program was honored by the NY Giants at MetLife Stadium on Monday as part of Hispanic Heritage Month. San Miguel rowers were invited onto the field during a timeout and presented with the “Local Latino Achievement Award.” Ann Mara Cacase, Representing the Mara Family and the Giants Organization, presented San Miguel Academy Rowing with a check for $25,000.
San Miguel Academy Rowing is one of the largest middle school programs in the country and is currently 8th and 10th in the country in the Mens U15 division after the 2023 USRowing Youth National Championships. The team trains on the Hudson River out of Cornwall, NY. The mission of San Miguel Academy’s Rowing program is to increase educational opportunities for our student-athletes. It has proven to be significantly beneficial in helping our students to secure top-level educational opportunities in high school and college.
San Miguel Academy serves low-opportunity families in the city of Newburgh, NY who would typically not be able to access the sport of rowing without the assistance of SMA and our sponsors. SMA is currently under the sponsorship of the New York Giants Foundation, A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, and the Head of the Charles/ Philadelphia Gold Cup Foundation.
“It is such an honor to be nominated by the Giants for Hispanic History Month. The motto of the rowing program is “hard work pays off.” All of our rowers dedicate their time and effort to our program in hopes of a better future.” -Caitlyn Giampaolo, humanities teacher and rowing coach
“The NYGiants organization has always stood for integrity and hard work. San Miguel Academy rowers are especially proud that the Giants have singled them out for Latino Achievement. Our rowers work hard 6 days a week, both in the classroom and in the boat. We are all grateful that our student-athletes have been recognized by the NY GIANTS and the NFL.” -Father Mark Connell, Executive Director and rowing coach, San Miguel Program.
“Before I started rowing, I used to give up pretty easily. I tell myself to keep rowing and keep trying because it’s all worth it in the end.” -Isabella Luna, Grade 8
“As the coxswain, I motivate my team to work together and keep trying. I tell them to not give up and take more power with their strokes.” -Emiliano Cervantes, Grade 7
As seen on the JUMBOTRON at MetLife Stadium!
(click to see presentation)
