COOPER: LEONIDAS FOUNDATION GETS A GOOD START
Date: March 30th, 2017 | Location: North Bergen, NJ
NORTH BERGEN – Greg Toal owned the room. Leo Vagias owned the night.
The Leonidas Foundation, started in the memory of Vagias and Sam Cali, two former Don Bosco athletes who were killed in an automobile accident last June, officially kicked off its efforts with a raucous and entertaining soiree at The Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen on Thursday.
While one might think that an evening to honor young men gone much too soon would be morose, that was far from the case.
“When we were told that they wanted to do this, we thought it was a gift from Leo and Sam,” said Leo’s father, Ted.
“You know, that nobody is going to forget us. Our friends remember us, and they have picked up that baton and they’re helping us carry that cross.”
The night was full of good cheer and stories about Vagias and Cali, better known simply as Leo and Sam. Pictures of them appeared on television screens fashioned around the establishment with its magnificent view of the New York City skyline.
“They were house devils and street angels,” said Ted Vagias to the assembled crowd on the first floor about the two Morris County residents. “Leo would say, ‘who loves you first?’ to his mom and she would say, ‘I do.’ He would answer back, ‘no, mom, God does.’”
The Leonidas Foundation, started by former classsmates of Leo and Sam, and guided by the Vagias family and members of the Don Bosco school community, has grand plans. Already, Foundation President Matt Perricone said the organization has helped feed over 600 families in need, and given over 1,500 toys to needy children. In his remarks, Perricone said the foundation aims to at least double that in this upcoming calendar year.
The Foundation is also beginning a business-themed curriculum at Don Bosco called the LEO program (Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity), which will be headquartered on campus.
Thursday night, the Foundation also gave its first prize, a leadership award to Toal.
It was one of the first real public appearances for Toal since his departure from Don Bosco a month ago as head football coach. There is still not a clear reason why Toal was dismissed from the school. School officials said he retired.
Toal was honored during a brief ceremony and received the organization’s leadership award. Former Don Bosco President Fr. John Talamo, the man who hired Toal in 1999, made a surprise appearance and talked about how troubled the school was financially then and how badly he needed Toal to spark the school’s athletic fortunes and change its reputation.
Toal did that and more, leading the Ironmen to two mythical national titles, and nine Non-Public 4 state titles. Don Bosco football became synonymous with North Jersey and tough football players.
Clearly emotional and smiling, Toal kept his remarks brief, calling the Vagias family some of the toughest people he had ever met, and laughing at the memory of Leo’s impersonation of him, saying it was among the best he’d ever heard.
“Leo was a tough kid, a tremendous competitor, off the field, he was quite a character,” said Toal.
Before the night began, Leo’s parents talked about how grateful they were to the Montville community for their support. Fran said she is asked a lot just how she is doing, and she said she draws strength from her faith and her good memories of her son.
“We have this long journey ahead because of this tragedy, but honestly, you’re also circled with love and positive prayer from our friends and family,” said Ted. “Our community is helping us resurrect him in a good way and we just keep looking for the good.”
The restaurant was packed with members of the Don Bosco community, although many members of the current administration were not present. Fran said that some stars from The Real Housewives of New Jersey were expected. Officials from the University of Rhode Island, where Leo was a freshman kicker, were also invited. There was a silent auction upstairs with spectacular prizes from the world of sports and New Jersey.
There is a big wrestling tournament being planned in Cali’s name at West Orange for January. Sam was wrestling at Rutgers.
The two young men were close.
Fran and Ted said they get signs and reminders of their sons’ life every day. They remarked that many of Leo’s friends had had the same dream recently, and how many had coincidentally had their college classes canceled Thursday, allowing them to come to The Waterside and enjoy the evening.
There was sadness, sure, but lots of laughter and joy as well.
“Leo and Sam always looked for the good,” said Fran. “So we are just following their example.”
The full article can be found here: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/columnists/darren-cooper/2017/03/30/cooper-leonidas-foundation-gets-good-start/99830928/
The Leonidas Foundation, started in the memory of Vagias and Sam Cali, two former Don Bosco athletes who were killed in an automobile accident last June, officially kicked off its efforts with a raucous and entertaining soiree at The Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen on Thursday.
While one might think that an evening to honor young men gone much too soon would be morose, that was far from the case.
“When we were told that they wanted to do this, we thought it was a gift from Leo and Sam,” said Leo’s father, Ted.
“You know, that nobody is going to forget us. Our friends remember us, and they have picked up that baton and they’re helping us carry that cross.”
The night was full of good cheer and stories about Vagias and Cali, better known simply as Leo and Sam. Pictures of them appeared on television screens fashioned around the establishment with its magnificent view of the New York City skyline.
“They were house devils and street angels,” said Ted Vagias to the assembled crowd on the first floor about the two Morris County residents. “Leo would say, ‘who loves you first?’ to his mom and she would say, ‘I do.’ He would answer back, ‘no, mom, God does.’”
The Leonidas Foundation, started by former classsmates of Leo and Sam, and guided by the Vagias family and members of the Don Bosco school community, has grand plans. Already, Foundation President Matt Perricone said the organization has helped feed over 600 families in need, and given over 1,500 toys to needy children. In his remarks, Perricone said the foundation aims to at least double that in this upcoming calendar year.
The Foundation is also beginning a business-themed curriculum at Don Bosco called the LEO program (Leadership, Entrepreneurship and Opportunity), which will be headquartered on campus.
Thursday night, the Foundation also gave its first prize, a leadership award to Toal.
It was one of the first real public appearances for Toal since his departure from Don Bosco a month ago as head football coach. There is still not a clear reason why Toal was dismissed from the school. School officials said he retired.
Toal was honored during a brief ceremony and received the organization’s leadership award. Former Don Bosco President Fr. John Talamo, the man who hired Toal in 1999, made a surprise appearance and talked about how troubled the school was financially then and how badly he needed Toal to spark the school’s athletic fortunes and change its reputation.
Toal did that and more, leading the Ironmen to two mythical national titles, and nine Non-Public 4 state titles. Don Bosco football became synonymous with North Jersey and tough football players.
Clearly emotional and smiling, Toal kept his remarks brief, calling the Vagias family some of the toughest people he had ever met, and laughing at the memory of Leo’s impersonation of him, saying it was among the best he’d ever heard.
“Leo was a tough kid, a tremendous competitor, off the field, he was quite a character,” said Toal.
Before the night began, Leo’s parents talked about how grateful they were to the Montville community for their support. Fran said she is asked a lot just how she is doing, and she said she draws strength from her faith and her good memories of her son.
“We have this long journey ahead because of this tragedy, but honestly, you’re also circled with love and positive prayer from our friends and family,” said Ted. “Our community is helping us resurrect him in a good way and we just keep looking for the good.”
The restaurant was packed with members of the Don Bosco community, although many members of the current administration were not present. Fran said that some stars from The Real Housewives of New Jersey were expected. Officials from the University of Rhode Island, where Leo was a freshman kicker, were also invited. There was a silent auction upstairs with spectacular prizes from the world of sports and New Jersey.
There is a big wrestling tournament being planned in Cali’s name at West Orange for January. Sam was wrestling at Rutgers.
The two young men were close.
Fran and Ted said they get signs and reminders of their sons’ life every day. They remarked that many of Leo’s friends had had the same dream recently, and how many had coincidentally had their college classes canceled Thursday, allowing them to come to The Waterside and enjoy the evening.
There was sadness, sure, but lots of laughter and joy as well.
“Leo and Sam always looked for the good,” said Fran. “So we are just following their example.”
The full article can be found here: https://www.northjersey.com/story/sports/columnists/darren-cooper/2017/03/30/cooper-leonidas-foundation-gets-good-start/99830928/
FAMILY OF FALLEN TEEN STARTS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION IN HIS NAME
Date: March 25th, 2017
Here is an article that TAPinto Montville wrote about The Leonidas Foundation: www.tapinto.net/towns/montville/articles/family-of-fallen-teen-starts-charitable-foundatio
the leonidas foundation announces receipient of first annual "leader of the year" award: coach greg toal
Date: March 3rd, 2017
Wyckoff, NJ - Coach Greg Toal had an incredible impact on the life of Leonidas “Leo” Vagias. Coach Toal served as a friend, mentor, and role model to Leo, helping to shape him as a young man while instilling in him a burning desire to attain success and maintain a high level of dedication to his craft.
From 1999-2016, Greg Toal was at the helm of the Don Bosco Preparatory High School football program. As Head Varsity Football Coach, he led the Ironmen to nine New Jersey state championships and two national titles. Coach Toal is a member of the prestigious ‘300-win’ club with a career record of 305-55-2 over 33 years at Hasbrouck Heights, River Dell, Hackensack, and Don Bosco Prep. In total, he won 16 state championships - an average of one title every two years. Coach Toal has coached hundreds of players who have gone on to play at the NCAA level and a number who have attained success in the NFL.
Coach Toal’s success has not just come from the sidelines at Granatell Stadium. On and off the field, Coach Toal has spent his life enriching the mind, body and spirit of countless young men. He epitomizes the values and focuses of the Leonidas Foundation, consistently partaking of philanthropic efforts in the local community and providing opportunities to those less fortunate. The tens of thousands of hours Coach Toal has spent in his lifetime teaching and building young men on and off the field should be commemorated, with tribute paid to his legacy and expansive list of accomplishments.
In honor of his contributions to the lives of so many and profound impact on Leo’s life, the Board of Directors and Executive Board of The Leonidas Foundation are proud to announce that Coach Greg Toal will receive the first annual “Leader of the Year” award at “Kickoff Event” on March 30th. We cannot think of a more deserving individual to whom we can present this great honor.
If you would like to join us as we celebrate the life of Leo Vagias and the birth of The Leonidas Foundation please visit the link below.
Thank you, Coach!
#LeoUniteUs
http://www.leouniteus.org/
From 1999-2016, Greg Toal was at the helm of the Don Bosco Preparatory High School football program. As Head Varsity Football Coach, he led the Ironmen to nine New Jersey state championships and two national titles. Coach Toal is a member of the prestigious ‘300-win’ club with a career record of 305-55-2 over 33 years at Hasbrouck Heights, River Dell, Hackensack, and Don Bosco Prep. In total, he won 16 state championships - an average of one title every two years. Coach Toal has coached hundreds of players who have gone on to play at the NCAA level and a number who have attained success in the NFL.
Coach Toal’s success has not just come from the sidelines at Granatell Stadium. On and off the field, Coach Toal has spent his life enriching the mind, body and spirit of countless young men. He epitomizes the values and focuses of the Leonidas Foundation, consistently partaking of philanthropic efforts in the local community and providing opportunities to those less fortunate. The tens of thousands of hours Coach Toal has spent in his lifetime teaching and building young men on and off the field should be commemorated, with tribute paid to his legacy and expansive list of accomplishments.
In honor of his contributions to the lives of so many and profound impact on Leo’s life, the Board of Directors and Executive Board of The Leonidas Foundation are proud to announce that Coach Greg Toal will receive the first annual “Leader of the Year” award at “Kickoff Event” on March 30th. We cannot think of a more deserving individual to whom we can present this great honor.
If you would like to join us as we celebrate the life of Leo Vagias and the birth of The Leonidas Foundation please visit the link below.
Thank you, Coach!
#LeoUniteUs
http://www.leouniteus.org/
leo entrepreneurship program to be offered for fall 2017
Date: March 2nd, 2017
The LEO Program, a new entrepreneurship, leadership and business curriculum, will be offered for the 2017-2018 school year to highly motivated students who apply and are accepted to the program.
Leadership, entrepreneurship and business courses will be offered, augmented by guest speakers from the corporate, public and non-profit sectors.
Don Bosco Prep Teacher and Program Director for The LEO Program Mr. John Esposito described the new business curriculum, “The LEO Program will combine entrepreneurship lessons with an experiential approach to traditional business subjects. Classroom teachers, coaches, and mentors will prepare students to create and develop their own product or service.”
Funding for the start and maintenance of The LEO Program, which stands for leadership, entrepreneurship and opportunity, has been generously provided by The Leonidas Foundation, which will provide ongoing support of the business curriculum at Don Bosco Prep.
The Leonidas Foundation was founded in honor of Leonidas Vagias and Sam Cali, both 2015 graduates of Don Bosco Prep, who lost their lives in an accident last summer.
https://www.donboscoprep.org/page/news-detail?pk=1092602&fromId=230585
Leadership, entrepreneurship and business courses will be offered, augmented by guest speakers from the corporate, public and non-profit sectors.
Don Bosco Prep Teacher and Program Director for The LEO Program Mr. John Esposito described the new business curriculum, “The LEO Program will combine entrepreneurship lessons with an experiential approach to traditional business subjects. Classroom teachers, coaches, and mentors will prepare students to create and develop their own product or service.”
Funding for the start and maintenance of The LEO Program, which stands for leadership, entrepreneurship and opportunity, has been generously provided by The Leonidas Foundation, which will provide ongoing support of the business curriculum at Don Bosco Prep.
The Leonidas Foundation was founded in honor of Leonidas Vagias and Sam Cali, both 2015 graduates of Don Bosco Prep, who lost their lives in an accident last summer.
https://www.donboscoprep.org/page/news-detail?pk=1092602&fromId=230585
