A Special Man
Frank was involved for 53 years within the Tri-Valley League, including terms as president, vice-president and chairman of many committees. A fixture at Chittenango High School, Frank was athletic director in addition to coaching baseball, football, cross-country and wrestling.
As athletic director, Frank expanded the school’s sports programs from 10 to 60. His Chittenango high school baseball teams (1956-1997) won more than 350 games, five Tri-Valley titles and he was honored three times as coach of the year. As an athlete in his own right, he played four years of football at Brockport, captaining the 1955 team. He also played baseball for two years.
Frank worked for the Oneida Family YMCA for 15 years and made his impact known. He worked with people of all ages and ability levels and treated each one as if they were his own mission. But, his true love was working with young adults, to help them become healthy and productive with true character.
The "Coach Di" Scholarship
Frank’s wife Joan, and his three sons Tom, Joe and Dan and their families helped the Oneida Family YMCA to create a new fund within the YMCA, that will allow YMCA management to annually offer financial assistance to youth in the Oneida and surrounding communities who need YMCA programming and membership opportunities but cannot afford them.
The Oneida Family YMCA has been in operation since 1992, and currently serves approximately 4,500 members. The Y offers swimming, health and fitness, strength training, group exercise, before and after school care, youth and adult sports, music, and other programming.
Click here for the informational brochure
Selection Criteria
- ¾HONEST
- ¾CARING
- ¾HARDWORKING
- ¾DEDICATED
- ¾COMMITTED
- ¾TEAM PLAYER
- ¾FAMILY FIRST
- ¾FAIR
- ¾RESPONSIBLE
The Award
Annually, the YMCA will award two (2) scholarship awards in Coach Frank Di’Christina’s memory. Youth memberships allow full access to the YMCA facilities and programs.
Nominations
Community members are encouraged to nominate young people, ages 12-18 for the Frank DiChristina Scholarship Award based on the values listed in this brochure. A one-page essay, highlighting the reasons why a particular young adult successfully represents the values Frank portrayed on a daily basis is all that is required. The YMCA will review each essay individually and select two (2) candidates annually and present the winner with the award. Nominees are asked to attend the ceremony.
ONEIDA FAMILY YMCA
701 SENECA STREET
ONEIDA, NEW YORK 13421
WWW.YMCATRIVALLEY.ORG
315-363-7788
C/O HANK LEO, CEO
Contributions
If you are interested in contributing to the Frank DiChristina fund, a part of the YMCA’s Changing Lives Campaign, please contact us at any time. Your tax-deductible contribution will help youth in our community to become a part of the Y.
In many cases, this might just be the greatest gift you can give a young person . He or she will have access to dozens of programs at the Y, including swimming lessons, youth sports, strength training, before and after school care, music lessons and more. Please see our Program Guide online at www.ymcatrivalley.org or pick one up at our front desk.
