Stony Brook Senior Guard Christa Scognamiglio’s Family Continues To Honor Her Brother Through The Tommy Scogs Foundation
Orangeburg – Thomas Scognamiglio was an “amazing 16-year-old boy”, and the brother of Christa Scognamiglio, a senior guard on who plays for the Stony Brook Seawolves women’s basketball team.
In July, 2011, “Tommy” was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma. He passed away in October, 2012.
The Scognamiglio family wanted to find a way to keep Tommy’s spirit alive with the creation of the Tommy Scogs Foundation. Tommy loved playing baseball, and spending time with his friends and family.
According to Christa, “The first year we had a huge fundraiser at a country club and had silent auctions, raffles and a bunch of stuff. Last summer we had an event at the Rockland Boulders baseball team and through ticket sales and donations we raised money”.
The proceeds from each fundraiser go directly back into the community in the form of multiple scholarships awarded annually at Pearl River High School, which Tommy and his siblings attended, as well as toward the purchase of athletic equipment. Additionally, proceeds benefit research, as the family wants to be able to help others in the future, who may battle the disease.
“The last few years we’ve done something different. There’s a game we all learned in high school gym class called volley-tennis, and my brother and his friends loved that game so every year since he’s passed we’ve had a volley-tennis tournament at the end of May”, said Christa.
“We’ve done the West Point Triathlon the last two years as one of the fundraising events. This year our family decided that the main fundraiser would be the triathlon. Cole Coyle, my brother’s friend, is in charge of Team Tommy Scogs this year.”
The cost to participate in the West Point Triathlon on Sunday, August 14th is $130, and participants wishing to help Team Tommy Scogs are encouraged to raise as much as possible, with a target amount of $150. “That’s a suggestion. Some will raise more, some less”, said Christa.
She continued, “Any amount is welcomed as a donation to the foundation. You don’t have to race. It’s for a good cause and it’s in honor of my brother. It makes me happy doing it.”
This link will take you to the Tommy Scogs Foundation “Events” page, with information on how to participate in this year’s triathlon fundraiser. Team Tommy Scogs
Cover Photo courtesy of Tommy Scogs Foundation website.
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