{"id":39741,"date":"2025-11-14T18:53:08","date_gmt":"2025-11-14T18:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/39741\/"},"modified":"2025-11-14T18:53:08","modified_gmt":"2025-11-14T18:53:08","slug":"nyc-breaks-ground-on-new-field-house-at-tottenville-h-s-named-in-honor-of-fdny-hero","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/39741\/","title":{"rendered":"NYC breaks ground on new field house at Tottenville H.S. named in honor of FDNY hero"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 New York City officials broke ground Thursday on a new athletic field house at Tottenville High School, named in honor of the school\u2019s former football coach and FDNY Captain John Drennan<\/a>, who was killed in the line of duty in 1994.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, New York City School Construction Authority President and CEO Nina Kubota joined education leaders, elected officials, community leaders, members of the FDNY, Tottenville Football Alumni Association, and the Drennan family to break ground on a new $24.3 million state-of-the-art athletic field house at the Huguenot school.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1\/19<\/p>\n

Tottenville H.S. breaks ground on new field house named in honor of FDNY hero<\/p>\n

According to the SCA, it will be named the John Drennan Athletic Field House, in honor of the former Tottenville varsity football coach who perished from injuries suffered while fighting a fire in Manhattan in 1994.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis field house has been years in the making, a true reflection of perseverance, collaboration and community, pride, and we\u2019re so grateful to see it finally becoming a reality,\u201d said Gina Battista, principal of Tottenville High School. \u201c\u2026 Today\u2019s groundbreaking is not only about a building, but about what it stands for \u2014 dedication, teamwork and legacy. Captain John J. Drennan embodied all of these values. The late Fr. Mychal Judge, the beloved FDNY chaplain, once shared that after Captain Drennan\u2019s passing, Mrs. Drennan said she wanted the city of New York to celebrate John what a hero he had been, and what a great husband and father he was. And that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re doing here today, celebrating a hero, a coach, a husband, a father and a member of the Tottenville family, whose courage and leadership continue to inspire generations of Tottenville student athletes.\u201d<\/p>\n

A modern facility<\/p>\n

The new 9,420-square-foot facility will include modern locker rooms, bathrooms, showers, a training room, film room, and equipment storage space. Additional amenities will include a concession stand and public restrooms, including a gender-neutral bathroom.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis field house is the embodiment of one of SCA\u2019s key objectives \u2014 to provide students with the state of the art facilities while creating an environment that encourages active participation in sports and physical activities,\u201d said Kubota. \u201c\u2026 We recognize that physical education and sports constitute a critical component of comprehensive school instruction, and this program represents an indispensable investment in the overall well being of our students and communities alike.\u201d<\/p>\n

The project will enhance the overall fitness experience for students, as well as their physical and mental well-being. It will be located adjacent to the school\u2019s athletic fields \u2013 between the tennis courts and football field.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is no other high school more deserving of this field house than Tottenville High School,\u201d said Dr. Roderick Palton, superintendent of Staten Island\u2019s District 31, which represents all general education schools in the borough. \u201cThis is just not even a reward, but what you deserve as students, the best facilities to do what you do. As student athletes, we thank you for making Tottenville and Staten Island that much more exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elected officials and former electeds spoke about the field house and Drennan\u2019s legacy, including Councilmember Frank Morano and Assemblymember Michael Reilly, who both represent the South Shore, as well as District Attorney Michael McMahon. Also in attendance were Councilmember Joseph Borelli, who represented the South Shore, and former Borough President and current city Buildings Commissioner James Oddo. Representatives from key partners of the project, Borough President Vito Fossella and Sen. Andrew Lanza, were also in attendance.<\/p>\n

\"NewShown here is Tottenville H.S. former football coach and FDNY hero John Drennan.(Advance\/SILive.com | Annalise Knudson)Head football coach and FDNY hero<\/p>\n

Drennan joined the coaching program at Tottenville High School as an assistant coach in 1969 before serving as head coach from 1972-75. He was only 25 years old when he took over the program, boasting a 23-11 record during his tenure as head coach.<\/p>\n

Drennan died a hero in 1994, along with firefighters Chris Siedenburg and Jimmy Young, after they were trapped in a Manhattan apartment stairwell while battling a blaze. <\/p>\n

After the tragedy, plans were underway to build a field house at Tottenville High School in Drennan\u2019s memory. Initial plans called for the project to be built with private funds and later maintained by the city education department, and volunteers drew up preliminary designs for the field house.<\/p>\n

Then-city Councilmember Vito Fossella and then-Borough President Guy Molinari allotted significant funds toward the project, but the plans weren\u2019t approved by top education officials.<\/p>\n

\u201cTragically, Captain John Drennan lost his life more than 31 years ago. He died a hero, but left a wonderful legacy as a great family man, firefighter and coach,\u201d said Fossella in a statement. \u201cWe will never forget the final tribute given to him at St. Patrick\u2019s Cathedral. At the request of family and friends, we set out to get a field house built in his honor. We salute all those – coaches, players, family and friends – who never gave up. We will always remember Captain John Drennan. And we will never forget his sacrifice and legacy. And, in a way, I\u2019m pretty sure he is looking down and very pleased with the record of this year\u2019s Tottenville football team.\u201d<\/p>\n

Construction begins this month<\/p>\n

Now, more than 31 years later, development of the field house is officially underway. Construction begins later this month, with a slated completion in October 2027.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a day to celebrate. It\u2019s a day to look forward to the future, seeing you guys and the record you have \u2014 good luck tomorrow,” said John Drennan\u2019s wife, Alvina Drennan. \u201cGo get that win. Go to the best college you can get yourself into and do the best job. You can live a good life. To the firefighters here. Thank you for coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

The field house construction is part of the SCA\u2019s 2025-2029 Capital Plan, which includes $354 million in funding to modernize and expand physical education facilities across the city, including gymnasiums, athletic fields, swimming pools, and playgrounds.<\/p>\n

The project was designed by AECOM USA Inc., and it will be built by PMY Construction Corp.<\/p>\n

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