The FDNY and NYPD held their second annual volleyball game fundraiser for first responders at Maspeth High School on Saturday, Feb. 11.
The friendly championship game between New York City’s bravest and finest was held in honor of the heroes who died in the line of duty in 2022, including Detectives William Mora and Jason Rivera, firefighters Timothy Klein and William Moon and EMS Lt. Allison Russo.
Tickets to the event were $10.
Besides cheering on their favorite team, visitors had the chance to win raffle prizes, which included gift baskets, restaurant vouchers and flowers. Portions of the proceeds went to the PBA and the FDNY Widows and Children’s Fund Inc.
The event kicked off with the presentation of the FDNY and NYPD color guards, the rendition of the National Anthem, and 30 seconds of silence for the fallen heroes before the teams faced off on the court, showing off their serving and dump skills.
The NYPD emerged victoriously, winning the championship 3-1, plus bragging rights for the second year in a row.
Addressing the players and visitors before the game, Sgt. James Hall, commanding officer of the NYPD Sports Unit, said that the championship game between the FNDY and NYPD was an “excellent event.”
“We use these events as a way to get away from the everyday stresses the firefighters and the police officers deal with every day,” Hall said. “It’s a stress relief. It’s a way of camaraderie. It’s a way to bring your families together.”
Jerry Mattacota, coach of the FDNY team for the past 12 years and American Volleyball Coaches Association Hall of Famer, explained that the FDNY volleyball team has been around since 1998. The team has 10 members and is well-traveled, competing in events around the world from Adelaide, Australia, to Stockholm, Sweden, to name a few.
Mattacota, who also coaches the Maspeth High School girls varsity volleyball team, emphasized that the championship was part of the community outreach and for people to see that first responders are human beings.
Mattacota said that volleyball was a way to cope with the stress the city’s first responders experience on a daily basis.
“They have a tough job,” Mattacota underlined. “And this is their way of getting rid of stress and playing volleyball and having fun. Because the job, especially in the last five years, has become a lot harder.”
NYPD officer Malcolm Brisset-Ortiz, president of the NYPD volleyball team, said he was excited to be there and thanked the community for coming out in support. Brisset-Ortiz, who has been on the force for seven years, has played volleyball since high school and started the NYPD men’s volleyball team, which is 20-men-strong, two years ago.
“We got great talent,” Brisset-Ortiz said. “It’s a great way for the officers to get away from work.”
He was confident that his team was taking home the trophy again.
“We won last year. We want to take the trophy home this year, again,” Brisset-Ortiz predicted.
