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Community Corner

Iona Prep-Stepinac Game Keeps Fallen Coach's Memory Alive

Iona Prep rolls Stepinac 40-14 in the annual Joe Riverso Memorial Game.

Even after more than a decade, the memory of Joe Riverso still lives strong within the Archbishop Stepinac High School community. 

The annual Joe Riverso Memorial Bowl, played Saturday between New Rochelle's Ioan Prep and Stepinac, is one way the Cantor Fitzgerald bond trader is remembered.

Riverso, an Iona College graduate, was working in the World Trade Center when terrorists slammed airplanes into the buildings Sept. 11, 2001.

Stepinac's Athletic Director Michael O'Donnell—and Riverso's friend—said he tries hard to make sure the Stepinac graduate and 17-year football coach is not forgotten.

"It's been 13 years, and people seem to forget what happened on that day," O'Donnell said. "This game is our way of keeping Joe's legacy alive."   

The memorial game has been played at Stepinac every year since 2001. Since then it has become an annual event, with help from the Joseph R. Riverso Memorial Foundation.     

At halftime every year, the foundation and Stepinac allow the White Plains Bernies—the team Riverso played for as a kid—to play a game called "The Joe Riverso Memorial Bowl."   

Ever year since the foundation was created it has given awards to graduating Stepinac golfers and football players. The exceptional sportsmanship award is given to a player from each team, while a donation is then made to the school.

Gavin Heslop, the Stepinac recipient of the award, said he was grateful to be recognized.

"It would have been much better with a win," he said, "but I'm definitely honored."   

Heslop and the rest of the Crusaders took on Iona Prep Saturday, 13 years after meeting them in the first game.   

Both teams shot out the gate slowly, with Iona leading only 7-0 at the end of the first quarter. Stepinac stayed competitive through most of the first half, trailing only 19-14 at halftime.   

After making it to the goal line and failing to convert on fourth and goal, Stepinac let the floodgates open. Iona rallied for four more touchdowns in the second half, the fourth being a mishandled punt by Stepinac recovered by Iona, and eventually scoring, sealing a 40-14 win for Iona Prep.   

Even while losing, the memory of Joe Riverso runs strong throughout the Stepinac community.    

"We want to keep Joe's legacy alive," O'Donnell said. "This foundation and game is our way of doing that."

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