Bishop Ford’s track team receives $12,500

April 15, 2014 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Tom Meany of the Prospect Park Track Club, presents Denise Catapano, assistant director of athletics at Bishop Ford, with a check for the school. Members of the boys and girls track teams were on hand for the presentation. Photo courtesy of Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School.

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Amid the sad state of affairs involving the impending closure of Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School, there is a bit of good news. The school’s athletic program recently received a $12,500 check stemming from students’ participation in the Turkey Trot race in Prospect Park last November.

The check was presented by Tom Meany, president of the Prospect Park Track Club, to Denise Catapano, assistant director of athletics at Bishop Ford.

The check represents Bishop Ford’s portion of the proceeds from the Turkey Trot, a popular Thanksgiving event featuring a 5K run. The race sold out of its 2,500 slots nearly two weeks early. The Turkey Trot was sponsored by JackRabbit Sports and was supported by New York Methodist Hospital.

“This was our 11th Turkey Trot in partnership with Bishop Ford,” Meany said. “We have been growing upon each year’s success. This past year was by far our best, and we could not hold this event without the partnership of Bishop Ford.”

Before, during, and after the race, members of Bishop Ford’s boys’ and girls’ track teams filled many of the behind-the-scenes roles at the event. The jobs included filling water cups, keeping the course clear, and handing out medals at the finish.

The $12,500 will go directly to the track teams, and will be used to defray the cost of uniforms, meets and transportation, officials said. Without these resources, the burden would have been passed directly on to the parents of the athletes.

“Our original idea was to make a link with our adult runners and the student-athletes of Bishop Ford,” said Meany. “This has proven to be a very successful collaboration.”

The check presentation took place last week, before it was learned that Bishop Ford, at 500 19th St., would be closing.

On Monday, it was announced that the school, which has seen a sharp decline in student enrollment in recent years, will close in June. The school opened 52 years ago.