Newfield High School is a public high school in Selden, New York, which is located in Suffolk County, Long Island in the United States. It is located 1 mile north of Middle Country Road (Route 25) on Marshall Drive.
History and Overview
As suburban growth spread into central Suffolk county in the 1950s, the new Middle Country Central School District was created in 1957 from the merger of the Selden and Centereach school districts. Newfield opened its doors in 1959 to serve the growing population, as neither district had ever had a high school. Prior to its opening, uppper level students had been sent to Port Jefferson High School.
Newfield's name is derived from the former names of both Centereach (which adjoins Selden and is part of the same school district) and Selden; New Village and Westfield.
It has always served as secondary school, currently educating students from the 9th through 12th grade. In the past, students from the 9th grade were educated at Selden Junior High School, and this changed when the Junior High formally became Selden Middle School and the 9th grade was passed on to Newfield.
Newfield went through a major renovation in the early 1990s, upgrading some of the school's features that had deteriorated over time. A new senior hallway and courtyard were redesigned after years of neglect, transforming the popular courtyard into the current library. The sporting fields and lot areas were also updated.
Throughout the last few years Newfield, like the other schools in the district, has undergone a new set of renovations thanks, in part, to a New York State Bond Issuance. The bonds are responsible for a new press box, turf field, auditorium and sound system renovation, ceiling replacements, mansard installations and upgrades to the schools electric, internet and fire systems as well as new parking facilities.
The official school colors are red and white, and the mascot is the "Wolverine".
Academics
According to 2007 data, 98.7% of Newfield graduates earn a New York State Regent's diploma. 50.8 percent graduates plan to attend 4 year college, and 42.2% plan to attend a 2 year college., such as nearby Suffolk County Community College.
In recent years, Newfield High School has considerably revamped its science program to include a research organization that encourages students to participate in programs at nearby Stony Brook University. Newfield has recently had several participants in the nationwide Intel Science Talent Search.
Athletics
Newfield fields a number of varsity and junior varsity athletic teams, in Section 11, Division 2 of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association, including Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Fencing, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball (Girls), and Wrestling.
Although team uniforms use the school's red and white colors, in the late 1990s, varsity teams began using black as a third color to distinguish from junior varsity.
Football . The Wolverines were in the bottom echelon of Division 2 football for many years since the 1980s. Before the 1980s, the team enjoyed some success, and won four league titles. In mid-2000s, the team again had some winning seasons.
Fencing . Newfield is widely recognized for its varsity fencing program, which began in 1964. Noted as the most successful athletic program in the school's history, it is also one of the most storied fencing programs in the nation. Alumnus, Edward D'onofrio was a member of the 1974 Olympic Fencing Team; Robert Piraino and Joseph Amodemo both have gone on to become US National Foil Champions. The program has also sent many athletes to represent Long Island in The Empire State Games , the largest amateur athletic games in the nation, earning Gold, Silver, or Bronze medals.
Van Wolosin . Van Wolosin served as the teams coach for over 30 seasons, through 2001. Wolosin, an alumnus of Newfield HS himself, had garnered more League and County Championships than any other boys fencing team on Long Island. He was also chosen as Coach of the year more times than any other coach in Suffolk County history. Wolosin coached well over 100 All-County Athletes, dozens of County Champions and finalists, and earned over 300 dual meet wins, an unbelievable accomplishment. The Newfield Boys Varsity Fencing Team finished as a County Medalist almost every year under Wolosin's guidance, and had even beaten collegiate teams. In his last two seasons, Wolosin led the team to two consecutive undefeated seasons, winning the League Championships and County Championships, earning Coach of the year both seasons, and finishing with multiple Individual County Champions, 8 of 9 starters earning All-County Honors, and almost a dozen Individual County Finalists.
Recent fencing accomplishments . In the 2001-2002 season, Jerome Cordero took over after the retirement of Van Wolosin. Cordero continued the fencing team's success earning silver, gold, and another silver medal at the Suffolk County Championships, respectively in his first three seasons. In 2004, Cordero left the program, leaving the position to teacher Keith Gillespie, a former lacrosse and former football coach. Gillespie, who lacks experience in the sport, tied for 3rd (in his first season with the team), and has not been able to return the program to its past glory. With 4th and 5th place finishes over the past two seasons, and less than a 50% winning record, the team has entered its worst slump in over 3 decades. As Gillespie begins to step down handing the program over to the Assistant Coach, Gregory Klein, has nothing but high expectations for the Newfield Fencing Team. Klein (a Newfield Alumni Epeeist) steps up this season (2008-2009) as the Head Coach for the Newfield Boy's and expects big things from the squad he's been training with for the past 3 years. Expect Newfield to reclaim its past glory as the team and coaches are set to finish in the top 3 this year and many years to come. As expected, the Newfield Boy's finished 3rd in league this season (2008-2009) and wasn't finished there. At the county championship Newfield tied with Commack (2nd in league) for 2nd place at counties and Newfield pulled the upset of the season by being the only team to defeat the undefeated Ward Melville (1st in league 14-0, 1st at counties).
Girl's Fencing . Newfield Girl's Fencing team has started to make a name for themselves under the instruction of Don Bahr. Bahr took over the girl's team in the 2001-2002 season, with no fencing background. He studied the sport and has become one of the top coaches in the county. His coaching lead Jenna Ellis to become the county champion in both 2003 and 2004 In his last 5 seasons, starting with the 2003-2004 season, his team has finished in the top 4, with one 4th place finish, three bronze medals and this year's 2007-2008 silver medal. In Bahr's seven seasons with the team he has a winning percentage over 50%, coached over ten girls into the county finalists and coached two county finalist champions.
Some notable Newfield fencing alumni are currently fencing coaches in Nassau County. Those alumni are: Kyle Schirmer (Jericho HS; 2007 Nassau Boy's Coach of the Year), Robert Piraino (Great Neck South HS; President-Nassau Fencing Coaches Assoc., 2008 Div. III National Foil Champion) and Jeremy Goun (Manhasset HS). Some notable Newfield fencing alumni are currently fencing coaches in Suffolk County. Those alumni are: Gregory Klein (Newfield HS) and Justin Gebhardt (Brentwood HS). Robert Soria coached at Great Neck South HS from 2006-2008 (2007 Nassau Girl's Coach of the Year). Referees also include, Christopher Zebuth, Nicole Schirmer, Matt Laudicina, Dave Rabinowitz.
Girl's varsity softball . The varsity softball program has struggled for years, failing to make playoffs in 7 years. Talented players have fared well with County and Division honors though winning as a whole has eluded the ladies.
Track and Field . Newfield’s Track and Field athletes compete as a single team together with sister school Centereach High school under the name Middle Country. The 2007-2008 year was among the team’s best, especially in the 4X100 relay event
Boy's Soccer . The Newfield Boy's Soccer Team has been one of the most consistent programs in the School's history. The Program was taken to the post-season 15-18 years under legendary Coach Don Russo from 1979 -2004. The Team has also qualified 3 out of the last 4 years 05-08 and has amassed over 350 wins in the schools history. The team recently won the 2009 League III championship, the teams 7th in school history.
Music and Drama
Music . Newfield houses a music and theater education department. In 2006, the Music Department had its annual Music In the Parks trip; receiving 3 1st Place In Band, Orchestra, Chorus, and Jazz Ensembles and 2 Superior ratings. The Music department also participated and hosted the NYSSMA Major Ensemble Festival receiving, gold, silver, bronze and Gold With Distinction.
Drama . The Newfield High School drama department is one of the top 45 in public schools of Long Island, New York. The music and theatre programs are widely recognized on Long Island. Most recently, Newfield High School had garnered 16 nominations and 9 wins at the 1st Annual GPJNB Arts Council's 2008 Teeny Awards, more than any other high school involved in the progam. Newfield's success at the awards ceremony helped Newfield establ
Suffolk Selects Hockey
We are sanctioned by the Suffolk County High School Hockey League & the Police Athelic League of Suffolk County.
Suffolk Field Hockey Umpires' Association
The Suffolk Field Hockey Umpires Association, Inc. is an organization that provides umpires for varsity and junior varsity high school field hockey as well as junior high ... County ...
Suffolk County News - Newsday - Long Island & NYC News Source
Keep up to date with news and happenings in Suffolk County Long ... Field Hockey; Football; Golf; Gymnastics; Soccer; Swimming ... long island; sports; entertainment; high school sports
11 Suffolk high school field hockey players injured in bus crash ...
SUFFOLK (AP) -- 11 members of a high school field hockey team suffered minor injuries after a Suffolk school bus ran off the road in Isle of Wight County while ...
Suffolk County High School Hockey League 2009 Fall Team Schedule
Rink Time Div Visitor Home Suffolk County High School Hockey League 2009 Fall Team Schedule Date 1 Wed 09/23/09So. 7:30 PMJVKings Park/Commack at Middle Country 2 Wed 09/30/09So. 7 ...
Suffolk County High School Ice Hockey
High School Showcase Posted by: Gary Dymski Date: October 22, 2007 at 5:14 pm Message id: 951. Twenty-one spots remain open for the 6th College Showcase, Sat., Dec. 29, at the ...
Home [schshl.com]
USA Hockey Drill Section Now Coaching Clinic Added To ...
Long Island High School (Sports) Television || Nassau & Suffolk County
Sport: Field Hockey Year: 2001 High School: Massapequa Rating: (0 ... High School: Amityville Rating: (0 Total Votes), Total Views: 299: Title: 1997 Suffolk County Class 'B' Playoffs
Suffolk County High School Ice Hockey
SWEEP Posted by: SCHSHL Date: March 3, 2008 at 06:33 Message id: 1295. Suffolk County Sweeps the New York State Amateur Hockey Association High School Club State Tournaments
Suffolk County High School Hockey League 2009 Fall Team Schedule
Rink Time Div Visitor Home Suffolk County High School Hockey League 2009 Fall Team Schedule Date 1 Mon 09/21/09No. 8:10 PMJVHalf Hollow Hills at East Islip 2 Wed 09/30/09No. 7:50 ...