Monsignor Farrell High School

Monsignor Farrell High School
Address
2900 Amboy Road Staten Island , New York 10306 United States
Coordinates	40°34′2″N74°7′32″W / 40.56722°N 74.12556°W / 40.56722; -74.12556
Information
Type	Private
Motto	Vir Fidelis (Faithful Man)
Religious affiliation(s)	Catholic
Established	1961(64 years ago) (1961)
President	Louis R. Tobacco [1]
Principal	Lawrence Musanti [2]
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	800 [3]  (2014[ needs update ])
Color(s)	Maroon and gold
Athletics conference	Catholic High School Athletic Association [4]
Mascot	Lion
Accreditation	Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools [5]
Newspaper	The Lion
Yearbook	Cornerstone
Affiliation	Archdiocese of New York
Website	msgrfarrellhs.org

Monsignor Farrell High School is a Catholic high school for boys, located in the Oakwood section of Staten Island, New York, United States. Opened in 1961, the school is named in honor of Monsignor Joseph Farrell, a Catholic priest, as well as a religious, political and community leader on Staten Island.

History

In 1985, filming for the music video of Billy Joel’s top ten hit song You're Only Human (Second Wind), took place outside of the school’s main entrance.

Notable alumni

• Bill Britton (born 1955, class of 1974) – former PGA Tour player ^[6]
• David Carr (born 1987, class of 2005) – member, New York City Council ^[7]
• Christopher Celenza (born 1967, class of 1985) – James B. Knapp Dean, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Johns Hopkins University; former dean, Georgetown College at Georgetown University ^[8]
• Tom Cosgrove (born 1996, class of 2014) – pitcher, San Diego Padres
• Kevin Coyle (born 1956) – former defensive coordinator, Miami Dolphins ^[9]
• Michael Cusick (born 1969) – New York State Assemblyman ^[10]
• Dan Donovan (born 1956) – former U.S. Congressman from New York; former District Attorney of Richmond County ^[11]
• Vito Fossella (born 1965) – former U.S. Congressman from New York; ^[12] Staten Island Borough President
• John Gallucci Jr. (class of 1985) – founder and president, JAG Physical Therapy; CEO, JAG-ONE Physical Therapy; medical coordinator, Major League Soccer; author
• Joe Gambardella (born 1993, class of 2011) – professional ice hockey player, Utica Comets of the American Hockey League (as a prospect for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League)
• Joe Gatto (born 1976, class of 1994) – cast member, Impractical Jokers ^[13]
• Paul C. Genereux (born 1950, class of 1968) – US Army brigadier general ^{[14] [15]}
• Andrew Lanza (born 1964, class of 1982) – lawyer; Republican politician; member, New York State Senate, representing the 24th District which encompasses most of Staten Island
• John Lavelle (born 1981) – actor and playwright
• Pete Lembo (born 1970, class of 1988) – head football coach, University at Buffalo
• Michael McMahon (born 1957) – former U.S. Congressman; District Attorney of Richmond County ^[16]
• James Murray (born 1976, class of 1994) – cast member, Impractical Jokers ^[13]
• Kevin O'Connor – former general manager, Utah Jazz ^[17]
• James Oddo (born 1966) – former Staten Island Borough President; former New York City Councilman ^[18]
• Brian Quinn (born 1976, class of 1994) – cast member, Impractical Jokers ^[13]
• Theo Rossi (born 1975, class of 1993) – actor ^[19]
• Ryan Rossiter (born 1989) – professional basketball player ^[20]
• Michael Tannousis – New York State Assemblyman ^[21]
• William J. Taverner – sex educator; editor, American Journal of Sexuality Education ^{[22] [23]}
• Louis R. Tobacco (born 1972, class of 1990) – president, Monsignor Farrell High School; former New York State Assemblyman ^[24]
• Sal Vulcano (born 1976, class of 1994) – cast member, Impractical Jokers ^[13]
• Edmund Whalen (born 1958, class of 1976) – auxiliary bishop, Archdiocese of New York; former principal, Monsignor Farrell High School ^[25]
• John Wolyniec (born 1977, class of 1995) – former Major League Soccer player ^[26]

References

1. "Admissions Information". Monsignor Farrell High School. Retrieved September 27, 2020.
2. Knudson, Annalise (January 8, 2019). "Lawrence Musanti Appointed Principal at Monsignor Farrell". Staten Island Advance . Retrieved November 29, 2022.
3. Lore, Diane C. (August 20, 2014). "Monsignor Farrell High School Undergoing $5 Million Facelift". Staten Island Advance . Retrieved November 29, 2022.
4. De Biase Jr., Charlie (February 26, 2019). "Farrell's Stalwart Defensive Effort Puts It in CHSAA A Intersectional Final". Staten Island Advance . Retrieved November 29, 2022.
5. MSA-CSS. "MSA-Commission on Secondary Schools". Archived from the original on May 14, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
6. Radosta, John. "Norris Leads by 1 with 63 at Hartford". The New York Times . August 13, 1982. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "Britton, who is 26 years old, was graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School on Staten Island".
7. "Vir Fidelis! Here Are Monsignor Farrell's Power Alums and What They Looked Like Back in the Day". Staten Island Advance . December 16, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
8. Maroon & Gold Monsignor Farrell Alumni Magazine. Monsignor Farrell High School. Winter 2018. p. 13. Archived from the original on June 24, 2018.
9. Kent, Andy. "Inside the Coaching Staff: Kevin Coyle". Miami Dolphins, March 17, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "[Q] Which coach has had the biggest influence on your career? Coyle: It was my high school coach, Coach Dennis Barrett at Monsignor Farrell High School back in Staten Island".
10. Michael Cusick Biography, New York State Assembly. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "He is an honorary member of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 120, Richmond Engine #1, the Oceanic Hook and Ladder Co. #1 and was inducted into the Monsignor Farrell High School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007".
11. "Rep. Donovan Is New Chairman of House Security Panel (commentary)". United States House of Representatives. February 29, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "When I think back to the small apartment my mom and dad raised me in, how they pooled what little they earned to send their boy Danny to Monsignor Farrell High School with the hope that he would have a better life, I'm humbled that I now have the opportunity to honor their sacrifices by making a difference in keeping our city and nation secure".
12. "Vito Fossella – U.S. Congress Votes Database". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 3, 2017.
13. "Impractical Jokers Before All the Fame". December 31, 2016.
14. Senior Leader Management Office (July 31, 2011). "Biography, Brigadier General Paul C. Genereux". National Guard.mil. Arlington, Virginia: National Guard Bureau. Retrieved June 14, 2025.
15. "State scholarships won by 277 island teen-agers". Staten Island Advance . Staten Island, New York. February 14, 1968. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "McMahon, Michael E., (1957 – )", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress . Retrieved February 28, 2017. "McMahon, Michael E., a Representative from New York; born in Staten Island, Richmond County, N.Y., September 12, 1957; graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School, Staten Island, N.Y".
17. Price, Jay. "Six to Be Enshrined in Staten Island Sports Hall of Fame". Staten Island Advance , December 7, 2008. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "[caption] Kevin O'Connor, far left, went from being the point guard for Monsignor Farrell to the general manager of the Utah Jazz in his 40-year basketball career".
18. "On the Issues: James Oddo". Staten Island Advance . November 2009. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
19. Benanti, Carol Ann (March 23, 2012). "Staten Island's Farrell Alumni Dish on Show Business" Staten Island Advance . Retrieved February 28, 2017. "On hand to bring a touch of Hollywood starpower to Staten Island were actor Theo Rossi and actors/comedians James (Murr) Murray and Joe Gatto, who recently returned to Monsignor Farrell High School – their alma mater – to speak to students and credit the Oakwood school for their diligence and success".
20. "Siena College Official Athletic Site – Siena College". sienasaints.com. Siena Saints. Archived from the original on May 15, 2018. Retrieved January 3, 2017.
21. "Meet Mike". Mike Tannousis for State Assembly. Retrieved 2020-12-29.
22. Taverner, William J. "Big Congressman, Little Boys". Staten Island Advance . February 15, 2014. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "You might accuse me of overanalyzing the congressman’s stunted development. An old friend from Monsignor Farrell High School defended the congressman, saying his response was reasonable because he was ambushed".
23. "Bill Taverner" . Retrieved July 1, 2021. Monsignor Farrell High School, High school diploma, 1982–1986
24. "Lou Tobacco Biography". New York State Assembly, backed up by the Internet Archive as of October 15, 2012. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "Lou Tobacco was elected to the New York State Assembly on March 27, 2007. Lou is a graduate of Public School 35, St. Joseph Hill Academy, Monsignor Farrell High School and the Rockefeller College of Politics at State University of New York at Albany".
25. Knudson, Annalise (December 10, 2019). "Farrell Students Attend Ordination of Msgr. Edmund Whalen as Bishop". Staten Island Advance . Retrieved December 28, 2020.
26. De Biase Jr, Charlie. "Island Native John Wolyniec Named USL Coach of the Year". Staten Island Advance . November 4, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2017. "It's been quite a few weeks for Annadale native and former Major League Soccer player John Wolyniec. The one-time Monsignor Farrell and Fordham University star not only guided the New York Red Bulls II to the United Soccer Leagues (USL) championship, but was named the USL 2016 Coach of the Year earlier this week".

External links

• msgrfarrellhs.org , the school's official website