'Heartbeat Of The Athletic Department' Mauceri Honored With County Award

MASSAPEQUA, NY. — Massapequa School District administrative assistant Fran Mauceri was recognized for her contribution to the district with the receipt of the Todd Heimer award this month, an award named after former Nassau County executive director of interscholastic athletics Todd Heimer, who died in 2012 at 56. The award celebrates the behind-the-scenes figures in Section VIII who allow school athletics programs to go on.

Mauceri has been in her role for 16 years, and was nominated for the Todd Heimer award by Matt McLees, interim physical education, health, athletics and recreation director at Massapequa schools. District officials said Mauceri wears many hats within Massapequa athletics, including permitting outside organizations to use district facilities, handling athletic communications, coordinating with teams and helping to organize the annual senior athlete awards nights.

“I’m very honored because there are so many athletic assistants in Nassau County,
so to receive this award is truly humbling,” Mauceri said. “It’s become a major part of my life.
I’m not just a clerical worker. I’m a part of a team. I put my all into it and I don’t just look at
it as a job. We have great student athletes and great coaches, and I love to be part of that
greatness.”

Mauceri left a role in finance to take the job in Massapequa over a decade-and-a-half ago, looking to be closer to home when her sons Joseph and John Michael were in school. Joseph, announcer for the baseball team, graduated in 2016, while John Michael graduated in 2019 after playing football and baseball at Massapequa.

“Fran has been an invaluable asset to my arrival at Massapequa,” McLees said. “Her knowledge of Massapequa athletics, coupled with her patience and the advice she provides on a daily basis, has enabled me to be a more effective leader in my role as athletic director. Simply put, she is the heartbeat of the athletic department. Her relationships with coaches, parents and community members has established the core values we must meet in our department. It is our pleasure to join in the celebration of Fran and the most-deserving honor of the Todd Heimer Award.”