New Hyde Park Star Student Athlete 'Wants To Help In Any Way He Can'

NEW HYDE PARK, NY — We all know student athletes who also bring their A-game to other parts of their lives.

Here at Patch, we've launched an initiative to help recognize these heroes making a difference in their communities. We’re working to let all your neighbors know the individual stories behind the leaderboard.

This submission comes from Juleigh Chin who nominated her son Justin Chin. Chin is a college sophomore from New Hyde Park who continually contributes to his community, she says.

Star student athlete’s name

Justin Chin

Star student athlete’s home state

New York

Star student athlete’s Patch town

New Hyde Park

How do you know the star student athlete?

He is my son

What sport does the star student athlete play?

Lacrosse (primary), Football (secondary)

Why do you believe the star student athlete should be recognized?

My son has always been community and civic minded. He graduated from Herricks HS and the Nassau BOCES program for Exercise Science in 2021. He was recruited to play lacrosse for St. Thomas Aquinas College but was red-shirted his first year. Rather than feeling down and defeated, he played club volleyball his freshman year and then joined the football team mid-season during this past fall (his sophomore year). The reason he joined football was because some of the linemen were injured and the team needed players. He was asked to step up, so he did. He started to practice with the team and after just 3 practices, Justin started on the O-Line for the Spartans for their last 3 games of the season, which included a shut out win over Cornell. Some might think that this is simply a kid who enjoys sport. But the bigger picture is that this is a kid who wants to help in any way he can.

Anyone who knows Justin will say that he will do what he can, when he can, and give it his all. He jumps in to help the Town of North Hempstead at community events and has done this since he was in Middle School! He has worked with the Herricks Athletic Boosters with their numerous sports camps throughout the years. He volunteered at his church to be an assistant teacher to young kids, and continues to be an active mentor to the youth group. If anyone goes to Justin and asks for his help, Justin will not shy away. During the pandemic, Justin helped to lead a number of massive organized events to feed first responders. He delivered thousands of meals in dozens of trips to all of our major local hospitals as well as fire and police departments and even rehab centers and nursing homes. This is just one small example of the way that Justin lives his life.

In addition to actively helping, Justin is also a huge cheerleader to those around him. His kindergarten teacher still remembers the time that Justin enthusiastically corralled his classmates to get to work by clapping and announcing "Come on! We got this, let's go guys!" And these phrases still come out of his mouth regularly. Justin naturally encourages people around him to push themselves to become better versions of themselves. Maybe it's no coincidence that he is already a licensed personal trainer and working towards a degree in Exercise Science- to use his natural gifts and talents to continue to encourage people around him, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

What's one thing you want everyone to know about the star student athlete?

Justin lives by the famous quote by Kevin Durant: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard.”

Keep up the great work, Justin Chin!

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