THE NEW BALANCE TRACK & FIELD CENTER AT THE ARMORY, WEST 168th STREET

Del Grosso and Redden to be honored at Marine Corp Relays

Colonel Carmine Del Grosso, a standout runner at St. Helena’s High School in the Bronx and later for Fordham University will be honored at this year’s Marine Corps Relays, December 28, 2009 at the Armory.  The opening ceremony will be at 1 p.m. with the Marine Corps color guard.  Del Grosso went on to an illustrious career in the Marine Corps serving with great honors in Vietnam and later completing an outstanding career which took him to a position of US Naval attaché to the People’s Republic of China, graduation from the National War College in 1983 and to assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations at the Pentagon.  He later worked as a director in international aerospace sales and marketing with McDonnell-Douglas and at the Boeing Company.

He presently resides with his wife, Helen, in San Clemente, California. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. Mr. Del Grosso has taught university-level Chinese & Asian history courses and is a frequent speaker and guest lecturer on Asian politics & government.

Matt Redden was an outstanding runner at Xavier High School in NYC.  His bio is best described by his former coach Pat Dormer:

“I am writing this on behalf of Matt Redden, because as his former coach I know that he will probably send you about 2 lines about himself.

Matt was one of the toughest competitors that I ever coached. He rarely complained about running or work outs.  In fact during his Junior year cross country season, he ran 13:30 at VCP with a stress fracture in his shin. He was able to convince a doctor to clear him so he would be able to run at city champs. Matt set the school cross country record by hitting 13:11 his senior year.  He qualified for the state federation cross country championships 3 years in a row. He had some great races on the track.  One of the highlights was running the 3000 meters at Penn Relays and posting a time of 8:48, which was also a school record. Matt was a part of many historic first at Xavier, the first Xavier team to make Millrose, The first Xavier Relay to qualify for NY State Championships (4x800). He set school records in the following varsity events  Cross Country 2.5 Miles, 3200 Meters Indoors, 4x800 Relay Indoors, DMR Indoors, 3000 Meters Outdoors, 3000 Meter Steeple chase Outdoors, DMR outdoors.

On a personal note Matt always wanted to be a fireman.  He always wanted to be of service to his city. Just like his Father.  Matt was very effected by the events of 9/11. In many ways to those of us who know Matt it only made sense that he would join the Marines.  Matt wanted to do his part for his family, his country, his city.  Matt is a true patriot, although he would never make such a statement himself.  To Matt he is only doing what he is called to do, what every American should do. Answer the call.  Coaching Matt was fun, but watching him grow as a man has been the most rewarding”.

                Previous honorees at the Marine Corps Relays have been Charles Buchta, Holy Cross, Tyrone Pannel, Manhattan College, Frank Tomeo, Fordham and Dennis Fikes, U. Penn.  All friends and former teammates of Del Grosso and Redden are invited for the awards at 1 p.m.