Frank Provenzano

Frank Provenzano was exemplary and beloved teacher, coach, administrator and Director of Athletics who served the Patchogue-Medford School District for 27 years. A 1949 graduate Port Jefferson High School, Mr. Provenzano served in the Army during the Korean War and attended SUNY Cortland under the GI Bill. He came to Patchogue-Medford in 1958 with his wife Sandra and their young family to begin his storied career.

Mr. Provenzano applied his many skills, the most important of which was his strong personal rapport with students, in teaching Physical storied career. Education, Health Education, and Driver Education. He also coached Patchogue’s track and cross-country teams, winning several league championships. Patchogue’s 1966 sprint medley team won the New York State championship. In addition to teaching and coaching, Mr. Provenzan served as assistant principal at Oregon and South Ocean Middle Schools.

In 1971, Frank was honored to be appointed Director of Athletics for the Pat-Med district. One of his important contributions was the expansion of interscholastic programs at the middle- and high-school levels. Under Title IX, Frank worked tirelessly to introduce and develop interscholastic athletics for girls. He held many positions in Section XI, including chairman of the Track, Winter Track, and Cross Country committees. He was also very involved in the P-M Fathers’ Club and Kiwanis Club of Patchogue.

Upon Frank’s retirement in June 1985, one of the highlights of his several retirement ceremonies was the proclamation, by Patchogue Mayor Norman Lechtrecker, that temporarily changed the name of Main Street to Raider One Court in Frank’s honor. Frank went on to enjoy a long, healthy retirement, spending winter in Florida with Sandra, playing lots of golf, traveling abroad, and enjoying time with his three children and grandchildren. He was always happy to run into former students to catch up on their lives. Frank passe away in January 2016 at the age of 85.