DeSando spearheads Dunmore parents helping football team

By Steve Svetovich

There are a group of parents helping out the Dunmore football team and coaching staff.

It’s big time help in the eyes of the Dunmore players, coaches and administration.

And not one is looking for any publicity or recognition.

Spearheading those efforts is Nick DeSando, father of Dunmore senior running back/cornerback and class president Domenic DeSando.

DeSando, 54, married to the former Amy Baldinucci, wants no credit for his efforts.

But sometimes you need to give credit when it’s due.

“Nick DeSando is the epitome of the support the Dunmore Community is committed to for our students,” said John Marichak, Dunmore’s Superintendent of Schools. “He is tireless in his efforts to provide the things that make our situation truly special.

“The things he does are not easy and take a lot of time and effort. Nick DeSando is Dunmore.”

Dunmore football coach Kevin McHale echoed those beliefs.

“Mr. DeSando has been great coordinating efforts with other parents to help the football team. They had pre-season dinners, they feed our kids after every game, and also put together a community pep rally that was very successful.”

A 1988 Dunmore graduate, DeSando is retired from police work. He is a former Dunmore police officer and was a detective in the Lackawanna County District Attorney’s office. He and his wife have three children: Nick Jr., 24; Alec, 21, and Domenic, 18.

DeSando is also a two-time cancer survivor having battled nasopharyngeal and tonsil cancers.

But DeSando does not want the spotlight on him. He wants it on the Dunmore football players, coaching staff, and the numerous parents of players and local businesses who help him with their efforts and donations.

“We had a bonfire and pep rally recently at Saint Anthony’s Park, Dunmore, on a Thursday night prior to a Friday game,” he said. “It was a real positive for the entire community. Over 500 people came out. It was a three-hour event from 7 to 10 p.m. We had E.J. the D.J. there. The Dunmore School Board and Dunmore Borough Council volunteered time and donations. Desserts and drinks were provided by Riccardo’s Market in Dunmore and Gerrity’s Supermarket on Meadow Avenue in Scranton.”

Tony Igargiola of WBRE-TV was also there filming the event for a newscast.

“It was an old-school pep rally with all of the football players, cheerleaders, and their parents there. Even the Dunmore Midget football players were there. It was quite a community event. In these tough times, it showed how a community could come together as one.”

DeSando said others who contributed their time, donations, drinks and deserts to the bonfire/pep rally included Al’s Quick Mart, Dunmore; Dunmore Police Association, Lynn Sandy’s Bakery, Scranton; Friends of the Bucks, Conte Paving, parents of the Dunmore Bucks Football Program, and other Dunmore residents.

“None of this would have happened without the support of all the players, parents, grandparents and guardians, and donations from the great people of our borough and surrounding areas,”  said DeSando.

“We also need to thank members of Saint Anthony’s Park for the use of the park and facilities.”

DeSando’s efforts with the parents of Dunmore football players go beyond the bonfire/pep rally. Over the past several years and currently he and fellow parents make sure every football player and member of the coaching staff is provided with food and drinks after every home and away game.

Wings, pizza, and desserts are provided from Nina’s Wing Bites and Pizza, Dunmore, for every Friday home game. Hoagies from Riccardo’s Market, Dunmore, are provided for every away game.

“We load up everything on a pickup truck and distribute it to the players as they walk on the bus,” said DeSando. “A lot of it is donated.”

DeSando said it is a labor of love for him and the other Dunmore parents.

“We have all been involved with these kids since Midget football. We watched them grow up. We coached them as Junior Bucks. We all love helping the kids and coaches. We make sure the players, coaches and managers eat and have a drink after every game. They need it. It’s a great feeling when these kids thank us. And they thank us every time. It never fails.

“It’s really about the entire community coming together for these kids. It’s an effort put together by a lot of good people and parents in this town.”

Dunmore football players and staff are more than appreciative.

“The bonfire was a big thing for our community,” Dunmore senior football player Danny Pigga said. “It was a good time. Everyone was there. It went over big with the community and got us ready for a big football game that we won.”

DeSando’s son Domenic said he is thankful. “I am impressed how much my dad gives of his time to help us,” he said. “And all of the players are appreciative of the efforts of all the parents who help out.”