Laser Focused

I watched Coach Foley with tremendous pride and respect as he coached his Port Jervis Radier Wrestlers to the 2024 Section 9 Class B championship on this great night, January 10th, 2024.  The Banach Arena was filled with fans, several excited teams, the smell of wrestling, and an abundance of #PortPride.  Coach Foley was exceptionally sharp this night--decked in his Port gear, intense, confident, ready--AND LASER FOCUSED.  You could just see it in his eyes and body language that they were going to dominate this evening.  He bounced near the bench area, paced, and shouted instructions to his wrestlers.  The more intense the match got, the more Jon was dialed in.  He put his hands up near his mouth cupping his encouragement to his wrestlers.  There was a different pitch to his voice as he commanded them on the mat.  He was in charge and had the respect and attention of his guys and gals, our fans, and the many proud PJ wrestling alumni in the Banach Arena that night.

As the kids came off, there was a warm hug, a high-five, and a quick refocus for the next match.  Jon was excellent that night as he is in his day job as a Physical Education teacher at Port Jervis HS.

It is no surprise that Coach Foley shined this night.  He’s been working his tail off since he was a Port Jervis student-athlete years ago, class of 2005.  Jon was a 2-time Section 9 Champion and placed 6th in NYS at 152 lbs as a wrestler here for former Coach and Raider Jared Kahmar  He is a committed husband, father, teacher, coach, and more and we are proud that Jon is a Raider through, and through.

Coach Foley: Thank you for modeling #PortPride in all you do, on and off that mat.  #GoPort

  -Andrew Marotta

Director of Communications & Academic Services

Want to write a #PortPride blog spot?  We want this blog to be written by a variety of people connected to Port Jervis: students, staff, alumni, BOE members, community leaders, and more.  Have a recommendation for a person, program, place, or happening that should be written about?  Reach out to Mr. Marotta at amarotta@pjschools.org or via phone 845-858-3100 x5534