THE ASSIGNMENT sounded like fun: Pick the 25 most intriguing high school athletes to cross Long Island's landscape in the 20th century. It turned out to be agony. Couldn't get down to 25, so it grew to 30. Still not enough. Finally had to settle for 33. This was the real Mission Impossible.
First came the philosophical questions. Do you pick someone who excelled in high school but didn't go to college? What about a former whiz who was a bust in college? Do you go with a one-sport standout or swing more weight to versatility? How about late-bloomers, who rose to greatness in college or the pros. Should you eliminate them? If so, say good-bye to Julius Erving and Long Island's only Heisman Trophy winner, Vinny Testaverde.
Next came the monster: political correctness. Make sure you pick enough males. Make sure you pick enough females. Make sure you get enough from Nassau and Suffolk. Don't forget parochial and private schools. Try not to focus on football, basketball, baseball and track, although those were the sports most schools offered for the first half-century. Don't get trapped in the modern era; pick athletes from every decade.
Well, after months of research and agony, it was clear only one rule was applicable: There are no rules! Then the task became sheer enjoyment, traveling through the history of local sports, unearthing some gems and rediscovering the greatness of those whose deeds span the decades. Here is Newsday's select 33, presented in alphabetical order:
1. Derrick Adkins, Malverne, 1988: The Island's premier track star of the modern era. A three-time state outdoor hurdles champion, an indoor state champion in the 4x200 relay, and a five-time county indoor titleholder. He was Long Island's pride and joy after winning 400-meter hurdles in 1996 Olympics.
2. Ray Barbuti, Lawrence, 1923: A dynamic football and track star who once scored eight touchdowns in one game, still a Nassau record. After a fine career in both sports at Syracuse, Barbuti won gold medals at the 1928 Olympics in the 400 meters and the 4x400 meter relay.
3. Jean Bartholomew, Garden City, 1985: Golf, field hockey, basketball, softball. She did it all. ``The best female athlete I saw in 30 years,'' said coach Pam DeMarco. Scored 1,000-plus points in basketball, led the field hockey team in scoring and was a mainstay on the boys championship golf team. Now a pro golfer, she led the LPGA U.S. Open for two rounds in 1996.
4. Craig Biggio, Kings Park, 1984: Mr. Versatility. After three years at quarterback, switched to running back in his senior year and won the Hansen Award given to Suffolk's best player. Played five positions in three-year varsity baseball career. A seven-time All-Star with the Houston Astros at catcher and second base.
5. Joe Blocker, Hempstead, 1961: ``Closest thing to Jim Brown I ever saw,'' said former Valley Stream South coach Bernie O'Brien. An All-American in football, scored 1,433 points in basketball, was offered a baseball contract by the Phillies and was a standout in track. Later played for Montreal in the CFL.
6. Jim Brown, Manhasset, 1953: He could be Nos. 1-10 on this list. In a class by himself. The best basketball and lacrosse player of his era, and a track and baseball standout as well. Still holds Long Island's single-season basketball record of 38.2 points-per-game. And, oh yes, he was a pretty fair football player, too, at Syracuse and for the Cleveland Browns.
7. Bob Bury, Mepham, 1949: A relentless performer who won three Long Island wrestling crowns in three weight classes. He was a 135-pound all-county guard in football and a sprinter in track. Had a superb wrestling career at Syracuse where he placed in the Eastern championships three times.
8. Christine Curtin, Mepham, 1985: Won the Nassau cross country title, indoor 3,000-meter and outdoor 1,500-meter crowns as an eighth grader. By the time she was done, Curtin won 12 state cross-country and track championships, and the Kinney national cross-country title. ``She was the Michael Jordan of her sport,'' said coach Paul Limmer.
9. Ed Danowski, Riverhead, 1930: His legacy remains on the East End where he starred in football, basketball, track and baseball. Was a three-sport standout at Fordham and a two-time football All-American. Quarterbacked the New York Giants for eight years, leading them to NFL titles in '34 and '38. A two-time All-Pro.
10. Julius Erving, Roosevelt, 1968: After a good high school career, he grew into a pioneer. Dr. J changed the nature of basketball, from a game played below the rim to above the rim. His sweeping dunks with the ABA Nets and NBA 76ers inspired a generation of youngsters. Named one the NBA's 50 greatest players.
11. Boomer Esiason, East Islip, 1979: A three-sport high school star who won the Yastrzemski Award as Suffolk's top baseball player. Played QB at Maryland, then starred in the NFL. Boomer led Cincinnati Bengals to the Super Bowl in 1988 and was the league's MVP the same year. Picked for three Pro Bowls.
12. Herb FitzGibbon, Garden City, 1960: So you think no one's perfect. Think again. FitzGibbon played four years of varsity tennis and never lost a match. Along the way he won an unprecedented four state titles. He also starred in basketball.
13. Tracey Fuchs, Centereach, 1984: A baskeball and softball star and the country's top field hockey player. ``The best mental makeup of any athlete I've seen,'' said coach Nancy Cole. She holds four national records including most goals (82) in a season. A two-time Olympian.
14. Tom Gugliotta, Walt Whitman, 1988: After leading Whitman to a Suffolk basketball title, few people thought he would become a star at North Carolina State, which he did. Fewer still thought he'd play in the NBA, which he does. And no one thought he'd be an NBA All-Star with Minnesota, which he is.
15. Frank Haggerty, Chaminade, 1936: A baseball and basketball star, who died in World War II. ``Comparable to Phil Rizzuto as a shortstop,'' said former Newsday sports editor Bob Zellner. Captained both teams at St. John's. Signed a pro baseball contract but was killed in a plane crash in 1942.
16. Art Heyman, Oceanside, 1959: A four-sport athlete who was an All-American in basketball and an all-county soccer goalie. Led Sailors to county titles in both sports. A two-time All-American at Duke and college player of the year. Played with the NBA Knicks and Cincinnati Royals, and ABA's Pittsburgh Pipers.
17. John Mackey, Hempstead, 1959: Legendary football, basketball and track great who won the 1958 Thorp Award as Nassau's best football player. After an All-American career at Syracuse, Mackey redefined the position of tight end in the NFL with the Baltimore Colts. A Hall of Famer.
18. Adam Mariano, Comsewogue, 1989: An overpowering wrestler who also won the Hansen Award as Suffolk's top football player and stood out in track. His achievements during a five-year varsity career were staggering. He had a 168-9 record with 130 pins, and won three county and two state wrestling titles.
19. Shep Messing, Wheatley, 1967: He was at the forefront of the soccer revolution as a player and ambassador. Competed in soccer, wrestling and track in high school. He was the starting goalie on the 1972 U.S. Olympic soccer team before moving on to pro career with the Cosmos in the NASL and MISL Arrows.
20. Al Oerter, Sewanhaka, 1954: Threw the discus a then-record of 184-2 in high school. That was merely a sign of things to come. Won a gold medal in four successive Olympics, setting an Olympic record each time, a feat that stamped him as one of the sport's all-time greats.
21. Frank Urso, Brentwood, 1972: A sensational three-sport athlete and an all-time lacrosse great. Scored an incomprehensible 130 points at midfield as a high school senior. He was also a star halfback in football and a guard in basketball. A four-time college All-American, he led Maryland to two NCAA titles.
22. Marguerite Seff, Bay Shore, 1928: When girls sports were an afterthought, Seff stood out in basketball and track. Averaged 22.5 points while scoring a Long Island record 361 points in an era when whole team's rarely scored 20. She was light years ahead of her time.
23. Lisa Smith, Hempstead, 1983: A legendary basketball star who scored a then-state record of 2,418 points. During her four years, Hempstead won four county titles, two state crowns, built a 71-game winning streak and a phenomenal 92-3 record. Had a terrific college career at St. John's.
24. Randy Smith, Bellport, 1969: An all-county player in soccer, track and basketball. Set a then-state high jump record of 6-6. An All-American in soccer and basketball at Buffalo State who was drafted by teams in the NBA, NFL, AFL and NASL. Held the NBA record of 906 consecutive games played with the old Buffalo Braves until A.C. Green broke it this season.
25. Vinny Testaverde, Sewanhaka, 1980: Didn't start at quarterback until his senior year. Then he blossomed into a sensational passer at Miami and won the Heisman Trophy in 1986. Has enjoyed a fine pro career with Tampa Bay, Cleveland and Baltimore. Also played high school baseball.
26. Frank Viola, East Meadow, 1978: A three-year basketball and baseball star in high school. Pitched for St. John's, then signed with Minnesota. Was the World Series MVP in '87 and Cy Young winner in '88. Won 20 games twice and made three All-Star Game appearances in superb 15-year major league career.
27. Clarence (Foots) Walker, Southampton, 1970: A mythical figure on the East End. ``He was like a God,'' said Westhampton coach Rich Wrase. Led Southampton to two county titles and a 62-game winning streak. An NAIA All-American at West Georgia State before carving a solid NBA career with Cleveland and the Nets.
28. Sue Wicks, Center Moriches, 1984: Long Island's greatest female hoop star. Averaged 39.1 points as a senior including a 59-point outburst against Longwood. An All-American and college player of the year at Rutgers. Played for the 1988 U.S. Olympic team and now plays for the New York Liberty in the WNBA.
29. Wandy Williams, Malverne, 1964: This gifted football, basketball and track standout led the Mules to their first county hoop crown. Played football and basketball at Hofstra, then went to the AFL Denver Broncos. Only player named to Newsday's 25th anniversary all-Long Island football and basketball teams.
30. Billy Wilson, Lawrence, 1945: A wonderful five-sport athlete who earned 16 varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, track and boxing. He was the first African-American to win the Thorp Award (1944). Did not go to college but became a semi-pro star.
31. Carl Yastrzemski, Bridgehampton, 1957: Everyone knows about his Hall of Fame baseball career with Boston. Most folks don't know Yaz was a great high school basketball star. He led the Bridgies to three titles and scored a then-Suffolk record of 628 points (31 ppg) as a senior. He wasn't a bad pitcher either, throwing a no-hitter to win the county championship.
32. Frank Zachmann, Baldwin, 1935: ``The best athlete I ever saw except for Jim Brown,'' said Zellner. A natural in football, basketball, baseball and track. Quarterbacked Bruins to three football titles then became a semi-pro football and baseball star. Killed in LIRR train wreck in 1950.
33. Amos Zereoue, Mepham, 1995: Famous Amos set Long Island records for touchdowns (59), points (377) and rushing yards (5,360). Also played four years of varsity basketball and was a sprinter in track. The only football player to win the Thorp Award twice. One of the nation's top rushers at West Virginia this year. Should be a Heisman candidate next fall.