Plainedge QB Dan Villari celebrates signing with Michigan, 'a dream come true'
Plainedge quarterback Dan Villari began the season on a quest to reach his summit. The long and memorable journey was completed on Wednesday.
He reached base camp on his own over the summer with hard work to develop his body and his skills.
Together with lifelong friends as teammates the Red Devils captured the Long Island Class III championship. In the process Villari became a much sought blue-chip recruit. He finally reached his peak on Wednesday when he signed a National Letter of Intent with the University of Michigan.
The celebration of the journey came Thursday at his home in Massapequa where family, friends, teammates and coaches gathered to look back on his journey, pose for photos and share food and laughs.
“This is how it should be . . . and it’s special,” said Tim Villari, Dan’s father. “To see your son working so hard and doing the things he did to reach this dream. . . . It was a dream come true for us.”
“It’s a great accomplishment, what he did,” said Maria Villari, Dan’s mother. “Everyone here saw all that Dan did to get to realize his dream.”
Villari had to send his letter Wednesday, National Signing Day, and called it “the moment my dream came true.”
Plainedge's Dan Villari, with parents Tim and Maria, signs with the University of Michigan on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
It was the final moment of a season where he rushed for 1,495 yards and 25 touchdowns and passed for 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns. The last days of the fall saw him lead the Red Devils past Sayville at the LIC, capture the Thorp Award — given by Newsday to Nassau County’s most outstanding player — and consummate the six-week courtship with the Wolverines.
Joining him at the celebration with his parents were his brother Dylan, and grandparents Rosa and Carmelo Bari along with six teammates: Braden Clark, Chris Gentile, Donovan Pepe, Doug Elsesser, Joe Cavaliere and Vince Dimarco.
“Ever since we were six years old and playing on the Bobcats [a youth team], this is how we drew it up: 12-0,” Dan Villari said. “It’s a surreal feeling. . . . And the Thorp? They deserve it as much as I do. I wouldn’t be where I am without my teammates.”
As last summer started, Villari couldn’t even really see the summit he stands on now. He appeared headed for Fordham and the great education that comes with playing there. But he had always believed, as he said, “I could play at the highest level.”
Plainedge's Dan Villari, fourth from right in yellow, poses with some of his coaches and teammates after signing with the University of Michigan on Thursday, December 19, 2019. Credit: Peter Frutkoff
He got the chance to glimpse the dream last weekend with a visit to Michigan's Ann Arbor campus.
“It’s state of the art facilities and a giant stadium — The Big House — and it seemed like the biggest place in the world,” he said. “Every place they took me was like something you’d never seen. It was that and the education and the national attention. That’s why everyone is attracted to it.”
Villari said that he was stunned when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh had mentioned him in a conversation with Plainedge coach Rob Shaver and meeting him on a home visit only fueled his desire to be a Wolverine. Now, he said, “I can’t wait to start my four years with him.”
“I just always knew this was going to happen,” Villari said. “I just had to be patient.”
Roger Rubin returned to Newsday in 2018 to write about high schools, colleges and baseball following 20 years at the Daily News. A Baseball Hall of Fame voter since 2011, he has covered 13 MLB postseasons and 14 NCAA Final Fours.
