Farmingdale coach Buddy Krumenacker is man behind the Dalers' fighting spirit
Farmingdale varsity football head coach Buddy Krumenacker smiles after his team's 34-23 win over Oceanside in the Nassau Conference I final against Oceanside at Hofstra on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2015. Credit: James Escher
Buddy Krumenacker stood for a moment after the final whistle and watched his players walk somberly off the field.
He greeted each one individually with a hug and a tap on the helmet. He whispered to each one, "You did your best."
Despite losing, 47-28, to Longwood in the Long Island Class I championship Sunday night, the Dalers held strong until that final whistle, scoring the final 14 points of the contest. The Farmingdale faithful kept Stony Brook's LaValle Stadium loud, even in the waning minutes.
"They didn't quit at all," Longwood coach Jeff Cipp said. "They fought to the very end."
Krumenacker was the man behind the Dalers' fighting spirit. The Farmingdale coach has been at the helm of the Dalers football program for 23 years, dating to 1993. He has made it to the Class I championship eight times in that span, going 1-7.
Although the results haven't been ideal, Krumenacker's steady presence as the face of Farmingdale football has created a lasting culture.
"We've got a program where they come up thinking they have a chance to be a champion, and they work toward being a champion every year," Krumenacker said.
Senior wide receiver Frank Trocchia has fond memories of his time in the program, saying that Krumenacker helped shape his experiences.
"He keeps our heads up," he said. "He tells us what to do when we're down. He's just an all-around great coach. No matter what he says, it's always great news."
Seniors such as Trocchia, Tommy McPartland, Steve Kunz, Christian Hernandez and others have helped keep the Farmingdale program at the pinnacle of Nassau football.
Krumenacker has a simple message for those seniors.
"You thank them," he said. "You thank them for what they've done and for all that they've put into this."
