STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.— More than 100 people gathered at Staten Island Academy on Friday for the Todd Hack Memorial Game — a friendly soccer match held in honor of Todd Hack, the beloved longtime coach at Silver Lake Soccer Academy who tragically passed away last September.
An alumnus of both Silver Lake Soccer Academy and Staten Island Academy — where his son, David, graduated, and daughter, Gabrielle, currently attends — Hack was remembered by friends, family, former players, colleagues and childhood teammates who came together to celebrate one of Staten Island’s most respected coaches and an even better human being.
Chris Vega, President of Silver Lake Soccer Academy, called the event “more than just a soccer match — it’s a tribute to a beloved coach, mentor, and friend whose impact on our community continues to be felt every day."
“This event is a celebration of life, leadership, and lasting influence — and a chance for us all to give back in his name," Vega added.
The gathering also included a special moment as Silver Lake Soccer Academy awarded a memorial scholarship in Hack’s memory to Jason Consalvo, a recent graduate of The Michael J. Petrides School and a Silver Lake player. Consalvo will continue his education when he attends SUNY Cortland this fall.
Vega described Consalvo as “a young man whose commitment and character reflect everything Coach Hack stood for.”
Hack’s connection to Staten Island Academy was also especially significant. The school community has described him as a “proud Tiger through and through,” making it a fitting location for the memorial game.
Current SIA girls’ varsity coach and Silver Lake’s director of operations, Ken Granowski, who worked closely with Hack for many years, emphasized the coach’s profound influence.
“Todd had a huge impact on the girls he coached,” Granowski said. “He was an amazing mentor — a teacher, coach, father, and husband. He was the kind of man who tried to do it all for everybody.”
Granowski also reflected on how Hack influenced his own coaching methods: “I’ve been coaching for about 17 years, and I always looked at Todd as one of the elite coaches on the Island. We would talk tactics and anything we could do to help the kids improve.”
Credit was also given to Staten Island Academy for supporting the event. Granowski noted, “The school helped us out a lot with the whole event, ensuring a fun and meaningful day where proper tribute could be paid to Todd’s memory.”
Furthermore, Hack’s impact extended beyond the field. He was also a longtime fourth-grade teacher at PS 8 in Great Kills, known for leading integrated co-teaching (ICT) classes that combined special needs and general education students. His dedication in the classroom has been widely praised, further highlighting his commitment to mentoring youth both on and off the pitch.
Through the combined efforts of the community, family, and friends, the Todd Hack Memorial Game not only honored the legacy of a remarkable coach but also celebrated the lasting impact of a truly exceptional man.