From Hardship to Outreach

Building Brighter Futures Within our Community

Lake Ronkonkoma, NY is in the heart of Long Island. It is also a community shared by two rival school districts, Sachem and Connetquot. Both districts are known for having especially strong school and community bonds. It is in this area where a group of friends from both school districts bonded over their shared love of sports. The cracking sound of softball bats are a common sound coming from the public fields of the town of Brookhaven where, together, they share one of their favorite pastimes.

Tragedy hit this group of friends early on when original softball club member, and Sachem Football Alum, Freddie Kemp, was lost at only 20 years of age to a car accident. Still, through the years, the group of friends continued to grow. Lifelong bonds were made, weddings and families soon followed. Sachem Arrows and Connetquot Thunder Birds marrying and moving into each other’s school district, solidifying the bond within the now very large group of friends. Then, tragedy struck again when another original softball club member and Connetquot Alum, Richie LaCasse, lost a valiant battle with cancer when he was only 46 years old.

Friends and family honored the memories of both Richie and Freddie by creating Scholarships in their name to help deserving Sachem and Connetquot student athletes. After many successful fundraising endeavors over time, the group organized a larger golf tournament to support the scholarships. This flagship golf outing was dubbed the 1st Annual “Battle of Lake Ronkonkoma” Golf Tournament as it pitted Connetquot Thunderbird Alums vs Sachem Arrow Alums, with the proceeds to benefit the Richie LaCasse and Freddie Kemp scholarship funds. The first event was held in memory of TBird great Rob Grable who had tragically passed recently and was a massive success.

And just like that, THUNDERARROW Charities was born!

FREDDIE KEMP

August 17, 1969 – September 26, 1989

Freddy was the youngest child of the three Kemp children, born to Fred Kemp Sr. and Charlotte. Mr. Kemp a native Long Islander and Charlotte – Kansas born and raised – met while attending Kansas State Teachers college in Pittsburg, Kansas. The Kemps made their way back to Long Island to start and raise a family. Eventually settling in Holbrook, where the adventure began.

Though Mr. Kemp was appointed the Head Football coach at Stony Brook University in the late 70s, the house was located in the outer reaches of the Sachem District and with Sachem Football building its dynasty in the early 80s, the Kemp household was a “Red, Black and Gold” epicenter.

The first Kemp child – John – set the bar, a 2 year starter at inside linebacker for the Arrows and the benchmark for how Sachem defensive players were to perform.

The Kemp’s second child and only girl – Mary – was of course a 2 year varsity football cheerleader.

And last but not least “Little” Freddy came along. It didn’t take long before Coach Kemp bestowed the nickname “Frogman” on lil’ Fred, due to the youngest Kemp’s ability to never sit still and his unlimited amount of energy.

The Frogman’s limitless motor served him well as he became the greatest ball boy Stony Brook Football has ever known, and a Brookhaven Football League quarterbacking legend as he donned the #10, and led the Cowboys to their 4th consecutive Super Bowl.

Fred’s athletic ability was on display at Seneca Junior High as he excelled in football, basketball and baseball. But with football being in his DNA and his passion, by his junior year, Fred focused on football and became a stalwart in the defensive backfield of the Sachem Varsity Football team. In his senior year, his dedication, heart and desire made him a leader of the 1986 football team that won the county title, pitching a shutout in the County Finals. To this day, it is known among Fred’s family, friends, and teammates, that one of Fred’s proudest moments was when the 1986 Arrows were awarded the Rutgers Cup, which signifies being Suffolk County’s best high school football team.

Fred went on to attend and play football at C.W. Post. And in 1989 – his junior year he again became a starter and leader for the Pioneer’s defensive backfield.

In the fall of ‘89 he was lost in an accident, and to this day, and every day after, he will never be forgotten. Not for the “what could have been”, his unlimited potential, or all the thoughts that follow a loss of a loved one gone too soon. BUT instead, as first a son, second a brother, and third as the greatest of friend and teammate!

With the Annual Fred Kemp Thanksgiving Turkey Bowl (1986-to present), The Fred Kemp Scholarship, and now the ThunderArrow Inc. golf outing, Fred – along with all of our lost Arrow and TBird brothers will always be with us! #10

RICHIE LACASSE

April 27 1968 – March 24 2015

Richie was born in Flushing NY, and at the age of six the family relocated to Ronkonkoma NY, and so his story begins….

He attended kindergarten at Cherokee Street School, where some of his lifelong friendships were created. As soon as he was old enough he started playing tee-ball, and he knew then his love for the game. He was known for his strong pitching arm, and played for St Joseph CYO, SYAG, and also was on numerous travel teams. Loving all sports he joined a football league and played as a running back for several years. He even enjoyed playing Deck Hockey in Centereach along with his brother Michael, and many other guys he met along the way, because of his engagement in sports.

Moving forward to adulthood and all its responsibilities, he managed to find the time to continue playing softball with many of the local people that were either former Connetquot or Sachem graduates. His biggest joy and satisfaction in life was that of father to his three beautiful children, Taylor, Dylan, and Gianna. Their existence made his life complete. When his son Dylan was old enough, Richie introduced him to baseball, was always the team coach, and loved seeing that he possessed the same passion for the game.

Richie embraced the simple things in life, family, cherished friendships, sports, physical fitness, and music. If you knew Richie you were drawn to him by his strong yet gentle spirit, smile, and willingness to always help his fellow man.

In an attempt to boost his morale following his health diagnosis, some of his dearest friends put together a softball team, called Cherokee Street, named after his elementary school where many of his lifelong friendships originated. Two years after his passing, the team retired as First-Place winners!!

Although his story on earth ended way too soon, we can all attest he lived and enjoyed life to the fullest, and gave all that knew and loved him wonderful memories to always keep his spirit alive.

#8forever