RIDER REPORT

The inaugural season of the CIC Football Team, bringing together student-athletes and coaches from Ichabod Crane and Chatham Central School Districts, will be remembered as far more than the launch of a new program. It became a season defined by resilience, bonds and the creation of a true brotherhood.

Head Coach Tom Call described the year as “a tremendous success,” noting how seamlessly the team blended.

“We were able to blend student athletes from two different school districts to become one,” Coach Call said. “There’s several moments throughout the season that showcased how successful this merger was. One of those moments was when the team created a ‘Let’s Go CIC!’ chant. That’s when I knew how unified our team truly was.”

One of the defining highlights came during Ichabod Crane’s Homecoming game, when CIC erased a 19-point deficit late in the third quarter to defeat Gloversville in a dramatic finish.

“Players from both school districts played a major role in the comeback,” Call added. “As an Ichabod alum, I am used to the 'ICC!, ICC!' chant. It was a really great feeling to hear a 'CIC! CIC!' chant throughout the comeback.”

Associate Coach Jordan McComb echoed the pride in the team's progress, recalling the season opener at Chatham as a powerful statement.

“There were sports writers inside Section II who projected us to win zero games,” he said. “To come out and dominate right out of the gate was incredibly rewarding. The kids bought in from day one.”

He, too, will never forget Ichabod’s Homecoming comeback – from Sean Harrington forcing the fumble to get CIC the ball back, to Avery Ackerly orchestrating a 99-yard drive to give the team the lead with under a minute to play, to the game-winning catch by John Brusie.

“It was a surreal feeling being a part of the comeback from the sideline,” Coach McComb said.

A Season Defined by Brotherhood

Players shared the same sentiment: CIC’s first year wasn’t just about wins and losses – it was about creating something lasting.

Avery Ackerley from Ichabod Crane, the team’s quarterback, described the season as unforgettable: “It was full of love and memories I’ll never forget. The thing that stood out the most was the bond, everyone from both schools got together, it was a brotherhood.”

He said the support from both communities made a lasting impact too. “The parents, the fans, the kids, the players, it was all a success.”

“It was a season to remember,” said Thomas Pierro, a running back and corner from Chatham. “Sports writers predicted us to go 0-9. No way I was going 0-9 my senior year.”

His favorite memory, echoing coaches and teammates, was the Gloversville comeback.“We were down by 19 in the 3rd quarter and we could have given up. But piece by piece we came back … I’ll never forget the locker room after we won.”

He emphasized that the CIC community’s support never wavered. "The CIC community was always supportive. We had parents supporting us every week with team meals. The coaches were always doing their best for us everyday. I never doubted our community."

Liam Wasson from Ichabod, a fullback, said the team’s determination was central to their success. “Each player knew we had to work together if we wanted to have a successful season. The fight and relentlessness the team had when we were down in score really showed a lot."

He also noted the overwhelming support from both Chatham and Ichabod Crane, calling it an essential part of the season.

“It would be near impossible to watch us throughout the season and figure out we were two school districts combined,” Coach Call said.

From chants echoing across fields to comeback victories and lasting friendships, CIC’s first season set a powerful tone. It was a beginning marked not just by success on the scoreboard, but by bonds, brotherhood and the birth of a new tradition that both districts can celebrate.

In November, Middle School students had an exciting opportunity to learn firsthand about STEAM and skilled trades careers during a visit from guest speaker Steven McCagg, General Manager at Cummins, a global company known for its high-performance engines.

Mr. McCagg spoke with classes throughout the day, sharing insights from his career while students also engaged in hands-on learning by building LEGO engines.

A graduate of Ichabod Crane’s Class of 2001, Mr. McCagg lives in Ghent and holds an associate degree in industrial hydraulics from SUNY Cobleskill. Before joining Cummins 2.5 years ago, he spent more than two decades in the construction industry.

Mr. McCagg said he was excited to return to his alma mater, especially after some encouragement from his daughter, who had been asking him to visit her school and share more about his work. “It was a great visit to let the kids know what types of jobs are in the trades.”

Middle School Technology Teacher Jared Bevington emphasized the lasting value of these experiences.

“When we host visits like this, one of the greatest benefits is how they broaden students’ understanding of what a successful career path can look like. Many young people grow up hearing that a four-year college degree is the only route to a stable, well-paying job and that simply isn’t true,” Mr. Bevington said. “Experiences like this one help students see the full range of opportunities available to them, including skilled trades and technical roles that offer real advancement, competitive salaries and, in many cases, paid training or apprenticeships instead of college debt.

This work aligns closely with the district’s long-term vision for hands-on, career-connected learning. The proposed Capital Project includes a major reimagining of the Middle School Engineering Technology Lab, featuring dedicated spaces for wood and metal fabrication, computer-assisted design, 3D printers, CNC engravers and expanded storage to support more robust STEAM programming.

On behalf of Ichabod Crane, we extend our sincere thanks to Mr. McCagg for taking time out of his schedule to inspire our students and share his story.

We wrap up this year’s New Hire Spotlight by celebrating another amazing group of Ichabod Crane staff members!

Bridget Bashford works as a one-on-one Registered Nurse in the Primary School. After working at Albany Medical Center for a decade, she joined the Ichabod Crane team and is thrilled about it. She still works weekends with The Community Hospice. She is married with four kids (in all three ICC buildings). Fun Fact: I’ve read 91 books so far this year and my goal is 100 (I’ll make it)! I have a new love for cycling and my furthest ride is 30 miles so far.

Bruce MacIntosh joined Ichabod Crane as a bus driver in 2024. After decades of working in global business development for commercial audio and video equipment, he decided to embark on a new chapter, which he describes as a challenging and rewarding experience. He has been married for 38 years and raised six children in Kinderhook. Fun Fact: You may have seen our animals, children’s projects or even met one of our children at the 4H Milk Bar at the Fair.

Tom Seamon joined the district’s Transportation Department as a substitute school bus driver in March 2025 and accepted a full-time school bus driver position in September 2025. Previously, he was a dairy farmer in Kinderhook and a member of the Facilities Departments at the College of St. Rose and Darrow School in New Lebanon. Fun fact: I enjoy reading, gardening and most outdoor pursuits.

Michele Amoroso became a bus driver at Ichabod Crane in June 2025. Before coming to ICC, she worked in banking for 35 years as a retail licensing underwriter. She has been married to her husband for the last 28 years and they have one daughter. Fun Fact: I like taking vacations on our Harley Davidson Trike, which is a great way to see the country.

We’re excited to announce that applications for the 2026 Wall of Fame are now open!

The deadline to submit is Friday, January 23, 2026. You can find the application and all the details about the Wall of Fame here.

District alumni, former employees and community members are eligible to be nominated for the Wall of Fame. The Wall of Fame recognizes the contributions and achievements of a diverse group, including graduates, former employees and community members. These individuals, through outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields or dedicated service to the district, serve as inspirational figures for our students.

The Wall of Fame Committee is made up of Board of Education members, staff in various instructional and non-instructional positions, students and parents/guardians/community members. Nominees must receive 70 percent of the committee vote to be selected.

Wall of Fame Inductees have shaped the lives of countless students through their dedication to education, mentorship and service!