Saturday, May 14, 2016, was a
special day at the Visitation BVM Parish School in Trooper, Pennsylvania, where
over 550 people gathered for a Dedication Ceremony in the school gymnasium to
honor John “Bing” Miller, 89, one of the founding members of Visitation and the
organizer and 20-year coach of Visitation’s extremely successful CYO Football,
Basketball and Baseball Programs.
At
the Dedication Ceremony, the school gymnasium was renamed John “Bing” Miller Hall as a tribute to the man affectionately
known as “Coach” to the thousands of Visitation athletes he guided.Many of his former players attended the
Dedication Ceremony and were referenced by name in Coach Miller’s “heartfelt”
thank you speech, including the Mascaro brothers, Sam Augustine, Frank Venezia,
Paul Piantone, John Talone, Tony Bello, the James brothers, and many, many more.
Miller
was overwhelmed by the love and support shown throughout the evening.He accepted the “Hall Naming” with humility
in front of his children, grandchildren, and a grateful community.
“I
have lived almost 90 years now, and nothing has given me more pleasure than
coaching Visitation’s young children for over 20 years.Today, those children may be in their 50s and
60s, and successful in their chosen careers, but I will always think of them as
young, energetic Visitation athletes who played their hearts out for me and
their school,” said Miller.
Introducing
Mr. Miller, with many personal remembrances of his own and his brothers, was
Pat Mascaro, the President of J. P. Mascaro & Sons.It was clear from his comments that
Visitation athletes from “yesteryear” love and respect Coach Miller.
The
Dedication Ceremony ended with a “Blessing” and “Grace” from Visitation
Monsignor Thomas Murray, after which the gymnasium emptied and the 550 guests
enjoyed a scrumptious Italian Dinner Feast, onsite under tent, catered by the
Collegeville Italian Bakery and provided by J. P. Mascaro & Sons.
All
of the $25,000 from Dedication Ceremony ticket sales will go to “Miller Hall”
gymnasium improvements, and an additional $25,000 was donated by J. P. Mascaro
& Sons for those improvements.
“By
any measure, this celebration ceremony was a ‘feel good event’ and a
fundraising success,” said Monsignor Murray.
Monsignor Thomas Murray and John “Bing” Miller accept a $25,000
J. P. Mascaro & Sons donation check from Christina Mascaro and
Katie Mascaro for improvements to the newly named John “Bing”
Miller Hall gymnasium at the Visitation BVM School.