The late David “Agarn” Crisafulli ’81 titled his autobiography Good Enough.

A close friend and former baseball teammate wants his legacy to be much more than good enough. Richard Lashley ’80 spearheaded the David “Agarn” Crisafulli ’81 Fund, in collaboration with former coach Walter Nitardy and current skipper Frank Paino.

“I wanted to do something to memorialize him and baseball was the obvious choice,” said Lashley, who played outfield with Crisafulli at Oswego. They remained lifelong friends.

David "Agarn" Crisafulli '81

Once endowed, the fund will benefit the Oswego baseball team in perpetuity. A large part of Good Enough recounts Crisafulli’s career as a student athlete and, briefly, as a minor league ballplayer.

“This is a permanent legacy that memorializes Agarn, but also helps defray the costs of running the baseball program,” Lashley said. “As a former player I know that a little money goes a long way — whether for equipment or to pay for travel to another game.”

In addition to being a talented and competitive player, Crisafulli had a “larger than life” personality that made him a friend to many, Lashley said. He hopes in addition to former baseball players who have been solicited, others will honor Crisafulli with a gift.

Donations may be sent to the SUNY Oswego Office of Development or online. Designate gifts for the David “Agarn” Crisafulli ’81 Fund in the memo line of checks or in the appropriate space on the online giving form.

“Coach Nitardy racked up 503 career wins at Oswego State and he was our mentor, leader and role model,” Ted said.

Three baseball greats got together this summer. From left are Ted Grinnell ’60, Coach Emeritus Walter Nitardy and Fred Parrow ’60.

“Ted was an outstanding right-handed pitcher and I was one of those notoriously wild and wacky lefthanders,” said Fred. “We had a talented team in the late ’50s.

“Coach Nitardy always placed an emphasis on playing to win, playing fair and maintaining a focus on our studies,” Fred reflected. Nitardy was a strong influence on the two men, who went on to take his winning advice and create successful careers.

The work ethic he practiced under Coach Nitardy stood Fred in good stead at Shell Oil as he beat out Ivy Leaguers on his way up the career ladder to a top position in the oil company. His 36 years at Shell, which began with a letter he wrote as an Oswego senior, would take him from Albany to Worcester, Mass., and from Seattle to Houston.

“Coach Nitardy was one great person. We all looked up to him and he always was there to help,” said Ted, who went on to a 33-year career in teaching technology education. During six years in the Sodus district, the Oswego Baseball Hall of Famer coached baseball, and while at Horseheads for 27 years, he spent some time coaching soccer.

The years melted away when the three finally reunited this past summer. “We came together as old friends with a common Oswego State bond that allowed us to make a new memory that will always remain fresh in our minds,” concluded Fred.

— Michele Reed