about

WELCOME TO SPORTS AND HEALTH IN THE CITY

Where Academic Success Meets Athleticism.

(501 (c)(3) Program and a New York City Department of Education Vendor) 

Mission Statement

Established in 2019, Sports and Health in the City have led numerous physical activities and nutrition programs in NYC public schools in Washington Heights. Our mission is to bridge the gap between education and athletics. Bringing awareness and providing knowledge of food and health justice to communities of color. We use STEM, sports training, and nutritional awareness; to foster more than just healthy lifestyles, we transform lives. Through our enrichment programs, athletic programs, food workshops, and social engagements; we connect with and empower our young community members, program participants, as well as their families.

Vision Statement

To create model citizens in our communities who understand the importance of our communities.

Goal

Develop well-rounded student-athletes coupled with diverse life skills, seeking acceptance into higher education.


Meet our team
 
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Founder and director

Diogenes “D” Montano

D has worked with the youth in New York City for about twelve years now. He obtained his Bachelors of Science in Business Administration concentrating in Sport Management from The College of Saint Rose in Albany. He also earned his MBA concentrating in Managerial Analytics in May from Mercy College. When D returned from receiving his undergrad degree in Albany, NY he was employed by New York-Presbyterian at the Columbia Campus, where he was a Patient Navigator in the Emergency Department and a Program Coordinator for the Gilead Hepatitis C Program. While working at Presbyterian he also was the Sports Director at PS 189M. Where he cultivated the idea of the nonprofit organization which is now known as Sports and Health in the City. He also serves as the Assistant Head Coach/ JV Head Coach for All Hallows High School Baseball Team. During the summer he is the Assistant Coach of the 5 Tool Player Development (5TP) Travel Organization, a program that sends high school baseball players to prominent baseball universities. Lastly, D assists the 5TP program with their training development program for baseball and softball players in the tri-state area. 

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” — Muhammad Ali

 

Education

All HALLOWS HIGH SCHOOL
Varsity Baseball, 2009

COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE
B.S. Business Administration, 2014

MERCY COLLEGE
MBA, Managerial Analytics, 2019

Activities & Affiliations

  • Commissioner of New York Presybertain (NYP)/ Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Us Sports Youth Development League

  • 5 Tool Player Development Travel Baseball Org, Asst. Coach

  • All Hallows High School, JV Head Coach + Varsity Asst. Coach Baseball

  • School in the Square, Head Coach Baseball

Achievements

  • DriveLine Baseball, Foundations of Pitching Certification

  • Coach of the Year Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Us SYDL

  • Led Ps 189M to 6 championships in NYP/ Turn 2 Us SYDL in baseball and basketball 2016-2020


 

Education Specialist

EMELY JOSE

Emely Jose has a Bachelors Degree in Science- Early Childhood Education. She has been working with children for the past eight years and it has been an amazing journey for her. She is currently an associate teacher for a 3K for all program. Emely guides young minds to a safe and nurturing environment that encourages their social, emotional, physical, and intellectual development. Her goal is always to create a warm and supportive classroom designed with children and families in mind. Working with children has always been a passion of hers and she is proud to say she is living it. Emely enjoys watching children flourish, learn, explore, and discover new things. “My goal is to educate young minds as they educate me as well.”- Emely Jose

“When one teaches two learn” by Robert Heinlein.

 

Education

HIGH SCHOOL
Central Park East, 2013

THE CITY COLLEGE OF NEW YORK
B.A. Early Childhood Education, 2022

Activities & Affiliations

  • The National Honor Society of Leadership and Success

  • Alpha Sigma Lamba National Honor Society

Achievements

  • Alpha Sigma Lamba National Honor Society (GPA: 3.8)

  • Degree Honors: Summa Cum Laude

  • Latin Honors Summa Cum Laude


 
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head of player development (basketball)

Pedro Perez

Pedro comes to us with extensive basketball experience and a resume. He has represented the Dominican Republic in the FIBA National Tournament as a player but also as an assistant general manager. As a player, he won rookie of the year in the SBL league in the Dominican Republic. Pedro has guided children from the Dominican Republic to come to the United States and receive higher education with scholarships, through basketball. An example is Angel Delgado who played at Seton Hall and with the Los Angles Clippers. Most notably Pedro guided the careers of Fransico Garcia and Luis Flowers (both played in the NBA). Also helped bridge the connection between Karl Anthony Towns and the Dominican National Team.

 

Education

LEHMAN COLLEGE

Activities & Affiliations

• Dominican Basketball Association, President
• NACO Club, General Manager of Basketball Team
• Dominican Basketball National Team, Assistant General Manager
• P.S 189M Basketball Teams, Assistant Coach

Achievements

• Received recognition from the Dominican Basketball Federation for being the US Ambassador for Dominican Players
• Has Lead Ps 189M to 6 championships. Has won 4
• 2006 SBL (Dominican Republic) Champions
• 2011 LML (Dominican Republic) Champions


 
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head of player development (basketball)

Andre “Pope” Pope

Three-time All-League and All-County honoree, Pope, is determined to share his basketball skills with those coming up after him. Earning team MVP accolades and scoring reputable points throughout his academic basketball experience impassions Pope to make these experiences possible for others. “Working with D, Pedro, and Steph helps me achieve that goal”.

 

Education

IONA PREP
Varsity Basketball, 2009

COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE
B.A. Communications, 2013

Activities & Affiliations

  • Coached modified, Junior Varsity and Varsity basketball at Masters High School from 2016-2019

  • PS. 189M Basketball Teams, Asst. Coach

  • Sports and Health in the City HS Basketball Team , Head Coach

Achievements

  • 3-year starter on varsity at Iona Prep

  • 4-year starter at the College of Saint Rose

  • NCAA Freshman of the Year, 2009

  • NCAA Tournament, 2010

  • 2 Championships in NYP/ Turn 2 Us SYDL

  • Champion Inwood Community Service HS Basketball League


 

Head of Player Development (Baseball)

Lance Montano

Lance Montano started his colligate career in a Junior College in San Francisco (Skyline College), which landed him a division 1 school (Coppin State) in Baltimore. Lance finished off his colligate career at The University of Rio Grande where he earned First Team honors and Gold Glove at first base. The team also won their conference. He later went on to sign a professional contract with the Evansville Otters in the frontier league. Lance also played with the Eastside Diamond Hoppers. He has played an exceptional role in our program and community helping the young men receive scholarships to universities and workouts with professional teams!

Activities & Affiliations

  • Head Coach of 5 Tool Player Development Scout Team

  • The Baseball Bureau: Scouting School

  • Head Softball Coach for School in the Square Middle School

Achievements

  • All-Conference 2015

  • KIAC Conference Champion 2015

  • Borough Cup City Champion 2022

  • Charter School Softball Champion 2022

Education

All Hallows High School
Varsity Baseball, 2012

Skyline College, 2013

University of Rio Grande, 2015

 

 

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Stephanie Abreu

Stephanie has worked at Verizon as an executive administrative assistant for many years after Verizon Stephanie volunteered at PS. 189 where she ended up working for the afterschool program. Stephanie started helping the basketball team as well as the Saturday program where she made a bond with the kids in the program. Stephanie has been in charge of all the paperwork that is needed to make sure the kids are able to travel and play as well as the kid’s attendance and safety. Stephanie is the team mom.

Activities & Affiliations

•Inwood Community Service
•DYCD

Achievements

• Certified Paraprofessional (NYCDOE)

Education

Martin Van Buren

City Tech- New York City College of Technology


 

Senior Leader of The Coaching Staff (Baseball)

Edwardo “Chuck” Gutierrez

Chuck Gutierrez has been in the field of baseball for over 50 Years! He attended Connors State College in 1982 and played baseball for the Cowboys. Transferred and played for Ranger Junior college in 1983. Received his associate’s degree at Pratt College before attending and playing for Kansas State University in 1985. In 1992 left for Canada to play professional baseball for the Gaulish Royals. From 1997 - 1999 worked with Alex Rodriguez and instructed in many of A-Rods baseball camps in Miami Florida. In 2000 took over the Head Coaching Job at All Hallows’ HS and been there for 23 years.
In the summer of 2011 took over a youth summer baseball program called the Bronx Bombers. Built the Bronx Bombers into a National Ranked organization before starting his own organization in 2022. Called CBB (Chucks Bronx Bombers).
Chuck has worked with many professional players such as Alex Rodriguez, Ivan Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran, Edgar Martinez, and many others!

Education

All Hallows High School
Varsity Baseball

Pratt Community College

Activities & Affiliations

•Founder of Chuck’s Bronx Bombers
• All Hallows’ Varsity Baseball Coach
•Head Coach of 5 Tool Player Development Scout Team

Achievements

  • CHSAA Champion

  • CHSAA Coach of The Year

  • Numerous Perfect Game Tournament Championships

  • Numerous Borough Cup Championships


 

collegiate Summer Baseball Coach

Brian Fajardo

Brian is a member of the community in Northern Manhattan his whole life. He was born, raised, and educated from his early stages to high school in the Inwood/ Washington Heights area. Safe to say he is passionate about his community. Brian is also passionate about the growth of the youth in his community. Not only does he train the young baseball players in the 5TP program but he is also our channel for continuing our services to the students once they graduate high school. Our post-grad program is made possible due to the effort of Brian partnering with collegiate summer baseball leagues. We are able to provide all of our post-high school baseball players participants a league to play in during the summer. This year he has now partnered with the biggest youth baseball program (The Perfect Game), where he will be coaching the Boonville Lumberjacks, upstate New York. This collegiate league has been ranked in the top five. It also allows our participants to gain further exposure outside of NYC.

Activities & Affiliations

•Boonville Lumberjacks (The Perfect Game Collegiate League), Head Coach
• All Hallows High School, Jv Baseball Asst Coach
•5TP Development, Trainer

Achievements

•2x NIBA Collegiate League Champion
•Coach of The Year NIBA Collegiate League, 2021
•Borough Cup Champion, 2022

Education

George Washinton Educational Campus

Lackawanna College


 

Player Development/Coach

Roberto“Robby” Bravo

“Robby” as he is affectionally known by the participants in the program is a catalyst to our program. He brings a lot of passion and hunger to our program. His motto is to strive for greatness. With ten-plus years of experience working with inner-city baseball players from the Bronx and Northern Manhatten, Robby is versed in pushing children in the right direction. Starting with the ages as young as six years old to training pro-level ball players, he has found a way to give back to his community in a positive matter. He also played the infield for four years at SUNY Old Westbury. Where he received a degree in Media Communications. Robby is a favorite in our program and we love that he is part of our team!

Activities & Affiliations

•New York Grays, Head Coach
•5TP Development, Coach/Trainer

Achievements

  • Greater Hudson Valley Basell League Champion, 2021

  • Borough Cup Champion, 2022

  • 4-year Letterman at SUNY Old Westbury

Education

Cardinal Hayes High School for Boys
Varsity Baseball

State University of New York at Old Westbury