Providing opportunity after tragedy: MHS19 Foundation offers scholarships to varsity athletes

MARBLEHEAD, MA – If you have never stepped foot on the Tedesco Country Club grounds, you might as well wait until next year – right around the week of June 5th, to be exact. That’s when Marblehead’s largest event of the year graces the grounds of the breathtaking course with a charity golf tournament in memory of beloved student & talented athlete, James Galante.

“When we first asked Tedesco wether they had a tournament available they said they had one date: June 5th, his birthday,” smiled Jim Galante, James’ father. “The amount of support that we’ve received from the community over the last 2 years has just been overwhelming.”

Tragically, James Galante passed away following a car accident at just 18 years old – two weeks after he had been committed to Denison University to play football. “The tragedy of James’ death is something that everyone in this entire North Shore area came together to support the Galantes and to remember James in a significant way,” shares his former headmaster of Brookwood School, John Peterman. “James was always full of energy, but the thing you have to know about the Galante family is they are the sweetest family that I have ever dealt with in 23 years.”

To carry on James’ legacy, the Galante family established the nonprofit that today has raised nearly $80,000 to provide graduating seniors who are varsity athletes with scholarships to chase their dreams. “Let’s face it money doesn’t grow on trees and a lot of these kids that are going to school-and these scholarships can help defray some of these costs,” says Stellato. “It’s also sprinkling a little of James wherever those student athletes go.”

From extravagant raffle prizes to a sophisticated dining experience overlooking the prestigious course, the MHS19 Golf Tournament has become Marblehead’s biggest event of the season – selling out in just a matter of weeks. “There’s a trip to St. Andrews Scotland, we have round trip all expenses paid to Las Vegas,” says Jim. Also featured in the raffle were floor-level Celtics tickets, several Bruins tickets, and gift cards donated by various local businesses.

Yet the fact that this event sells out so quickly comes as no surprise once you start to learn a little bit more about who James Galante was. An exceptionally talented athlete, James had played an instrumental role in the 2021 win of the Massachusetts Divison 3 Super Bowl Championship at Gillette Stadium for the Marblehead Magicians and has been described as humble and dedicated to his sport. His best friend, AJ Andriano, recalled a moment where James secured a game-winning touchdown for their team. “James intercepted their quarterback to win the game and I just remember him throwing his hands up after and we just grabbed each other and he was so excited.” Yet despite his success, “He never bragged on the field, he was always quiet,” recalled his father Jim.

It was a thought echoed by NFL Sports Agent & Author Sean Stellato, who assisted in training James off the field. “He was a tough kid, and I put him though a killer speed workout and he left it all on the field. After he got sick, he was like ‘I wanna go out and continue’ – and that was the kind of kid he was.”

Today, the Galante family continues to provide these scholarships as a way to continue James’ legacy. “He really made a big impact on other peoples’ lives,” recalls his mother, Lisa. “We just hope they can provide the opportunity to the kids they are given to that James would have had.”

Based on the sold-out response the the yearly tournament that continues to provide varsity athletes in support through a sense of community that is truly unrivaled, Stellato says it’s safe to assume the scholarships will continue to honor James’ legacy for years to come. “When good people get together, that’s when great things happen.”

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