Jerry Cahill
Encyclopedia
Gerard Cahill was born in Brooklyn, New York on June 27, 1956. He is the Volunteer Director for Grants and Scholarships at the Boomer Esiason Foundation (BEF) and the founder of Team Boomer, the organization’s athletic arm whose purpose is to raise money for BEF and the Exercise for Life Scholarship.
, a genetic disease that attacks the lungs and digestive system. The life expectancy for those diagnosed with the disease hadn’t yet reached 20.
Cahill attended grammar school at Holy Angels Catholic Academy
in Brooklyn, NY. He attended high school at neighboring Xaverian High School
. At the urging of his father, Cahill participated in football, baseball and basketball. He settled on track and field and eventually went on to compete for University of Connecticut
. He graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut
in 1978 with a degree in psychology
.
. By 2003, he was the company’s Vice President of Sportswear Sales. He continued to maintain an active lifestyle and competed as pole vaulter for the New York Athletic Club, where he achieved a personal best of 16’ 10 ¾”. But after 27 years in the apparel business, the grueling schedule and constant stress began to take its toll, and Jerry decided it was time to refocus his energies.
In 2004, he was forced to leave the apparel industry altogether due to complications with cystic fibrosis.
As part of his efforts to educate the greater public about cystic fibrosis, Cahill continues to produce his own podcasts, namely, Jerry Cahill’s CF Podcast and Jerry Cahill’s CF Wind Sprints. The CF Podcast highlights individuals within the CF community. The CF Wind Sprints provides the CF community with tips for living well with cystic fibrosis.
In May 2011, Cahill was named a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
.
In June 2011, Jerry Cahill was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association
(CHSAA) Hall of Fame for his contributions as a pole vault coach at Iona Preparatory School.
Early life
At age 11, Cahill was diagnosed with cystic fibrosisCystic fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis is a recessive genetic disease affecting most critically the lungs, and also the pancreas, liver, and intestine...
, a genetic disease that attacks the lungs and digestive system. The life expectancy for those diagnosed with the disease hadn’t yet reached 20.
Cahill attended grammar school at Holy Angels Catholic Academy
Holy Angels Catholic Academy
Holy Angels Catholic Academy is a co-educational school in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn. It has been serving the Bay Ridge community since 1924 and is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools...
in Brooklyn, NY. He attended high school at neighboring Xaverian High School
Xaverian High School
Xaverian High School is a private, college-preparatory school located in Brooklyn, New York The school was founded in 1957 by the Xaverian Brothers. The school is a member of the Catholic High School Athletic Association . Xaverian is governed by a president and board of trustees...
. At the urging of his father, Cahill participated in football, baseball and basketball. He settled on track and field and eventually went on to compete for University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
. He graduated cum laude from the University of Connecticut
University of Connecticut
The admission rate to the University of Connecticut is about 50% and has been steadily decreasing, with about 28,000 prospective students applying for admission to the freshman class in recent years. Approximately 40,000 prospective students tour the main campus in Storrs annually...
in 1978 with a degree in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
.
Early Career
Cahill’s professional career began to gain traction during his tenure with the apparel company Joseph AbboudJoseph Abboud
Joseph Abboud is an award-winning Lebanese American menswear fashion designer and author.-Family:The Abboud family was a working-class Christian Lebanese family that started out in the South End of Boston and later moved to the Roslindale section of Boston. Abboud's mother, Lila, was a seamstress...
. By 2003, he was the company’s Vice President of Sportswear Sales. He continued to maintain an active lifestyle and competed as pole vaulter for the New York Athletic Club, where he achieved a personal best of 16’ 10 ¾”. But after 27 years in the apparel business, the grueling schedule and constant stress began to take its toll, and Jerry decided it was time to refocus his energies.
In 2004, he was forced to leave the apparel industry altogether due to complications with cystic fibrosis.
Views and Beliefs
In December 2004, he joined the Boomer Esiason Foundation. He presently directs all grants and scholarships for the foundation. Under his leadership, BEF launched the Team Boomer in 2007 – Fighting Cystic Fibrosis athletic program, as well as the Exercise for Life scholarship for CF student-athletes. Jerry’s ultimate goal is ensuring that exercise and therapy compliance become a way of life for all people with CF. By 2010, the foundation’s athletic arm had raised a total of nearly $2 million.As part of his efforts to educate the greater public about cystic fibrosis, Cahill continues to produce his own podcasts, namely, Jerry Cahill’s CF Podcast and Jerry Cahill’s CF Wind Sprints. The CF Podcast highlights individuals within the CF community. The CF Wind Sprints provides the CF community with tips for living well with cystic fibrosis.
Awards
In 2008, Cahill was inducted into the Boomer Esiason Foundation’s Hall of Fame.In May 2011, Cahill was named a recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor
Ellis Island Medal of Honor
The Ellis Island Medal of Honor was founded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations and intended to pay homage to the immigrant experience. The medals honor the contribution made to America by immigrants and the legacy they left behind in the successes of their children and grand-children...
.
In June 2011, Jerry Cahill was inducted into the Catholic High School Athletic Association
Catholic High School Athletic Association
The Catholic High School Athletic Association or CHSAA is a high school athletic association made up of Catholic High Schools based in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester...
(CHSAA) Hall of Fame for his contributions as a pole vault coach at Iona Preparatory School.
External links
- 2011 Ellis Island Medal of Honor Recipients
- Boomer Esiason Foundation Team Post
- List of People Diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis