| James C. Metzger | |
| Birth Date: | 18 February 1959 |
| Birth Place: | New York, U.S. |
| Known For: | Businessman and philanthropist |
| Alma Mater: | Hofstra University |
| Occupation: | Founder, Chairman & CEO The Whitmore Agency, LLC |
James C. Metzger (born February 18, 1959) is an American businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder, chairman and chief executive officer of The Whitmore Agency, LLC a Long Island insurance brokerage and financial services firm that opened during 1989. Metzger is a former USILA All-American Team college lacrosse player at Hofstra University and an multi-sport athlete at Half Hollow Hills High School East (Half Hollow Hills Central School District) in Dix Hills, New York. His high school lacrosse jersey (#21) and university lacrosse jersey (#56) have been retired at both schools. His high school football jersey (#21) also has been retired. Metzger has established financial endowments at both his high school and college alma maters. He is recognized as a leading athletics benefactor in New York State.
Metzger has been inducted into five athletics Halls of Fame and has had seven sports awards named in his honor. The National Football Foundation (NFF) Suffolk County Chapter and its top scholar athlete award also have been named in his honor. Metzger was named New York Metropolitan Area Philanthropist of the Year for 2018 by The Long Island Press, a Schneps Media publication.[1]
Metzger is a 1977 graduate of Half Hollow Hills High School East, where he was successful in lacrosse, football and basketball.
As a High School All-American lacrosse player, Metzger won the Lt. Ray Enners Award as Outstanding Lacrosse Player in Suffolk County, New York, for the 1977 season. His scoring average of 6.0 points per game was a school record and led Suffolk County (Public Schools). During that same year, Metzger set school records for points in a season, and assists in a game, season and career. Lt. Raymond Enners, a military hero, also played lacrosse for Hills East and later for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. During 2019, the school officially retired the jerseys worn by alumni Lt. Enners (#26) and Metzger (#21).[2]
Metzger also excelled in football. A three-year letterman as halfback and return specialist, he graduated as the school's all-time leading scorer and rusher. He was a Suffolk County All-Star running back, known for starting 25 consecutive games and rushing for 2,155 yards, scoring 27 touchdowns and four two-point conversions, totaling 170 points. Metzger's all-purpose yardage, career total offense that included receptions and returns, was 2,777 yards. He led the team in scoring in 1974, 1975 and 1976, and rushing in 1975 and 1976.
For 1977, Metzger was the only high school athlete to be selected and participate in both the Suffolk County North – South All-Star Football Game and the North – South All-Star Lacrosse Game. He started at running back on the North Football Team and started at attack for the North Lacrosse Team. Metzger, as a sophomore, also played basketball for the 1974–1975 school's varsity team in the Suffolk County Playoffs.
During the 2021 season, Metzger's football jersey (#21) was retired by the school. His touchdown record was broken during the same season by senior Dakim Griffin. For the season and playoffs, Griffin scored 35 touchdowns and helped lead the team to the Division II Championship game.
Metzger was recruited to play football by Syracuse, Cornell and Colgate. He was recruited to play lacrosse by Virginia, Army, Navy, Cornell, Penn State, Towson, North Carolina State and Hofstra University.
| Season | Class | GP ! | G | A | Pts | PPG | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Senior | 17 | 20 | 82 | 102 | 6.0 |
Following high school, Metzger attended the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Newport, Rhode Island. A starter at running back on the football team, he sustained a severe shoulder injury that ended his football career. However, he led the lacrosse team in goals, assists and points, and he received the team's Most Valuable Player Award. Metzger declined an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy to accept an athletic scholarship from Hofstra University.
Metzger was an NCAA Division 1 All-American lacrosse player at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. His sophomore year record-setting scoring average of 4.9 points per game still stands. Metzger's single season average ranks fifth in the history of the program and his single season assist average ranks eighth all time.[3] Metzger is one of only three players in the history of Hofstra's Men's Lacrosse to score eight or more points three times in one season. He also is one of only three Hofstra Pride men's lacrosse players to have his jersey retired. During the 1980 season, he recorded eight points in games against Penn State, Towson and North Carolina State.[4]
| Season | Class | GP ! | G | A | Pts | PPG | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Soph | 10 | 21 | 28 | 49 | 4.90 |
Metzger entered the general insurance, risk management and health insurance business during 1983 and founded The Whitmore Group, Ltd. in Roslyn Heights, New York, during 1989. Various media, including Long Island Business News, reported during 2011 that The Whitmore Group, now known as Whitmore Agency, was the seventh largest insurance brokerage business on Long Island. Located in Garden City, New York, Whitmore had more than 70 employees. On March 1, 2019, Whitmore was acquired by Acrisure, a financial, technology and insurance company in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[5] In the 2022 Business Insurance magazine published by Crain Communications, Acrisure was listed as the sixth largest insurance broker in the world.
Metzger is a frequent contributor to the educational and athletic programs at Hofstra University. During 2012, Metzger donated $1.5 million, the largest gift ever received by Hofstra Athletics. Hofstra named The James C. Metzger Fund for Capital Improvements[6] and The James C. Metzger Hofstra Lacrosse Endowment in his honor in appreciation of the gift.
Hofstra dedicated James C. Metzger Hall on April 7, 2015. Located on the west side of James M. Shuart Stadium on the Hofstra campus, Metzger Hall includes The Fried Center (second floor), stadium suites (third floor) and the stadium press box (fourth floor).[7] The Fried Center is the home for academic and career development pursuits and it also houses the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and the Athletic Department's community service program.
Metzger received the Hofstra Alumnus of the Year Award during 2016.[8] When The Hofstra University Athletic Hall of Fame inducted Metzger during 2015, he joined two fellow members, United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) All-Americans Doug Shanahan and Jerry Simandl, as the only Hofstra men's lacrosse athletes to be honored with a retired number.[9]
During 2012, Metzger received Hofstra University's Alumni Achievement Award,[10] a recognition presented to alumni who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of endeavor and/or demonstrated outstanding service to the university. A year earlier, he received Hofstra's Joseph M. Margiotta Distinguished Service Award. Named for a Hofstra student-athlete and supporter of the university, the award is presented in recognition of extraordinary dedication, generosity and service to the Hofstra Pride Club and Hofstra athletics.
During 2020, Metzger was honored, along with three other individuals, with a bronze bust on stadium grounds. Also honpored with busts were Hofstra luminaries James M. Shuart, former president of Hofstra University; Joseph M. Margiotta, former Hofstra football player and Hofstra Pride Club president, who also served in the New York State Assembly; and Howdy Myers, former Hofstra Pride athletic director, football coach and lacrosse coach. Myers also coached football and lacrosse at Johns Hopkins University and is a member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame.
Metzger's philanthropic involvement with Hofstra University began during 2007 with several special projects that addressed improvements for Joseph M. Margiotta Hall, the three-story, 22,500 square-foot building that is the main field house for Hofstra athletics.[11]
The Royle – Sombrotto Men's Lacrosse Locker Room at Hofstra were built that same year with funds donated by Metzger. According to Metzger, he wanted to memorialize the contributions to Hofstra lacrosse by two people who also had impacted his own life and career. One person is his coach, Harry Royle, who was Hofstra's Head Men's Lacrosse Coach from 1976 through 1985. The other person is Vincent Sombrotto, a college teammate and former professional sports player with Major League Lacrosse and the National Lacrosse League. Sombrotto is a member of the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame. According to Metzger, he had a will to win and a level of intensity that made him "the closest thing to a perfect lacrosse player that I have ever seen."[12] During 2019, Hofstra Athletics announced that Metzger provided an additional leadership gift to the university to support the renovation of the locker facilities. The project, completed and unveiled on January 13, 2020, features 48 new lockers and a complete remodel of the locker rooms. Metzger also established a matching gift campaign for alumni of the lacrosse program, with lockers named to honor former players.
The "Football and Lacrosse Traditions Project" at Margiotta Hall was created to showcase the history of the men's and women's lacrosse programs and the football program. The project, funded by Metzger during 2009, was named for Hofstra standout athletes Mike D’Amato ‘68 and Lou DiBlasi ‘61. D'Amato played defensive back for the New York Jets and was a member of its 1969 Super Bowl championship team. DiBlasi was Metzger's lacrosse coach and football coach at Half Hollow Hills High School.[13]
The Lacrosse Reception Room was named after Gary Arnold '83 and the Unterstein family. Arnold was Metzger's teammate at Hofstra. He was a four-year letterman in lacrosse and team leader in goals for 1981 and 1982. Following graduation, he served as an assistant coach under Harry Royle. The Unterstein family is the only family in Hofstra lacrosse history collectively to earn Coastal Athletic Association conference player of the year (Chris, 2006), defensive player of the year (Kevin, 2008) and rookie of the year (Mike, 2005). Chris earned 2005 first-team All-America honors while Kevin was an honorable mention All-American for 2007. Kevin also was a member of the 2018 United States men's national lacrosse team in the World Lacrosse Championship games. The three brothers participated in the USILA Senior All Star Game (Chris, 2006; Kevin and Mike; 2008). Funding for renovations of the reception room was provided by Metzger during 2009.
The Metzger-Huff Lacrosse Offices at Hofstra University were dedicated during 2010 and named for Metzger and Kevin Huff (Hofstra '78). Funding for the construction was provided by Metzger. When Metzger learned that Hofstra planned to name the lacrosse offices for him, he insisted that the facility also honor Huff, who was an assistant coach when Metzger attended the university. A Hofstra Pride football and men's field lacrosse standout, Huff was a National Collegiate Athletic Association two-time All-American in lacrosse. In football, he was an All-Eastern College Athletic Conference selection and Metropolitan Intercollegiate Conference Offensive Player of the Year. [14]
The women's lacrosse locker room was named to honor James C. Metzger during 2010 in recognition of his support of the Hofstra Pride Women's Lacrosse program.[15]
Half Hollow Hills High School East and West established the James C. Metzger Outstanding Player Award during 2011 as an annual recognition presented to the Half Hollow Hills Central School District's best lacrosse player.[16] During 2021, Half Hollow Hills High School East renamed its football offensive player award to honor Metzger.
Under the auspicies of the New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA), the annual James C. Metzger Leadership Awards for Nassau County Section 8 (NYSPHSAA) high school players are presented to one player on each of the eight teams that compete in the boys lacrosse championship finals.
The annual James C. Metzger MVP Awards are presented to high school players from Nassau County and Suffolk County (Section 11 NYSPHSAA) who participate in the Long Island Lacrosse Championship games.
The James C. Metzger Cup, as part of The Long Island Lacrosse Showcase, is presented to each winning team among the rising freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors of Nassau County and Suffolk County. The James C. Metzger Most Valuable Player Award is presented to a player at each game.
The James C. Metzger Award is presented to a player for the Hempstead, New York, Police Athletic League lacrosse team for fifth and sixth graders for "strong work ethic and improvement made throughout the lacrosse season."
The National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and Museum selected Metzger to receive its 2013 George Young Award. The recognition is presented to an individual, Jewish or non-Jewish, who has best exemplified the high ideals displayed by the late National Football League executive. Metzger also was inducted into the Hall of Fame with the Class of 2013 that included former professional football tight end Randy Grossman of the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame (SSHOF), in recognition of his high school athletic achievements, community service, continued success in athletics at Hofstra University, and for his business and philanthropic contributions on Long Island, inducted Metzger as part of its class of 2014.[17] Huntington, New York Town Hall on February 7, 2019 unveiled an SSHOF exhibit to honor HOF members from the town. Metzger was distinguished with a collage of magazines and newspaper clippings honoring his life and career. Also honored were SSHOF members Clark Gillies, Gerry Cooney, Emerson Boozer and Wesley Walker.
Metzger was inducted into the Nassau County High School Athletics Hall of Fame with the 2023 class, becoming only the second person to be recognized by both this Nassau County organization and the Suffolk Sports Hall of Fame. (Olympic gold medalist Al Oerter was inducted by Suffolk during 1990 and Nassau posthumously during 2016.) Also inducted with the 2023 class were Eamon McEneaney, Billy Donovan and D'Brickashaw Ferguson.
The Hofstra University Athletics Hall of Fame, in recognition of his performance on the field during 1979 and 1980 as a record-setting scorer and as an USILA All-American, and for his philanthropic contributions to the university, inducted Metzger with the class of 2015.
The Adelphi University Athletics Hall of Fame recognized Metzger as the 25th recipient of the Timothy L. Woodruff Lifetime Achievement Award during 2016. The honor recognizes "excellence in coaching, teaching and educating young adults while saluting an ambassador of sportsmanship and goodwill and stressing that the athletic experience enhances the educational experience and quality of life.”[18]
The Long Island Metro Lacrosse Foundation of USA Lacrosse inducted Metzger into the Long Island Lacrosse Hall of Fame as a member of the class of 2023. His nephew, Rob Pannell, former USILA National Collegiate Player of the Year and Premier Lacrosse League professional athlete, also is a 2023 inductee.
James C. Metzger Stadium, the new 1,000-capacity stadium at St. Anthony's High School, in South Huntington, New York, was completed during 2016. Metzger is not a St. Anthony's alum, but he has become a benefactor to that school. Raised in the area, Metzger said the school was the epicenter of his world, calling it "a great environment, great history, great legacy both academically and, of course, athletically..."[19]
At about this same time, Metzger and his company initiated support for the New York City Chapter of the National Football Foundation (NFF), sponsoring the Mr. Football New York City Player of the Year Award for the city's outstanding high school player. During 2019, in support of the NFF, Whitmore served as the presenting sponsor at the beginning of the 2019 Cortaca Jug, "the biggest little game in the nation" between the SUNY Cortland Red Dragons and Ithaca College Bombers. The November 16 game, the 61st edition of the contest, was relocated to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of college football and shatter the attendance record for a Division III football game.[20] As of January 2020, NFF's Suffolk County Chapter on Long Island was renamed the NFF James C. Metzger/Suffolk County Chapter. The chapter's prestigious Top Scholar Athlete Award presented to the annual outstanding high school football player also was named to honor Metzger.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America Long Island Chapter (BBBSLI) named the James C. Metzger and E. David Woycik Endowment Fund during 2010 after both gentlemen presented the single largest contribution in the organization's history. That same year, Metzger was honored as the Big Brothers Big Sisters Man of the Year and its Presidential Honoree. His philanthropic spirit helped the organization raise $300,000 at its annual Presidential Gala.[21]
The Boys & Girls Clubs of America Newark Chapter (BGCN) presented Metzger with its 2020 Cynthia M. Banks Award for Caring. Named for a long-time employee, the award recognizes people who support programs that improve the lives of children at the chapter.[22]