Prospective Families Athletics Staff
Bryan Straub
Athletic Director
Bryan started at Crestwood in the summer of 2014 as the Basketball Director. During his time at Crestwood, campers loved learning and playing basketball with Bryan. He has over 20 years of experience as a NYC physical education teacher, Dean, and coach. Bryan received a degree from SUNY Cortland and CUNY Queens College plus holds an administration license. Crestwood is lucky to welcome Bryan back as our Athletic Director for the summer of 2023 and he is looking forward to his return!
Brad Shafran
Tennis Director
Brad Shafran, affectionately known as "Coach Brad" to his beloved campers / students, has served as the Director of Tennis at Crestwood since 2012.. He is a former full-scholarship Division 1 player at George Washington University and has been playing the game for 40 years and teaching it for over 20. He is still active in local leagues and is among the top-ranked players on Long Island. His love for the game is infectious - as demonstrated by all the smiling faces on our tennis courts!
Jesse Corben
Preschool & Kindergarten Sports Director
Jesse has been part of the Crestwood family since 2018. This year will be his 15th year as a Physical Education Teacher in the Hewlett-Woodmere School District. He attended Adelphi University for both his Undergrad and Graduate Degree and played lacrosse there where he was a first team All-American. Jesse has two sons who attend Crestwood. He loves everything about camp but his favorite part is seeing the happiness on the campers and his children's faces everyday. And lunch! Jesse and his family are super excited for another exciting fun summer at Crestwood.
Chris Lee
Baseball Director
Chris has been the baseball/softball director at Crestwood since 2015. There's no other way he would spend his summer than at Crestwood. During the year he is a Physical Education Teacher at a K-8 school for NYCDOE which he has been for 21 years! Chris is also an Adjunct Exercise Science Professor for Queens College which he has been doing for 18 years. Lastly, before coming to Crestwood he worked as a Head Counselor and Baseball Director for 10 years at Camp Wayne For Boys. He is excited for another great summer!!
John Devito
Sports Specialist / Soccer
John is a graduate of WestChester University Pennsylvania with a B.A. Degree in Health and Science and also holds a Masters Degree from Adelphi University in Physical Education. John currently teaches Physical Education at P.S. 166 Elementary School in Manhattan on the Upper West Side. John joined the Crestwood team in the summer of 2018. His background at camp includes soccer, lacrosse, baseball, and kindergarten sports. When not at camp during the summer, he spends his time with his family, at the beach, playing club lacrosse, and trailing his mountain bike onto the next journey.
Michael Cohn
Golf and Sports Specialist
Michael started at Crestwood in 2023 as our Golf and Sports Specialist. Since 2005, he has been a Physical Education teacher. Michael also is an Assistant Athletic Director at the Browning School and he coaches soccer, basketball, and baseball. He received his Masters from Queens college in Physical Education. Michael is passionate about all types of sports and has been involved with camps his whole life. He is grateful for the opportunity to share his love of sports with our campers, including his sons, who both attend Crestwood as well.
Mike Lacher
Sports Specialist / Floor Hockey
Mike Lacher has spent many summers at Crestwood. First as a counselor then group leader and since 2007 as our hockey specialist. Mike grew up playing both Dek hockey and Ice Hockey for leagues throughout Long Island, winning many championships and earning many honors. Mike loves teaching the campers the skills and rules of the game, keeping safety in mind. During the year Mike drives for a school bus company and roots for the Rangers, as he is a die hard fan!!!
Thomas Venezia
Hot Shots Gymastics
Hotshots Gymnastics has been part of the Plainview community since 2005 developing gymnasts of all calibers. Hot Shots’ Coach Thomas Venezia has been a part of Crestwood since 2019 coaching and overseeing our gymnastics program Thomas started doing gymnastics at the age of 2 and was also on the Men’s competitive team at Hotshots. Thomas has been coaching recreational gymnastics at Hotshots in Plainview for 9 years. His enthusiasm for the sport shines through to his students and he is a favorite of the children both at Hot Shots and Crestwood.
Tiger Schulman
Karate
Shihan Nicholas Gravina began his martial arts training as a teen and has been teaching for over 30 years. He brings over three decades of teaching expertise to his role as Owner and Head Instructor of Tiger Schulmann’s Syosset studio. Shihan Gravina and his martial arts school has been a staple in the community and he’s glad to share his knowledge with the Crestwood community. Joining Shihan at Crestwood is Joshu Diana Zhivanaj who started her martial arts training as a teen and has been training and teaching martial arts for 15 years. Joshu Zhivanaj has worked with Crestwood over the last 5 years, running their pre-school Karate program throughout the school year. Joshu Zhivanaj says she loves teaching martial arts because it allows her to “bring out the self-confidence and potential in students that they might not see in themselves.” Chase Goodelman will also be spending his summer with us. He began his training in martial arts when he was only 3 years old. Chase has also been a life-long camper at Crestwood. Chase is eager to share his many years of martial arts experience with the young Crestwood campers. “Crestwood feels like home to me!”
