During the 2005 season, Clarkstown High School South's home field was named after Thomas DePatto who passed away in November, 2003. Some people in the county may remember Thomas DePatto as the first athletic director at Clarkstown South while others may remember him as Coach DePatto, the first varsity baseball coach at South. Whichever it may be, he was a man that has touched many lives both on and off the athletic fields.
         Thomas DePatto, a native of Garnerville, New York , was a talented young athlete who played baseball and basketball at Haverstraw H.S.. Upon graduation in 1960, Tom attended Ithaca College where he excelled as a pitcher. In 1964 he graduated with a degree in Physical Education and Health & Recreation. Shortly after graduation, Tom met his wife Mary Lou while working as a recreation director. Mary Lou and Tom started a family and raised two loving children, Todd and Lew Ann.
In 1967 Tom was hired by the Clarkstown Central School District and was a teacher at Clarkstown H.S. North. Upon the districts completion of Clarkstown H.S. South, Tom moved to South in 1971 as a teacher and department chair. In no time at all, Tom not only was the department chair for South, but he was appointed athletic director and director of physical education for the district. During this time, Tom expanded athletic programs from both men and women, developed facilities (gym, stadium, track, playing fields), and improved the physical education program.
        On the playing field, Tom coached the Clarkstown South baseball team for fourteen years. As he developed young athletes to improve both on and off the field, he also guided the 1978 Vikings to their first league and divisional championship.
While Tom devoted much of his time to the game of baseball, he was also had a passion for wrestling and cross-country. Tom kept himself busy during every season as he coached the varsity cross-country team in the fall season and coached the varsity wrestling team in the Winter season. During his tenure, Tom posted a county and state championship in cross country and a state champ in wrestling.
        According to a close colleague, “Tom always made decisions that were in the best interest of kids”. Coach DePatto was an inspirational individual who will always be remembered as his name will forever sit above the Clarkstown South’s baseball field.