TED VACARRELLA
Elite Climber
One reason many of us found North Shore Towers an ideal place to live was we could
say goodbye to the steps in our traditional two-story homes. Ted Vacarrella of Building
One climbs stairs for fun and in races. Stair climbing is one of the most grueling of sports,
requiring competitors to move their entire body weight vertically, as well as horizontally.
It all began in Paris in 1905, when 227 competitors ran up the 600 stairs of the Eiffel
Tower to reach the second platform. The winner did it in 3 minutes and 12 seconds. Today
there are building and tower races in most major cities.
Many of these contests raise money for charities. Ted has competed in several of them,
earning the coveted title, “Elite Climber.” Three years in a row, he won the Cystic Fibrosis
and American Lung Association Charity Races, climbing 106 flights in 6 minutes. He won
First Place five years later setting a record. When 22-years-old Ted ran up 110 stories in
Tower One of the World Trade Center in a little more than 14 minutes, 20 years later he ran
the Freedom Tower Climb in 15 minutes. He enjoys the many amenities at NST, including
the gym, movie theater, billiard room, pools and Arcade shops.
BY FRED CHERNOW
Photos courtesy of Ted Vacarrella
WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
I was raised in Ozone Park, Queens,
and then moved to Lynbrook, L.I. I grew
up in an Italian-American family with my
older sister. We are a close-knit family
who loves mom’s traditional meatballs
and sauce. My father worked as a plumber
and then as assistant plant chief for a
NYC Water Pollution Control Plant. He
was a recreational body builder. As a kid
I had two heroes, one fictional and one
real: Superman and my dad. Both taught
me moral lessons, and in addition, my
dad instilled in me the need to maintain
“a sound mind in a sound body.”
I attended Queens College, where I
earned a B.S. In Physical Education, and
then received a Master of Science from
Hofstra University. I loved running and
participated in track and field events in
high school. I still have a pair of lucky
running shoes which are twenty-fiveyears
old, and I wear them for special
races.
WHAT DID YOU DO
AFTER GRADUATION?
While student teaching at Townsend
Harris H.S., my professor at Queens
College asked me to establish a physical
education program at the prestigious
school, which I did.
When I got my Health and Physical
Education license, I was assigned to
a middle school in Queens. This is a
multi-ethnic school with a wonderful
motto: “Attitude is a little thing that
makes a big difference.” I help pupils
develop a positive attitude toward school
and exercise, as well as better eating habits.
Many of these students become the first in
their families to earn a college diploma. I am
proud of the championships my pupils have
won in soccer and volleyball. We’ve taken
them walking across the Brooklyn Bridge
and on a visit to a local supermarket, where
I point out the difference between health
and junk foods.
WHAT IS YOUR REGIMEN
FOR STAYING SHAPE?
I am in the NST gym regularly, lifting
weights twice a week and bike-riding
twice a week. I bench press 365 lbs.,
do 60 pull-ups and can do 200 pushups
per clip. My breakfast consists of
either a banana and a bowl of oatmeal
or an egg-white omelet—always with
a full glass of water. A favorite dinner
is broiled or grilled fish—which I buy
right in NST—flavored with herbs and
white wine, accompanied with some
whole wheat pasta. Occasionally I treat
myself to some dark chocolate, a burger
or a slice of Margarita pizza.
HAVE YOUR WORKED
WITH ANY CELEBRITIES?
Before teaching fulltime, I worked in
construction. One day I was carrying a
long and heavy pipe on my shoulders.
Two men were arguing in front of me,
and I told them to get out of my way. I
was embarrassed to learn one of them
was Keanu Reeves, and they were
acting out a scene from the film “The
Devil’s Advocate.”
Years ago, I was on the beach and
Joan Rivers was there with a camera
crew, looking for guys to model beach
wear on the “Live! With Regis and
Kathie Lee” television show. I was
invited to be on the show. It was quite
an experience.
I enjoyed spending time in a local
gym with WWF (World Wrestling
Federation) super-stars Jimmy “Super
Fly” Snuka and Mr. Atlas. I enjoy hanging
out in the NST Gym and shooting
pool in the billiard room.
I’m so glad I moved to NST where
I’ve met many active residents like
myself.
After climbing 70 stories up Rockefeller Center
in 9 minutes
4 NORTH SHORE TOWERS COURIER ¢ August 2018