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Coral Springs Charter Inducts 6 Into Inaugural Hall of Fame

Kate Brand, Justine Landi, Darius Bulter, Michael Higgins, Billie Miller, Kate Hearn, DeeLandie, Jerry, Albert, and Gary Springer.

By: Matt Rothman

Coral Springs Charter officially inducted six into their inaugural Hall of Fame Class: Darius Butler, Justine Landi, Dee Landi, Billie Miller, Jerry Albert, and the late Pete Liberatos on April 15 at Runyon’s.

Darius Butler

Butler graduated from CSC in 2004 after playing on the varsity football team. He scored over 1,000 points during his varsity basketball career and was an All-County selection and an All-State honorable mention.

After playing college football at the University of Connecticut, Butler was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He played nine years in the NFL with the New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Los Angeles Chargers, where he recorded 33 tackles and four interceptions at safety.

Dee Landi

Dee is the longest-serving coach at CSC, coaching varsity for 12 years, junior varsity for nine years, and now is the middle school coach.

Coral Springs Charter Officially Inducts 6 Members to the Inaugural Hall of Fame Class

Justine and Dee Landi.

During her tenure, she helped Coral Springs Charter volleyball advance to the Regional Final for the first time in school history. Dee was the 2005 Broward County Coach of the Year recipient and helped lead the Panthers to the 2017 District Champions.

Justine Landi

A 2006 graduate, Justine is the daughter of Dee Landi and an All-County volleyball player. She helped the Panthers make the Regional finals for the first time in school history during her junior season.

Justine, who also reached States in swimming, went on to play college volleyball at Louisville. She also competed for the A2 Junior National team and played in Croatia. The USA A2 JNT became the first American team to win the Global Challenge in the tournament’s existence, where she was named tournament MVP.

Justine is also a triple board-certified physician in family medicine, geriatrics, and palliative and hospice medicine. She works as a physician at the University of Chicago, where she cares for older adults and those facing serious, life-limiting illnesses.

Billie Miller

Miller was the principal at CSC from 2004-to 2010 and the primary contributor to initiating the formal partnership with the City of Coral Springs. This partnership enabled CSC to access facilities that they previously couldn’t use.

As principal, Miller prioritized the financial support of athletics in the budget. This financial dedication to the Athletics Department enabled athletics to grow exponentially and added an element of stability.

Jerry Albert

Jerry Albert was not only the first athletic director in 1999, but he is also the all-time winning coach in CSC baseball history with a record of 177-141. He also helped lead the Panthers to the Regional Semifinals in 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2010.

Jerry Albert with his wife, Maria, and daughter Carolena.

Coach Albert was named FACA Coach of the Year in 2009 & 2010 and BCAA AIl-Star Coach in 2009. He is currently working at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School and has won three District Titles and a Regional Championships in 2006 with current varsity coach Charlie Fine as his player.

Pete Liberatos

Liberatos was the director of security and kicking coach for the football team. As the director of security, he always welcomed students and staff in the hallway. Liberatos loved athletics because of the life lessons taught, discipline learned, and leadership developed.

As a coach, his passion and love for football were infectious, and he bought energy to every practice, game, and event. With him, it was never about the wins and losses on the field, but it was about the young person learning to develop as a good citizen, friend, and community member. Liberatos passed away in 2010.

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Author Profile

Matt Rothman

Matt Rothman is a 2018 graduate from Florida Gulf Coast University receiving his bachelor’s degree in journalism and then graduated from the University of Florida as a graduate student. He also works for the Mohave Valley Daily News in Bullhead City, Arizona covering high school sports.