‘COACH CARM PARM’

Members of the All Saints Academy basketball teams join Siena men’s basketball coach Carmen Maciariello (center far r., with Siena Jacket) and Cardona’s Market co-owner August Cardona (center with light-colored sweatshirt) who present a $1,000 check to Director of Albany CYO Michelle Vita (to Cardona’s right), and Director of Athletics at All Saints/Blessed Sacrament John Blanch (behind Vita) outside of All Saints Academy last month. (Photo provided)

Cardona’s Market co-owner August Cardona and Siena men’s basketball coach Carmen Maciariello presented John Blanch, director of athletics at All Saints Academy/Blessed Sacrament School, and Michelle Vita, director of Albany CYO, with a $1,000 check from sales of the “Coach Carm Parm” sandwich on Dec. 28. The donation, made outside of All Saints Academy, will support youth athletes from All Saints and Blessed Sacrament through the purchase of new uniforms and safety upgrades.

“This is the best time of year to have a hot sandwich at lunch and to support the community,” Cardona said. “Siena and Coach Carm have been wonderful partners to work with on this fantastic sandwich and on our goals to support the next generation of Siena Saints playing right here in Albany.” 

Named for the Clifton Park native and Saints coach, the “Coach Carm Parm” features chicken cutlets, breaded and fried eggplant slices, parmigiana, mozzarella and Cardona’s famous marinara sauce stacked high on a baked Italian sub roll. 

“The cold weather has arrived here in Albany and a hot Coach Carm Parm always warms me up and makes my day better,” Maciariello said. “I am proud to be on a team with August and all the Cardona’s crew. The only thing better than the food at Cardona’s Market is the company’s support of youth basketball in the Capital Region.”

The celebrity sandwich was first introduced by Cardona’s in February 2023 and then “re-introduced” on National Sandwich Day, Nov. 3, to coincide with the start of Siena’s basketball season.

“We play here to teach as much as we play to win here,” Blanch said.

Added Vita, “This will help support kids who may not have the opportunity to get involved, make friends and make memories.”

The Coach Carm Parm sandwich is available at Cardona’s Market locations at 340 Delaware Ave., in Albany and 9 Cobbee Road in Latham. The markets are open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tickets to Siena home games can be purchased online at sienasaints.com/tickets, by contacting the Siena Fan Relations Management Center at (518) 487-2202, or by e-mail at [email protected].