andrew fedor – INDUCTED 1978 “iron man” of the franklin high school football team in the early 1930’s. helped organize and served as first head coach of the franklin miners. spearheaded formation of the north jersey football league. a dedicated youth athletics program coach and fund-raiser. engineered and directed construction of alma mater’s football stands. earned an athletic/scholarship to alfred university where he starred in three sports.
richie stowell – INDUCTED 1978
prominent little league umpire on the state, eastern regional and national scenes for over two decades. first new jersey resident to umpire in the little league world series. known for his distinctive "balls-and-strikes” calls, richie’s officiating career includes high school football and basketball refereeing. new jersey herald sportsman of the month. highly successful football, basketball and baseball coach at blair academy.
joseph r. scalzo – INDUCTED 1977 prominent figure in united states amateur wrestling field. state champion at newton high school. NATIONAL y.m.c.a. champion. ncaa all american selectiOn at penn state. coached 1956 united states olympic wrestling squad. began wrestling program at toledo university and compiled 106-31 coaching record. charter member of toledo university hall of fame. ohio wrestling hall of fame member and recipient of helms foundation award of merit.
reginald purdy - INDUCTED 1977 prominent football, basketball, baseball, soccer and golf coach on the sussex county and new jersey interscholastic scene for three decades. compiled a 309-134 basketball record that included two skyline conference championships and four sectional titles. led franklin baseball teams to 147-66 record and six sectional championships. coached franklin’s 1941 undefeated FOOTBALL team. a four sport performer at springfield college.
fritz lawrence – INDUCTED 1978 a native of sussex whose trap shooting marksmanship came to the fore when he served in the u.s. army during world war i. captured numerous trap shooting titles including five atlantic indians crowns. the north morris trap shooting champiOn in 1922 and 1929. 1938 north jersey champion. broke 96 out of 100 targets to win the united states amateur championship in 1938.
oscar (tarzan) hosking – INDUCTED 1977 enjoyed and played baseball “any place there was a game!” a pioneer in the sussex county league and numerous north jersey semi-professional baseball leagues from 1918 to the late 1930’s. named most valuable player in the dover twilight league 1930. a daring base runner who also pitched and hit his hamburg team to eight sussex county league championships.
harold “pardy” smith – INDUCTED 1995 a 1925 graduate of newton high school, harold earned varsity letters in football, basketball and baseball. he was named captain of the football team in 1924 & 1925, the basketball team in 1923-24 and for baseball in 1923. in 1925 he was named as quarterback of the newTOn jersey all-state football team. he helped n.h.s. to receive a rank of 10th among the class “b” football teams in new jersey. he played semi-pro football with the newton moose team and baseball with the newton a.a. team in the sussex county twilight league. he was engaged in the operation of the newton little league and babe ruth league. harold was a huge supporter of the newton blue jays baseball team and helped organize the father-son games to raise money to purchase equipment. he also promoted numerous field trips to yankee stadium for the local youth teams and organizations. he served as a fireman with newton steamer co. and kittatinny hose & ladder co. he served TENURE as town clerk of newton and was honored for his community service to the town of newton.
major jack glynn – INDUCTED 1976 outstanding all’round athlete at franklin high school and won six letters in one year at seTon hall prep., including a state track title. played baseball professionally for new york yankees triple a association teams for eight years, including newark.
Frank Chapot – INDUCTED 1976 member of the united states olympic equestrian teams from 1956 through 1976. team captain 1972-1976. winner of two olympic silver medals, 1975 king george cup, world championships germany and france and the mCclay trophy for jumping HORSEMANSHIP.
ALDO J. ZAZZI – INDUCTED 1979 OUTSTANDING WRESTLER AT NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL. THREE TIME WINNER N.J. ASSOCIATION USAAU. WHILE AT PENN STATE 1934-1937 HE LOST ONLY TWO MATCHES AND GAINED EASTERN INTERCOLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TWO TIMES. ACTIVE IN ST. JUDE FOUNDATION. STARTED AND STILL ACTIVE IN WRESTLING LEAGUES IN TENNESSEE.
DONALD G. SCOFIELD – INDUCTED 1983 ATTENDED GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN CLIFTON, NJ AND WAS GRADUATED FROM CLIFTON HIGH SCHOOL. A GRADUATE OF MONTCLAIR STATE COLLEGE WITH A BA. EARNED LETTERS IN JV BASKETBALL, CROSS COUNTRY AND TRACK. HE HOLDS THE SCHOOLS RECORDS IN THE HIGH JUMP. RAN LEGS ON TWO RECORD SETTING RELAY TEAMS. EARNED HIS MA AT NEW YORK UNIVERSITY. TAUGHT AT BOGOTA SCHOOL SYSTEM FOR 2 YEARS BEFORE COMING TO SPARTA HIGH SCHOOL. AT SPARTA HIS CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS HAVE WON 10 CONFERENCE TITLES, 2 SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, 1 STATE TITLE AND WERE UNDEFEATED 5 TIMES. THE OVERALL RECORD WAS 224 WINS, LOST 80 AND TIED 3. IN TRACK, THEY WON 4 CONFERENCE TITLES, 1 SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WERE UNDEFEATED ONCE. THE OVERALL TRACK RECORD WAS 73 WINS AND LOST 52. HE HAS HAD 23 STRAIGHT WINNING SEASONS FROM 1960 THRU 1983 ONLY LOOSING 2 TIMES IN 26 YEARS OF COACHING. COACH OF THE YEAR CROSS COUNTRY 1971 AND 1978 BY NEW JERSEY HERALD. VOTED COACH OF YEAR 1974 AND 1975 BY SKYLINE CONFERENCE. WAS A MEMBER OF SPARTA RECREATION COMMITTEE, CUB AND BOY SCOUTS COMMITTEE. HONORED WITH OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD BY LACKAWANNA LITTLE LEAGUE IN 1979. WAS A MEMBER OF GREEN TWP. BOARD OF EDUCATION. APPOINTED TO NEWTON AREA YOUTH CONFERENCE FROM 1977-1983 BY JUDGE J. BARRY. AT PRESENT TIME, DIRECTOR OF GUIDANCE AT SPARTA HIGH SCHOOL WHERE HE HAS BEEN IN THE SYSTEM SINCE 1960.
JOHN T. MADDEN – INDUCTED 1979 A GRADUATE OF HAMBURG HIGH SCHOOL. ALL AROUND OUTFIELDER FOR SETON HALL UNIVERSITY AND A MIDDLE DISTANCE RUNNER ON THE PIRATES TRACK TEAM PLAYER, MANAGER FOR THE OGDENSBURG BEARS THROUGHOUT THE 1930’S PARTICIPATING IN THE SUSSEX COUNTY TWILIGHT LEAGUE. PLAYED CENTERFIELD ON NEWTON’S 1939 TRI-COUNTY LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM. ORGANIZER AND FIRST PRESIDENT OF THE HIGH POINT LITTLE LEAGUE AND THE SUSSEX COUNTY BABE RUTH LEAGUE.
LEO LOUDENSLAGER – INDUCTED 1982 ONE OF THE GREATEST AEROBATIC PILOTS OF ALL TIME. HE WON THE U.S. AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1975. HE RETAINED THE NATIONAL TITLE AGAIN IN 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979 AND 1981. HE WON THE WORLD AEROBATIC CHAMPIONSHIP IN 1980 AND 1981, ALL THIS IS IN HIS OWN DESIGNED AIRCRAFT. HE WAS TEAM CAPTAIN AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN RUSSIA, 1976 AND CZECHOSLOVAKIA IN 1978. THIS YEAR AT OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN, THE U.S. OLYMPIC TEAM WON AND LEO WAS CROWNED WORLD CHAMPION, WINNING FOUR GOLD AND TWO SILVER MEDALS DURING THE COMPETITION. HE WON THE VICTOR AWARD FOR AVIATION IN 1981, WHICH IS GIVEN TO THE YEAR’S TOP ATHLETES IN SPORTS. HE IS FIRST U.S. PILOT TO WIN THIS HONOR.
JOHN WALTER BUDD – INDUCTED 1984 ENGAGED AS A VARSITY FOOTBALL PLAYER AT NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL FOR FOUR YEARS 1913 – 1917. HE WAS CAPTAIN OF THE 1916 OUTSTANDING SQUAD WITH A 7 AND 2 RECORD. IN 1919 WHILE IN THE SERVICE, HE PLAYED FOR THE MaRE ISLAND MARINES AGAINST THE GREAT LAKES NAVAL STATION SQUAD IN THE ANNUAL TOURNAMENT OF ROSES GAME AT PASADENA, CALIF. ATTENDED BLAIR ACADEMY IN 1919 WHERE HE PLAYED FOOTBALL AND EARNED N.J. ALL STATE HONORS AS A GUARD. his college career found him at lafayette college where he earned 4 varsity letters from 1920-1924. he played on jack southerland’s great 1921 team as a guard. THE TEAM WAS UNDEFEATED WITH AN 8 AND 0 RECORD. AT LAFAYETTE, HE WAS RATED AS AN ALL TIME GREAT AT THE GUARD POSITION. IN PROFESSIONAL RANKS, HE PLAYED WITH THE FRANKFORD YELLOW JACKETS. FOR THE 1927 AND 1928 SEASONS, HE SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH POTTSVILLE MAROONS OF PA. A COPY OF HIS CONTRACT SHOWS HE EARNED $100 PER GAME.
MANUAL (MANNY) REIS – INDUCTED 1999 MANNY ATTENDED SEMINARY OF SAINT JOANNE, AVERIO, PORTUGAL AND FROM 1939-44 PLAYED SOCCER. HE GRADUATED FROM CENTRAL EVENING H.S. OF NEWARK IN 1949. HE PLAYED SOCCER WITH SPORT CLUB PORTUGUESE FROM 1947-48 & MARITIMO MURTOENSE FROM 1948-54.
MANNY GRADUATED FROM SETON HALL UNIVERSITY IN 1956 AND EARNED HIS MASTERS AT RUTGERS UNIVERSITY. HE STARTED AND COACHED THE YOUTH SOCCER PROGRAM AT OUR LADY OF FATIMA IN NEWARK. HE FOUNDED A PORTUGUESE SOCCER LEAGUE IN THE NEWARK LISA-LUSO INTERNATIONAL SOCCER ASSOCIATION AND SERVED AS PRESIDENT FOR 2 YEARS. N 1960 HE STARTED A MEN’S SOCCER PROGRAM AT SPARTA H.S. SERVED AS HEAD COACH FROM THE 1960-80 AMASSING A CAREER RECORD OF 194-72-20.
IN 1977 HIS TEAM WON THE GROUP II NORTH I STATE CHAMPIONSHIP AND IN 1981 WON THE GROUP III NORTH STATE SECTION I TITLE. IN 1997 MANNY WAS ELECTED TO THE NEW JERSEY SOCCER COACHES ASSOCIATION HALL OF FAME.
Emil perona – INDUCTED 1977 a football player and wrestling standout at newton high school. captured a state wrestling championship in 1948. three time eastern intercollegiate wrestling association champion for rutgers university. national a.a.u. champion 1953. Active in numerous youth wrestling programs in sussex county. accomplishments still recognized at alma mater with awarding of the perona trophy to RUTGERS wrestlers who earn an eiwa title.
Greg Baty - Inducted 1994 A 1982 Graduate of Sparta High School. All SCIL in Football and Basketball. All West Jersey Team in Football. All State in Football. Was A participant in the New Jersey All Star Classic. Named Captain for the New Jersey Blue Chip Team. Graduated from Stanford in 1986. He was 4 year Varsity Letter Winner in Football, All Pac-10 Conference Team and 3rd Team All American in his Senior Year. Named Captain of the Stanford University Football Team in his Senior Year. Holds University season record of 61 receptions, 690 yards and 4 touchdowns. Named Outstanding Player. Drafted by the New England Patriots in 1987. Played for the Patriots, L.A. Rams and Miami Dolphins. Now in his 9th season in the NFL, playing for the Dolphins.
Chris Jent - Inducted 1998 Attended Sparta High School 1984-88 where he lettered in basketball and became the all-time leading scorer in Sussex County & Sussex County Interscholastic League boys basketball with 2,287 points. He was named Pre-Season High Honorable Mention by the Nike Shoe Company, Pre-Season 3rd Team All American by Basketball Annual Magazine, Pre-Season 2nd Team All American by Big East Basketball Magazine and Pre-Season Top 50 High School Seniors by Star Sports Magazine in the 1987-88 season. He attended and graduated from Ohio State University where he earned 4 varsity letters in basketball and in 1992 played on the Big Ten TOURNAMENT Championship Team. In 1994 was signed by the Houston Rockets of the NBA as an undrafted FREE agent, playING in 3 regular season games averaging 10 ppg. Played in the 1994 NBA playoff finals against the NY Knicks and earned a Championship Ring. In 1996-97 played for the NY Knicks for 3 regular season games averaging 2 ppg. Chris also played in the Continental League earning CBA All Star Honors with the Columbus Horizon averaging 19 ppg. He also played in the Italian and AustrIAn League abroad.
ED FULTON-INDUCTED 1985 Graduated from Helen Morgan Elementary School OF SPARTA, played football from the 3rd thru 8th gradE in Sparta Little League Program. Graduated from Sparta H.S. in 1973 and lettered in Football and Basketball IN 11TH AND 12TH GRADES. In 1971, he made 1st Team All Sussex County as offensive tackle. In 1972, he made 1st Teams, All Sussex County, Paterson News and All Suburban. Attended University of Maryland where he earned 4 varsity football letters. Played as a Freshman on Varsity and played in the Peach Bowl. As SOPHOMORE, he played in Liberty Bowl and in his Junior year, AS A VARSITY MEMBER PLAYED IN the Gator Bowl and as a Senior (on 11-0 team) in the Cotton Bowl. ALSO Played THIS YEAR in the Hula Bowl and Japan Bowl. PLAYED IN A TOTAL OF 6 BOWLS IN COLLEGE CAREER. Made 1st Team Atlantic Coast Conference in Senior year as well as Football News 1st Team All American. DRAFTED BY THE Los Angeles Rams 3RD round played for them from 1979-1980, In 1980-81, he played for the Buffalo Bills (NFL). HAMILTON TIGER CATS OF CFL 1981-1984. IN SELECTED EASTERN CANADA ALL-STAR TEAM. EARNED THIS HONOR AGAIN IN 1982. 1984 played for the Washington DC Federals (USFL). This, his 9th year, AS A PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYER, FOUND HIM PLAYING FOR Orlando Renegades of the USFL.
DAVE DELEA – INDUCTED 2002
A 1958 GRADUATE OF NEWTON HIGH SCHOOL, HE PARTICIPATED AT THE VARSITY LEVEL FOR 3 YEARS IN FOOTBALL AND 2 YEARS IN BASKETBALL. DURING THESE 2 YEARS IN BASKETBALL AT STARTING CENTER, THE TEAM RECORD FOR 1956/1957 – 1957/1958 WAS 32 – 6. SELECTED 2ND TEAM ALL-COUNTY BOTH YEARS. IN FOOTBALL, HE GAINED ALL COUNTY IN 1956 & 1957. PLAYED FOOTBALL PROFESSIONALLY FOR FRANKLIN MINERS 1958, THROUGH 1961 & 1965 THROUGH 1968. DURING THE 1958-1961 YEARS THE TEAM RECORD WAS 55-5-2 AND WAS DECLARED NATIONAL SEMI-PRO CHAMPIONS IN 1960 & 1961. PLAYED FOR PATERSON MINERS IN 1962 & NEWARK BEARS IN 1963. BOTH TEAMS WERE ATLANTIC COAST FOOTBALL LEAGUE CHAMPIONS. PLAYED FOR HUDSON VALLEY VIKINGS IN 1964. WAS SELECTED FOR ATHLETIC SPORTSMAN AWARD BY NJ HERALD IN SEPT. 1968.
VICTOR J. MONCATO – INDUCTED 2001 A 1989 Graduate of High Point Regional High School, he earned varsity letters in Football, Basketball and Baseball. FOOTBALL: In 1987 & 1988 he received All State, All West New Jersey, All Area All SCIL, and School MVP honors. BASKETBALL: In 1987 & 1988 he received All West New Jersey (1988), All Area, All SCIL, School MVP Team Captain honors. 1,000 Point Scorer during that period. BASEBALL: All West New Jersey, All Area, All SCIL, and School MVP honors. While at college he played FOOTBALL for West Point, East CarolinA & Fairleigh Dickinson receiving the following recognition: Finalist for Gagliardi and Melburger Award (Heisman of Division III) for 93 & 94; kodak all amrican punter and wide receiver 93 & 94; mid atlantic conference mvp 93 & 94; All Mid Atlantic Wide Receiver and Punter 93 & 94; NCAA Player of the Week 93; NCAA Punt Return Champion 92; Sports Illustrated “MosT Versatile Athlete” BASEBALL: All Mid Atlantic CONFERENCE; Outstanding Athlete 94 & 95. Following college: Played Professional Football for Los Angeles Raiders (1995) and Detroit Lions (1996). Inducted into Fairleigh Dickinson Athletic Hall of Fame (2000).
HENRY BORESCH – INDUCTED 1976 Recognized as the founding Father of New Jersey Interscholastic Wrestling. Helms Hall of Fame Member. Led Newton High School (1926 – 1964) to 11 State Titles. Coached 76 individual champions and compiled a .869 winning percentage.
LINDA J. CORDES – INDUCTED 1989 She graduated from Newton High School in 1977 where she excelled as a basketball player. In 1975-76-77 earned All-County Honors and was named new Jersey Herald Athlete of the Year in 1977. Newark Star Ledger First Team All-State in 1977.
On February 12, 1976 became the first girl in Sussex County to SCORE 1000 points. Scored 50 or more points in a game 4 times in a season.
March 2, 1977 first girl in State of New Jersey to score 2000 points.
On March 13, 1977 lead Newton to its first Sectional Basketball Title.
Completed her High School career with 2150 points.
In 1981 received her B.S. In Physical Education from the University of Delaware and as a student she worked with handicapped children.
MICHAEL J. FERRARA – INDUCTED 2001 A 1976 graduate of Franklin High School, he earned 3 Varsity Letters in Basketball. During 1974-75 lead Skyline Conference in scoring; was Player of the Year, was all Conference. Team was Skyline Conference Champions; North Jersey Group I State Champions. During 1975-76 was SCIL Player of the Year; Group I 1st Team All State; Led State County & League in scoring (Averaged 30 pts/game); Team was SCIL Champions (Undefeated) and averaged most pts/game in SCIL history. Obtained Varsity Letters at Niagara University (1977) and Colgate (1978-79-80). Was ECAC Player of the Year; 1st Team Conference; All Tournament Great Alaska Schootout; while establishing 2 scoring and 2 steal records (1980-81) NCAA Division I National Statistics: No. 2 in scoring (averaging 28.6 pts per game); 1st and 8th highest scoring game in U.S. with 50 pts. & 42 pts. Respectively; 10th in free throw pctg. (87.6) and led the nation in steals/game. Drafted 48th in 1981 NBC draft. Played professionally for Washington Bullets.
ROBERT H. DALLING, SR. – INDUCTED 1993 He attended Prep School at Blair Academy from 1924 to 1929.
He received varsity letters in 1927, 1928 and 1929.
Mr. Dalling then attended Lehigh University for 4 years.
In 1932 and 1933 he won The Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Championship at 125 lbs.
After completing school he began his coaching career at Blair Academy.
He was Head Wrestling Coach at Blair for 32 years.
During his coaching career his record was 22 winning seasons, 7 losing seasons, 4 tied seasons, 4 undefeated seasons, 7 State Championships and 1 National Championship.
He was also a 20 year member of the New Jersey Scholastic Referee Association.
JAMES R. WRIGHT – INDUCTED 1986 Moved to Sparta from Great Neck, NY in 1965 where attended Sparta High School. At Sparta he earned varsity letters in football and baseball in 1965-1966. He made all state in 1966 at the position of end. In 1967 earned varsity letter in baseball and made all state in his Senior year. He went to UNIVERSITY of Notre Dame on a baseball scholarship. A varsity letter winner in his Sophomore year. In his Junior and Senior years he earned varsity letters in football. He played in the Cotton Bowl in 1967. Beat Texas breaking a 37 game winning streak. He led the team in tackles in his Senior year. All American candidate in his Senior year. 1971-1972 he had tryouts with the New York Giants, the British Columbian Lions and Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.
At the present time, he is the manager of Merrill Lynch in Toms River, NJ.
JOHN ZAMOS – INDUCTED 1978
Johnny’s illustrious playing and coaching career encompasses over three decades of accomplishments. A three sport star at Newton High School who returned to his Alma Mater to earn Coach of the Year honors in both Baseball and girl’s Basketball. Continued his playing career while serving in the U.S. Army and as a member of the Franklin Miners, Fetzer Chiefs and Sussex and Newton AA’s.
BRENDA GREGORY – INDUCTED 1999 Graduated from Newton High School in 1949 where she excelled for 4 years in intramural sports. In 1953 she graduated from DOUGLAS College. In 1952 she received GOLD NJC and was President of the Athletic Association in 1953. She was a member of the Synchronized Swimming Group for 4 years. Brenda was HealTH and Physical Education Instructor at Newton H.S. 1953-56, Pope John H.S. 1960-63 and at Kittatinny Reg. H.S. 1979-94. She coached Lafayette Softball 1969-71, Little League Farm Team 1968-70. She was Assistant Swim Coach at Kittatinny H.S. from 1979-84. From 1950-81 was Waterfront Instructor and/or Director at various camps. Brenda was also a NJIAA Referee for Basketball 1975-78, Field Hockey 1975-93, Field Hockey Referee Trainer 1980-88, Water Safety Instructor Trainer 1970-94, Lifeguard Instructor Trainer 1987-94 and Water Safety Instructor from 1950 till the present time.
RICHARD LORENZO – INDUCTED 1985 Attended Frankford Twp. School 1951-60. Graduated from Newton H.S. in 1964 where he earned 3 letters in wrestling. 2 time District Champion, Regional Champion and State runner-up in 1964 at 141 lb. Class. New Jersey Herald Sportsman of the Month 3 times, 1964, 1967 and 1968. 1st athlete to get such honor. At Newton played Frosh. And J.V. baseball. Participated in Little League and Babe Ruth Baseball. Played for Branchville American Legion and Branchville Semi-Pro teams.
In 1964 was named Kiwanis International Outstanding Student Athlete and won the Sussex County American Legion AwaRD. Graduated from Penn State U. in 1968. Earned his masters in 1974. Wrestled 3 years Varsity 1966-67-68. Undefeated in dual meets 1967, 1968. Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association 3 time place winner. In 1968 EIWA in 191 lb. Class champion. Chosen outstanding wrestler and earned most falls trophy. East-West winner 1968. Named Eastern Wrestling League “Coach of the Year” 1981. Penn Asst. Coach 1968-1974. At present time he is head Coach at Penn State.
HARRY LANZI – INDUCTED 1977 One of the most outstanding wrestlers Newton High School has ever produced. Competing in the heavyweight Division, Lanzi wrestled his way into the State Tournament finals on four occasions and emerged victorious three times. He also earned four Football letters and one in Baseball. Played Football and Wrestled for Toledo University, capturing a National A.A.U. Wrestling Title.
Presently serves as Recreation Director in Toledo.
JACK CAMPBELL – INDUCTED 1979
Outstanding three sport star at Newton High School. Most valuable Football and Basketball player during his senior year. Earned a four year basketball Scholarship to Mount Saint Mary’s College. Captain and leading rebounder of the Mount’s 1962 NCAA Small College Division Championship Team. Inducted into his Alma Mater’s Sports Hall of Fame. Held numerous youth league and high school COACHING positions.
FRANK L. McCHESNEY – INDUCTED 1980 At Franklin High school in Football, made All County 1947 and 1948. Made All State Football Group 1 First Team 1948, 1949 and 1950 All League North Jersey Professional Football League as a member of Franklin Miners. In Basketball at Franklin High School, All County 1948 and 1949. All State Basketball Group 1 1949. In 1950 as a member of Franklin American Legion made All Star Team in Sussex County Basketball League, establishing record of 331 points in 16 games also a record 23 points in one quarter.
CHARLES PURSELL – INDUCTED 1977
As Athletic Director and Coach led sports programs at Sussex High School and High POint for over 30 years. At Sussex, coached both varsity and junior basketball teams to 179-90 and 179-64 records, respectively. Compiled 238-141 record in baseball and 73-22-12 soccer mark. His Sussex and High Point Varsity Teams won 12 Conference Titles and three State Sectional Crowns.
DICK CELLI – INDUCTED 1978 A versatile Newton High School, Blair Academy and Springfield College athlete. Received All State Baseball recognition three times. Continued playing career in the service and as a member of the Newton AA and Fetzer Chiefs. Began successful football, basketball and baseball coaching career at Fox Lane (NY) High School. Names New Jersey Herald Coach of the Year in Football (1970) and Baseball (1978) at Hopatcong High School.
BOB GUNDERMAN – INDUCTED 1978 An All State/All County Football and Basketball selection from Franklin High School. Played professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Outstanding Lineman and Basketball player for the University of Virginia. A member of the FRANKLIN Miners and Sussex County’s 1961 Athlete of the Year. Compiled a winning RECORD as Head Football Coach of Dickinson, West Milford and Lakeland High Schools from 1960-71.
DON FREY – INDUCTED 1978 Three-time NJSIAA Wrestling Champion for Newton High School. Co-Captained Penn State’s 1953 NCAA Championship Wrestling Team. Earned second and third place NCAA finishes for the Nittany Lions. Head Wrestling Coach at the University of Pennsylvania from 1962-70. Led Undefeated Quakers to Ivy League Titles in 1968 and 1969. Twice named Coach of the Year by the University of Penn Athletic Managerial Board.
ROGER D. SNOOK – INDUCTED 1979 Won two State Wrestling Titles at Newton High School. Wrestled in the 145 pound weight class for Cornell College of Iowa and placed second in the 1947 NCAA Tournament leading his squad to the Team Championship. Placed fourth in the NCAA’s the neXt two years. Wrestled to a second and three, fourth place finishes in NAAU Tournaments earning a Championship in the Junior NAAU Tournament. Midwest Conference Champion two times.
EARL L. DECKER – INDUCTED 1987 An outstanding baseball player, in the highly competitive Sussex County Twilight League, in the 1930’s. He also participated in the Newton Firemen’s League.
He was a proficient bowler possessing a 193 average in the Industrial and Sussex County A leagues.
He was a member of the Newton Recreation Commission for 6 years. A loyal supporter of the Junior Playground Blue Jays baseball teams at Memory Park.
He coached the Newton Little League Wildcats for 12 years. His teams won 10 titles in 12 years.
He was the Mayor of the Town of Newton from July 1961 to July 1962.
He was the Newton Fire Chief in 1969.
At the present time, he is retired and resides in Newton, NJ.
JOHN GARDNER- INDUCTED 2004 1990 graduate High Point Regional High School; 1995 graduate of Clemson University; inducted for accomplishments in wrestling, football and coaching; in high school wrestling, was the first in county to win 100 matches; set all time NJ state win record in 1990 with 131 career wins; 189 pound State Champion in 1990, third place at 152 pounds in 1989, and third at 140 pounds in 1988; Regional Champion all four years; District Champion three years; selected Male Athlete of the Year for Sussex County in 1990 by NJ Herald; in college wrestling, captained Clemson team in 1994; South Carolina Collegiate State Champion 1993 and 1994; All Atlantic Coast Conference selection in 1992 and 1994; Clemson was NCAA Division I ranked in 1994 (7th) and 1993 (13th); at National Tournaments level, was Cadet Freestyle State Champion and All American (6th) in 1987, Junior Freestyle State Champion and Junior Greco Roman State Champion in 1989 and 1990, Junior Greco Roman All American (2nd) in 1989, Espoir Freestyle All American (3rd) in 1991 and Asics All American in 1990.
In high school football, was SCIL First Team, All Area NJ Herald, All West Jersey Star Ledger and Third Team All State Star Ledger, all in 1989.
Additional Accolades:
As a coach, was named Wrestling Coach of the Year by the NJ Herald in 2001; High Point Head Wrestling Coach since 1999; coached High Point to North I Group III State Sectional titles in 2001, 2002 & 2003
ED PAIVA – INDUCTED 2004 1975 graduate of Sussex Technical School; 1981 graduate of William Paterson College; inducted for achievements in basketball in high school and college as a player and as a coach; in high school, captained the team junior and senior years; Sussex Tech MVP junior and senior years; led Sussex County in scoring in the 1974/75 season with a 26 point average including 44 points against Pope John and 40 against High Point; scored 30 points or more eight times and 20 points or more on sixteen occasions; shot 50% from field and 80% from foul line his senior year; first team All County senior year; Sussex County All Tournament Team; first player in Sussex Tech history to score 1,000 points with a career total of 1,220.
In college, played for the Top 20 Junior College ranked County College of Morris as a freshman; retired from competitive basketball in 1976; Bachelors degree in physical education William Paterson College 1981.
As a coach, currently boys head varsity soccer coach and assistant boys varsity basketball coach at Wallkill Valley; 1998 to 2002, head basketball coach at Sussex Tech; 2002 to present, girls head softball coach at Sussex Tech; led the team to a new school record for wins in a season with eighteen in 2003; NJVTAC State Softball Champions in 2002; Mugs Media/Eastern Propane 2002 Softball Coach of the Year; led the teams to three consecutive NJSIAA state tournament appearances and several of his players earned All Area and All West Jersey selections; boys head soccer coach at Sussex Tech from 1994 to 2002 and reestablished the program after a seventeen year absence; his 1999 team was the first Sussex Tech team to qualify for the State Tournament.
KEVIN HOPKINS INDUCTED 2004 1987 graduate of Pope John High School; 1992 graduate of Mount Union College, inducted for accomplishments in two sports, swimming and baseball; senior year in high school, despite missing the first eleven games due to the YMCA Nationals swimming competition in Florida, hit eight home runs (led SCIL), had a 956 slugging average, batted 413, had a 509 on base average, scored fourteen runs, and had 23 RBI’s; baseball awards that season, NJ Herald First Team All Area, First Team All SCIL, Star Ledger West Jersey Second Team, North Jersey Advance Co-Male Athlete of the Month for May 1987 (for three home runs in one game).
Swimming career covered four areas, YMCA, high school, college and Masters. In YMCA swimming, member of the Lakeland Hills YMCA National Team in 1986 and 1987, All American both years; in high school, four time SCIL All League selection, three time All Area selection, Condit Motors/WSUS Athlete of the Month freshman year (1983), Sussex County Sports Hall of Fame Athletic Award recipient 1987, seven time county champion (out of eight possible) in six different events, seven time county record setter (out of eight possible) in five different events; NJ Meet of Champions qualifier all four years; NJ Herald Male Athlete of the Month for January 1987; holder of every (ten) Pope John swim records upon graduation; in college, Captain of the Mount Union swim team in 1992; Ohio Athletic Conference MVP in 1991 and 1992, going undefeated in six individual events at the year end Conference championships.
Additional Accolades:
At the United States Masters Swimming level since 1992, holds seven NJ state records; national top ten times in six different events through 2003.
