The Inaugural
St. Peter’s Prep Athletic Hall of Fame
Puccini’s Restaurant Jersey City, New Jersey April 28, 2005
Saint Peter’s Preparatory School Presents The Inaugural
Athletic Hall of Fame Honoring: Eric Atanda, ’79 (Soccer) Jim Barry, ’61 (Basketball) Gerry Bellotti ** (Football Coach & Athletic Director) George Blaney, ’57 (Basketball) Jim Brady, ’54 (Baseball) John Clune, ’50 (posthumous) (Basketball) Bill Cochrane (posthumous) * (Baseball & Football Coach) Wellington Davis, ’61 (Track) Rich Gronda, ’59 ** (Football) Jerry Halligan * (Basketball Coach) Jim Hannan, ’56 (Baseball) Tim Hawkes, ’65 (Football) Jackie Hyatt, ’49 (posthumous) (Football) Roy Leenig (posthumous) * (Basketball Coach) Fr. Earle Markey, S.J., ’49 * (Basketball) Jerome Pedersen, ’92 (posthumous) (Trainer/Manager) Lou Rettino, ’59 (posthumous) (Football) Joe Urbanovich, ’65 (Baseball Player & Coach) George Waddleton, ’53 (Basketball)
* Previously inducted as a “Legend of Prep” ** Will be inducted as a “Legend of Prep” in November 2005
PROGRAM Master of Ceremonies Lou Castelli, ’66 President, Prep Alumni Board √
Invocation & Welcome Fr. Jim Keenan, S.J. President √
Special Introductions Jim Horan, ’70 Vice President for External Affairs √
Presentation of Honorees Special Acknowledgment of Past & Future “Legends of Prep” Athletic Honorees Presented by Lou Castelli, ’66 Bill Cochrane (Baseball & Football Coach) Jerry Halligan (Basketball Coach) Roy Leenig (Basketball Coach) Fr. Earle Markey, S.J., ’49 (Basketball) √ Gerry Bellotti (Football Coach & Athletic Director) Rich Gronda, ’59 (Football) √
Dinner
Presentation of Honorees Eric Atanda, ’79 (Soccer) Presented by Jack Raslowsky, ’79 Jim Barry, ’61 (Basketball) Presented by Jim Supple, ’65 George Blaney, ’57 (Basketball) Presented by Jack Savage, ’57 Jim Brady, ’54 (Baseball) Presented by Jim Hague, ’79 John Clune, ’50 (Basketball) Presented by John Bergin, ’50 Wellington Davis, ’61 (Track) Presented by Jim Horan, ’70 Jim Hannan, ’56 (Baseball) Presented by Gene Boyle, ’56 √
INTERLUDE √
Presentation of Honorees Tim Hawkes, ’65 (Football) Presented by Fr. Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62 Jackie Hyatt, ’49 (Football) Presented by Mike Hogan, ’72 Jerome Pedersen, ’92 (Trainer/Manager) Presented by Rich Hansen Lou Rettino, ’59 (Football) Presented by Jim Kropke, ’59 Joe Urbanovich, ’65 (Baseball Player & Coach) Presented by Joe Guarino, ’86 George Waddleton, ’53 (Basketball) Presented by Ken Kunzman, ’54 √
“Pride & Glory” Jack Raslowsky, ’79 & Tom Sullivan, ’53
Eric Atanda, ’79
soccer
Inevitably, whenever a Prep sports discussion includes soccer players, the name Eric Atanda emerges as the standard by which others are measured. He began his Prep soccer career in the fall of 1975, and during his freshman year at Grand & Warren, when wins were virtually non-existent, he played on both the JV and the varsity. He began his sophomore year as a starting forward on the varsity, and the team stunned the county with its unprecedented turnaround. Last in the league just a year earlier, Prep captured its first HCIAA championship in 1976 under the direction of head coach Ron Prezioso, ’68. As a junior, Eric scored 18 goals and had 18 assists, and the team captured a second county title while posting Prep’s finest record—18-3. In his senior year, Eric moved to defense under firstyear coach Connie Gallagher, scoring 16 goals and adding 17 assists to lead St. Peter’s to a third straight HCIAA championship and the Northern New Jersey finals of the NJSIAA Tournament. Eric earned All-County honors in 1976, 1977 and 1978, and in 1978 was the Hudson County Player of the Year. He also was named as one of the top 33 players in New Jersey. After graduation, Eric attended the University of Virginia on an athletic scholarship and was a co-captain under Bruce Arena, who is currently the coach of the U.S. National Team, and Bob Bradley, the current coach of the Metrostars. He currently serves as VP for information technology at Hamamatsu Corp. in Bridgewater, N.J.
Jim Barry, ’61
basketball
One of the dominant athletes in Prep history, Jim was a three-year starter who was named First Team Catholic All-State each year. It began in sophomore year when he was named tournament MVP following Prep’s state championship victory over Trenton Catholic. He also was only the third sophomore ever named First Team All-County, setting a county scoring record for sophs. After an outstanding junior year, Jim completed his Prep career by leading St. Peter’s to the prestigious Eastern States Catholic Invitational Tournament (ESCIT) championship, being named tournament MVP and career scoring leader (169 points in 8 games), and setting a Prep career scoring record with 1,219 points (which would last three decades). At Georgetown, Jim set three freshman team records; as a sophomore he scored 29 in his first varsity game and had eight games of 30plus points, finishing among the nation’s scoring leaders at 22.6 p.p.g. (Honorable Mention All-American). As a junior, despite knee injuries, he averaged 19.1 points and was the 9th best free-throw shooter in the nation (86.6%). Knee injuries relegated him to playing off the bench in his senior year; however, he still set career records for points and average.Today, he ranks fourth in career scoring average at Georgetown, behind only Allen Iverson, Michael Sweetney and Sleepy Floyd, and he remains the only Georgetown player to score 40-plus twice in a career. Most notably, in 1998 Sports Illustrated named him one of the ten greatest players in Georgetown history, along with Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembo Mutumbo, Iverson, etc. A graduate of Seton Hall Law, Jim practices law in Sea Girt, N.J.
Gerry Bellotti
Football Coach
& Athletic Director
In 1980, with Prep football in the midst of an 0-20 losing streak, Gerry took over as head coach and immediately created a “new image,” including a new staff, new uniforms, a new playbook—and a new attitude. In game three of that initial season, the team broke through with a victory over Hudson Catholic. Just four years later, Prep would defeat North Bergen for the first time in 25 years, winning the HCIAA championship and earning a berth in the NJSIAA playoffs. These accomplishments would be repeated the following year, thus laying the foundation for the program’s subsequent successes. As a player, Gerry was a three-year starter at quarterback at St. Joe’s (WNY), earning Catholic All-American and All-State honors, and being named Hudson County Back of the Year. After setting passing records at Villanova, and a stint with the Cleveland Browns farm team, he served as a teacher and principal before coming to St. Peter’s. During his tenure at Prep, he also served as the school’s first alumni/development director and its athletic director, bringing that same commitment and vision to these important administrative posts. He currently serves as vice president of the Independent College Fund of New Jersey. Gerry is a member of the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame, and next week will be inducted into the Hall of Fame at St. Joseph’s H.S. In November 2005, he will receive Prep’s highest honor when he is named a “Legend of Prep.”
George Blaney, ’57
Basketball
It would be difficult to find a more “complete” basketball talent than George Blaney, whose career as both player and coach over five decades is marked by excellence at every level. At Prep, having honed his skills under coaches Roy Leenig and Jerry Halligan, he led his team to the Hudson County championship in his senior year and was named Hudson County Athlete of the Year. He went on to Holy Cross, leading the Crusaders to back-to-back 20win seasons and earning All-New England honors. He was a fourth-round selection of the New York Knicks and played with them during the 1961-62 season. After a few coaching stints, he returned to Holy Cross as head coach in 1972 to begin a 22-year career there that included a 357-276 overall record, three NCAA tournament and five NIT berths, and seven 20-win seasons. Overall as head coach, he has notched 459 career victories. In 2000 he joined the staff of Jim Calhoun at the University of Connecticut, highlighted by that team’s NCAA championship in 2004. A most respected member of the national basketball establishment, in 1993 George was elected president of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (also serving on their board of directors for 12 years) and the following year was named “Man of the Year” by Eastern Basketball magazine. He has been inducted into both the Holy Cross and the Hudson County athletic halls of fame.
Jim Brady, ’54
Baseball
Given his many academic talents, it was natural for Jim Brady to attend the Prep. However, his prowess on the pitcher’s mound was a bonus that would serve both Jim and his alma mater well. A dominating southpaw as a fouryear member of the Prep varsity, Jim hurled a perfect game against Dickinson as a sophomore and two years later threw a no-hitter against the same team. In one stretch of his career he threw 19 scoreless innings. An arm injury relegated Jim to duty at first base, where he managed to earn AllState honors. As a semi-pro player after his senior year, he struck out 21 hitters in one game, attracting the attention of the Boston Red Sox. Despite being offered a professional contract, Jim enrolled at Notre Dame. After continuing to impress scouts, he signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1955 as one of the original “bonus babies.” Unfortunately, the elbow injury that nagged him at Prep returned, and he pitched sparingly for the Tigers, remaining in their organization until 1960. Following up on a promise to his dad, he did, indeed, return to Notre Dame, earning a B.A., a master’s and a Ph.D in economics at South Bend. After 10 years as a faculty member and department chairman at Old Dominion, Jim was appointed dean of the Colleges of Arts & Sciences at Jacksonville, where he established the College of Business Administration. After serving as dean and VP for academic affairs, Jim was named Jacksonville’s president in 1988, holding that position until his retirement in 1995. Though retired, Jim keeps busy as a labor arbitrator and fact finder in collective bargaining disputes.
John Clune, ’50
(posthumous) Basketball
John’s career has been marked by excellence and service in every endeavor. He was a key player as a junior on the basketball team that won the county title with a 22-3 record.The following year, he was high scorer (395 points) and co-captain of the county and state championship team under Prep “Legend” Roy Leenig. Following graduation, John entered the Naval Academy and would graduate four years later ranked among the career leaders in eight different categories. These included setting an Academy mark for scoring average/game (22.3), being ranked second all-time in 30point games (12), scoring in double digits in consecutive games (47), and field goals attempted (1,492). He was named All-American in 1954. Fifty years later, John still holds the career average/game record, with many others lasting for three decades. Following his graduation, John joined the Air Force, where he served (until his retirement with the rank of colonel in 1991), most notably as athletic director at the Air Force Academy from 1975-91. Considered one of the nation’s outstanding athletic directors, John was awarded the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal (twice) and the Air Force Commendation. In addition, he served as president of the NCAA Directors of Athletics, and was board chairman of the College Football Association. He was also named Athletic Director of the Year. John died in 1992. Appropriately, the student-athletes at the Air Force Academy play their home games in Clune Arena.
Bill Cochrane
(posthumous)
Baseball & Football Coach
Excerpted from his bio in the 1997 “Legends of Prep” program During St. Peter’s 133-year existence, its rich athletic legacy has produced many legendary individuals. Any list of Prep greats will invariably have Coach Bill Cochrane at the top. Bill began his coaching reign—one that would last twenty-six years and touch four decades of players—in the fall of 1945. Under Coach Cochrane, Prep was recognized as a football powerhouse (winning four state and three county titles). In the spring after each demanding football season, Bill moved to the baseball diamond where he guided Prep’s baseball team to its own place among the state’s elite athletic programs. Most notable in his stellar career was an eight-month period in 1958, during which the baseball and football teams both went undefeated and captured state titles. Bill’s combined fifty-four seasons of coaching at Prep were defined not only by excellence on the field, but by the class and fairness displayed by his players in their everyday lives. It is a fitting reminder to current Prep football and baseball players that they play their home games in a stadium named after this legendary figure. In recognition of a life dedicated to Prep athletes, Coach Bill Cochrane was inducted into the third “Legends pf Prep” Class in 1997.
Wellington Davis, ’61
Track
At 4’9” and 95 lbs., Welly Davis decided to pass on freshman football tryouts and turn his attention to track, managing to place in a few meets. With that confidence, the next year he joined JV football.Then came the breakthrough— going unbeaten in the 220 and winning every race but one in the 100. He would set numerous city, county and state records (including a 6.7 in the 60 yard dash in the Jersey City Armory), some of which are unlikely to be broken due to the switch to metric distances a few decades ago. Also, his numerous relay teams set records and won gold medals in the Jersey City and 168th Street (NYC) armories, as well as in the Knights of Columbus Meet in Madison Square Garden. Outdoors, he ran leadoff on the mile relay that clocked 3:21.1, at the time the fastest performance in the East. He also ran 9.7 in the 100 in the State Catholic Championships, the state’s second fastest time ever, and set Lincoln Park records for the 100 (9.9) and the 220 (21.8) in back-to-back races in the city meet, repeating those double victories in the county meet. After a dazzling 9.6 in the trials of the state meet, he was inched out in the finals for the only loss of his senior year. Following graduation, he was a member of his club team’s sprint medley that set a national schoolboy record.Welly competed on scholarship at St. Peter’s College, highlighted by his 6.4 in the 60 at Madison Square Garden, where he finished third, inches behind world champions Sam Perry and Frank Budd. A retired colonel in the Reserves, today Welly is executive director of the N.J. State Board of Mediation.
Rich Gronda, ’59
Football
It is difficult to imagine anyone who epitomizes Prep athletics more than Rich Gronda. As a player, parent and fan, his passion for all things maroon and white are well documented. It began in the fall of 1955 when he joined a Prep football program under coaches Cochrane and Zucconi. Following an outstanding performance on the freshman team, Rich started at offensive and defensive tackle for the varsity as a sophomore—an extremely rare occurrence at the time. As a junior he was named First Team AllCounty and First Team All-Metropolitan following an 8-1 season, with the only loss coming on a last-minute touchdown by Memorial in front of 25,000 fans at Roosevelt Stadium. Then came senior year, during which his team went undefeated while outscoring opponents 337-26 and ranking third in the nation. (The victories included a 20-0 win over nationallyranked St. Joe’s of Philadelphia.) That year, Rich was named First Team All-State, All-Metropolitan and All-County and was voted to the Sporting News All-American team. Always the consummate team player, he is quick to point out that his ’58 teammates included eight players who received scholarships to Division One schools. Unfortunately, Rich’s career was cut short by injuries sustained while at Villanova. A two-term member of Prep’s board of trustees, Rich retired as president/CEO of Farrell Lines in 2000, and throughout his career he has been a constant presence at numerous Prep athletic events. He was especially pleased to be able to watch his sons Doug, ’86, Rick, ’89 and Dan, ’90 continue the tradition of excellence in football, as well as excelling in wrestling.
Jerry Halligan
(Posthumous)
Basketball Coach
Excerpted from his bio in the 1995 “Legends of Prep” program Jerry Halligan was named the varsity basketball coach at St. Peter’s Prep in 1955, and in his first year he led the Marauders to a Hudson County championship. It would be the start of a career that would rank him among the school’s true legends. His teams went on to win city, county, and state titles, and it seemingly became a regular event to win the Jesuit Tournament, outplaying Prep’s Jesuit school rivals in the New York Province. His teams also played in independent tournaments, highlighted by winning the Eastern States Catholic Invitational Tournament (ESCIT) in 1961. The ESCIT was the most prestigious tournament of its time, bringing together many of the best teams on the east coast. That 1961 team also won the Hudson County title, defeating previously unbeaten Demarest (Hoboken) by a 75-40 margin. Coach Halligan’s career at St. Peter’s spanned twenty-eight seasons and ended with an appearance in the 1984 state championship game. During those three decades, he guided the Marauders to 450 victories, ranking him among the most successful coaches in the state’s basketball history. In 1995, Jerry was inducted into the second class of “Legends of Prep”—a fitting tribute for a man who dedicated his life to his players.
Jim Hannan, ’56
Baseball
At Prep, Jim’s performance gave more than a hint that he was destined for bigger things as he notched a few 13-strikeout games. As a senior he also was a member of Prep’s state championship basketball team. As a Notre Dame freshman, Jim’s team made it to the College World Series and reached the regional finals the next three years. Following graduation he was signed to a bonus contract by the Boston Red Sox and was named Rookie of the Year in the New York Penn League (254 strikeouts in 196 innings). The following winter the Washington Senators selected Jim, and he is believed to be the last player to make the jump from Class D to the majors. He would play nine seasons with the Senators (100 as a starter, 148 as a short reliever), before being traded to Detroit in the infamous 1970 “Denny McClain trade.” His last season, 1971, was split between Detroit and Milwaukee. His best season was 1968 (10-6), and he was 27-17 from May 1967 through August 1970. Other highlights: a 5-3 lifetime record against the Yankees; a 231/3-inning scoreless streak over nine games as short reliever in 1962; a 1965 three-hit shutout of the Kansas City Athletics; a game in 1968 against Cleveland in which he retired 26 consecutive batters in an 11-3 win; and a 1970 one-hitter against the new Kansas City Royals. While with the Senators, he served as the team’s player representative, American League player representative, and member of the Major League Pension Committee. He was also the founding president and is current board chair of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Jim went on to earn an M.B.A. from NYU and currently is a first vice president/financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Washington, D.C.
Tim Hawkes, ’65
Football
While it is always difficult to compare players of different eras, there is virtual unanimity that Tim Hawkes is among the two or three greatest running backs ever to carry a football for Prep—if not the best ever. The pride of the Greenville section of Jersey City, Tim powered the Prep backfield during each of his three years on varsity. He was named First Team All-County as a sophomore (a rare accomplishment) and finished his career being named First Team All-State and All-Metropolitan. Underscoring his consistency and dominance, he was a two-time recipient of the Tommy Myers Trophy as MVP of the annual Prep-Dickinson Thanksgiving Day game (1963-64), and he was selected to the Star-Ledger’s All-Century Team for the decade of the 1960s (named one of the top 20 players of that decade). Tim continued his career at Holy Cross, starting for two years. Despite being injured most of his senior year, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. A versatile athlete, he also was a three-time All-County runner for the Prep track team, setting a state freshman record for the 440 and the county record for the 300. An attorney in Jersey City, a former member of the Jersey City Council, and a member of the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame,Tim is also the proud father of two Prep grads, Tim, ’90 and Bryan, ’93.
Jackie Hyatt, ’49
(posthumous) Football
In his day, he often was referred to as “Prep’s Mr. Excitement,” and for those who witnessed Jackie Hyatt in action, that title would be his alone. Considered one of the great broken field runners in Hudson County history, Jackie climaxed a memorable career by scoring three touchdowns in Prep’s 26-19 upset of Memorial. They were among the 18 touchdowns he scored in his senior yesr—a dozen of them on runs of 50 yards or more. At the time, his 108 points was the second greatest total ever scored by a Prep running back. Jackie also was a track star, winning the state 100 and 220 yard dashes in his junior and senior years, in addition to playing a season of varsity basketball. He then went on to Fordham where, after enjoying two outstanding varsity seasons, he was named the Rams’ captain in his senior year. However, he was stricken with a rare form of paralysis known as bulbar polio, which affects the respiratory system. Incredibly, after battling through a difficult five-month convalescence, he managed to return to the Fordham varsity as a starter. Following his graduation, Jackie returned to Prep as an assistant backfield coach under Bill Cochrane and remained at Prep through 1958, when he moved into the business world as a purchasing agent for a cosmetics firm. He died in 1980, leaving behind a proud legacy of achievement and determination.
Roy Leenig
(posthumous) Basketball Coach
Excerpted from his bio in the 1999 “Legends of Prep” program Roy Leenig came to St. Peter’s in 1949 to teach physical education and to coach basketball. What followed from 1949 to 1955 is still referred to as the “Leenig years.” During that six-year span, Prep won five state championships, five Jesuit Tourney titles, four county and four city championships, and two championships at the Eastern States Catholic Invitational Tournament (a preeminent high school competition, bringing together the finest teams from the eastern seaboard). His coaching record at Prep was 141 victories against 20 defeats—an incredible 87.5 winning percentage. Moreover, he developed some of the finest players ever to wear the maroon and white, and many went on to successful collegiate careers. Roy’s success did not go unnoticed, and he moved on to an equally stellar career at Holy Cross, where he reunited with some of his former players. Roy Leenig’s career at Prep was brief but brilliant—and most worthy of the status of “Legend of Prep” bestowed upon him in 1999.
fr. Earle Markey, S.J., ’49
Basketball
Excerpted from his bio in the 1993 “Legends of Prep” program In the Fall 1985 edition of Prep Magazine, sports columnist Ed Grant, ’43 reminisced that in the mid-1940s, when the Jesuit Provincial came to inspect the proposed site for Prep’s new gymnasium, he saw Earle Markey playing in the schoolyard and remarked, “The boy deserves a proper place to play basketball.” A few years later the gymnasium was completed, and Earle became the marquee member of the legendary state champion “Fire House Five”—the first South Hudson team to win the Hudson County title. Earle continued his education and basketball career at Holy Cross, and in 1953, following four stellar years both in the classroom and on the hardwood, he was drafted by the Boston Celtics, but instead decided to enter the Society of Jesus. When asked who was most responsible for his vocation, Earle often jokingly mentions Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman: with these two all-stars already in the Boston backcourt, he realized that he would have to play for “another team.” Earle was ordained in 1963, and following graduate studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, he returned to Prep as principal in 1971. Five years later he returned to Holy Cross, where he has held a number of administrative positions, including vice president for student affairs. He has served on the board of trustees of Prep and Holy Cross, as well as Fordham and St. Louis universities, and he maintains his close relationship with both alma maters. Among his many accolades, Earle was an inaugural inductee as a “Legend of Prep” in 1993, and he is also a member of the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame.
Jerome Pedersen, ’92
(posthumous)
Trainer/manager
Jerome Pedersen’s journey to St. Peter’s began in the summer before his eighth grade at St. Patrick’s in Jersey City. That summer, he attended the Higher Achievement Program (HAP) and, under the guidance of the late Fr. John Browning, S.J., ’46, Jerome’s eyes were opened to the possibility of attending Prep. An academic scholarship made his dream a reality in the fall of 1988. An excellent student and a sports enthusiast, Jerome became an assistant trainer and manager for the football and basketball teams, and he eventually joined the baseball team in the same capacity. His service to St. Peter’s in general, and to Prep athletes in particular, was unparalleled. While some athletes span three sports for four years, Jerome took his dedication to Prep ever further. After graduating in 1992 and enrolling at NJIT (where he double-majored in computer engineering and mathematics), Jerome continued to devote his time to serving the athletic program, adding wrestling to the other sports he managed. For a span of more than a decade, he was an indispensible part of virtually every major athletic accomplishment at St. Peter’s. No coach, or player, or fan can claim that.The love and respect for Jerome, from players and coaches alike, was underscored by the overwhelming outpouring of emotion displayed at the memorial services that followed his untimely death in 2001 at age 28.
Lou Rettino, ’59
(posthumous) Football
It is difficult to capture the essence of Lou Rettino on paper, as he cast a bigger-than-life shadow throughout much of his life. At 6’1” and 200 lbs. in his senior year, he was a bruising two-way player who loved the passion connected with a game well played—and the positive results that came from both power and finesse. He was one of the pillars of Prep’s legendary undefeated ’58 team, scoring nine touchdowns and leading the team in tackles, and he was named First Team All-State and All-County, as well as Back of the Year for all Catholic A teams. Courted by many colleges, he chose Villanova, scoring nine touchdowns and playing in the 1961 Sun Bowl and the 1962 Liberty Bowl. Following a stint with the Green Bay Packers, Lou coached at various schools (including Prep) before arriving at Union H.S., establishing himself as one of the premier scholastic coaches in the nation. By the conclusion of his career, he had notched 216 victories, and his Union team finished with the state’s top ranking seven times. Significantly, on six occasions his teams were ranked among the top six nationally by USA Today. On three separate occasions, Lou was named N.J. Coach of the Year, and he was inducted into the N.J. Football Coaches Hall of Fame, in addition to Villanova’s and Hudson County’s halls of fame. In the late 1990s, Lou continued to coach even while battling cancer, and he died in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of greatness on both sides of the sideline.
Joe Urbanovich, ’65
Baseball Player
& Coach
It is difficult to think back to a time when Joe Urbanovich has not been connected with the Prep baseball program, and in many ways it is a relationship built on quality as much as quantity. The quality is in the man himself, in the manner in which he conducts his sport, and in his record as both a player and a coach. The quantity is the result of almost staggering numbers: 32 years as Prep’s head coach and 750 games, including almost 500 career wins. Then there is the combination of the two: six Hudson County championships and numerous player selections to various All-Star teams. It was a journey that began in the Jersey City Little League, followed by a stellar career at Prep under Coach Bill Cochrane. Joe was a rare fouryear starter at Prep—including at third base, shortstop and behind the plate—and he was captain in his senior year, batting .400 after three years of .300-plus. An Honorable Mention All-County and All-Newark Archdiocese selection, he won a scholarship to Villanova, where he batted over .300, including a team-leading .353 his junior year as team MVP.That year he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but decided to continue his education. As team captain the following year, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, and he played for their minor league organization for two years. Joe has enjoyed many highlights since taking the reins from Bill Cochrane in 1974, and among them has been the pleasure of coaching his sons (twins) Mike and Nick, ’00 and Paul, ’04, all of whom played on county championship teams. Appropriately, Mike was the winning pitcher in 2000 when Joe notched his 400th career victory. Following a long career in the Jersey City school system, Joe joined the Prep faculty in 2003 as a math teacher.
George Waddleton, ’53
Basketball
In the annals of Prep’s illustrious athletic history, George Waddleton is our Jim Thorpe—a gifted, multi-talented, multi-sport athlete who dominated the competition like few before him or since. His “primary” sport was basketball, and it has been said that he and Earle Markey, ’49, his fellow inductee in this inaugural Prep Hall of Fame class, were the players that brought Prep basketball into the “modern” era of fast-break action marked by elevated levels of agility and athleticism. Significantly, in this role, George was Prep’s first 1,000-point scorer, and this was accomplished in the days before the threepoint shot, when team scores were more likely to be in the 50s rather than the 80s. On the gridiron in ’52 he was Prep’s leading rusher, scoring the winning touchdown as Prep snapped Memorial’s 33-game winning streak. He also was a standout cross-county runner and the starting shortstop on the baseball team, earning four varsity letters as a senior. George went on to Holy Cross, where he was captain of the ’56 team that featured NBA Hall of Famer Tommy Heinsohn. In 1952, the Newark Evening News ranked George as the #2 athlete in all of New Jersey, right behind Olympic and world decathlon champion Milt Campbell (who in 2000 was named the Star-Ledger’s New Jersey Athlete of the Century). To this day, 52 years after his Prep graduation, George is still considered among the greatest overall athletes ever to come out of Hudson County.
Monday, June 20, 2005 The Prep Golf Tournament Spring Lake Golf Club, Spring Lake, N.J.
Saturday, November 12, 2005 “Legends of Prep VII” Mayfair Farms,West Orange, N.J. For further information, contact Alumni Director Lou Vega, ’95 at alumni@spprep.org or at 201-547-6413.
And coming in Spring 2006: St. Peter’s Prep Hall of Fame Professional Achievement & Distinguished Service Awards (details to be announced in Fall 2005) Check out Prep on the web: www.spprep.org
Acknowledgments The Saint Peter’s Prep External Affairs Team played a major role in ensuring the success of this evening’s event. In particular, we thank the following:
For their leadership support: Fr. Jim Keenan, S.J Jim Horan, ’70 Lou Vega, ’95 President Vice President Alumni Director for External Affairs For data entry and primary logistical support: Nancy Cunningham, P’99,’01 & Lani Franco For their ongoing logistical support: Marge Baker, Dave Bailey, ’95, MaryPhyllis Locricchio, P’95,’96, Ginny Needham-Doyle, P’07, John Irvine, ’83 & Liz Walsh √
Also, special thanks to Lou Castelli, ’66, P’01 and Joe Massarelli, ’80 for their assistance with the computer graphics.
This event was conceived by the St. Peter’s Prep Alumni Board and nurtured by its Special Events Committee. For their extraordinary leadership we offer special thanks to the following: Lou Castelli, ’66, P’01 President, Prep Alumni Board
Joe Guarino, ’86 Chairman, Special Events Committee Prep Alumni Board
We also acknowledge the individual and collective efforts of the Alumni Board membership: NOTE: Stars indicate members of the Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee.
John Feeney, ’80 * Vice President Markis Abraham, ’97 Ray Aumack, ’55 * John Bergin, ’50 * Gene Boyle, ’56 Joe Casazza, ’95 Jack Caulfield, ’71 Nick Chiaravalloti, ’90 Bob Colacurcio, ’73 * Tom Crowley, ’65 Len De Pinto, ’74 Sam DiFeo, ’66
Steve Hudik, ’85 * Secretary Ralph Diverio, ’46 Dave Donnelly, ’88 * Gabe Doria, ’81 * Dave Finn, ’82 John Gibney, ’81 * Joe Giglio, ’87 Rich Hamilton, ’90 Jim Hardiman, ’47 Jim Horan, ’70 * Jim Keenan, S.J., * Jerry Lally, ’56 Ed Marley, ’44
Joe Massarelli, ’80 Phil McGovern, ’76 Bob McNamara, ’51 Chris Piparo, ’82 Jim Ryan, ’66 * Jack Savage, ’57 Paul Schaetzle, ’71 * Charles Sciarra, ’87 T.J. Sullivan, ’93 * Jim Supple, ’65 * Lou Vega, ’95 *
The following individuals also served on the special Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee: Gerry Bellotti Ken Dandorph Jim Hague, ’79
Rich Hansen Mike Hogan, ’72 John Irvine, ’83
Fr. Jim Joyce, S.J. Fr. Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62 Jack Raslowsky, ’79
Sponsors & Donors Jesuit & Special Sponsors We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals who generously sponsored one or more of our honorees, or our Jesuit and Prep faculty/staff and other special guests: Bob Burke, ’53 Jack Caulfield, ’71 Bob Cobban, ’50 John Curley, ’66 Larry Fell, ’54 Joe Fitzpatrick, ’42 Vito Germinario, ’70
Mike Grezelak, ’65 Jim Hardiman, ’47 Jerry Lally, ’56 Paul Schaetzle, ’71 Bob Schwarze, ’54 George Taite, ’73 George Waddleton, ’53
Scholarship Donors We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals who made gifts to the Prep Scholarship Endowment in honor of, or in memory of, tonight’s honorees. Jim Bambrick, ’60 ........................................In honor of Rich Gronda, ’59 Rich Barnitt, ’56 ........................................In memory of Lou Rettino, ’59 Jim Barry, ’61 ....................................In memory of Mary and Dick Barry John Bassi, ’63 ..................................................In honor of Gerry Bellotti Joe Casey ..................................................In honor of George Blaney, ’57 Jim Dougher ..............................................In honor of George Blaney, ’57 John Dow, ’59 ..............................................In honor of Rich Gronda, ’59 Larry Fell, ’54 ....................................................In memory of Roy Leenig Jim Hackett, ’56 ........................................In memory of Jackie Hyatt, ’49 Mike Hyland ....................................In honor of the Hall of Fame honorees John Massaro, ’59......................................In honor of George Blaney, ’57, Rich Gronda, ’59 and Jim Barry, ’61; also, in memory of Roy Leenig. Brian McCabe, ’92................................In memory of Jerome Pedersen, ’92 Dave McClave, ’65 ....................................In memory of Bob Vignone, ’65 Frank Salzer ....................................................In honor of Jim Barry, ’61 Gerome Smith, ’60 ..................................In honor of Wellington Davis, ’61 & Jime Barry, ’61 John Verdon, ’57 ......................................In memory of Fr. Ray York, S.J. Nick Warnock, ’94 ................................................In honor of Bill Tierney
Pride & Glory
It is our pride and our glory, Old in song and in story; And we cherish your name And we love your fair fame For the days of long ago. And we your sons will be loyal To St. Peter’s so royal. May your banners still guide us Wherever we go!
It is a story of gladness, With no shadow of sadness; Our years spent with you, St. Peter’s so true. And you hold our heart’s love yet. And through the years we will treasure With a joy beyond measure— The gifts you have given We shall never forget.