We Fondly Remember Richard L. Scott ’43 May 5, 2012 Edward Echikson ’45 August 6, 2012 Herbert Pick ’48 June 18, 2012 Philip A. Caruso, M.D. ’56 November 10, 2012 Edward Papalia ’01 June 5, 2012
REMEMBERING PAUL DESERIO, JR. ’45, Beloved Coach and Teacher, 1954-1961 by Whitney C. Russell, Jr. ’62 I recently connected with Coach DeSerio to convey my appreciation for his many contributions to my life. He taught and coached at Newark Academy during my First Street years from 1955-1962. His many efforts advanced the Academy and he became a hero of mine. Coach passed away last February after a brief illness and an enterprising career. After graduating from NA in 1945 and Williams College in 1949, he was a tennis success in the U.S Army. After the Korean War, he returned to civilian life as a tennis
He also builds segmented wood bowls and agrees with folks who say that “youth is wasted on the young.”
pro and a Newark Academy coach with Udell Stallings in football, basketball, tennis,
1960
Bob Hendrickson, his assistant from 1957-61, recalled, “Paul DeSerio knew we had
Class Representative Frederick Katz, Jr. ’60 katzjr@optonline.net
track, fencing, volleyball and gymnastics. Under the administration of Dr. Miller and Mr. Butler, athletic programs expanded and Coach DeSerio led them to great success.
young men with intelligence and character and that we could win with complex strategies and conditioning to offset our small numbers.” Nothing proved this better than the 1957 Delbarton football game when we sprinted and dazzled our way to a 26-0 halftime lead.
Bill Beebee, who is retired, is enjoying spending time with his wife of 45 years and his five grandchildren, as well as his involvement with church and social work, and political campaigning. He does volunteer policy research for three candidates on the national political stage and finds it to be very challenging.
1961
Curtis Cetrulo ’61, a five-sport star in his upper school years said, “Coach DeSerio was the most innovative of his coaching peers or even collegians of the era. He designed and taught great multiple offensive and defensive formations and techniques.” “He was ahead of his time in training, conditioning, and strategies,” said Elmer Herrmann ’58. Mike Winick ’62, Marty King ’59, Wade Nixdorff ’56, and Wally Pattyson ’60, recalled some of Coach DeSerio’s many techniques for successfully motivating players and teams, including his use of game films, scouting, and organization. Memories varied, but the facts remain: In seven years, Coach DeSerio’s teams won six basketball championships, three football titles, and four trophies in tennis. He reinvigorated
Class Representatives
programs in track, volleyball, and field day; and his
Curtis Cetrulo ’61 Curt.Cetrulo@gmail.com
won-lost records in basketball and football were 86-24
Peter Papademetriou ’61 papadem@njit.edu
remembered Coach saying, “In life, it is far more
and 37-12-3, respectively. Track athlete Tom Keith ’62 important to finish a race than to win it.” Coach DeSerio
MacKinnon Simpson ’61 MacKinnon808@gmail.com
always tried to convince us to be the best we could be.