Our Team; RHS Graduations Photos; Faculty Tributes; LSST; Ridgewood Public Schools; When Joe Pedone finished his high school basketball career in 1992 his coach, Jim Stoker, was quoted at the year end team banquet as saying, if there is ever a Ridgewood High School Hall of Fame, Joe Pedone will be in it. It has taken some time for that statement to come true but with his inclusion in the Class of 2022, Joe Pedone is now a member for the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame. His senior year, Mark was named first team All-County and All-North Jersey Group 4 and second team All-North Jersey. Mark Romeo carved out Ridgewood High School's first 100-win career in varsity wrestling at a time when there were fewer matches each season in which to compete compared to today. Congratulations to our 2022 Hall of Fame Inductees: Michael Allegretti (Class of 1970), Sam Palazzo (Class of 1999) and Russell Charles Stokes (Class of 1971). O'Connell Skettini bowled for the Maroons from 1981 to 1984 and received first team All-County and All-State honors all four seasons for coach Art Rispoli's pinspillers, coming from Ben Franklin Junior High her freshman year. As a fullback on the gridiron for head coach Jack Broomall, he was the Maroons' leading rusher, playing alongside halfbacks Gus Anton, George Bolding, Stew Moore and Eddie Walsh and quarterback Charlie Brown, while running behind a line that featured standout Walt Livingston. A slick, ball handing guard, he could get to the rim and score, but he was most feared as a deadly accurate outside shooter. Although it lasted only a little more than two seasons, their individual accomplishments and their total contributions to those two championship seasons are a famed milestone in Ridgewood High School track lore. Another highlight of Dunne's final football season was receiving the Hi-Y Grid Award, given by the Ridgewood YMCA for clean sportsmanship, scholarship and all-around student. with his refrain, "Once in love with Amy, always in love with Amy" Between her high school, collegiate, and post-collegiate athletic career, she is one of the most versatile and accomplished cross-country and track & field athletes in Ridgewood High School and Bergen County History. Lucia Cancelmo (Class of 1980) made her mark in Ridgewood High School athletics in gymnastics, and she was named to The Record's All-Century Gymnastics Team. Peter quickly became an integral part of the team, helping to lead Old Avon to a winning season of 16-9-4 while tallying 5 goals and 5 assists. There was no league champs, or country champs to develop your embryonic skills. Named to The Record's Bergen County All-Century Girls Soccer Team as a Midfielder, Wendy Hartwig, a 1994 graduate, is the leading goal scorer in the history of Ridgewood High School soccer, boys and girls programs, with 110 goals to go along with 49 assists over a four-year varsity career playing for head coach Jeff Yearing. He was named to All-County first teams in those events in 1955 and 1956. Ridgewood had no swimming team so she trained on her own before school at Graydon Pool (the Village erected turning boards to help her) and at the National Swimming Association facility in Manhattan after school. On October 5, 1995, she had four assists against the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and that still stands as the single-game assist record at Virginia. Come spring, he played second and third base and was one of the best hitters for the Maroons. Tom continued his football career at the US Military Academy at West Point playing guard and linebacker for three years before moving to center in his final campaign. He graduated high school in 1946 and spent a semester at the Columbia School of Journalism, landing a job with the Call full time as a general assignment reporter. The other, the late Dr. Mario (The Mole) Ferraro, is in this year's induction class. Culver is the youngest athlete to be inducted into the RHS Athletic Hall of Fame for his play not only in lacrosse and football but for his success on the lacrosse field for the University of Virginia, the Chicago Machine of Major League Lacrosse (MLL) and the United States World Champion U-19 team, as well as his continued dedication to the sport of lacrosse on a national level. The 1946 team had few returning lettermen, but the Maroons won their final six games to finish the season with a 7-2 record. Nancy Hogan is a champion and leader in the development of women's athletics not only at Ridgewood High School, but nationally. Mark served as a team captain his senior year, and, for his last three seasons; he was named the team's Most Valuable Wrestler and recorded the most pins. Paul became a pioneer in the Bergen County sports scene and a strong advocate for equal opportunity for women in sports. They were the first and only girls on a team that had been all boys up to this point. dash in the Mid-Atlantic Championships. Like so many of our RHS Hall of Fame Inductees, Rachel has also been on the cutting edge of outstanding work experiences. It is the highest honor an athlete can receive at the school and represents all four years of athletic endeavor for that individual at RHS. He is first on the school's all-time list for most varsity wins as a player (55) and most career assists (41) in boys soccer. Please contact HOF Committee Co-ChairJeff Yearing to submit your nomination as a Word Doc. Her pinnacle moment at Georgia was scoring in the SEC Championship steeplechase and standing on the podium with other great college runners. Chris DuFlocq still sets the standard by which I judge all others, and none have ever surpassed the complete talent that he possessed in so many different areas the position demands." Patty's freshman year, she placed first in the County tournament in the Vault. "I introduce myself to her and she hands me the clipboard (with the names of the 17 girls on the team) and walks away,'' said Brown with a laugh in a 1975 interview on the New Jersey Milesplit website. She went on to explain, In high school a lot of runners reach on errors and walks and base running becomes particularly important. Jim had a unique ability to analyze opposing offenses and defenses and design a successful game plan often confusing other coaches. He would go watch other teams play to find their strengths and would make adjustments to match them. Each of these men knew they had an indispensable resource with Maureen that allowed for them to function in as sane a manner that a person in that position could possibly expect. While at Ridgewood, Culver was a three-year varsity letter winner and co-captain on the gridiron for Chuck Johnson's football teams and garnered first team All-League, first team All-Suburban and first team All-County honors while playing linebacker for the Maroons as well as being awarded the prestigious Stroker Award in 2002. Upon her retirement, in looking back at her coaching success, Karlas balanced approach to coaching is summed up in this quote Extremely dedicated, athletic, hardworking; the girls work outside of the sport, and they have to work hard in the classroom too. The 1990 team gave up 53, and 3.12 respectively to take second in both categories. Coach Napier continues to be active in gymnastics nationally and internationally as a renowned judge. Carin was inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame as an Honor Swimmer in 1984. He passed on the position because Jim was more concerned about being properly prepared and not short changing his players than he was about being a head coach. Area: 12,012 km2. It has been a showcase for many players who go on to professional careers in the sport. His 1941 team won the Group 3 state championship. She was selected to play in the NJGSCA Senior Showcase and the only RHS soccer player named twice to the Star Ledger all state honors. In August 2006, Lyons was promoted to an inspector in the Inspection Division at FBI Headquarters. He was captain of the U.S. Olympic and Pan American teams. Tim Mullen, a 1981 graduate, is Ridgewood High School's all-time leading scorer in basketball with 1,507 varsitycareer points. Patti Mileski, a 1983 graduate, is one of the top-!ight cross-country and track athletes in the history of Ridgewood High School. Jim had a unique talent to demonstrate a technique in its smallest terms. It wasn't until the end of junior year that I had recovered enough and scored a personal best time in the 1,000 freestyle. Along with fellow Ridgewood Hall of Fame inductee Jacob Brown and Mike Glynn, he started and co-directed the Ridgewood Winter Games, a pioneering indoor track meet at Rockland Community College, which began in the 1970s and the season opening Ridgewood Relays, now known as the Pawlowski Relays, in the spring. dash his Junior year and NNJIL Championships in the 100 and 220 yd. She finished the season with 38 goals and 13 assists while starting all but one match for the 17-4 Blue Devils Bringing her skills to Ridgewood as a teacher at RHS, she formed the first girls softball team there in 1974.The rest is history as they say. She received her BA as a history major from their college of Arts and while at Georgetown she was a member of the women's Div 1 soccer team .She co captained that team during the 1996 season and was awarded the Big East's "Defensive Player of the Week Award" during that season. The same kind of fate awaited the team in the state semi final loss to Westfield on a goal scored with six seconds remaining in overtime. In addition to the three varsity letters earned on the gridiron, he was awarded two in wrestling. John willingly tells of his early childhood days, running with a group of boys whom he describes as mostly "ending up in jail" after which,he moved to Ridgewood with his Dad at age 12. In terms of size, Ile-de-France contains about 23.7% of the surface of France, but it is where 88.6% of the French population lives. In those two years, the team won its first two NNJIL league titles, had a record of 29-10-2 and made appearances in both the Bergen County and state tournaments for the first time in consecutive seasons. In outdoor track, 76 Bergen Meet of Champions winner and 15 state group champions, 16 Bergen group team titles, 15 league titles and 10 sectional crowns. While the athletes may have changed, the understanding of what brings about success has not. The following year, he was nominated for the Disney Teachers Award as one of the top 3 Physical Education teachers in the United States. RHS, was also a great place according to Craig. They have five children, 11 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. He kicked off his freshman year in 1990 in grand style, emerging as the team's leading scorer, racking up 14 goals and eight assists, to help lead the Maroons to a trio of titles including the Northern New Jersey Interscholastic League (NNJIL), Bergen Countyand Group 4, Section 1 championships. The Dodgers held on to his baseball contract for a number of years after he retired in case he ever changed his mind. The Haledon native graduated from Paterson Central High School and Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey) in 1936. It should still be fun at the high school level. She did this while playing varsity basketball in 1983 and 1984 for coach Dick Bennett. On June 8, 1966, DeRochi retired from Ridgewood High School, having served almost 30 years (1945-66) as athletic director. Again, he led the Maroons in scoring with 17 goals and 13 assists, the latter number a program record for a junior, and he also established the school record for career assists (32) in boys soccer. finished ranked #8 in the state and held the #17 ranking nationally during the season. (Sports Editor Emerittus), 1973.1975-77.1979-84.1986-2006 Whatever disadvantage we have suffered by lightness in weight has been more than counterbalanced by excellent team work, fast playing and fearless line-bucking". Her teams were well-prepared during training and always coached to play with the highest standards of ethical behavior and dignity. "Toshiko would stand on food lines all day and bring home a cucumber to feed a family of six. Charlie and Dorothy Yennie had two sons, Doug, retired after a 34-year career coaching basketball and golf at Bergen Community College, and Bo, a ski instructor in Steamboat Springs, Colo. Charlie died at age 86 in May of 2001. In recognition of his outstanding senior season Sullivan was named 1st Team All-NNJIL and 1st Team All-Bergen County as a defensive back while earning his second Varsity letter in football. She pitched Trenton State to the national championship in 1987, hurling two of the four games in the championship series and defeating Eastern Connecticut twice. He was a great coach and a better person." Alex Molnar, class of 1963; Pamela Kristan, class of 1964; and Mary-Rita (Patricelli) Moore, class of 1979; will be recognized. He was 1st Team All-State in 1990, an All-American and was awarded the Governors Cup as the Outstanding Athlete in lacrosse at the Garden State Games. Starring on the gridiron for Chuck Johnson, the hardwood for Jim Stroker and the lacrosse field for Steve Jacobsen, Sullivan competed and succeeded against athletes of all sizes. Beyond her productivity on the pitch, Rachel Grygiel reflected the complete embodiment of the term student athlete. While her exploits on the field were being looked at in amazement, her desire to achieve academically and to serve her community reflected the same passion and desire she brought to the field each day. Vince Robertiello (Jamie Roberts), a former Sports Editor of The Ridgewood News, is being inducted as a Special Contributor to Ridgewood High School athletics.Robertiello began his sports writing career in 1944 when he was a sophomore at long-defunct Paterson Central High School. She would never make unilateral decisions and always trusted her coaches to lend a helping hand. In 1942, Grundy was drafted into the U.S. Army and served four years. In his senior year, Dunne captained the football team for head coach Frank Mozeleski. These statistics support the recognition of Peters unselfish play. In the last quarter, Feeney (Parnell Feeney, Left Halfback) "after making large gains up the field rushed the ball over the line for a touch-down". Mike Henderson enters the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame having competed in an era where competition was fierce and deep. 2002 Lacrosse Van Note's career statistics at RHS were 18 Goals scored and 24 Assists, with 17 assists doled out in his senior year. Scholastic Roundup: The stars were shining for Xaverian High School When asked who her first choice would be for a women's lacrosse player to be inducted in to the Ridgewood Athletic Hall would be, current Ridgewood High School coach Karla Mixon immediately answered "Leigh Jester". About 150 men who either played on his basketball or baseball teams or were in his physical education classes gathered at the Suburban Restaurant on Route 4 in Paramus to pay tribute to DeRochi's accomplishments. During her soccer career at RHS she appeared in 90 varsity matches for the Maroons accumulating a total of 36 goals ( Ranked 14th at RHS all time today) and 38 assists( Ranked 6th All Time at RHS today).She played a variety of positions mainly from the midfield and front runner slots and her accumulated point total of 110 ranks her at #12 today on the RHS all time scoring list .She earned 1st team All NNJIL honors and New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Association (NJGSCA)All State recognition both her junior and senior seasons. From 1946 to 1950, he attended Cornell University and lettered four years in football as the starting right halfback. She also made the move to the US Women's Lacrosse Elite team Most proudly, Nick and Dottie Capasso also raise funds to provide financial scholarships to worthy Biddy alumni upon their graduation from RHS. A coach could get more basketball knowledge from Jim than he could from major college clinics. In 2005 Dave Vanderbush organized the first girls golf team at Ridgewood. Olympian Alan Webb had the eighth-best time. The main thing was that I was working, and I didn't care what they paid me as long as they continued to let me work. What does an 8 year old boy do when he is fascinated by the movie "Trapeze" that starred Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis, he becomes a state champion gymnast! LeMay passed up running in the State Meet of Champions his senior year to participate in a national meet, the Golden West Invitational, where he finished fifth in the 3,000 meters. He finished college at Rutgers but did not compete for the Scarlet Knights. In 1959 he ran the second fastest time ever posted for the Bulldogs to that date in the 220 recording a 20.8.It is a record that still stands today and still has him 2nd on the all time Yale record chart for that event. 9. An 8-2 record as a junior including big wins over Bergen Catholic, Paramus Catholic and Don Bosco garnered Ridgewood a playoff berth. As Norris recounts each player was well versed in the A, B, Cs of softball. Coach Debbie Paul also pointed out the contribution the teams skill in base running played during the season. During his time as a Marine he competed on the Quantico Marine basketball team, which was used as a recruiting tool for the Marine Corps. Wendy Hartwig RHS Athletic Hall Of Fame 2006 Inductee Maroons History Further she was recognized by the NJGSCA and the NSCAA as the New Jersey Player of the Year. Truly admirable! With Title IX regenerating opportunities for female athletes RHS formed a girls gymnastics program in 1976. Toshi continued to do that until one month before she passed away in 2014. Also in 1961 Tom was again awarded 1st team All NNJIL ,1st team All Suburban and 1st team All Bergen County laurels as a senior. James Sullivan, a 1995 graduate, is one of the top swimmers in the history of Ridgewood High School. Lockhart, who became a doctor, shared quarterback duties on the 1972 squad that lost only to Hackensack in eight outings, 14-13, and captured the school's first NNJIL title. George Monro went on to have a stellar football career at Franklin and Marshall College and was inducted into the F&M sports hall of fame in 2001. Upon transferring to Rutgers she continued her collegiate athletic career concentrating on her number one game basketball, as a member of the Scarlet Knights varsity squad her junior and senior years 1976-78.Nancy played for the first full time female collegiate basketball coach in the country ,Theresa Grentz, an All American herself from Immaculata.While at Rutgers, Nancy garnered the nickname "Century Hogan" having scored the one hundredth point all five times the Rutgers Women's basketball team broke the century mark during her two varsity seasons there. Class of 1975 His athletic skills attracted college recruiters for football and the New York Giants for baseball. In 1983 his girls four mile team set a national high school record that lasted for 17 years. Her freshman success foreshadowed an outstanding running career in cross-country and track and field at Ridgewood High School.Mary Ellen set school records in the 1,500-meter and one-mile runs. His first decade at Ridgewood saw Brown coaching all three seasons. He was selected as a defenseman for the 1992 New Jersey North South All-Star Game where he was voted the team Captain of the North Squad by his teammates. After graduating from St. John's, Tom began a career in the golf business as a PGA golf professional. After college, he was the JV boys soccer coach at Ridgewood for two seasons, compiling a 23-9-5 record, and also coached JV boys lacrosse at RHS for two years. He took over the girls basketball team in 1976 in the middle of the season; the team went on to lose every single game. They administer the checkbook, and collect and disburse the cash paying referees, timekeepers and scorekeepers. Lyons entered on duty as an FBI special agent in January 1990. He was also the epitome of a true "student athlete" who achieved in the class room as well as on the fields, courts and cinders for the Maroons. She still holds the indoor long and triple jump record at Georgetown. John is a resident of Ewing ,N.J. today and works professionally as an Actuary in the insurance industry. She truly was a leader by example! That same spring, Kauke earned the Bernard Smith Award for outstanding running performance in the Bergen County Relays, and he went on to place fourth in the 800 at Foot Locker Nationals in North Carolina. Please be aware of any professional involvement in their particular sport.You may also nominate coaches and individuals who have had a significant impact on the development of athletics at RHS. Leigh was a Co. Capt. She retired from competitive swimming in 1960 and married West Point football co-captain and All-American guard Al Vanderbush in 1962. Joe LeMay (Class of 1985) made his mark in Ridgewood High School athletics in cross-country and track and field. He finished second in the 1996 United States Olympic Trials for 10,000 meters and won both the 1997 Gate River Run 15K in Jacksonville, Fla. with a time of 43:35 and the 1999 California International Marathon with 2:13:55 clocking. The team only trailed at half time once while never giving up double digit goals in any game. So Brown was left to teach all the events to an inexperienced but eager group of girls and try and figure out a schedule. She was an important part of improving the Georgia cross country program and ran in the NCAA regional championship several times. The program has produced 138 first team all league selections since 1987, 37 All Bergen County first team recognitions,104 New Jersey Girls Soccer Coaches Assoc. Her sophomore year Michele jumped up to the very competitive First Singles slot and after competing against the very best singles players in the County and leading Ridgewood to an undefeated season in league play, she was voted Second Team All-Bergen County. Today Nancy resides in Medford, Mass and is Vice President for Government relations for First Realty Management in Boston. Her ability to read the match and to apply herself on both sides of the ball made her a tremendous all around soccer player .She is the kind of soccer player coaches would love to have at every position, because she understood what had to be done at every position on the field while she was engaged in the competition. As many other Ridgewood High School Hall of Fame members have done before him he continues to be involved in the sport he played at Ridgewood and gives back to that sport, especially in mentoring and working with some of the best young golfers in the State of New Jersey. "He has to watch his marks, or he becomes ineligible. She is also tied for third place in school history for game-winning assists in a season, three in 1996. "I knew nothing about Ridgewood and didn't even know where it was,'' Brown remembered nearly 45 years later. He covered their football, baseball and basketball teams as a stringer for the also now defunct Paterson Morning Call. Class of 1958 The softball team took a slower climb to success than the tennis program, but under Paul's steady leadership and coaching, the team emerged with a 17-7 record in 1978 while claiming its first Bergen County tournament victory and its first two wins in the state tournament. Of historical interest are the chteaus of Versailles, Mantes-la-Jolie, Rambouillet, Fontainebleau, Vaux-le-Vicomte, and Champs.A large Disneyland theme park in Marne-la-Valle also is a significant tourist draw. However Jean's background and early interest was but a small for shadow to a great career in competitive running that was to unfold. He used that pen name covering Ridgewood High School sports from then on. A two year Varsity letter winner at halfback and defensive back Sullivan was described by Coach Johnson as; "an amazing leader, an amazing presence, and an amazing person.