The Inaugural

St. Peter’s PrepAthletic Hall of Fame

The Inaugural

St. Peter’s PrepAthletic Hall of Fame

Puccini’s RestaurantJersey City, New Jersey

April 28, 2005

Saint Peter’s Preparatory SchoolPresents

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 CeremoniesLou Castelli, ’66

President, Prep Alumni Board

√

Invocation & WelcomeFr. Jim Keenan, S.J.

President

√

Special IntroductionsJim Horan, ’70

Vice President for External Affairs

√

Presentation of HonoreesSpecial Acknowledgment of Past & Future

“Legends of Prep” Athletic HonoreesPresented 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 HonoreesEric 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 HonoreesTim 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

Jim Barry, ’61 basketball

One of the dominant athletes in Prep history, Jim was a three-year starterwho was named First Team Catholic All-State each year. It began insophomore year when he was named tournament MVP following Prep’sstate championship victory over Trenton Catholic. He also was only thethird sophomore ever named First Team All-County, setting a countyscoring record for sophs. After an outstanding junior year, Jim completedhis Prep career by leading St. Peter’s to the prestigious Eastern StatesCatholic Invitational Tournament (ESCIT) championship, being namedtournament MVP and career scoring leader (169 points in 8 games), andsetting a Prep career scoring record with 1,219 points (which would lastthree decades). At Georgetown, Jim set three freshman team records; as asophomore he scored 29 in his first varsity game and had eight games of 30-plus 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 relegatedhim 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 andSleepy Floyd, and he remains the only Georgetown player to score 40-plus twice in a career. Most notably, in1998 Sports Illustrated named him one of the ten greatest players in Georgetown history, along with PatrickEwing, Alonzo Mourning, Dikembo Mutumbo, Iverson, etc. A graduate of Seton Hall Law, Jim practices lawin Sea Girt, N.J.

Eric Atanda, ’79 soccer

Inevitably, whenever a Prep sports discussion includes soccer players, thename 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 freshmanyear at Grand & Warren, when wins were virtually non-existent, he playedon both the JV and the varsity. He began his sophomore year as a startingforward on the varsity, and the team stunned the county with itsunprecedented turnaround. Last in the league just a year earlier, Prepcaptured its first HCIAA championship in 1976 under the direction of headcoach Ron Prezioso, ’68. As a junior, Eric scored 18 goals and had 18assists, and the team captured a second county title while posting Prep’sfinest record—18-3. In his senior year, Eric moved to defense under first-year coach Connie Gallagher, scoring 16 goals and adding 17 assists to leadSt. Peter’s to a third straight HCIAA championship and the Northern NewJersey 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 ofthe top 33 players in New Jersey. After graduation, Eric attended the University of Virginia on an athleticscholarship 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 atHamamatsu Corp. in Bridgewater, N.J.

George Blaney, ’57 Basketball

It would be difficult to find a more “complete” basketball talent than GeorgeBlaney, whose career as both player and coach over five decades is marked byexcellence at every level. At Prep, having honed his skills under coaches RoyLeenig and Jerry Halligan, he led his team to the Hudson Countychampionship in his senior year and was named Hudson County Athlete ofthe Year. He went on to Holy Cross, leading the Crusaders to back-to-back 20-win seasons and earning All-New England honors. He was a fourth-roundselection of the New York Knicks and played with them during the 1961-62season. After a few coaching stints, he returned to Holy Cross as head coachin 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 joinedthe staff of Jim Calhoun at the University of Connecticut, highlighted by thatteam’s NCAA championship in 2004. A most respected member of thenational basketball establishment, in 1993 George was elected president of the National Association ofBasketball 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 theHudson County athletic halls of fame.

Gerry Bellotti Football Coach

& Athletic Director

In 1980, with Prep football in the midst of an 0-20 losing streak, Gerry tookover as head coach and immediately created a “new image,” including a newstaff, new uniforms, a new playbook—and a new attitude. In game three ofthat initial season, the team broke through with a victory over HudsonCatholic. Just four years later, Prep would defeat North Bergen for the firsttime in 25 years, winning the HCIAA championship and earning a berth inthe NJSIAA playoffs. These accomplishments would be repeated thefollowing year, thus laying the foundation for the program’s subsequentsuccesses. 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 beingnamed Hudson County Back of the Year. After setting passing records atVillanova, and a stint with the Cleveland Browns farm team, he served as ateacher 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 samecommitment and vision to these important administrative posts. He currently serves as vice president of theIndependent 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 receivePrep’s highest honor when he is named a “Legend of Prep.”

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 countytitle 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 NavalAcademy and would graduate four years later ranked among the careerleaders in eight different categories. These included setting an Academymark for scoring average/game (22.3), being ranked second all-time in 30-point games (12), scoring in double digits in consecutive games (47), andfield goals attempted (1,492). He was named All-American in 1954. Fiftyyears later, John still holds the career average/game record, with manyothers lasting for three decades. Following his graduation, John joined theAir Force, where he served (until his retirement with the rank of colonel in1991), 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 presidentof the NCAA Directors of Athletics, and was board chairman of the College Football Association. He was alsonamed Athletic Director of the Year. John died in 1992. Appropriately, the student-athletes at the Air ForceAcademy play their home games in Clune Arena.

Jim Brady, ’54 Baseball

Given his many academic talents, it was natural for Jim Brady to attend thePrep. However, his prowess on the pitcher’s mound was a bonus that wouldserve both Jim and his alma mater well. A dominating southpaw as a four-year member of the Prep varsity, Jim hurled a perfect game againstDickinson as a sophomore and two years later threw a no-hitter against thesame team. In one stretch of his career he threw 19 scoreless innings. Anarm injury relegated Jim to duty at first base, where he managed to earn All-State honors. As a semi-pro player after his senior year, he struck out 21hitters in one game, attracting the attention of the Boston Red Sox. Despitebeing offered a professional contract, Jim enrolled at Notre Dame. Aftercontinuing to impress scouts, he signed with the Detroit Tigers in 1955 asone of the original “bonus babies.” Unfortunately, the elbow injury thatnagged 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 ofthe 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 thatposition until his retirement in 1995. Though retired, Jim keeps busy as a labor arbitrator and fact finder incollective bargaining disputes.

Wellington Davis, ’61 Track

At 4’9” and 95 lbs., Welly Davis decided to pass on freshman football tryoutsand turn his attention to track, managing to place in a few meets. With thatconfidence, 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. Hewould set numerous city, county and state records (including a 6.7 in the 60yard dash in the Jersey City Armory), some of which are unlikely to be brokendue to the switch to metric distances a few decades ago. Also, his numerousrelay teams set records and won gold medals in the Jersey City and 168thStreet (NYC) armories, as well as in the Knights of Columbus Meet inMadison Square Garden. Outdoors, he ran leadoff on the mile relay thatclocked 3:21.1, at the time the fastest performance in the East. He also ran 9.7in the 100 in the State Catholic Championships, the state’s second fastest timeever, and set Lincoln Park records for the 100 (9.9) and the 220 (21.8) inback-to-back races in the city meet, repeating those double victories in thecounty meet. After a dazzling 9.6 in the trials of the state meet, he was inched out in the finals for the onlyloss of his senior year. Following graduation, he was a member of his club team’s sprint medley that set anational schoolboy record.Welly competed on scholarship at St. Peter’s College, highlighted by his 6.4 in the60 at Madison Square Garden, where he finished third, inches behind world champions Sam Perry and FrankBudd. A retired colonel in the Reserves, today Welly is executive director of the N.J. State Board of Mediation.

Bill Cochrane (posthumous)

Baseball & Football Coach

Excerpted from his bio in the 1997 “Legends of Prep” programDuring St. Peter’s 133-year existence, its rich athletic legacy has producedmany legendary individuals. Any list of Prep greats will invariably have CoachBill Cochrane at the top. Bill began his coaching reign—one that would lasttwenty-six years and touch four decades of players—in the fall of 1945. UnderCoach Cochrane, Prep was recognized as a football powerhouse (winning fourstate and three county titles). In the spring after each demanding footballseason, Bill moved to the baseball diamond where he guided Prep’s baseballteam to its own place among the state’s elite athletic programs. Most notablein his stellar career was an eight-month period in 1958, during which thebaseball and football teams both went undefeated and captured state titles.Bill’s combined fifty-four seasons of coaching at Prep were defined not only byexcellence on the field, but by the class and fairness displayed by his players intheir everyday lives. It is a fitting reminder to current Prep football and baseball players that they play theirhome 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.

Rich Gronda, ’59 Football

It is difficult to imagine anyone who epitomizes Prep athletics more thanRich Gronda. As a player, parent and fan, his passion for all things maroonand white are well documented. It began in the fall of 1955 when he joineda Prep football program under coaches Cochrane and Zucconi. Followingan outstanding performance on the freshman team, Rich started atoffensive and defensive tackle for the varsity as a sophomore—an extremelyrare occurrence at the time. As a junior he was named First Team All-County and First Team All-Metropolitan following an 8-1 season, with theonly loss coming on a last-minute touchdown by Memorial in front of25,000 fans at Roosevelt Stadium. Then came senior year, during whichhis team went undefeated while outscoring opponents 337-26 and rankingthird in the nation. (The victories included a 20-0 win over nationally-ranked St. Joe’s of Philadelphia.) That year, Rich was named First TeamAll-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 teammatesincluded eight players who received scholarships to Division One schools. Unfortunately, Rich’s career wascut short by injuries sustained while at Villanova. A two-term member of Prep’s board of trustees, Rich retiredas president/CEO of Farrell Lines in 2000, and throughout his career he has been a constant presence atnumerous Prep athletic events. He was especially pleased to be able to watch his sons Doug, ’86, Rick, ’89and 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” programJerry Halligan was named the varsity basketball coach at St. Peter’s Prep in1955, and in his first year he led the Marauders to a Hudson Countychampionship. It would be the start of a career that would rank him amongthe school’s true legends. His teams went on to win city, county, and statetitles, and it seemingly became a regular event to win the JesuitTournament, outplaying Prep’s Jesuit school rivals in the New YorkProvince. His teams also played in independent tournaments, highlightedby 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 teamalso 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. Duringthose three decades, he guided the Marauders to 450 victories, ranking him among the most successful coachesin the state’s basketball history. In 1995, Jerry was inducted into the second class of “Legends of Prep”—afitting tribute for a man who dedicated his life to his players.

Tim Hawkes, ’65 Football

While it is always difficult to compare players of different eras, there is virtualunanimity that Tim Hawkes is among the two or three greatest running backsever to carry a football for Prep—if not the best ever. The pride of theGreenville section of Jersey City, Tim powered the Prep backfield during eachof his three years on varsity. He was named First Team All-County as asophomore (a rare accomplishment) and finished his career being named FirstTeam All-State and All-Metropolitan. Underscoring his consistency anddominance, he was a two-time recipient of the Tommy Myers Trophy as MVPof the annual Prep-Dickinson Thanksgiving Day game (1963-64), and he wasselected 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 atHoly Cross, starting for two years. Despite being injured most of his senioryear, he was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. A versatile athlete, he also wasa three-time All-County runner for the Prep track team, setting a statefreshman record for the 440 and the county record for the 300. An attorney in Jersey City, a former memberof the Jersey City Council, and a member of the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame,Tim is also the proudfather of two Prep grads, Tim, ’90 and Bryan, ’93.

Jim Hannan, ’56 Baseball

At Prep, Jim’s performance gave more than a hint that he was destined for biggerthings as he notched a few 13-strikeout games. As a senior he also was a memberof Prep’s state championship basketball team. As a Notre Dame freshman, Jim’steam made it to the College World Series and reached the regional finals the nextthree years. Following graduation he was signed to a bonus contract by theBoston 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 Senatorsselected Jim, and he is believed to be the last player to make the jump from ClassD 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 andMilwaukee. His best season was 1968 (10-6), and he was 27-17 from May1967 through August 1970. Other highlights: a 5-3 lifetime record against theYankees; a 231/3-inning scoreless streak over nine games as short reliever in1962; a 1965 three-hit shutout of the Kansas City Athletics; a game in 1968 against Cleveland in which heretired 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 currentboard chair of the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Jim went on to earn an M.B.A. fromNYU and currently is a first vice president/financial advisor with Morgan Stanley in Washington, D.C.

Roy Leenig (posthumous) Basketball Coach

Excerpted from his bio in the 1999 “Legends of Prep” programRoy Leenig came to St. Peter’s in 1949 to teach physical education and tocoach basketball. What followed from 1949 to 1955 is still referred to as the“Leenig years.” During that six-year span, Prep won five statechampionships, five Jesuit Tourney titles, four county and four citychampionships, and two championships at the Eastern States CatholicInvitational Tournament (a preeminent high school competition, bringingtogether the finest teams from the eastern seaboard). His coaching recordat Prep was 141 victories against 20 defeats—an incredible 87.5 winningpercentage. Moreover, he developed some of the finest players ever to wearthe 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 stellarcareer 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.

Jackie Hyatt, ’49 (posthumous) Football

In his day, he often was referred to as “Prep’s Mr. Excitement,” and forthose who witnessed Jackie Hyatt in action, that title would be his alone.Considered one of the great broken field runners in Hudson Countyhistory, Jackie climaxed a memorable career by scoring three touchdowns inPrep’s 26-19 upset of Memorial. They were among the 18 touchdowns hescored in his senior yesr—a dozen of them on runs of 50 yards or more. Atthe time, his 108 points was the second greatest total ever scored by a Preprunning back. Jackie also was a track star, winning the state 100 and 220yard dashes in his junior and senior years, in addition to playing a season ofvarsity basketball. He then went on to Fordham where, after enjoying twooutstanding varsity seasons, he was named the Rams’ captain in his senioryear. However, he was stricken with a rare form of paralysis known as bulbarpolio, which affects the respiratory system. Incredibly, after battling througha 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 BillCochrane and remained at Prep through 1958, when he moved into the business world as a purchasing agentfor a cosmetics firm. He died in 1980, leaving behind a proud legacy of achievement and determination.

Jerome Pedersen, ’92 (posthumous)

Trainer/manager

Jerome Pedersen’s journey to St. Peter’s began in the summer before his eighthgrade at St. Patrick’s in Jersey City. That summer, he attended the HigherAchievement Program (HAP) and, under the guidance of the late Fr. JohnBrowning, S.J., ’46, Jerome’s eyes were opened to the possibility of attendingPrep. An academic scholarship made his dream a reality in the fall of 1988. Anexcellent student and a sports enthusiast, Jerome became an assistant trainerand manager for the football and basketball teams, and he eventually joined thebaseball team in the same capacity. His service to St. Peter’s in general, and toPrep athletes in particular, was unparalleled. While some athletes span threesports for four years, Jerome took his dedication to Prep ever further. Aftergraduating in 1992 and enrolling at NJIT (where he double-majored incomputer engineering and mathematics), Jerome continued to devote his timeto serving the athletic program, adding wrestling to the other sports hemanaged. For a span of more than a decade, he was an indispensible part of virtually every major athleticaccomplishment at St. Peter’s. No coach, or player, or fan can claim that.The love and respect for Jerome, fromplayers and coaches alike, was underscored by the overwhelming outpouring of emotion displayed at thememorial services that followed his untimely death in 2001 at age 28.

fr. Earle Markey, S.J., ’49 Basketball

Excerpted from his bio in the 1993 “Legends of Prep” programIn the Fall 1985 edition of Prep Magazine, sports columnist Ed Grant, ’43reminisced that in the mid-1940s, when the Jesuit Provincial came to inspectthe proposed site for Prep’s new gymnasium, he saw Earle Markey playing inthe schoolyard and remarked, “The boy deserves a proper place to playbasketball.” A few years later the gymnasium was completed, and Earle becamethe marquee member of the legendary state champion “Fire House Five”—thefirst South Hudson team to win the Hudson County title. Earle continued hiseducation and basketball career at Holy Cross, and in 1953, following fourstellar years both in the classroom and on the hardwood, he was drafted by theBoston Celtics, but instead decided to enter the Society of Jesus. When askedwho was most responsible for his vocation, Earle often jokingly mentions BobCousy and Bill Sharman: with these two all-stars already in the Bostonbackcourt, he realized that he would have to play for “another team.” Earle wasordained in 1963, and following graduate studies at the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, he returned toPrep as principal in 1971. Five years later he returned to Holy Cross, where he has held a number ofadministrative positions, including vice president for student affairs. He has served on the board of trustees ofPrep and Holy Cross, as well as Fordham and St. Louis universities, and he maintains his close relationshipwith both alma maters. Among his many accolades, Earle was an inaugural inductee as a “Legend of Prep” in1993, and he is also a member of the Hudson County Athletic Hall of Fame.

Joe Urbanovich, ’65 Baseball Player

& Coach

It is difficult to think back to a time when Joe Urbanovich has not beenconnected with the Prep baseball program, and in many ways it is arelationship built on quality as much as quantity. The quality is in the manhimself, in the manner in which he conducts his sport, and in his record asboth a player and a coach. The quantity is the result of almost staggeringnumbers: 32 years as Prep’s head coach and 750 games, including almost500 career wins. Then there is the combination of the two: six HudsonCounty championships and numerous player selections to various All-Starteams. It was a journey that began in the Jersey City Little League, followedby a stellar career at Prep under Coach Bill Cochrane. Joe was a rare four-year starter at Prep—including at third base, shortstop and behind theplate—and he was captain in his senior year, batting .400 after three yearsof .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 continuehis education. As team captain the following year, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs, and he played for theirminor league organization for two years. Joe has enjoyed many highlights since taking the reins from BillCochrane in 1974, and among them has been the pleasure of coaching his sons (twins) Mike and Nick, ’00and Paul, ’04, all of whom played on county championship teams. Appropriately, Mike was the winning pitcherin 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.

Lou Rettino, ’59 (posthumous) Football

It is difficult to capture the essence of Lou Rettino on paper, as he cast abigger-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 passionconnected with a game well played—and the positive results that camefrom both power and finesse. He was one of the pillars of Prep’s legendaryundefeated ’58 team, scoring nine touchdowns and leading the team intackles, and he was named First Team All-State and All-County, as well asBack of the Year for all Catholic A teams. Courted by many colleges, hechose Villanova, scoring nine touchdowns and playing in the 1961 SunBowl and the 1962 Liberty Bowl. Following a stint with the Green BayPackers, Lou coached at various schools (including Prep) before arrivingat Union H.S., establishing himself as one of the premier scholasticcoaches in the nation. By the conclusion of his career, he had notched 216victories, 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. Onthree separate occasions, Lou was named N.J. Coach of the Year, and he was inducted into the N.J. FootballCoaches Hall of Fame, in addition to Villanova’s and Hudson County’s halls of fame. In the late 1990s, Loucontinued to coach even while battling cancer, and he died in 1996, leaving behind a legacy of greatness onboth sides of the sideline.

George Waddleton, ’53 Basketball

In the annals of Prep’s illustrious athletic history, George Waddleton is our JimThorpe—a gifted, multi-talented, multi-sport athlete who dominated thecompetition 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 thisinaugural Prep Hall of Fame class, were the players that brought Prepbasketball into the “modern” era of fast-break action marked by elevated levelsof agility and athleticism. Significantly, in this role, George was Prep’s first1,000-point scorer, and this was accomplished in the days before the three-point shot, when team scores were more likely to be in the 50s rather than the80s. On the gridiron in ’52 he was Prep’s leading rusher, scoring the winningtouchdown as Prep snapped Memorial’s 33-game winning streak. He also wasa standout cross-county runner and the starting shortstop on the baseballteam, 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 TommyHeinsohn. In 1952, the Newark Evening News ranked George as the #2 athlete in all of New Jersey, right behindOlympic and world decathlon champion Milt Campbell (who in 2000 was named the Star-Ledger’s New JerseyAthlete of the Century). To this day, 52 years after his Prep graduation, George is still considered among thegreatest overall athletes ever to come out of Hudson County.

Monday, June 20, 2005The 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 Teamplayed 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 Directorfor 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 Boardand nurtured by its Special Events Committee. For their extraordinary

leadership we offer special thanks to the following:

Lou Castelli, ’66, P’01 Joe Guarino, ’86President, Chairman, Special Events Committee

Prep Alumni Board 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 * Steve Hudik, ’85 *Vice President Secretary

The following individuals also served on the special Athletic Hall of Fame selection committee:

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

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 *

Gerry BellottiKen DandorphJim Hague, ’79

Rich HansenMike Hogan, ’72John Irvine, ’83

Fr. Jim Joyce, S.J.Fr. Joe Parkes, S.J., ’62

Jack Raslowsky, ’79

Sponsors & DonorsJesuit & Special Sponsors

We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals who generouslysponsored one or more of our honorees, or our Jesuit and Prepfaculty/staff and other special guests:

Scholarship Donors

We gratefully acknowledge the following individuals who made gifts to the PrepScholarship Endowment in honor of, or in memory of, tonight’s honorees.

Jim Bambrick, ’60 ........................................In honor of Rich Gronda, ’59Rich Barnitt, ’56 ........................................In memory of Lou Rettino, ’59Jim Barry, ’61 ....................................In memory of Mary and Dick BarryJohn Bassi, ’63 ..................................................In honor of Gerry BellottiJoe Casey ..................................................In honor of George Blaney, ’57Jim Dougher ..............................................In honor of George Blaney, ’57John Dow, ’59 ..............................................In honor of Rich Gronda, ’59Larry Fell, ’54....................................................In memory of Roy LeenigJim Hackett, ’56 ........................................In memory of Jackie Hyatt, ’49Mike Hyland ....................................In honor of the Hall of Fame honoreesJohn 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, ’92Dave McClave, ’65 ....................................In memory of Bob Vignone, ’65Frank Salzer ....................................................In honor of Jim Barry, ’61Gerome Smith, ’60 ..................................In honor of Wellington Davis, ’61

& Jime Barry, ’61John Verdon, ’57 ......................................In memory of Fr. Ray York, S.J.Nick Warnock, ’94 ................................................In honor of Bill Tierney

Bob Burke, ’53Jack Caulfield, ’71Bob Cobban, ’50John Curley, ’66Larry Fell, ’54

Joe Fitzpatrick, ’42Vito Germinario, ’70

Mike Grezelak, ’65Jim Hardiman, ’47

Jerry Lally, ’56Paul Schaetzle, ’71Bob Schwarze, ’54George Taite, ’73

George Waddleton, ’53

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.