Late next fall, the hallway west of the Newark High School gymnasium will become the home of the new Newark Central School District Athletic Hall of Fame. Nick Amatulli, said getting the Athletic Hall of Fame instituted in the NCSD was one of his goals last year when he became Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) serving as the school district’s Athletic Director. “Newark has quite an athletic history and this is long overdue,’’ he said. “Many other school districts in the region have them. A committee has been formed to oversee the development of the Athletic Hall of Fame. It will also select inductees from applications submitted.

NCSDAthletic

HAll of FameIn the Works

Members include: • Mike Muscolino, an NHS alum who is director of the Alex Eligh Community Center • Len Colavito, retired NHS physical education teacher and former NHS football coach who teaches driver education • Joe DeSanto, an NHS alum who is a retired project and general superintendent of several large construction companies and is a NCSD Board of Education member and Town of Arcadia trustee • Joe Contario, an NHS alum and retired NHS social studies teacher who coaches track at NHS • Ron Ceravolo, an NHS alum and retired Kelley School physical education teacher and former Newark Reds Boys Basketball coach, who coached other NHS teams

• Jane Grogan, an NHS Living Environment teacher who has coached various NHS girls sports teams • Diane Kirnie, Kelley School physical education teacher and former NHS Lady Reds Basketball coach • Dave Johnson, an NHS alum who is the owner of Dave Johnson Excavating in Newark Amatulli is serving as facilitator of the committee. The committee’s mission statement reads: “It is the mission of the Newark Athletic Hall of Fame to recognize the long and rich history of Newark Athletics; and to celebrate the accomplishments of outstanding athletes, coaches, teams and other special contributors.  “It is also our hope to re-establish a relationship with inductees and their families with Newark Central School and to enhance the understanding and appreciation of Newark Reds Athletics by our current students and athletes.” Amatulli said the induction of the inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame class will be held in November.

Nominees must meet these criteria: • Athletes: Are eligible to be nominated a minimum of ten years after their graduating class year. Must have been an exceptional athlete and of good moral character. • Coaches: Must have excelled at coaching a minimum of ten years for a Newark Central School team or teams. • Athletic team: Must have won a league, sectional and/or state title with special consideration for team academic honors and sportsmanship.

• Special Contributors: May not have participated in the athletic program, but has made a significant contribution to the Newark Athletic Program.

Applications for nominations are at: http://www.newarkcsd.org/Page/5235 or they can be picked up at the athletic office at NHS. Applications are due by July 1.