2008 athletic hall of fame program

The ThirdSaintPeter’sPrepAthletic Hall of FameInduction Ceremony& Dinner

October 30,2008Liberty HouseJersey City, N.J.

HOF program.qxd 10/22/2008 2:46 PM

Sponsors&Donors

We are grateful for this evening’s sponsors, who have given so generously.Their donations will support the Hall of Fame Scholarship Endowment.

Sons & Daughters of Saint Peter

Table Sponsors

The following have sponsored a Jesuit or Special Guest or have donated directly to the Hall of Fame Scholarship:

Joseph Cooney, '45 In honor of Hugh Doherty, '09

John Verdon, '57 In honor of Rich Skinner, '57

John Crotty, '56 Tom Schember, '79 Dr. Hugh F. Doherty, '45

Vincent Brennan, '57

Robert Burke, '53

Joseph Burakevich, '56

Thomas Gangemi, '79

Doug Gronda, '86

Brian Kloza, P'91, '94, '02

Kenneth Kunzman, '54

James Richardi, '60

John Savage, '57

J. Paul Schaetzle, '71

Tom Schember, Sr., '55

Robert Schwarze, '54

John Verdon, '57


Saint Peter’s Preparatory School

Presents

The ThirdAthletic Hall of Fame

Induction Ceremony & DinnerHonoring:

JOHN CROTTY, '56(Basketball)

EDGRANT, '43(Sports Journalist/Supporter)

DAVE ILARIA, '98(Wrestling)

JOEKEALY, '88 (Tennis)

FRANKNICOLETTI, '62(Basketball)

TOM SCHEMBER, '79(Soccer)

RICHSKINNER, '57(Football)

JACK SZEIGIS, '58(Baseball)

ELNARDOWEBSTER, '87(Football)

WAYNE ZDANOWICZ, '60(Football)

THE 1958FOOTBALLTEAM

POSTHUMOUSINDUCTEES:

CARMINE CAMPISI, '50(Football)

HUGHDOHERTY, '09(Football, Basketball and

Baseball Coach)

KENHARBACE, '53(Football)

GEORGE MURTAUGH, '22(Football)

TOMMY MYERS(Football Coach)

JOHNNYSLANE, '22(Football, Basketball

and Baseball)

JACKWELTER, '43(Football and Baseball)


ProgramFor the Evening

Master of CeremoniesJoe Parkes, S.J., '62

Invocation andWelcomeBob Reiser, S.J.

President

Order ofInduction

Carmine Campisi, '50 †

John Crotty, '56

Hugh Doherty, '09 †

Ed Grant, '43

Ken Harbace, '53 †

Dave Ilaria, '98

Joe Kealy, '88

George Murtaugh, '22 †

Tommy Myers †

Frank Nicoletti, '62


Tom Schember, '79

Rich Skinner, '57

Johnny Slane, '22 †

Jack Szeigis, '58

Elnardo Webster, '87

Jack Welter, '43 †

Wayne Zdanowicz, '60

The 1958 Football Team

† posthumous

Dinnerin the Grand Ballroom

Pride & Glory


Posthumous Inductees

The 2008Inductees

Carmine Campisi, '50 Hugh Doherty, '09

Ken Harbace, '53 George Murtaugh, '22 Tommy Myers

Jack Welter, '43Johnny Slane, '22


Ed Grant, '43

Ed Grant has been a mainstay of sports writing in NorthJersey for decades. A Prep graduate of the class of 1943,Ed attended Saint Peter's College, graduating in 1948,during which time he served in the United States Army,stateside during World War II. In 1944, he began writingfor the Jersey Journal. He moved on to the CatholicAdvocate in 1956, serving terms as Sports Editor, NewsEditor and, finally, leaving the Advocate in 1988 asManaging Editor.

During his long career, Ed served as a special correspondent for both the NewarkNews and the Newark Star Ledger and as been a contributor to the New YorkTimes and the Encyclopædia Britannica. For 57 years, Ed has been married toCatherine Fellmer, sister of classmate Frank Fellmer.

John Crotty, '56John Crotty started at Prep in 1952. Despite a sophomoreyear injury, John established himself as one of Prep’s greatbasketball players. In his senior year he averaged 20+ pointsa game and received numerous honors, among them: MVP inthe Jesuit Metropolitan Tournament, First Team All JerseyCity, First Team All County, and All Tournament Team inthe New Jersey State Tournament. At the time, John wasonly the third Prepster to make the All Tournament Team.He entertained numerous college scholarship offers at graduation, deciding on the University of North Carolina atChapel Hill. During his career there, UNC won the NCAAChampionship and was ranked among the top teams in the nation.

John attended New York University Law School, graduating in 1964 and settling intoa career on Wall Street. He lives in Spring Lake with his wife, Gail. Athletic prowessruns in the Crotty family: Gail was inducted into her high school’s sports hall of famein 2003; his daughter Megan played tennis at Georgetown, his son Michael playedbasketball at Dartmouth, and his son John played basketball at the University ofVirginia and played 11 seasons in the NBA as a point guard.


Dave Ilaria, '98

A wrestler since the age of 6, Dave Ilaria has gone on to standout among the pantheon of Prep Wrestlers. Dave wrestled allfour years at Prep, amassing a record of 83-12 with 52 pins inVarsity and 102-12 with 63 in JV and Varsity combined. Inhis sophomore, junior and senior years, Dave finished in firstplace at the Ridgefield Holiday Tournament and was selectedfor both the Jersey Journal's First Team All-County Wrestlingand the Catholic Advocate's First Team Wrestling All Stars.Dave continued his streak in college, wrestling at Seton HallUniversity, with a record of 70-32 and 18 pins, and at TheCollege of New Jersey, with a record of 44-6 and 17 pins.

After college, Dave joined the coaching staff at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, wherehe coached 3 All-Americans and 9 National Qualifiers. Dave currently serves as theAssisatant Coach at The College of New Jersey, where he has coached 6 All-Americans and 12 National Qualifiers.

Joe Kealy, '88

If you were to pick up a Petrean or a Petroc or a copy of theJersey Journal in the mid-80s, you would see words like“phenom” and “unstoppable” preceding Joe Kealy's name.From 1985 to 1987, Joe compiled a tennis record of 70+ winsand 1 loss within Hudson County. He won the HudsonCounty Championship as a freshman and sophomore and theBoys and Mens Championships as a Junior. In 1987, as a jun-ior, he reached the All Boys State Final - to finish #2 in thestate and was selected to the Prince All-America Team. Joeplayed the same National Junior circuit as Andre Agassi, JimCourier and Michael Chang, and beat Todd Martin who was

later ranked Top 10 in the world. Joe received over 70 Division I scholarship offers,and chose to attend the University of Virginia.

Unfortunately, Joe suffered a career-ending eye injury. Nevertheless, he finished hiscareer at Prep as the most decorated tennis player in Hudson County high school history. Joe resides in Jersey City with his wife Emma and daughter Olivia. He headsa small mid rise construction company and serves as Chairman of the Jersey CityZoning Board.


Tom SCHember, '79

Tom Schember, the son of Thomas A. Schember, '55, playedsoccer for Prep from 1975 to 1978. He was part of a talentedgroup of freshmen that helped re-build Prep's soccer programunder Ron "Rock" Prezioso after the loss of several key players. A four year varsity starter, Tom played center forward and developed into one of Hudson County's premierscoring threats with career totals of 78 goals scored and 32assists. He holds the Prep scoring records for both careerand single season goals (32); records which stand after 30years. Tom received several post-season honors, including1st Team All County (1977 and 1978); 1st Team All State –Parochial (1977 and 1978) and All State Honorable Mention (1977 and 1978). Tomplayed Division I college soccer at Davidson College in North Carolina. He was atwo year starter at Davidson, scoring 7 goals before injuries cut short his career.

Tom received an M.B.A. from Rutgers University in 1985. He is currently aManaging Director for Resources Global Professionals. Tom is married to LauraD'Antonio Schember, and they reside in Montebello, New York with their two children, Olivia and Tommy.

Frank Nicoletti, '62

Frank Nicoletti has the distinction of earning HonorableMention All County in both baseball and basketball. He ledhis 22-0 freshman basketball team, averaging almost 20points per game, scoring over 30 points in a number of gamesand 40 points in his final game. His senior year at Prep sawhis basketball team go 12-0 in county play, and Prep againwon the county championship, finishing the regular seasonwith a 22-1 record. Frank finished his high school career byscoring 82 points in three tournament games. His 1200career points are second only to Jim Barry in Prep basketballhistory. Frank received over fifty scholarship offers, anddecided to attend Syracuse University, where he played three varsity years underCoach Jim Boeheim on a team that included Dave Bing, who would become one ofthe 50 greatest NBA players of all time.

Frank continued his education at Suffolk University Law School and was admitted tothe New York State Bar. He has his own firm, Nicoletti, Gonson, Spinner & Owen,and specializes in insurance law and litigation. He has lived in New York City since1970, is a widower, and is currently engaged to Irina Gallagher.


Rich Skinner, '57

Rich Skinner began his athletic career early: He was a herald-ed grammar school athlete and was elected regularly to the AllStar teams for both Football and Baseball. Upon his arrival atPrep , he competed at the Varsity level in Football, Basketball,Baseball as well as Track. He was ultimately named to moreAll Star teams than any other athlete in Prep history. Richardcontinued his exceptional athletic career at Holy Cross, wherehe started (and was ultimately elected captain) for both thefootball and baseball teams. His commanding performance asa senior against Syracuse earned him a place on the All NewEngland Football Team in 1960.

After graduation from Holy Cross, he assisted Coach Bill Cochrane with the develop-ment of Prep's football and baseball teams. During this period, he made his pro football debut as a member of the Metropolitan Arena Football League. Richard andwife Judith reside in Georgia, with their four children and nine grandchildren nearby.Now retired from executive positions at Ryder Transport Systems and OKI Telecom,Richard enjoys watching his grandchildren participate in high school athletics—witha little grandfatherly advice from time to time!

Jack Szeigis, '58

Jack Szeigis played varsity baseball for Prep in 1957 and 1958.Under the guidance of his uncle, Coach Bill Cochrane, in1957, Jack was an All County pitcher for the South HudsonChampionship team. In 1958, he was a First Team All Stateand All County performer for the unbeaten, 22-0 baseballteam, the first unbeaten team in Prep history. Prep won thecounty, state, and Greater Newark Tournament crowns. Jackfinished with an 11-0 record, with an ERA of 0.45, only allow-ing six runs all year. In the last week of the season, he shutout Nutley 4-0, Memorial 3-0 with a one-hitter, and HanoverPark 3-1 with a game-winning single in the seventh inning.

He continued his career at Holy Cross on a full scholarship. Jack was 8-5 in two yearsat Holy Cross before signing a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.

Jack worked for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority until his retirement in 2004. Heand his wife reside in Spring Lake Heights. They have one daughter and one granddaughter.


Wayne Zdanowicz, ‘60

Wayne was born and raised in the downtown Jersey City areaalso known as the "Horseshoe" section for the location of itschurches. He entered Saint Peter's Prep in September 1956.While playing quarterback at Prep, Wayne was selected AllCounty in 1957, 1958 and 1959, All State in 1958, AllMetropolitan Prep by the New York Post in 1958 and AllAmerican by The New World (Chicago) in 1959. In collegeWayne switched to running back. Wayne attended theUniversity of Notre Dame for a year and graduated from theUniversity of Rhode Island with a B.S. degree in Economics.He signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent.

Wayne met his wife, Pamela Clark, while at the University of Rhode Island and theywere married in 1969. Together they have three children: Kristen, who graduatedfrom Rutgers University with a degree in math , Robin, who earned a degree in mar-keting from the University of Delaware and Bret, who in May received his Mastersdegree in social work from Rutgers University. Wayne is currently a Vice Presidentwith Weichert Commercial Brokerage, concentrating on the leasing and sale of officeand industrial properties in the North Jersey area.

Elnardo Webster, '87

Elnardo Webster entered Saint Peter's Prep in 1983 andplayed on the undefeated county championship freshmanteam. During the following three years, Elnardo became aforce to be reckoned with on the football field as an outsidelinebacker and offensive guard. After graduating in 1987,Elnardo continued his education at Rutgers, where he washonored as Rutgers University's Top Scholar Athlete.Drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, he took a year off from hisstudies to play in the NFL. He returned to Rutgers to com-plete a joint degree program in law and business, graduatingin 1996 with both a J.D. and an M.B.A.

Currently, Elnardo is admitted to the New Jersey and District of Columbia BarAssociations, and is a partner at Trenk, DiPasquale, Webster, Della Fera & Sodono inWest Orange, New Jersey. Among his many contributions to his community, Elnardoco-founded Sports Futures, a nonprofit organization benefiting inner-city youth. Hehas been recognized for his leadership both in his community and in the legal profes-sion by the New Jersey Law Journal. Elnardo and his wife Samantha are the parents oftwo daughters, Morgan and Taylor.


The 1958 Football TeamPrep's iconic football coach, Bill Cochrane, had 4 state championship football teams:1946, 1951, 1955 and 1958. But it was the 1958 Prep football team that was undefeated and has come to be hailed as one of the greatest teams of its generation.In a description of the game against Saint Joseph's of Philadelphia, the 1959 Petreanwrites, “The Joes boasted a star studded line-up, but the Petreans boasted a team."

The '58 Football Team was led by some of Prep's football greats, among them: RichGronda, Phil Martorelli, Lou Rettino, Jack Dow and quarterback Wayne Zdanowicz;men who would go on to become Prep Legends and members of the Hall of Fame intheir own right. It was a team of great depth, strength and character that will foreverbe remembered for its state championship; its undefeated season; and, perhaps mostimportantly in the minds of its generation of Prep men, its win over Memorial inNovember of '58.


AlumniBoard

This event was conceived by the Saint Peter’s Prep Alumni Boardand nurtured by its Special Events Committee. For their extraordinary

leadership we offer special thanks to the following:

We also acknowledge the individual and collectiveefforts of the Alumni Board membership:

Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee

John Feeney, '80President

Prep Alumni Board

Joe Guarino, '86Chairman, Special Events Committee

Prep Alumni Board

John Bergin, '50Gene Boyle, '56

Kevin Brodbeck, '89Chris Casazza, '97

Joe Casazza, '95Lou Castelli, '66

Jack Caulfield, '71Lou Cella, '50

Len De Pinto, '76Sam DiFeo, '66

Gabe Doria, '81Dave Finn, '82

John Gibney, '81Joe Giglio, '87

Dan Gronda, '90Rich Hamilton, '90Jim Hardiman, '47Steve Hudik, '85

Jerry Lally, '56Joe Massarelli, '80

Phil McGovern, '76Bob McNamara, '51

Bob Reiser, S.J.Jim Ryan, '66

Jack Savage, '57Paul Schaetzle, '71

T.J. Sullivan, '93Jim Supple, '65

George Taite, '73

Bob Colacurcio, '73 Vice President

Ray Aumack, '55Secretary

Tony Azzarto, S.J.Gerry Bellotti

John Bergin, '50Lou Castelli, '66Joe Cooney, '45John Feeney, '80Joe Guarino, '86

John Gibney, '81Ed Grant, '43

Rich Gronda, '59Jim Hague, '79Rich Hansen

Mike Hogan, '72Jim Horan, '70

Jim Keenan, S.J.Joe Parkes, S.J., '62Jack Raslowsky, '79Paul Schaetzle, '71

T.J. Sullivan, '93Joe Urbanovich, '65Anthony Verdi, '95


Acknowledgements& Special Thanks

The Saint Peter’s Prep Advancement Team playeda major role in ensuring the success of this evening’s event.

In particular, we thank the following:

For their leadership support:

For their ongoing logistical support:Jan Butrym, '01, Diane Casazza, P'95, '97,

Nancy Cunningham, P'99, '01, Jim Horan, '70Mike Jiran, '03, Ginny Needham-Doyle, P’07, Renee Rivera, Anthony Verdi, '95 & Liz Walsh

Program Design: Mike Jiran, '03Printing: CD Graphics (Joe Villanella, '79)

Bob Reiser, S.J.President

Francesca Lanning, P'10Vice President for

Institutional Advancement

Chris Casazza, '97Director of Alumni

Relations & Annual Giving


Pride & Glory

It is our pride and our glory,Old in song and in story;

And we cherish your nameAnd we love your fair fame

For the days of long ago.And we your sons will be loyal

To Saint 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,Saint Peter’s so true.

And you hold our hearts’ love yet.And through the years we will treasure

With a joy beyond measureThe gifts you have given.

We shall never forget!


2008 athletic hall of fame program

Documents

john crotty

pm page

john verdon

john savage

ed grant

honor of hugh doherty

basketballtom schember

sports editor