By Andy Loigu

Ten individuals and two teams have been chosen for Hackettstown Sports Hall of Fame recognition this year.

It comes as no surprise that the two teams were undefeated and untied football squads. Hackettstown had 14 such teams between 1925 and 1982, under coaches Albert Chilson, Chot Morrison, Sass Applegate, and Ron Griffith.

Chilson’s 1925 squad was unscored upon, with an impenetrable defense. The 1951 team has been heralded by many folks I’ve chatted with, who have followed Tiger football through the decades, as the finest of the 15 teams Morrison led to state championships.

Two soccer state championship teams, coached by Gary Thomas, will most assuredly get their due in the future. Since this Hall of Fame is new, the Tigers’ sports community has lots of history to catch up on here.

Personally, I’m happy to see that most of the individuals chosen this year are people I know, a testimony to having been around the Tigers’ scene for two decades now, writing Sports Chatter columns since 1998.

Anyone who has known Brittny Boyd, the first Homecoming Queen to be chosen to this Hall of Fame, would be happy about the selection. She was a standout in track and field and soccer. A three-time Athlete of the Year nominee by the Warren Reporter, Boyd set school scoring records in soccer, both for a single season and career. The Warren Reporter named her Player of the Year twice. She also was a state qualifier in several track events. Most important of all, she was an honors student, and a friend to everyone as she graduated in 2002.

Gerald DiMaio was one of the team leaders on Morrison’s 1954 state champions. He sold me a 2000 model year car in 2012, which I’m still driving. To answer the popular question, would you buy a used car from this man, my answer is a resounding yes.

Michael Rossi was a 1,000 point scorer in basketball in 1983 and has gone on to a successful career as a school administrator.

In 2010 Elizabeth Tillou was one of the area’s top softball pitchers, and also an outstanding scholar. Darlene Pratschler was one of the state’s finest fencers in 1998, and also an outstanding scholar. Mark Painter and Bill Dovas led Hackettstown to the Hunterdon/Warren soccer championship in 1999 with memorable performances and also were scholars. Anthony “Tony” Rossi (1976) went on to a successful career coaching basketball. John Hughes has served HHS with distinction as a coach and administrator (including a stint as athletic director) from 1970 to the present.

Frank Rodgers led Hackettstown wrestling to dizzying heights in 2007, all the way to the state final in Toms River. He won the North 2 Section 2 championship and an exciting state semifinal on the way. He also coached several district and regional champs who went to the state individual showcase at Atlantic City. Best of all, he led the Tigers to the District 1 title, ahead of Group 4 power Phillipsburg, who had won it the previous 12 years. That’s a really, really big accomplishment for a Group 2 school. 

FOOTBALL IS UPON US!

Hackettstown’s five home football games will be held at Morrison Field, starting with the opener on September 6 bringing in the Falcons of Jefferson (seagulls beware). On September 20 they go against their perennial nemesis Madison Dodgers, October 4 against the Vikings of Parsippany Hills, October 25 against the Chatham Cougars and on November 2 against traditional rival Warren Hills for the coveted Beater Board.

The Tigers and Jefferson played a memorable opener in J Town last year. Despite the 7-3 final score it was an entertaining game in which both teams moved the ball, but could not finish their drives. The Tigers finally got into the end zone late in the fourth quarter to get the win.

A special Hall of Fame ceremony is planned for later in the season. Stay tuned, sports fans.

*********************Ladies and gentlemen, Elvis has left the building.