History of the committee
The driving force behind the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame has been its committee members, who, from the very beginning, sought to single out and honor athletic excellence. The Committee is proud to have honored athletes and coaches from sports ranging from racquetball to bowling; cheerleading to speed skating; track to softball; lacrosse to ice hockey; as well wrestling, baseball, basketball, soccer and football. Inductees have brought honor and pride to East Paterson/Elmwood Park at the County, State, and National Levels through their athletic pursuits.
The initial committee consisted of prominent members of the athletic community, including four Celebration Committee members--
President Geri Mola; Trustees Ken Van Rye, Dominick Brancaccio and Brian Peoples. We thereafter recruited leaders and people of influence in the local sports community, including Joe Castiglia, Memorial High School Athletic Director, who took on the leadership responsibility of Chairman, Recreation Director Richard De Mauro, Pete Bomersbach, Jack Cleeland, Andy Feintuch, Irene V. Hillman, Chuck Keenan, Tom La Porte, Louis Mangano, Phil Moriarty, Jeff Toci, Ken Van Rye and John Vitale.
After the first induction in 1991, some of the 16 original committee members stayed on and incorporated the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame. Since then a total of 36 Trustees have worked to keep the program alive, and they must be recognized for their dedication.
The initial committee consisted of prominent members of the athletic community, including four Celebration Committee members--
President Geri Mola; Trustees Ken Van Rye, Dominick Brancaccio and Brian Peoples. We thereafter recruited leaders and people of influence in the local sports community, including Joe Castiglia, Memorial High School Athletic Director, who took on the leadership responsibility of Chairman, Recreation Director Richard De Mauro, Pete Bomersbach, Jack Cleeland, Andy Feintuch, Irene V. Hillman, Chuck Keenan, Tom La Porte, Louis Mangano, Phil Moriarty, Jeff Toci, Ken Van Rye and John Vitale.
After the first induction in 1991, some of the 16 original committee members stayed on and incorporated the Elmwood Park Athletic Hall of Fame. Since then a total of 36 Trustees have worked to keep the program alive, and they must be recognized for their dedication.
Back Row L-R: J. Golembiski, T. Cleeland, K. Work, B. Forestieri, P. Moriarty, D. Koban and T. Zappala
Front Row L-R: B. Peoples, P. Dahlinger, R. Kurtz, G. Mola, B. Huffman and J. Zak
Front Row L-R: B. Peoples, P. Dahlinger, R. Kurtz, G. Mola, B. Huffman and J. Zak
Current Committee Members
Brian Peoples – President
Phil Moriarty – Vice President
Vi Shamah – Treasurer (Camera Shy)
Brad Forestieri – Recording Secretary
Tom Cleeland
Pete Dahlinger
Brenda Huffman
Doug Koban
Geri Mola
Keith Work
Janet Zak
Tony Zappala
Frank Gutierrez
Marc Czerepak
Advisory Panel:
Dan Basile (Camera Shy)
Joe Castiglia (Camera Shy)
Phil Moriarty – Vice President
Vi Shamah – Treasurer (Camera Shy)
Brad Forestieri – Recording Secretary
Tom Cleeland
Pete Dahlinger
Brenda Huffman
Doug Koban
Geri Mola
Keith Work
Janet Zak
Tony Zappala
Frank Gutierrez
Marc Czerepak
Advisory Panel:
Dan Basile (Camera Shy)
Joe Castiglia (Camera Shy)