Our History
1950s
The NJFOA Shore Board has a lengthy history which dates back to the mid-1950’s. About that time, several football officials from the Jersey Shore area became members of the then Central Jersey Chapter of the NJFOA, which included registered and “carded” individuals from the Mercer, Raritan and surrounding county areas. These chapter members officiated high school and youth football games in numerous counties within the state. Initial members from the shore who joined the Central Jersey Chapter included: John Cittadino Tommy Phipps, Sr. Gus Villapiano Milt Applegate Garry Penta Hugh Boyd Jack Duane.
These early pioneers played a prominent role in the establishment of a core group of officials that eventually grew into the current group of over 140 officials comprising the NJFOA Shore Board. Several of these members later became leaders in the future Shore Chapter of the Central Jersey Chapter.
The early group of shore members travelled to Trenton for their meetings during the late summer and early fall, and they were assigned to their games by then State Assignor, John (Jack) Kelly. Jack assigned varsity officials for all state high school games at that time; and the games were assigned to a referee and umpire, who then selected a third member from their chapter to officiate the game(s). Most members of the Central Jersey Chapter referred to their group as the “Trenton” Chapter throughout the 1950’s and very early 1960’s; but this was about to change as chapter members had designs on providing more local venues to conduct their meetings.
1960s
As shore area membership in the Central Jersey Chapter NJFOA increased, Monmouth and Ocean County football officials arranged for their meetings to be held at a more local site. The initial shore location for the growing membership was Gus Villapiano’s “Seashore Day Camp.” With meetings now being held closer to the members’ homes, more frequent meetings could be held during the season, and more local individuals were attracted to officiating high school football games. “Seashore Day Camp” was home to these carded officials’ and cadet meetings into the late 1970’s, and a budding tradition of swapping game stories, more intense training, developing camaraderie, and deli sandwiches with a few beers had thus begun.
In 1961 now retired, veteran referee, Bob Zampelle was joined by current (2014) Stockton College head basketball coach, Bob Walsack, as new members to the Shore Chapter. Membership continued to grow in 1962 when Al DeSantis, Sr., Bill Carlone, and former Major League Baseball umpire, Billy Williams, Sr. earned their patches that winter. DeSantis, Sr. and Carlone would later become major players in the organization…DeSantis as a well-respected umpire and Cadet Supervisor for future officials, and Carlone for his on-field flamboyance and dedicated efforts to bring the Shore Chapter equal representation with other state chapters by getting a separate Shore Board. These efforts by Carlone and others eventually succeeded, but not until 2008, when the current NJFOA Shore Board was officially formed.
The Shore Chapter continued to expand by attracting more local members and other individuals from northern New Jersey, New York City and other states. Future District Chairman and Chapter Vice-Chairman, Joe Radoslovich joined in 1961. Pete Dileo became an early leader within the chapter, and several of the initial members began to make their marks toward leading the Shore Chapter as one of growing stature.
By 1968 five Shore Chapter officials were members of the “Trenton” District’s Executive Council: Jim Egidio was the District Chairman for 1968 and 1969; Milt Applegate was the Chapter Vice-Chairman for the same two years; Tom Phipps, Sr. became the District’s first Chief Interpreter early in the decade and held the position through 1972; Wilbur (Bill) Van Lenten was the Shore’s Secretary/Treasurer from 1968 – 1974; Jim Burke (future Varsity Assignor and Chapter Secretary/Treasurer), Hal Clayton (future Interpreter), Chris Brusgard (future Varsity Assignor), Mack Sutherland (future Sect./Treas. and sub-varsity Assignor), Mickey Hart, Ray Pennent and Bob Bratton all joined the Shore Chapter during the decade.
Finally, Charles Watson, a prominent Shore Chapter/Board member for five decades, and future District Chairman and Chapter Vice-Chairman, would join the list of Shore officials in the 1960s. In a few short years leading into the 1970s, varsity game crews would expand to four-man teams, and the Shore Chapter of the “Trenton” District was well on its way to becoming a firmly established entity among state NJFOA districts.
1970s
As the Shore Conference grew in membership, so too did Shore Chapter of the Central Jersey (“Trenton”) District. Jim Quirk, now retired NFL and Super Bowl official, joined the organization in 1970. The 1972 graduating Cadet class (a two year program), produced twelve (12) carded officials, several of whom became significant future contributors in both the Shore Chapter and the future Shore Board. Among them were: Jack Russell, District Chairman and Chapter Vice-Chairman; Steve Butera, current NJFOA President and former Varsity and sub-Varsity Assignor; Nick Cuccarese, future Cadet Supervisor and Chapter Interpreter; and Larry Boresen, future Chapter Secretary/Treasurer and sub-varsity Assignor. In addition, three of these 1972 Cadet graduates, Russell (2007), Cuccarese(2008) and Butera (2011), would all be named recipients of the prestigious NJFOA Shore Board “Lifetime Achievement Award.”
By 1975 the Shore Chapter included 81 of the “Trenton” District’s (NJFOA Central Jersey Chapter) 195 registered (active) football officials; the Shore Chapter also included 23 of the Central Jersey Chapter’s 53 enrolled cadets. Included in this one-year program were future Shore Board Interpreter (2009) and 2009 “Lifetime Achievement Award” recipient, Andy Fleming.
The mid-1970’s also saw veteran referee, Milt Applegate, assume the District Chairman position for 1974 and 1975, following his tenure as District Vice-Chairman from 1968-1973. Another veteran referee, Garry Penta, also served as District Vice-Chairman from 1974-1979, following his six year stint as District Member-at-Large from 1968-1974. Jim Burke began his tenure of multiple leadership positions as Shore Chapter Secretary/Treasurer and sub-varsity assignor in 1976 and held these positions through 1980; Jim would later become the Varsity Assignor for the entire Central Jersey Chapter from 1981-1987. Al DeSantis, Sr. continued in his capacity as Shore Chapter Cadet Supervisor through 1979.
The last few years of the 1970’s continued to show increased commitment from and expansion of the NJFOA Shore Chapter. As the population increases of Monmouth and Ocean counties began to hit their peak, the enrollments in many schools expanded rapidly. Many communities began to plan for more than one high school in their towns. Toms River, Brick and Middletown all saw the need to expand to multiple schools, and rapidly expanding communities in Ocean County needed to build their own high schools. Manchester and Lacey Township were two such towns, and parochial schools would soon lobby for acceptance into the Shore Conference. Quite naturally, the increase in schools would bring new football and other sports teams into the Shore Conference, and growth would explode into the 1980’s, when Monmouth and Ocean counties were now recognized as two of the fastest growing counties in the United States.
The combined growth of new schools and the pending retirement of the Shore Chapter’s core group of initial members would soon lead to an even greater need for more football officials. In addition, competition for leadership positions in the five chapters of the state’s football officials, and assignment of veteran crews for key games within the state (including state tournament games), led to all district chapters recognizing the need for more intensive training, “huddle nights,” clinics to acquire more consistent skills, and eventually to requests for rating crews and individual field positions. These initiatives would gain traction and implementation as the decade of the 1980’s approached.
On a humorous note, the 1970’s could not close without mention of a growing number of officials noticing a weekly fall event that occurred each Shore Chapter meeting night. Veteran and soon to retire umpire and sub-varsity assignor, Chet Kovaleski, would coax his brethren officials into purchasing 50-50 tickets, and all the while be licking his fingers counting bills and giving change to members. Immediately thereafter, one-third of the room’s attendance at Seashore Day Camp could observe Chet continuing his nervous habit of licking his fingers to separate cheese and deli meats while making sandwiches for the members’ after- meeting consumption. Silent laughs were privy only to those who occupied the one-third of the room able to see Chet busy preparing the meal in the kitchen. Nevertheless, most members of the group ate at least one sandwich during the season, and Chet is still remembered by all!
1980s
Within the first few years of the 1980’s, Shore area membership in the Central Jersey NJFOA Chapter numbered just under 50% of the Chapter’s 210 active officials. The Raritan, Mercer and Shore groups still comprised the total number of sub-Chapters within the District; it would still be over 25 years before the Shore Board became its own separate Board, but more voices were joining those of Bill Carlone to make sure that Shore officials would gain equal representation with other NJFOA Boards, and especially gain more clout and better representation within the Central Jersey Chapter. Raritan and Mercer officials had maintained a majority of the influence for over two decades, but their dominance was now being challenged by leaders from the Shore who dedicated their efforts toward improving the influence and status of their fellow Monmouth and Ocean County brethren. Jim Egidio, Milt Applegate and Garry Penta began the Shore leadership surge in the early and mid-1970s, and new torch bearers were now being groomed as the 1980’s unfolded.
The District Chairman position (later named the “Chapter” Chairman in 1981) became the highest Executive Council position within the NJFOA, Central Jersey Chapter in the 1960’s, and each sub-Chapter had their own District Vice-Chairman; and the other key council members of the sub-Chapters were the Secretary-Treasurer, the District Member-at-Large, the sub-Varsity Assignors and the local Interpreter. The Shore ranks were now swelling with several experienced and capable members willing to give their time to make the Central Jersey Chapter a better organization and the Shore a more influential leadership group. Garry Penta became the Chapter Chairman from 1980-1981, and Bill Waldeyer was the District Vice-Chairman for the same two years. Jim Egidio and Charlie Watson were co-Members-at-Large during this timeframe; Jim Burke and Larry Boresen continued their Assignor and sub-Varsity Assignor/Secretary-Treasurer positions from 1980-1983; and Milt Applegate served a few years in the early 1980’s as Chief Interpreter for the CJ Chapter. In 1982 Charlie Watson became the District Vice-Chairman and held this position through 1985. Joe Radoslovich was the District Member-at-Large for the same four year period as Watson was Vice-Chairman. Jack Russell then began a three term (six years, from 1986-1991) tenure as District Member-at-Large. Both Joe “Rad” and Jack Russell would move on to bigger and better things in the 1990’s. Mack Sutherland did an interim stint as sub-Varsity Assignor and Secretary-Treasurer in 1984, and Larry Boresen returned to his former duties for 1985-1986. Kurt Lafy served capably as the Cadet Supervisor from 1980-1988, and then Nick Cuccarese began his 17 year tenure (1989-2006) in the same position. As the decade came to a close, Chris Brusgard took the reigns as the Chapter’s Varsity Assignor from Jim Burke in 1988, and he held this position until his untimely death in 1996. Both Chris Brusgard and Larry Boresen, who succumbed to cancer in 1986, left this world far too early, but each left an indelible mark on the NJFOA Shore Chapter with their tireless efforts and commitment to the organization, their families, etc. They are remembered by all who knew them.
Toward the end of the decade, Shore Chapter Council members and the general membership recognized the need for increased training and clinics, evaluations for on-field officials, and the need to mentor cadets and less experienced officials. The topic of evaluations evolved because of increased competition among crews and individual officials, as well as for the need to re-train more experienced officials who may not have been working full varsity schedules or may have gone inactive for a period of years. An evaluation process seemed to be the highest priority of the three topics, as the other two topics were getting some attention. It would still be a few more years until officials received a formal evaluation, but the seeds were planted; and the coming years would result in more ways to produce a even better product on the field.
As 1989 drew to a close, sixteen cadets advanced to the second year stage of their tutorship. The following year, these cadet graduates would swell the ranks of Shore carded officials to over 115 members. Just ten short years remained before the dawn of the new millennium in 2000. Shore area football was now well recognized as a “hotbed” of New Jersey football, with several teams annually competing for state sectional titles. The NJFOA Shore Chapter was also recognized as a growing, competent group looking to spread its wings and assume more responsibility and additional leadership positions within the NJFOA state umbrella.
1990s
The 1990’s would prove to be a banner decade for the Shore Chapter. Joe Radoslovich started the decade as the District Vice-Chairman; this marked Joe’s fourth consecutive year in the position, which he would hold through 1991. Joe then became the Chapter Chairman for 1992 and 1993, and Jack Russell began a six year tenure (three terms) as District Vice-Chairman from 1992-1997. The entire decade would be a period of strong Shore influence within the Central Jersey Chapter, and this strong presence continued with Jack Russell becoming the Chapter Chairman for 1998-1999. Another prominent Shore Chapter member, Sam Riello, would also become a key figure representing its membership in two important positions. Sam became the Shore’s District Member-at-Large from 1992-1997, and he then served as the District Vice-Chairman from 1998-2002. Sam would continue serving in District/Chapter executive positions throughout the first decade of the new millennium and beyond.
Other Chapter members were also making their marks as leaders serving the Shore membership. Steve Butera began his long tenure as Varsity Assignor in 1997 after Chris Brusgard met with his untimely death after the 1996 season; Steve would serve in this capacity for sixteen years through the end of 2012. Steve also did a three year stint as sub-Varsity Assignor (1999-2001); and Jack DuBois (1990-1995), Ray Pennett (1996-1997) and Bob Zampelle (1998 -1999) each served as sub-Varsity Assignors. Jack DuBois also continued serving as the Chapter Secretary/Treasurer through 1995, and soon thereafter Jack became a well deserving and highly respected member of the NJSIAA’s Executive Council. Veteran “white hat,” Hal Clayton, served as the Shore Chapter Interpreter from 1994-2002, and Charlie Bauer began a five year run as District Member-at-Large in 1998, lasting through the 2002 season. Nick Cuccarese, as previously mentioned, served the entire decade as the Cadet Supervisor. Nick was well-armed in this supervisory capacity, as he was capably assisted by Andy Fleming, Joe Coley and Al Fitch at various times over the next two decades. Finally, Dave Marshall began a 14-year tenure as Secretary/Treasurer in 1996.
This last decade before the new millennium was also a period of much change and more attention to detail for Shore officials. One significant highlight came in 1994, when five-man crews became the norm for state varsity football games. This brought many new and experienced officials into the spotlight, and it also created many opportunities for increased training of all officials, including the most veteran members. New mechanics, and new and more precise positioning were now called for as the speed and size of players increased, as offenses became more sophisticated, and as teams and coaches competed more fervently for conference, sectional and state championships. The race was now on as the Shore Chapter fully recognized the need to better train and more fully prepare the five-man crews for their new and more demanding responsibilities.
Two other previously mentioned topics now became “must do” prerequisites for the preparation of officials: classroom and “on-field” clinics, and the evaluation of officials to better prepare and assist officials with game mechanics and responsibilities. Jack Russell, then District Vice-Chairman in the mid-90s, suggested a formal evaluation system for the membership, and Council members and concerned membership began to build the first attempt at a rating system. Fred Anderson and Lloyd Bailey formed a team to prepare a rating system and select “raters” to observe officials /crews at their games. The initial “raters” did so by position, as the rating committee attempted to have “position raters” rate each “position official” on the game. Although this was the first significant attempt to rate officials’ “on-field” performance, the process would need further attention as the years progressed. It would be another ten years or so before the rating system gained additional momentum and credibility, and newly carded officials would also be included in the next phase of the evaluation process.
Continuing education, as previously mentioned, became a much needed priority toward the end of the 1990’s. As rules changes emerged each season, and as mechanics became an even higher priority with the emergence of five-man crews, the officiating product would need a boost to keep up with all the changes of the game. It would be a few more years of gathering materials, attending clinics, utilizing materials available from the NFHS and various football officials’ associations, and picking the brains of Shore Chapter officials who also worked college games; but the groundwork was being laid to ensure that future Shore area officials would provide a more advanced and prepared product to officiate football games.
2000s
As the 2000 football season dawned, the NJFOA Shore Chapter was about to begin the most important period of its history. The building blocks that began in the mid-1950’s had now become a rock solid foundation of veteran officials who were a well known entity within both the NJSIAA and the state NJFOA sectional Boards. That being said, many challenges loomed on the near and longer term horizon. Two of them would be the secession of the Shore Chapter to form its own Board, and a financial and Council crisis at the start of the 2010 decade that would lead to changes in the newly formed Shore Board. These and other challenges would be successfully engaged as they emerged
The new millennium began with 149 active officials and cadets; and the Shore Chapter was officiating games for over 40 Shore Conference schools, plus servicing the Mercer Chapter by providing officials for games that could not be covered by that group. Since the late 1970’s the meeting sites for Shore officials had shifted to several locations in the two-county area. Among the sites that were used over the next 25 years were local fire departments in Brick Township and Manasquan; also included as meeting sites were the Point Pleasant and Manasquan Elks halls over a few different periods of time, as well as a couple of schools located in Monmouth and Ocean counties. The location of meetings was often dictated by the county from which resided the Chapter’s Chairman or Vice-Chairman. Regardless of the location, Shore area officials attended meetings which were getting more comprehensive as the years progressed.
Previously mentioned clinics and other types of advanced instruction were gradually introduced to the membership in the early 2000’s. A “Manual Committee” was formed in 2003-2004 to address the particulars of topics needing attention as reference and study materials for members. This “Manual Committee” was comprised of a Chairman, Bob Philips, and five other members (by position): Referee – Dennis Kotch, Umpire – Phil Senecke, Linesman – Greg Papailiou, Line Judge – Jack Cooper; and Back Judge – Al DeSantis, Jr. Each positional member gathered and provided materials for a handbook which was produced and collated by Kotch for the Chapter members; and this handbook included charts, diagrams, position signals, communication tools, axioms, etc. that were intended to give officials reminders and new tools to improve their craft, better understand their positions and responsibilities, and give players, coaches and spectators an experienced and well prepared product to officiate games each week. The manuals contained over 50 pages of informative study materials, and the content included additional materials from various high school organizations and other officials’ groups around the country. Many thanks are due to all members who contributed to the compilation of these study guides and clinics.
From the beginning of the decade, the Shore Chapter continued with its contribution of experienced and influential leadership to the Central Jersey Chapter. New leaders had emerged during the 1990’s, and they would be joined by others to ensure that the Shore area was well represented in Chapter affairs. Sam Riello continued as District Vice-Chairman through 2002, and Charlie Bauer held his position as District Member-at-Large through the same year. Steve Butera maintained his Varsity Assignor position through the entire decade, and Al Fitch and Sam Riello both performed the sub-varsity assignor duties from 2002-2004 and 2005-2009 respectively. Riello was also voted in to the important position of NJFOA Chapter Representative in 2003; by assuming this position, Sam brought to the Shore Chapter an even stronger representation of the Shore officials within both the state NJFOA group and the NJSIAA. Sam has continued to hold this position until the time of this posting (2014) of the Shore Board History Website page. Nick Cuccarese held the Cadet Supervisor position through 2006 and also did a two year stint as the Shore Chapter Interpreter from 2005-2006. Regarding the Cadet program under the tutelage of Cuccarese: others assisting Nick during this period included Andy Fleming in the development of the program, and Joe Coley (then a member of the Central Jersey Chapter) and Al Fitch assisting with classroom sessions at various periods in time. Bill Douglas also assisted with Cadet training for the last few years of Cuccarese’s tenure, and this enabled Bill to take over as Cadet Supervisor in 2009. Finally, Dave Marshall continued in his capacity as the Secretary-Treasurer through 2009.
As the Shore Chapter entered the middle years of the decade, the time was soon coming for the entire group to form its own separate Board comprised of just Monmouth and Ocean County officials. The embers for this event to occur had been burning for several years, and behind-the-scenes planning was about to come to fruition. Other Shore Chapter members were also entering the fray to assume leadership positions. When Sam Riello was elected as Central Jersey Chapter Chairman for two consecutive terms from 2002-2005, Charlie Bauer joined Sam as the District Vice-Chairman for the same four year period. Mike Kilmurray was also elected as the District Member-at-Large for the same 2002-2005 time period. When Riello stepped down from his Chapter Chairman duties, he then moved into the sub-varsity assignor position and is still performing these duties at this present day (2014). Sam’s ability to “juggle” numerous responsibilities over a period of the last 22 years, along with Steve Butera’s 16 years of being the Varsity Assignor (which also included a seven year term as the NJFOA Secretary-Treasurer from 2005-2011) and two years (2012 and 2013) as NJFOA President, have been big reasons for expanded Shore area influence within the state NJFOA organization, as well as for the success and positive reputation of our current Shore Board.
The “final chapter” of the Shore Chapter’s alignment with Central Jersey NJFOA began in 2006. Current (2014) Shore Board President, Phil Senecke, was elected as District Vice-Chairman for the 2006-2007 term; and Mike Kilmurray served as the District Member-at-Large. Joining the other previously mentioned officers at this time was Andy Fleming, who served for three years as the Shore Chapter Interpreter and who continued his assistance in training cadets from 2007-2008. Andy, now deceased, was just beginning to emerge as one of the Shore’s leading contributors; and he was well on his way to making an even stronger impact within the organization. The Shore Board will miss Andy’s influence and his dedication to making the group a leader among the state’s NJFOA Boards.
The year 2008 marked the inception of the NJFOA Shore Board; it was the culmination of many years of effort by many individuals to make Monmouth and Ocean county football officials a separate Board within the NJFOA. Special mention must also be given to Shore Board Attorney, Dick Amdur. Dick’s tireless assistance to the Shore Board membership was a valuable tool in bringing the NJFOA Shore Board to fulfillment. The dream of Bill Carlone, Phil Senecke and the others who initially pushed for this event had finally come to fruition; and the entire group of members within this new Shore Board would now enjoy the fruits of everyone’s efforts. Phil Senecke was elected as the first President of the Shore Board for the 2008-2009 term. Joining Phil as the new group of officers were the following individuals: First Vice President – Mike Kilmurray; Second Vice President – Jim Foligno; Secretary/Treasurer – Dave Marshall; and Trustees Paul Losiewicz, Bill Surdovel and Al DeSantis, Jr . Steve Butera and Sam Riello continued in their capacity as Varsity Assignor and sub-Varsity Assignor. Andy Fleming and Ed Brandt would serve as Board Interpreters, and Bill Douglas would begin a five year term (2009-2013) as Cadet Supervisor. The NJFOA Shore Board was off and running, and over the next two years many previously consider areas of attention were now back on the front burner: the rating of carded members and cadets; enhanced training and clinics for all officials; involvement in Shore Conference, Pop Warner/ AYF and local communities; “white hat” classes; preparing members for future leadership positions; and now having the new Shore Board getting a larger voice and more recognition among the other NJFOA Boards. The decade ended in good shape, especially as it related to the new Shore Board’s involvement in community activities.
Becoming more involved in community affairs was an idea accepted by Shore Board officials as a worthy venture. As the 2006 season drew to a close, member Bill Surdovel brought to the Executive Council’s attention an award which was given by the EAIFO Metro Chapter of college officials. This annual award (still in existence) was modeled after the “Barbutti Awards,” and it is given to deserving students from member EAIFO schools. The concept suggested by Surdovel developed into the current NJFOA Shore Board/Manasquan Elks Lodge #2534 “Unsung Hero” Award. In addition to Surdovel, current Shore Board and Shore Conference Executive Council member, Jim Rochford, who presented the idea to Shore Conference Athletic Directors and the Manasquan Elks, both launched the award after the 2006 season. Over the last several years, as many as 10-12 deserving “non-athletes” (per year) from member Shore Conference schools have been nominated by Shore Board officials for their efforts and participation in activities relating to the football programs at their schools. Nominees may be trainers, mascots, former injured players (no longer able to participate) acting as assistant coaches, or handicapped individuals who assist players and coaches with various team duties. Awards are funded by the Manasquan Elks Lodge #2534 and presented to recipients at team banquets or ceremonies by football officials who have nominated the individuals for the awards. This yearly event has become firmly entrenched as a way for Shore Board officials to show Shore Conference communities that giving back to schools and students is another dimension displayed by officials beyond the games on football field.
There would be more community activities in which the Shore Board would soon participate. Also, a looming financial crisis would soon unfold as the next decade began; and membership would respond to ensure that the new Shore Board, still in its infancy, would meet the challenges presented head-on.
Finally, the Shore Board began to broaden its wings during the first two years of being its own, separate organization. Phil Senecke, who had carried the Carlone banner of forming a separate board after the passing of Carlone, solicited members to give the new Shore Board an identity of its own. Under Senecke’s leadership and the commitment of other concerned board members, the birth of new concepts and programs emerged. A “first ever” was the formation of the NJFOA Shore Board website. Soon thereafter, assignors fees were reduced and members began receiving higher game fees; mandatory game reports became a weekly priority, and security issues at Shore Conference schools were addressed. The previously mentioned “Unsung Hero Award” became a yearly initiative, and the “President’s Lifetime Achievement Award” was launched to recognize those members who made significant, lifetime contributions to the success of the NJFOA Shore Board. These and other initiatives would further broaden the exposure of Shore Board football officials, and would soon lead to additional philanthropic endeavors. By challenging Council members and the general membership, Senecke was able to enlist the support of others, set more specific goals, and solicit further input to make the new Shore Board embrace other things to further enhance the organization. As time moved forward, these new ideas would become reality for all involved.
2010s
Elections for the NJFOA Shore Board’s second term Council members resulted in long time Shore Chapter Secretary-Treasurer, Dave Marshall, becoming President for the 2010-2011 term. Joining Marshall were: First Vice President – Jim Foligno; Second Vice President – Bart Petrillo; Secretary/Treasurer – Jeremy Lipari; and Trustees Al DeSantis, Jr., Bill Surdovel and Paul Losiewicz. As of 2009, Bill Douglas had assumed the position of Cadet Supervisor, and Butera and Riello continued in their positions as Varsity and sub-Varsity Assignors. Bill Surdovel became the Shore Board’s Rules Interpreter by 2011 (replacing Ed Brandt), and Bill was then selected as the NJFOA’s State Rules Interpreter in 2013. Howie Dombroski, Jr. was then appointed by Marshall to replace Bill Surdovel as Trustee for the remainder of Surdovel’s term when Surdovel was named as the Board’s Rules Interpreter. The Shore Board seemed to be in capable hands under the leadership of Marshall, but a crisis that would test the strength and mettle of the state’s newest NJFOA Board would soon develop.
During the latter part of 2010 and early 2011, Board members discovered some financial irregularities that needed clarification. Over a period of several months it was learned that Shore Board funds had been co-mingled with another account not affiliated with the Shore Board’s account. This issue of financial irregularities became the cause of much suspicion and mistrust among Shore Board membership. Past President, Phil Senecke, persisted in presenting the issue to Board membership, and a concerted effort by impartial professionals and Board members was able to track the discrepancies and account for the missing funds. Leading the charge on accountability and resolving the matter were Tony Salerno and Anthony Perrelli, with Salerno preparing the current banking procedures. Soon thereafter, Shore Board First Vice President, Jim Foligno, assumed the position as Shore Board President in the fall of 2011. From this time until elections were held later in the fall, the Board Council and its membership debated on the direction and leadership needed following the elections for the 2012-2013 term. Special mention should also be given to Shore Board attorney, Dick Amdur, who provided significant guidance and direction to the Council and Board membership from the latter part of 2010 through the 2011 elections. Dick’s contribution cannot be minimized in this respect, as he provided valuable input to enable the organization to sort through the difficulties associated with the financial crisis and the resultant turmoil within the Council. Hat’s off to Dick Amdur for providing valuable insight and leadership at a very critical time!
Clarity was definitely needed on what had to be done to regain the confidence and trust of the Shore Board membership. Following a very successful on-field season and the selection of several Shore Board crews to officiate NJSIAA state semi-final and final games, the Board proceeded with the 2011 elections in November, 2011. Phil Senecke was elected as President to transition the membership to the next era. Joining Phil as members to the Council were: Jim Foligno – First Vice President and Terry Barlow – Second Vice President. The Board had also previously determined that the position of Treasurer would be a separate, elected position not to be combined with other responsibilities. This was part of the plan to install more rigid accounting procedures designed to prohibit any future financial irregularities and to also enact more precise financial policies to ensure better tracking of all financial matters. Anthony Perrelli was elected as Treasurer, and the Trustees for this next term would be Al DeSantis, Jr., Tony Salerno and Bill Van Schoick.
Once the financial crisis subsided and elections were finalized, it was on to other important matters at hand. Hot on the front burner was the matter of more comprehensive and objective crew evaluations and individual position ratings. Tony Salerno was entrusted with this task and promptly “reached out” to other associations that had more comprehensive ratings, evaluations and even crew ranking systems. Soon thereafter, Tony formed a committee that included Sam Riello, Al DeSantis, Jr., Bill VanSchoick and James Chirelli; these individuals then created guidelines for the rating of individual officials and evaluating crews as a unit. The finished product, which is now updated annually, became the current Shore Board “Rating and Evaluation Program;” and the major priorities of this program were to create a training tool for the association to train officials, address problems and ultimately improve the performance of officials and crews.
Highlights of the “Rating and Evaluation Program” are as follows: 1) getting varsity eligible officials a varsity rating to work varsity games; 2) current officials on a varsity crew were grandfathered in as varsity officials; 3) newly carded officials needed to have one provisional year before being eligible to be rated; 4) rating of a single official must be done by a current, on-field official who works that position or who has worked that position for at least one season at the varsity level; 5) it takes two ratings at the varsity level to attain varsity status; 6) the association pays the “raters” a game fee to rate an official and submit the written report. The person being rated pays a game fee to the association for the second rating, and the association in turn pays the “rater”; 7) officials may be “reclassified” to a sub varsity status if they do not maintain varsity competence and performance; and 8) crews are to be evaluated by a senior, competent official who is no longer an on-field official. This is to avoid a conflict while rating a crew. As of the end of the 2014 season, the current “Rating and Evaluation Program” has been in effect for three years and has received positive feedback from the membership. Also, coaches and ADs are much more aware of the fact that the Shore Board now trains, monitors and evaluates officials, and also corrects issues that in the past were overlooked or not addressed. The addition of HUDL has also enabled the rating and evaluation system to reach new levels of efficiency by using film to provide back-up and reinforcement for individual ratings and crew evaluations. Finally, the NJSIAA, State NJFOA and State Assignor are excited to see that the Shore Board has this program in place to monitor, train and improve Shore Board football officials. Hat’s off to Tony Salerno and the rating and evaluation committee for a job well done!
The NJFOA Shore Board also continued its emphasis on philanthropic and community awareness as a necessary function of the organization. After Hurricane Sandy destroyed many communities at the end of October 2012, the Shore Board enlisted its membership to identify families, organizations, schools, etc. in need of assistance. The Shore Board membership decided to cancel its annual November banquet and donate the intended banquet funds (and other Board funds and individual membership donations) to various organizations that suffered from “Sandy.” Donations to those in need included the following: NJ State PBA (NJSPBA S&W Sandy Relief), for Monmouth and Ocean Counties – $400; First Presbyterian Church, Belmar, NJ – $400; Jersey Shore Calvary Church, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ – $400; Restore the Shore – Home Town Heroes, Toms River, NJ – $400; and SandyNJReliefFund.org, Mendham, NJ – $400. Additional membership donations (i.e., individual members) also donated $1680 to the following organizations: Union Beach Fire Dept., Union Beach, NJ – $500; The Raine Foundation, Hazlet, NJ – $500; Keyport Indians (Pop Warner), Keyport, NJ – $500; and the Point Pleasant Elks (for food and clothing distribution), Point Pleasant, NJ – $180. Thank you to all NJFOA Shore Board members for your generous donations! And thank you to the NJFOA Shore Board Executive Board and Ad Hoc Committee Members Phil Senecke, Sam Riello, Anthony Perrelli and Howard Dombroski, Sr. for your time and efforts!
When the 2013 season began, a sprinkling of Shore Conference games witnessed the debut of six-man crews. Northern NJ high school games had begun to use six-man crews in 2011, and the NJSIAA would soon announce that all state high school tournament games would be officiated by six-man crews in the 2014 season. With the advent of these crews in Shore Conference games starting in 2013, more officials would now experience varsity game action, and participating schools would have “another set of eyes” watching their games and improving safety mandated by the NFHS and NJSIAA governing bodies. As of the beginning of the 2014 season, approximately 20 Shore Conference schools were using six-man crews for their home games; and the expectation was that more schools would do the same for the 2015 season. The NJSIAA 2014 Football Playoffs marked another milestone for the NJFOA Shore Board. All state tournament games were officiated by six-man crews, and the Shore Board had their “most ever” number of crews participate in each of the three rounds…14 crews worked the first round, 8 crews worked the semifinal round and 5 crews worked final round games.
Elections for Board positions were held in November, 2013 and Phil Senecke was re-elected as President. Mike Kilmurray and Al DeSantis, Jr. were elected to the respective positions of First and Second-Vice President. Sam Riello maintained the positions of Varsity and sub-Varsity Assignor, and Bill Surdovel was again elected as Board Interpreter (Bill also became the NJSIAA State Interpreter soon after the end of the 2013 season). Anthony Perrelli was re-elected as Treasurer, and Mike Galbavy was elected for the open Trustee position, joining Tony Salerno and Bill Van Schoick for the three Trustee positions. Kevin Fleming was later named the new Cadet Supervisor, replacing Bill Douglas in this capacity.
As the 2014 season came to an end, Bill Douglas was named as the newest Lifetime Achievement Award winner; and Dick Amdur, Board Attorney, was presented the special “Dick Amdur Appreciation Award.” The award for Amdur was for his long-term assistance to the Shore Board in handling legal matters, and also providing special assistance during the Board’s transition to a separate Board and advising on resolving the financial crisis. This award will be continued on an “as needed basis” in future years. Congratulations to both Bill and Dick for their tireless efforts and long-time contributions to the NJFOA Shore Board! Jim Foligno was also elected to the position of Trustee in the fall of 2014, replacing outgoing Trustee, Tony Salerno. The mid-November Board banquet was also a great success, with over 105 attendees marking the event as the highest attended banquet in the Shore Board’s history!