Athletic Hall of Fame
Mission
The New Brunswick High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee has as its mission the following goals:
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To acknowledge and commemorate the achievement of athletic excellence made by student-athletes and coaches.
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To appreciate the positive contributions made by administrators, teachers, trainers, community members, and others to the athletic program of New Brunswick High School.
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To create public awareness of the athletes who serve as role models for their academic excellence and high-quality performance.
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To recognize that competitive sports play a critical part in the development of character.
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To award annual scholarships to a senior male and female scholar-athlete, who will be attending college.
These mission statement goals are written to augment the great Zebra Athletic Tradition.
Nomination
In order for a candidate to be considered to be a nominee of the NBHS Athletic Hall of Fame, a Nomination Ballot must be completed and submitted to:
New Brunswick High School
Attn: N.B.H.S. Athletic Hall of Fame
1000 Somerset Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
Nomination Ballots may be obtained by calling the Physical Education Department 732-745-5300, Ext. 3103. Selection of a candidate: A Nomination Ballot received. The first step is to verify the graduating date from NBHS and to check on the out of high school for five years or more is correct. The AHOF curator of the nominees and honoree listings will then reach out to the candidate for any further information needed. A Selection Panel reviews the listing of candidates. The panel then votes to select the names of sixteen male athletes, five female athletes, and five honorary finalists. The final vote is with the members of the NBHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee, who will review and vote to elect eight male athletes, two female athletes and two honorees inductees to be honored at the next annual induction dinner in May.
Hall of Fame History
The groundwork for the New Brunswick High School Athletic Hall of Fame had its beginnings in 1987 when Bill Grischuk began contacting former Pre-World War II NBHS basketball players for their 1988 reunion dinner. The gathering began at Todd’s Restaurant (the former site of the Spinning Wheel Restaurant) and about 60 former players attended the Reunion dinner at the Elks in New Brunswick.
In 1990 the first Sports Reunion Dinner for New Brunswick High School athletes, cheerleaders, fans and graduates thru 1980 was held at the American Legion Hall in Milltown, NJ. It was during these dinners that the idea for an NBHS Athletic Hall of Fame was presented by John Ragone, former Coach & Director of Athletics of the high school. John obtained information from several high schools that had an Athletic Hall of Fame program, in order to find a model to follow. Al Cooper, Bud Goodwin, Patricia Daly, Joseph G. Marino, former athletes, and coaches assisted John in developing the plan for the NBHS Athletic Hall of Fame. The plan was presented and received support at the 6th Annual Sports Reunion Dinner for NBHS Athletes in Milltown, NJ in 1995.
In 1996, the first NBHS Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony was held during the 7th Annual Sports Reunion dinner at the American Legion Hall in Milltown, NJ. The first class of “legends” consisting of 10 athletes and 2 honorees were honored posthumously.
In 1999, it was established that the first Saturday in May the NBHS Athletic Hall of Fame Committee would host their Induction dinners at the Hyatt Regency – New Brunswick, in order to accommodate the number of guests wishing to attend. In 2014 we were proud to present the Class of 2014 inductees of eight male athletes, two female athletes, and two honorees.
In 2007, the NBHS Hall of Fame committee began a scholarship program to honor two beloved coaches, John Ragone and Joseph G. Marino. Each year, scholarships are awarded to a senior male and female scholar-athlete who will continue their education at an institution of higher learning
The following criteria are necessary to apply: An Athlete Nominee: A graduate of NBHS and out of High School for five years or more: Earned at least one letter in an NBHS varsity sport and be recognized as a positive role model. An Honorary Nominee: Present or past Coach, Athletic Director, Trainer, Manager, Administrator, Board of Education member, personnel or anyone who contributed to the Athletic Program of New Brunswick High School.
