When Walter Somick was a youngster growing up in North Bergen, football became more than just a sport. It became a passion.
“I’m a product of the North Bergen Pop Warner football program,” said Somick, now 34. “Once you’re a part of it, it stays in your blood.”
That passion is part of the reason Somick has been coaching in the program for the last 14 years, soon after he graduated from North Bergen High School in 1987.
“I decided I wanted to give back to the community,” Somick said. “And I’ve been giving back ever since. I’ve stayed with it, even though I now have a little girl and another baby on the way. I can’t imagine a year without coaching football. It would leave an empty hole. It’s so much a part of my life now. It’s an everyday thing, like waking up and tying your shoes. From August to Thanksgiving, it’s in me every day.”
Somick, who coaches the Red Raiders, the 13-and-14-year-old players, was one of the township coaches who were able to honor the approximately 500 kids who participate in the North Bergen Recreation Football Program, both players and cheerleaders.
Every single kid who participated last fall received some sort of an award during last weekend’s awards dinners. The dinners, held at staggered times to accommodate all of the kids and their parents, were held at the Nutrition Center on 44th Street.
Somick’s team won the regular season championship in the Hudson County Youth Football League, posting an undefeated 9-0 record. All of those players received a jacket for their championship season. The jackets and trophies were presented by Mayor Nicholas Sacco and Commissioners Allen Pascual and Hugo Cabrera.
“It’s great,” Somick said. “I couldn’t imagine being in a program that didn’t have an awards dinner. I know that there are programs that don’t have dinners, but it’s been a tradition in North Bergen. There always has to be a way to honor the kids for their hard work and dedication.”
While there was no Most Valuable Player trophy awarded this year, several of the kids received individual awards honoring their achievements, including the Second Annual Christopher Amoroso Memorial Award, given to the best lineman. Steve Pankiewicz received this year’s award, named after the former North Bergen Recreation football coach and Port Authority police officer who died in the World Trade Center tragedy.
Somick believes that many of this year’s honorees have bright futures in football, much like other products of the program that have gone on to bigger and better things, like former Hudson Reporter Athlete of the Year Czar Wiley, who played at the University of New Hampshire, and Jamar Wilkins, who played at the University of Connecticut.
Current North Bergen High School standouts Eric Macias and Bobby Lane, both of whom signed letters of intent to attend Columbia University (Macias) and the University of Albany (Lane) last week, also once played for Somick, as did current St. Peter’s Prep standout receiver Adam San Miguel.
“I never even thought about how many kids left here and went on to play in high school and do well,” Somick said. “There are actually countless kids over the years. I’m pretty proud of that fact. I wish I sat down and made a list of all of those kids who moved on to have nice careers.”
Added Somick, “We have a bunch of kids on this year’s team that will go on to have nice careers. Steve Pankiewicz is a center and a nose guard, but he could actually play any position. Chris Macias [no relation to Eric] is the fastest kid I ever coached. He has amazing feet and some God-given ability. Evan Rodriguez is amazing athlete who can do anything. He can run, throw, catch and scored about 12 touchdowns this year. Johandy Martinez is a good athlete with a lot of promise. Xavier Feliciano is a hard working kid. The list goes on and on.”
The Recreation Department took the time to remember two products of the program who passed away in the last year, namely 12-year-old Eduardo Velasquez, who died after a tough battle with leukemia, and former coach Ray Jansen, who also died within the last year.
“We also take a second to remember them,” Somick said. “We said a small prayer for them and their families. When you lose people like that, it has an effect on everyone.”
Somick said that there is another aspect that keeps him going after all these years.
“The kids come in with zero confidence and go out as football players,” Somick said. “Seeing the confidence build is really something to watch. That’s the beauty of it all. That’s why I’m still passionate about it and the other coaches are passionate. The kids go on with a great sense of awareness about themselves. The whole thing is so great.”
Somick said that he plans on returning for a 15th season as the coach of the Red Raiders in the fall – with one small detail.
“My wife is due in September,” Somick said. “That’s right before the second game. I don’t know how she’s going to take it if I have to leave to coach.”