Stinson to receive McGuire Award; Pablos approaching NJCU milestone
What in the world happened Wednesday at the regularly scheduled HCIAA Coviello boys’ soccer contest between St. Peter’s Prep and Memorial?
From what has been determined, the two teams arrived in West New York ready to play the game, but there was one glaring omission – referees.
After waiting 45 minutes for the allegedly scheduled officials to arrive, one substitute official showed up, but St. Peter’s Prep head coach John Irvine didn’t want to play such an important game with only one referee – and he made the right decision. So the game has to be rescheduled.
The dilemma is this: How can something like that happen in the first place? Officials for any sport have to set in stone for weeks, perhaps months in advance. How can the two teams show up for a game and not have any officials there?
Considering that this was a Memorial home game, the blame has to lie within Memorial athletic director Sal Vega and his staff. Someone didn’t do their job and insure that two quality officials were in place and set to work that game….
Congratulations to Hoboken football coach Ed Stinson, who has been selected to receive the Frank McGuire Foundation Award that goes to distinguished high school coaches.
The McGuire Foundation, named for the legendary college basketball coach, recognizes dedicated high school coaches who embrace the pursuit of excellence in scholarship and athletics. The award also comes with a $10,000 grant that Hoboken High School can use to better its athletes.
Stinson becomes the third Hudson County coach to receive the award, joining St. Anthony basketball coach Bob Hurley and former Secaucus volleyball coach Maria Nolan, both of whom were honored by the McGuire Foundation four years ago.
Stinson will receive his award Nov. 6 at the New York Athletic Club.
"I’m very honored and it’s a great thing, especially with receiving the grant," Stinson said…
Here’s an interesting sidelight to Saturday’s football game between Hudson Catholic and North Bergen.
While legendary North Bergen coach Vince Ascolese will be seeking his 300th career coaching victory in that game, the Hudson Catholic program will be looking for the 99th win in the school’s history.
That’s an amazing discrepancy. It’s also amazing that Hudson Catholic has never defeated North Bergen in football. Ever.
"It just shows you where the two programs have been," said Hudson Catholic coach and athletic director Rob Stern. "But we’re going out to play the game. They’re coming down here with history on their side and they’re coached by a legend. What more can you say?"
If Ascolese gets the milestone, he will become only the third coach in state history to gain 300 coaching victories…
Secaucus native Melissa Pablos is well on her way to re-writing the New Jersey City University volleyball record books, supplanting a former Patriot along the way.
Pablos, a senior middle hitter, had a fine match last week in a win over Rutgers-Camden, notching 13 kills, five aces, and nine digs.
With career 820 kills, Pablos is just 37 shy of tying the school record of 857 kills, set by by Cheryl Nitschke in a career that spanned from 1992 through 1995.
Pablos, who already is the NJCU all-time leader in block assists and total points, and is nearing the records for solo blocks, total blocks, and service aces, will likely overtake Nitschke’s record by the weekend…. – Jim Hague