UNION COUNTY LOCALSOURCE LOCALSOURCE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010 — PAGE 27 •• JR's HIGH SCHOOL All the latest sports Former RP football coach chatter, opinions, and scores for Union County. Visit my pages by going to LocalSource.com and clicking on your Gardi passes away at 71 town then click on the High School Sports tab for all my updates and the latest scheduled events for your High School Coached Panthers to 9-0 mark in 1969 By JR Parachini Gardi played in two pre-season games before being Sports Editor released. In 1961, he attended camp with the Buffalo HHHHHHBHHHI Before there were power points or state playoffs Bills, but did not make the team. and when more than a few fans showed up to watch In 1964, Gardi was hired as the head football coach high school football games, Joe Gardi served as the at Oratory Prep in Summit. The team lost 37 consecutive Springfield Roacirunners edge head coach at Roselle Park for three seasons from games prior to Gardi's arrival. Summit Swampdragosis 1967-1969. In his first season. Oratory went 0-9. In his second and The Springfield Roadrunners 14-and-under traveling boys' soccer Twenty years later he took over as the head coach third seasons in 1965 and 1966, the Rams went 6-3 and team edged the Summit Swampdragons 3-2 Sunday at Gaudineer Middle at and was instrumental in taking 5-4, with- Gardi's three-year record at the school 11-16. School in Springfield. the program from Division 3 to elite 1-AA status. Gardi succeeded Joe Cartier as the head coach at After a scoreless first half, Danny Micolta, Asmar Johnson and Yosuf Gardi passed away last Wednesday following a Roselle Park in 1967, with the Panthers finishing 2-7 Salomon netted goals for Springfield in the second half. stroke he suffered last week. He was 71 years old. that season. The Roadrunners improved to 5-2-1. "When Joe came to Roselle Park we had not had a Roselle Park improved to 6-3 in 1968 with its first With Springfield ahead 2-1, Salomon - a midfielder - scored on a 40- winning season for 10 years," said John Wagner, a 1969 winning season in a decade. foot direct kick. Summit's first goal came on a penalty kick, pulling the Roselle Park graduate who played for Gardi during his "Joe gave a lot of kids direction," Wagner said. "He Swampdragons to within.2-1. junior and senior seasons of 1967 and 1968. was a very charismatic type of person. He could have Johnson's goal also came on a penalty kick. Wagner, who was an assistant coach at Roselle Park made a lot of money in sales.". Summit scored again with one minute left. under Geoff Hill from 1976-1980 and then the head Gardi then guided the Panthers to a perfect mark of Andrew Maldenado filled in admirably for the injured Ethan Siegel at coach from 1981-2005, is the winningest football 9-0 during his final year there in 1969. the goalkeeper position for Springfield, making four saves. coach at Roselle Park. He surpassed Herm Shaw - "When he coached with the Jets and they had the Excelling on defense for the Roadrunners were Stephano Gonzaga, who the football field is named after - in victories his Sack Exchange (nickname for the team's four-man Patrick Zahn, Noah Guber and Arrington Joyner-Corniffe. final season. ; defensive line), that was typical Joe," Wagner said. Springfield is next scheduled to play this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Wagner's job title now is Assistant Principal - "He would put a label on something and run with it." Clifton Stallions Stampede. Athletics at Roselle Park. In 1970, Gardi returned to Maryland to assume the Earlier this season, the Roadrunners and the Stallions Stampede batted "He only coached here for three years, but as a roles of head coach of the freshman team and recruit- to a 2-2 tie. young man he was very influential in my life," ing coordinator. That year he was responsible for Springfield is in a four-team race with two games remaining to capture Wagner said. recruiting star quarterback Bob Avellini. the'Flight 2 Division crown. "He was a great role model for us as kids, especial- In 1972, he was promoted to offensive line coach. ly a young man like myself who grew up without a In 1973, after new head coach Jerry Claiborne took father. Joe Gardi, Ernie Finizio (former Roselle Park over at Maryland, Gardi was retained and moved to Former Devils star Daneyko attends annual Superintendent of Schools) and Dale Springer (former wide receivers coach. Dayton alumni hockey event for good cause Roselle Park High School Principal) were my biggest In 1974, Gardi began a tenure in the •short-lived During last Friday night's 5th Annual Dayton High School Alumni role models." . He served as a running backs Ice Hockey Game, former New Jersey Devils star Ken Daneyko was a Gardi was born in Harrison and attended Harrison coach, special teams coach and interim head coach for guest attraction, where he was available to sign autographs and take High School, graduating in 1956. There he was a First the Philadelphia Bell. In 1975, he served as head coach photographs with fans. Team All-State offensive guard selection by The for the Portland Thunder for three games before the The event took place at South Mountain Arena in West Orange, with Newark Star-Ledger in 1955 during his senior season league disbanded. the game including former Dayton ice hockey players. at the Hudson County school. Gardi then served for nine seasons from 1976-1984 The game is designed to raise money for The Healing Heart Founda- He then attended the University of Maryland, as an assistant coach for the in the NFL. tion, in memory of David Nehmer of Springfield, who lost his life to where he played football from 1959 to 1960 as an In 1976, he was special teams and tight ends coach leukemia at age 12. offensive tackle and linebacker. He served as team under head coach . There were refreshments, raffles, prizes and also an appearance by the captain and received the Unsung Hero Award. He Gardi served as special teams and linebackers New Jersey Devils' mascot. All proceeds went to The Healing Heart graduated with a bachelors of science degree in coach from 1977-1980. In 1981 and 1982, he was the Foundation. business administration. defensive coordinator under head coach Walt More information about The Healing Heart Foundation may be In 1960, he was signed by the Washington Redskins Michaels. obtained by contacting Jesse Krumholz at [email protected]. of the . See HOFSTRA, Page 29 Sifltiilllllillliilli ALIGNMENT SERVICE North-South Football $300OF0 F $"| Q00 at Kean June 28 Visual Chsck for Leaks OFF Install new brake shoes or pads on front axle, in- Pressdra Test System • Inspect and Fill Fluids • Check Wipers Benefits of oil property aHgriedvehicle inspection The 32nd annual North-South Performance Test spect calipers, master cylinder, hoses and lines. -Increases tire life • Adjust Tire Air Pressure • Test Battery ' Improves, handling arsd vehicle control Written Estimate For Any Necessary Repairs • Reset Oil Reminder Light • Up To 5qls of Oil (mosl cars) Add brake fluid as necessary. All-Star Football Game is set for-»- Freon & Dye Extra In Needed Machine tool rotors or resurface drums. • Reduces su3penalort system wear June 28 at 7 p.m. at Kean University •• .. . • An overall safer rjde TIRE. & AUTO CARE in Union. TIRE & AUTO CARE Most Cars. With Coupon. TIRE. & AUTO CARE TIRE Si AUTO CARE Not Valid With Any Other Offers. With Coupon. Not Valid With Any Other Offers. With Coupon. Not Valid With Any Other Offers. With Coupon. Not Valid With Any Other Offers. With Coupon. The South leads the series Expires 7/6/10 CE Expires 7/6/10 CE Expires 776/10 CE 15-13-2, with the 2002 game not TIRES: Foreign, Domestic & Light Truck, All Major Brands being played because of Of Tires, Free Mounting. Service: State-Of-The-Art Service Center, Brakes, Alignments, BFOoiodrlch* 111liTiGi T/l inclement weather. Shocks, Struts, Exhausts, Manufacturer's Recommended Services Wet, dry and snow traction 365 days a year. Race-derived tread In the 13th annual New Jersey- (30k/60k/90k). Oil Changes, NJ State Inspection. helps provide excellent acceleration, cornering and braking Northeast All-Star Classic Sunday SATISFACTION: Free Pickup & Dropoff, After Hours Key Drop, TIRE SIZE PRICE Clean, Comfortable Waiting Lounge, All Major Credit Cards Accepted. 195/65HR15 $90.95 at Rutgers Stadium in Piscataway, WESTFSELD 205/65HR15 $94.95 New Jersey won 13-7 to take a 908-233-0393 SBmmsmmm 205/60HR16 $99.95 10-3 series lead. 215/60HR16 $101.95 New Jsrsey also won 13-7 last 600 North Avenue East $109.95 Near Garwood ShopRlte 225/60HR16 year at Rutgers. www.americantires.net ALL SEASON RADIAL The 17th annual Snapple Bowl ALL SEASON RADIAL FOR LIGHT TRUCKS is set for July 15 at 7 p.m. at East 185/65R14 $ 47.95 P2157515 $ 65.95 Brunswick. 195/65R15 $ 57.95 P2357515 $ 77.95 2Q5/70R15 60.95 Middlesex County has a four- TIRE- & AUTO CARE P2357016 $ 96.95 205/65R15 55.95 P2357016 $ 97.95 game winning streak and leads the 215/60R16 73.95 series over Union County 9-7. LT2358516 $122.95 225/60R16 71.95 $134.95 Union County last won in 2005 P2657017 by the score of 21-14 at Kean.