Darren Cooper, Local Sports Columnist, @VarsityAces
There are a lot of Athletic Halls of Fame in North Jersey, but the granddaddy of them all might be Garfield, which will honor it’s 37th class this spring. Some schools haven’t even been open 37 years.
Here are the details….
The Garfield High School Athletic Hall of Fame is proud to introduce its seven inductees for the Class of 2018. It will also honor Mr. Pete Defranco, the 1990 BPSL Champion boys’ cross country team, the 1999 BPSL Champion football team, the 1924 and 1930 Bergen County champion football teams and the 1928 and 1931 Bergen County champion basketball teams.
The Athletic Hall of Fame dinner will be held Friday May 11, 2018 at 7 p.m. at the Royal Manor on Midland Ave. in Garfield, NJ. Tickets will be $65 and tickets can be purchased by contacting Frank Dawson III at 201-725-4741 or at fdawson89@gmail.com
This year’s outstanding honorees include:
Regina Kelly – Class of 2008 (Basketball) Four year starter at point guard on the girls’ basketball team…Finished her career with 1,022 points, 5th on all-time scoring list…Named three times First-team All-BPSL and All-County…Selected to play for the All-Bergen All-stars in the Bill Willoughby Roundball classic in 2008…Honorable Mention Bergen Athlete of the Week…Played basketball at William Paterson.
Zbignew “Ziggy” Puzio – Class of 2007 (Soccer) Three year starter at midfield for the soccer program…Named First-team All-Bergen County in 2005 and 2006…Named First-team Herald News, All-Area, 2005 and 2006…Named First-team All-BPSL in 2005 and 2006…Member of BPSL Championship team, 2004 and 2005. ..Advanced to state sectional semifinals in 2004 and 2005.
Ashley Garcia – Class of 2001 (Basketball, Softball) Eleven letter winner in basketball, softball and cheering….Two-time First-team All-BPSL in Basketball and Softball….Finished her basketball career with 750 points and 450 rebounds…Led league in scoring her senior season…Batted .400 for her career on the softball diamond…Led team to county and state tournaments in 2000 and 2001…Graduated from William Paterson.
Anthony “Digger” Barber – Class of 2000 (Wrestling) Four letterwinner in wrestling…Finished career with 90 career victories….2000 Region 2 champion at 119 pounds…Named Most Outstanding Wrestler of 2000 Region 2 tournament…Named Bergen Record “Athlete of the Week”…Finished 7th/8th in the state in 2000…Three time Garfield Holiday Tournament Champion, three time District 6 champion, three time First-team All-BPSL
Martin Geisler – Class of 1983 (Football, Wrestling) Six letter winner in two sports…First-team All-BCSL American Heavyweight in wrestling…Earned 3rd place at Garfield Tournament and District 3 tournaments…Outstanding nose guard in football….Anchored defense that gave up no more than 19 points against any opponent in 1982…9 solo tackles in win versus Fort Lee…First-team All-BCSL defense…Played at Temple for Bruce Arians.
Harold Logan – Class of 1974 (Football, Track and Field) Six letter winner in two sports….Two-way starter at end in football…First-team All-NNJIL, punter in 1973…36 yard punting average for 1973 season…Two time NNJIL and Section Champion in the Pole Vault… Set the school record for the pole vault (12 feet, 6 inches) that stood for over twenty years.
Richard Ruzila – Class of 1966 (Baseball, Basketball) Five letter winner in two sports…First-team All-PVC Second Base on 1965…Earned All-County and All-State Group 4 honors in 1965….Most Outstanding Game was three hit performance to eliminate Seton Hall Prep in 1965 Greater Newark Tournament. .. Member of 1965 Hall of Fame team that won PVC and Group 4 state sectional championships…Played collegiately at Monmouth.. .
John Cocula Memorial Service Award – Mr. Peter DeFranco Former assistant basketball coach, elementary school principal for 35 years and respected football, basketball and baseball official who has led an outstanding professional career and a devout supporter of Garfield athletics.
Team Award – 1990 Boys’ Cross Country Led by Hall of Fame coaches Franzmann and Chiswell, this group was the first in school history to win a league title.
Team Award – 1999 Football Led by Hall of Fame coach Steve Mucha, the football team went 7-3, including a seven game win streak, and won its first league title and state playoff berth in nineteen years.
Team Award – 1924 and 1930 Football Led by Hall of Famers Piela, Bilas, Sebo and Hollis, the 1924 football team was Garfield’s first championship in any sport. The 1930 team led by Hall of Famers Argauer, Sebo, Kakascik and Andy Kmetz won the first outright title in school history.
Team Award – 1928 and 1931 Boys’ Basketball 1928 team went 16-6 and advanced to Class B state finals. 1931 team with seven Hall of Famers, lead by Art Argauer went through regular season undefeated, were runners up in the Eastern states tournament and finished the season at 24-2
