Ken Hyland – 1969 – Football, Baseball and Basketball. He was an All County Lineman on CHS’s second team (1968). He was also a starter on CHS’s first team in 1967 for Coach Joe Martino. Ken was captain of both the football and baseball teams. He was CHS’s student athlete of the year in 1969. He attended college at the University of Pennsylvania. Ken is now an attorney.
Tom Levendowski – 1969 – Football – He was a starting running back on CHS’s 1967 and 1968 teams. These were the first football teams in the school’s history under Coach Joe Martino.
Mike Murphy - Was CHS’s first track coach from 1968 into the seventies. He produced several County, Sectional, and State Champions including Tom Ryall, a charter member of our Hall of Fame.
Bob Sanislow – Basketball Coach - Was the first basketball coach at Colonia during the 1967-1968 season. This team finished 14-8 and won the Greater Jersey Conference Central 1 title behind star players Charles “Chuck” Buzzi and Joe Peters, both Charter Members of our Hall of Fame. His second and last Colonia team finished 20-7 and won the Middlesex County Tournament over South River 80-62.The Championship four game run included a huge upset of Perth Amboy 81-77. This team, also, tied WHS for the Greater Jersey Conference Central 1 title. Bob became Colonia High School Principal for many years.
Lou Bartha – Athletic Director - Was a star three sport athlete at WHS in the 1930’s. He played college football at the University of Chattanooga, Tennessee, and later returned to WHS as a teacher, assistant three sport coach and head track and field coach. In 1964 Lou was charged with the responsibility of building the J.F.K. Memorial athletic program as Director of Athletics. He served in the role of Athletic Director until his passing in 1978. The J.F.K. Stadium was dedicated to him on November 10, 1984. Lou’s 1961 WHS track and field team won the Central Jersey Group IV Championship, the only title of its kind in school history. His WHS teams, also, won Middlesex County outdoor titles in 1961 and 1962 and the M.C. relays in 1962. They finished as county or sectional meet runnersup many times. Lou was head track coach at WHS from 1958-1963 after succeeding Lou Gabriel. He was named the 1961 Outdoor Coach of the Year by the Middlesex County Track Coaches Association. His 1963 shot put team of John Eppensteiner, John Picaroni, Ed Ackerman and William Randolph established a then National Scholastic record of 210 feet -½ inch. His assistant coach was Herb Hollowell. During his twenty years at WHS, Coach Bartha also, served as head basketball coach for two seasons as well as assistant track, football, and baseball coach. Mr. Bartha was inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1971 from John F. Kennedy Memorial High School.
Tom Carbonaro – 1968 – Football and Baseball. He was a three year starting lineman on the J.F.K football teams and a first team All County selection on the 1967 9-0 Mustangs (C.J. GR IV Champions). They were Group IV Co-Champions and the Star Ledger’s third ranked team statewide. This team also, won the Greater Jersey Conference Central 1 title. Tom was, also, the starting first baseman on J.F.K’s Greater Jersey Conference Division I Championship team (15-9) in 1968.
Bob Lanigan – 1966 – Football and Track. He was a two year starting running back on J.F.K’s first football teams in 1964 and 1965 and was an outstanding runner in track for Coach Herb Hollowell. Bob later became Head Football Coach at J.F.K. compiling a seven year record of 33-30-1 (1986-1992). Following his coaching career, he became Director of Athletics.
Mike Lyons – 1967 – Football and Basketball. He was a member of the first football teams at J.F.K. (1964 and 1965) and basketball teams. In 1966, he transferred to W.H.S. and became an All County selection at end. He later became a teacher in the Edison School District and track and field coach at J.P. Stevens.
Ron “Beanie” Osborne – Football Coach and Athletic Director. He was the first football coach at J.F.K. from 1964 to 1977. He produced a winning record and two undefeated 9-0 teams in 1967 and 1971. The 1967 team was awarded the Central Jersey Group IV Co-Championship (with Plainfield) and won the Greater Jersey Conference Central I title. The team finished as the Star Ledger’s third ranked team statewide. Coach Osborne was named the Star Ledger Coach of the Year. The 1971 Mustangs were awarded the Central Jersey Group III Co-Championship (with BWR East) and won the MCAC title. The team finished second in the final Star Ledger rankings statewide. He later became Athletic Director at J.F.K. 1978. The entrance road to the school is named in his honor “Ron Osborne Way”. A past officer of the WTAAA, the 1996 Hall of Fame program was dedicated to him. Ron played football, basketball and baseball at Bridgeport University. His high school coaches were Nick Priscoe for football and baseball and John Tomczuk for basketball. Coach Osborne was inducted into the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1997 (posthumously) and the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1978 from John F. Kennedy Memorial High School.
Donnie Anderson – 1945 – Baseball. He was a star pitcher at WHS during WWII. His two year record as varsity pitcher was 17-4 including 10-3 senior year when he was named to the All State and All County teams. His high school coach was Nick Priscoe. Donnie’s 1945 team made it to the Middlesex County Tournament final but lost a close one to South River 3-4 in eleven innings.
Tony Cacciola – 1931 – Football. He was a star All County Lineman on the undefeated Barrons of 1930, (Class B Co-Champions) under coach Heinie Benkert. He later became a player and coach for the semi pro Woodbridge Golden Bears.
Frank “Chick” Chaplar – 1939 – Football and Baseball. He was the quarterback of the 1938 Central Jersey Group IV Champions under Coach Nick Priscoe and an All County selection for two seasons. He was, also, an All State (1939) and All County pitcher on the 1938 and 1939 teams that were awarded back to back Central Jersey Sectional Group IV titles. Following his high school career, “Chick” pitched at Villanova University.
Ernie Dubay – 1943 – Football, Basketball and Baseball. He was a lineman on the
1939-1942 Barrons. After graduating from college, he became a teacher, golf coach, physical education supervisor, principal and popular figure in town. He taught ballroom dancing and became a professional square dance caller. Ernie was a W.W.II veteran.
Matthew “Matty” Fratterolo – 1959 – Football and Baseball. He was the quarterback of the 1957 and 1958 WHS teams (13-4-1) under Coach Nick Priscoe and an all county selection each season. He was a team captain in 1958. Matty was, also, a past WTAAA officer. The 2000 Hall of Fame program was dedicated to him. Matt elected to concentrate on his studies at Rutgers and did not play sports
George Gerek – 1933 – Football and Baseball. He was an All County running back on the Barron teams of the early thirties. He was then awarded a football scholarship to Manhattan College (1935-1938) during a period when that college was playing “big time” football. For example, in 1936, Manhattan defeated among others North Carolina State 13-6, Kentucky 13-7, and Georgetown 12-0. In 1937, Manhattan defeated, among others, Michigan State 3-0 and North Carolina State 15-0. It lost to Texas A&M 7-14. In 1938, Manhattan defeated, among others, West Virginia and Maryland and were ranked # 20 in the nation (source – College Football Historical Society Vol. 1X, November, 1995. Title: “Riverdale Jaspers”). George was an honorable mention All American and an All Metropolitan choice running back in 1938. He later returned to WHS as a teacher, assistant coach, and head football/baseball coach for three seasons, each in the early fifties. Mr. Gerek became principal of Iselin Junior High School in the sixties and seventies.
Michael “Mickey” Karnas – 1939 – Football and Baseball. He was the second baseman on the 1938 and 1939 teams that were awarded back to back Central Jersey Group IV Sectional Championships under Coach Nick Priscoe. The team in 1939, unfortunately, suffered a heartbreaking 3-4 loss to Irvington in the Greater Newark Tournament (G.N.T.) Championship game. The GNT was the official statewide tournament for many years. Only sixteen teams were invited statewide to play.
Robert “Bob” Kasko – 1957 – Basketball, track and head outdoor track and field coach. He was an outstanding performer and received the schools American Legion “Best Athlete” award in 1957. Bob was a member of the one mile sprint relay team that won a large first place plaque for WHS at the 1957 Penn Relays. His teammates were Pat Cunningham, Karl Gross, and Joe Fritsche. Their time of 3:25.2 established a then New Jersey scholastic statewide sprint relay record. The team, also, won at the Iona Relays and was second at the Eastern States meet. Bob won the Middlesex County 440 dash and placed second in the 100 and broad jump at the Central Jersey Sectional Group IV meet in 1957. His high school coaches were Lou Gabriel (head coach) and Lou Bartha. Bob’s senior year basketball team posted a winning record, 9-7, in Coach John Tomczuk’s last season. Bob was first team All County in 1957. Bob was awarded a track scholarship to Seton Hall University, and ran there for four years. He was awarded the ECAC medal by Seton Hall for his Outstanding Collegiate career. He later returned to teach and coach at WHS in the 60’s producing very successful outdoor track and field teams and county and state champions such as Bill Novo, the New Jersey Group IV high and low hurdle outdoor and indoor Champion (1969). He also produced several undefeated dual meet seasons during spring track. His teams won Greater Jersey Conference Central I division titles in 1967 and 1969. He coached another Penn Relay sprint relays winner in 1968 for WHS behind Novo, Sam and Dave Johnson and Jay Sher (3:21). Bob later became an Athletic Director, Vice Principal, and JFK Principal for many years.
Frank Kirkleski – He was the Barron football and baseball coach from 1932-1935. His three year football record was 15-10-1. His three year baseball record was 32-13. His 1935 baseball team won the Central Jersey Tournament Championship (sponsored by Area Newspapers) 6-4 over South River. The team was also, awarded the Central Jersey Sectional Championship by the NJSIAA.
John Kondrk – 1969 – Football and Track & Field. He was one of the greatest linemen to ever play for WHS. John was named to the 1968 All County, All State and All American teams (Parade Magazine and Scholastic Coach). He was awarded a football scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, where he started his sophomore and junior years on the 1970 and 1971 Fighting Irish teams. He played in the 1971 Cotton Bowl
(24-11 over Texas) but due to injury he did not play in the 1972 Orange Bowl
(6-40 loss to Nebraska). John’s high school coach was Sam Lupo. His college coach was Ara Parseghian.
Dr. Donald Montaque – 1931 – Football, Basketball and Track. He was a three sport all around versatile athlete for the Barrons of the late 20’s and early 30’s, and a member of the 1930 Class B Sectional Championship football squad. He was named to the All County team. Following college he became a teacher and later became a school principal.
Bernie Peterson – 1948 – Football and Basketball. He was an All County end on the 1946 and 1947 Barrons. The latter team was 7-2 for Coach Nick Priscoe.
Bob Pirnick – 1967 – Football and Baseball. He was an outstanding two sport athlete. Bob reached the highest levels of scholastic athletic accomplishment in 1966-67 when he was named to the Newark Star Ledger all state-all groups (and all county) teams in two different sports at the tackle and catcher positions, a very rare achievement for a high school athlete. He was then selected in the 17th round (# 327) of the MLB draft by the Kansas City A’s. He played one season of minor league baseball. His high school coaches were Frank Capraro, baseball and Sam Lupo, football. Bob’s 1967 baseball team made it to the Middlesex County Tournament final but lost a tough one to J.P. Stevens by a 0-1 score. His senior year football team was 5-3-1.
Johnnie Royle – 1940 – Football and Baseball. He was a star blocker and running back on the 1938 and 1939 Central Jersey Championship teams of Coach Nick Priscoe. He caught a game winning touchdown pass to defeat New Brunswick 6-0 in the last minute to win the first county title in 1939. Later, he became a member of the successful semi-pro Woodbridge Golden Bears and the popular sportswriter for the acclaimed Woodbridge Independent Leader – Sports Round Up” and “Now Hear This”. Johnnie was a W.W. II veteran. He was elected to the all time Woodbridge Golden Bears (semi-pro) team in 1962. He was a member of the United States Winter Olympics committee in the sixties. He received a career award from the New Jersey Sportswriters Association in 1981 for general excellence in sports writing. The WTAAA dedicated its Hall of fame program to Johnnie in 1999.
George Wasilek – 1940 – Football. He was a halfback/quarterback on the 1939 Central Jersey Championship Barrons. He threw the game winning touchdown pass to Johnnie Royle to defeat New Brunswick 6-0 in the last minute and clinch County and Sectional titles. He was named to the all state and all county teams. He held a state scholastic passing record by completing eleven consecutive passes vs Thomas Jefferson (now Elizabeth) in 1939. The record was later tied by our own Jimmy Dunda in 1960. He still holds the school record for the longest Punt Return in school history. (95 yards vs. Perth Amboy 1939).
Tom Wieczerak – 1964 – Basketball and Baseball. He was a member of the Middlesex Holiday Festival Championship basketball teams of 1962 and 1963. The teams were 37-6. Tom was a starter his senior year (14 points per game) and made the PAEN All County team. Following his graduation, he started for two years at Trenton State College (now TCNJ) Tom scored 1,042 points during his two seasons at Trenton State and was named first team New Jersey State College Athletic Conference in both 1965-66 and 1966-67 (Source NJAC website). He then transferred to Temple University. He was a contributing member of Temple’s 1969 National Invitation Tournament (N.I.T.) (22-8). Championship team (89-76 over Boston College) and a starter on the 1970 team. Tom led his 1969-1970 Temple team in scoring with 443 points and an average 15.8. He also, led in free throw percentage 85/107=79.4% made. The team record was 15-13 (NCAA). (Source – Temple University 2012-2013 Men’s Basketball Media Guide). His high school coach was Jim Lake. His college coaches were Hal Wissell at Trenton State and Harry Litwack at Temple University.