LAWRENCEVILLE — As Eric Hamilton spoke to a portion of this year’s honorees for the 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner, he could not help but be a little overwhelmed at the class of people he was addressing.“Reading the resumes of the young guys who are here today, wow! Our future is in good hands,” Hamilton said. “You’re here for a reason, you’re here for a purpose. Someone believed in you because you believed in them, and that’s what the game’s all about.”Hamilton’s words came at Friday’s Media Day for the George Wah dinner, which is being sponsored by the Delaware Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame.As the long-time president of the DelVal chapter, the former College of New Jersey coach realizes the importance of coupling education with athletics.“These kids all do that, and it’s important to let people know about them so they can serve as role models,” Hamilton said.Media Day — held at Mercer County’s Special Olympics New Jersey headquarters on Eunice Kennedy Shriver Way — marked the official announcement of the Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards winners, along with the Chapter Awards winners.Media Relations Director Steve Tuckerson delivered some information to the players, while several other participants and honorees also spoke.The dinner will be Sunday, March 9, starting at 2 p.m. at Princeton Marriott at Forrestal.Scholar-leader-athletes from 21 schools in Burlington — with Burlington Township being a new addition — Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with $1,000 scholarships. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email dlval.nffhf@gmail.com.Five additional scholarships will be awarded, including the $5,000 Jack Stephan Scholarship, the newly added $4,000 Steve “Coach Gaz” Gazdek Scholarship, the $3,000 Ron Rick Sr. Scholarship, the $2,000 Ed Cook Scholarship and the newly added $1,500 Ed “Windy” Morris Scholarship.This year’s Scholar-Leader-Athletes are Christian Macaluso (Allentown), Harrison Kertes (Bordentown), Isaiah N’Diaye (Burlington Township), Brandon Ball (Ewing), Robert Sobon (Florence), Jacob Smith (Hamilton West), Michael Fowler (Hightstown), Milan Desai (Hopewell Valley), Liam Thorpe (Hun), Mahmoud Ali (Lawrence), Benjamin Lahlou (Lawrenceville), Aidan Healy (New Egypt), Wyatt Moore (Notre Dame), Carlos Almonte (Nottingham), Eric Cho (Peddie), Jack Fermo (Pennington), Sean Wilton (Princeton), Ryan Emigholz (Robbinsville), Jon Weaver (Steinert), Edward Hill (Trenton) and Conor Sattiraju (West Windsor-Plainsboro).Chapter Awards winners for the 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Dinner on March 9 who attended Friday’s Media Day included, front row, from left: Chase Gallagher, Greg Johnson, Rich McGlynn and Dave Caldwell; and back row, from left: Zach Mack, Tommy Matheson, Todd Smith, Jack Centrelli and Blair Thompson. (Photo by Rich Fisher)***In a slight alteration for this year only, the Robert F. Casciola Distinguished American Award will not be given. After Casciola passed away last April, it was decided he would be honored posthumously with a Gold Medal Award at this year’s event.Casciola played at Princeton University and was head coach at Princeton and Connecticut. He was National Director of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, and other football roles included color commentator for Princeton, Rutgers, Great American Independent Football, and the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. He was a member of the selection committee of the Garden State Bowl and served on the Executive Committee of the Kickoff Classic.“We’re honoring him for not only what he did for the local chapter in Mercer County and Princeton, but he was the National Director in the 1990s,” Hamilton said. “For the first time, we’re going to do what they sometimes do at National, which is award a Gold Medal in his honor. It’s about everything he did for us. Everything falls under that this year.”***It’s not easy to replace a legend, but Greg Johnson has done just that and is a deserving recipient of the Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award.When George O’Gorman passed away in 2018, The Trentonian lost a local giant in the business.But his place has been more-than-ably filled by Johnson, a Lawrence High product who — like Oge — covers the Giants and Mercer County football, among other sports.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.“At the high school level the kids really appreciate your coverage, and I think that just makes it more meaningful,” Johnson said. “It can be more fun in certain ways covering the pros because it’s a professional level of football, but there’s so many media guys giving them coverage they just don’t appreciate it the same. Whether you’re there or not they don’t really care.“In a lot of cases, especially nowadays, I am the definitive record at a game, they’re not getting any other coverage. ESPN’s not coming, FOX Sports is not coming. If I’m not there they’re not getting covered. I take a lot of pride and feel great responsibility in giving those athletes that coverage.”He also feels honored to be recognized by the DelVal chapter.“The whole thing is very cool,” he said. “Not only talented and smart athletes, but the whole thing seems very professional, and first class. A lot of classy people.”***Hamilton noted that the Delaware Valley Chapter is the only one in the state that partners with Special Olympics New Jersey, which means a lot to Senior Director of Programming Jeff Baldino.“We appreciate the relationship because we have the Eunice Shriver Award that recognizes one of our athletes for their work in the community as a representative of all that is good about Special Olympics,” Baldino said. “On the field and off the field they represent what we try to instill in our athletes and our program, so this allows us an opportunity to get our name out there and highlight the true passion and dedication our athletes have in sports.”Baldino noted his organization has over 20,000 participants and 20,000 volunteers that help organize 22 different sports.One of those athletes is Westville resident Zachary Mack, who is this year’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award winner.“This means a lot,” said Mack, who competes in football, basketball, bowling and softball. “I’m excited for it, and a little nervous. I’ve never been called out for an award, so this is really cool. I’ve met a lot of people on the field, a lot of my friends. I like to meet new people so everything has been phenomenal.”***The Hank Johns Coaches Award is being shared by Hopewell’s Dave Caldwell and Hun’s Todd Smith, which is only fitting since Smith was Caldwell’s assistant when the Bulldogs won the Central Jersey Group III title in 2013.The two are among the longest tenured high school coaches in Mercer. Caldwell has overseen Hopewell since it reinstated football in 2002, and Smith started as head man at West Windsor-Plainsboro (now WW-P South) in 2005.“It’s always an honor to win this,” Smith said. “It’s more a staff award than an individual award. But anytime you get recognized for something wonderful the team does, it’s great.”Hun, which went 9-1 against one of the state’s most demanding schedules, is sending 17 seniors off to play Division I football.The schedule gets even tougher next year as Smith has added the vaunted IMG Academy of Florida, one of the nation’s top programs that has produced 21 NFL players. IMG visits Princeton on Nov. 1, and the Raiders will head for Bradenton in 2026.In addition to his success at Hun, Smith called the championship season with Caldwell “one of the most fulfilling coaching years of my life.”Caldwell guided the Bulldogs to a 10-1 mark, tying the 2013 team for the program’s best record. Like Smith, he deflected the honor to his aides.“It’s just a reflection of all my players, all my coaches,” Caldwell said. “The program that we have built and the culture we’ve tried to create and maintain is a lot of work from a lot of people. I just happen to get a little bit of attention for it.”Bordentown assistant coach Rich McGlynn, the George Wah Dinner John McKenna honoree, stands with pride next to an enlarged photo of a Wheaties box that featured his former student, Nancy Filimonczuk. The photo graces the walls of Mercer County’s Special Olympics headquarters in Lawrenceville. McGlynn taught Nancy at Chatham’s Early Childhood Learning Center of New Jersey in 1999. (Photo by Rich Fisher)***Bordentown’s Rich McGlynn, an assistant on Skip Edwards’ staff, will receive the John McKenna Assistant Coach Award.McGlynn is honored by the award just due to the fact it is named after the late Notre Dame Strength & Conditioning guru.“It’s pretty special, I’m honored,” McGlynn said. “When I was told I won it I was a little speechless. I look at it as the gentleman it’s named for. I’m very lucky, I got to meet him a couple times. When you met John he made you feel like he knew you for the last 30, 40 years. He had that personality.“Just watching him interact with the kids, it wasn’t just football, it was the whole kit. Establishing relationships and understanding kids. I took that from that day 15 years ago. I look at it like a mini-version of the Walter Payton Award. It means something because it’s named after someone who did a lot of good for a lot of people.”***Both college honorees were on hand and had words of advice for the young players in the room.“This is a really great first step,” said Tommy Matheson, Princeton’s Judge Arthur Lane winner. “You’ve done a lot already. Just remember, how you do one thing is how you do everything. So dig in and keep working hard.”Jack Centrelli, TCNJ’s Earl H. Dean winner, noted, “The lessons football gives to us transcends the game, it gives us important lessons you can’t even imagine … (as you move on) lean on those lessons and those memories.”***Other award winners are former Trenton State/TCNJ trainer Joe Camillone George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football), Pop Warner Executive Director Jon Butler (National Football Foundation Legacy Award), referee Donnie Ellison (Jack Millard Officials Award), Hopewell’s Chase Gallagher (Little Scholar), who’s the son of Princeton High coach Charlie Gallagher, and Pennington School assistant Blair Thompson (Nick Gusz Good Guy Award).***Honoree Wyatt Moore gave a reminder that on Feb. 22 he and his Notre Dame teammates will be participating in the Polar Bear Plunge at Seaside for the benefit of Special Olympics. Moore is inviting student-athletes from all schools to participate in the worthy event.Information can be found at the Special Olympics or Polar Bear Plunge websites.Originally Published: February 7, 2025 at 1:36 PM EST

Top high school football players to be recognized at 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar ...

Hamilton noted that the Delaware Valley Chapter is the only one in the state that partners with Special Olympics New Jersey, which means a lot to Senior Director of Programming Jeff Baldino.***Information can be found at the Special Olympics or Polar Bear Plunge websites.One of those athletes is Westville resident Zachary Mack, who is this […]

Hamilton noted that the Delaware Valley Chapter is the only one in the state that partners with Special Olympics New Jersey, which means a lot to Senior Director of Programming Jeff Baldino.***Information can be found at the Special Olympics or Polar Bear Plunge websites.One of those athletes is Westville resident Zachary Mack, who is this year’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Award winner.LAWRENCEVILLE — As Eric Hamilton spoke to a portion of this year’s honorees for the 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Awards Dinner, he could not help but be a little overwhelmed at the class of people he was addressing.It’s not easy to replace a legend, but Greg Johnson has done just that and is a deserving recipient of the Tony Persichilli Meritorious Service Award.Media Relations Director Steve Tuckerson delivered some information to the players, while several other participants and honorees also spoke.“These kids all do that, and it’s important to let people know about them so they can serve as role models,” Hamilton said.Casciola played at Princeton University and was head coach at Princeton and Connecticut. He was National Director of the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, and other football roles included color commentator for Princeton, Rutgers, Great American Independent Football, and the USFL’s New Jersey Generals. He was a member of the selection committee of the Garden State Bowl and served on the Executive Committee of the Kickoff Classic.Other award winners are former Trenton State/TCNJ trainer Joe Camillone George O’Gorman Contribution to Amateur Football), Pop Warner Executive Director Jon Butler (National Football Foundation Legacy Award), referee Donnie Ellison (Jack Millard Officials Award), Hopewell’s Chase Gallagher (Little Scholar), who’s the son of Princeton High coach Charlie Gallagher, and Pennington School assistant Blair Thompson (Nick Gusz Good Guy Award).Hun, which went 9-1 against one of the state’s most demanding schedules, is sending 17 seniors off to play Division I football.

Chapter Awards winners for the 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Dinner on March 9 who attended Friday's Media Day included, from row, from left: Chase Gallagher, Greg Johnson, Rich McGlynn, Dave Caldwell; and back row, from left: Zach Mack, Tommy Matheson, Todd Smith, Jack Centrelli and Blair Thompson. (Photo by Rich Fisher) — Chapter Awards winners for the 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar-Leader-Athlete Dinner on March 9 who attended Friday’s Media Day included, front row, from left: Chase Gallagher, Greg Johnson, Rich McGlynn and Dave Caldwell; and back row, from left: Zach Mack, Tommy Matheson, Todd Smith, Jack Centrelli and Blair Thompson. (Photo by Rich Fisher)

And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.And while Johnson enjoys watching the world’s greatest players on Sundays, he feels the love more from the young players he covers.This year’s Scholar-Leader-Athletes are Christian Macaluso (Allentown), Harrison Kertes (Bordentown), Isaiah N’Diaye (Burlington Township), Brandon Ball (Ewing), Robert Sobon (Florence), Jacob Smith (Hamilton West), Michael Fowler (Hightstown), Milan Desai (Hopewell Valley), Liam Thorpe (Hun), Mahmoud Ali (Lawrence), Benjamin Lahlou (Lawrenceville), Aidan Healy (New Egypt), Wyatt Moore (Notre Dame), Carlos Almonte (Nottingham), Eric Cho (Peddie), Jack Fermo (Pennington), Sean Wilton (Princeton), Ryan Emigholz (Robbinsville), Jon Weaver (Steinert), Edward Hill (Trenton) and Conor Sattiraju (West Windsor-Plainsboro).Scholar-leader-athletes from 21 schools in Burlington — with Burlington Township being a new addition — Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties are being honored with ,000 scholarships. For dinner/ticket information contact Steve Tuckerson at 609-202-4166 or email dlval.nffhf@gmail.com.***

Top high school football players to be recognized at 63rd Annual George Wah Scholar …

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