Return Of The Jersey Shore Sports Hall Of Fame

It was quite a night Saturday at FristEnergy Park as after several years the Jersey Shore Sports Hall of Fame returned with a class second to none.

In a pre-game ceremony that I hosted eight individuals and the first-ever team were inducted into the Hall which will have a permanent display at the home of the BlueClaws in the near future.

It was great to see Colts running back Donald Brown talking with Keith Elias, who spent time playing in Indianapolis while UFC fighter Frankie Edgar was reunited with his former wrestling coach at Toms River East Warren Reid.  University of Denver basketball coach Joe Scott got to the share the night with his sons and family. Elias was thrilled to be inducted along with his high school coach Lou Vircillo of Lacey and the Brookdale faithful came out to show their support for record-breaking softball coach Bo Scannapieco.

Another softball great, Michelle-Carlson Nevelling, came all the way from Florida to accept her honor and had many family members and friends join her in the picnic area later.

Then there was a 15^th anniversary reunion of the Toms River East Little League World Champions with 8 of the 12 players on hand plus a video message from Cincinnati Red Todd Frazier.  Manager Mike Gaynor accepted the induction honor of behalf of the true “Boys of Summer.”  Just a great night with much credit to the BlueClaws Greg Giombarrese and the HOF committee that made it happen.