Monmouth Joins The MAAC [VIDEO]

Monmouth University was officially welcomed into the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Monday during a press conference at the Multipurpose Activity Center. In other words the MAAC came to the MAC.

Monmouth and Quinnipiac are the two schools among what had been a list of about 12 that received invitations Friday to join the league for all but three sports: football, field hockey and bowling.  Those three will seek to remain in the Northeast Conference as associate members.

The move to the MAAC means the Hawks will renew conference rivalries with two other New Jersey schools, Rider and St. Peter’s.

On hand at the press conference was MAAC Commissioner Richard Ensor, a Brick native and 1971 graduate of Monsignor Donovan High School which was then St. Joseph’s.  Ensor, a longtime resident of Lacey and father of four has been the league’s commissioner for 24 years.  Our Shore Sports Network is the radio home of Monmouth basketball and football.

In their worst moment Christine and Anthony Volpe sought to find something to perpetuate the memory of their son James, a Jackson Memorial High School senior who was tragically killed while a passenger in an auto accident in May of 2011.

The parents asked that in lieu of flowers that friends and others donate to a fund to install a new scoreboard on the Jaguars baseball field as James was a proud member of the varsity program.

Without knowing it at that moment the James Volpe Foundation was born and Co-chairperson Rob Meleo says that in its first full year the non-profit organization gave out over $20,000.

Through various fundraisers, including a waffle ball tournament and golf outing, as well as donations the foundation was able to help in many different ways.  They funded scholarships, gave money to local little leagues for families that could not afford fees, established a SADD chapter at Jackson Memorial High School, helped a Monmouth County high school student-athlete get needed eye surgery and assisted victims of Superstorm Sandy.   What better way for James Volpe to be remembered?  For more information visit jamesvolpefoundation.org.

In a short time few will remember that Red Bank Catholic beat Red Bank in a varsity boy’s basketball game last night.  What won’t be forgotten is that before the game the Bucs retired the #34 jersey worn by senior Albert Martin, who collapsed and died during a scrimmage earlier this month.  No other boys or girls basketball player will ever wear that number again.