History of the Shore Conference
Shore Conference Tournament and Divisional Champions of the Past
February-1936:
The Shore Conference of Group Two Public Schools was organized and plans were laid for member schools to compete for titles in the major sports of football, basketball, baseball, and track. Roy W. H. Maurer, Athletic Director at Freehold High School, the motivating force behind the organization, was elected unanimously as President. Nine of the eleven Group Two schools in Monmouth and Ocean counties sent delegates to the meeting or signified their intentions of joining the conference. Matawan and Leonardo were not represented.
The following positions were established:
William Woolley, Neptune-Vice President; C. S. Bergen, Pt. Pleasant-Secretary/Treasurer; Abe Smith, Manasquan and Arnold Truex, Atlantic Highlands were selected to serve with the officers as members of the Executive Council.
SHORE CONFERENCE REJECTS BID FOR MEMBERSHIP
December 1940
Sayreville High School’s application to join the Shore Conference was rejected after a rule was adopted to limit membership to twelve(12) schools. Current membership consists of the following schools: Rumson, Leonardo, Lakewood, Manasquan, Matawan, Atlantic Highlands, Pt. Pleasant, Toms River, Keyport, Freehold, Neptune, Hoffman (South Amboy)
A rule prohibiting 5th year students from competing was rejected in view of the 19 year old limitation rule now in effect.
September 1943
President – Arnie Truex Leonardo AD
Vice President – Frank Pingatore Red Bank AD
Secretary – Robert Kilgas Neptune
Treasurer – Joseph Clayton Pt. Pleasant
June 1944
President – Frank Pingatore Red Bank
Vice President – Coach Milton Nichols Rumson
Secretary – Bradley VanBrunt Atlantic Highlands
Treasurer – Joseph Clayton Pt. Pleasant
June 1945
Presidnet – Coach Milton Nichols Rumson
Vice President – Joseph Pagano Pt. Pleasant
Secretary – William Megill Leonardo
Treasurer – Joseph Clayton Pt. Pleasant
June 1945
Shore Conference drops the weighted point system used to determine championships. Championships will be determined by Won-Loss Percentage in the 13 team league.
April 1946
The Conference has decided to evaluate the baseball championship under the point system used for basketball. The Conference will again be divided into the first and second divisions as the basketball group but there will be no playoffs
The basketball tournament reported that it cleared $980, the largest total ever received.
June 1946
President – Joe Pagano Pt. Pleasant
Vice President – Les Goodwin Freehold
Secretary – William Megill Leonardo
Treasurer – Joseph Cushman Neptune AD
Oct 1946
The Shore Conference refuses membership to RBC as it states it will abide by the constitution that provides only public schools are eligible for membership
June 1949
President Coach Larry D’Zio Lakewood, who succeeds Roy Fish of Manasquan
Vice President – Coach William Stratton Pt. Pleasant
Secretary – George Search Keyport Principal
Treasuer – Joseph Cushman Neptune AD
June 1950
President – Bill Stratton Pt Pleasant AD
Vice President – Tony Nuccio Matawan AD
Secretary – George Search Keyport Principal
Treasurer – Joseph Cushman Neptune AD
Feb 1951
The 13 members unanimously voted to adopt a scheduling plan for football as it is now used for baseball and basketball. It will be used for the first time in 1952 and will be tested (a pilot program) for 2 years. One of the new changes will be dividing the Group I and Group II schools into two divisions. The five Group I and 7 Group II schools will play each other and compete for separate trophies. Hoffman is the only member school without football. Schools may play teams in the other division but the games do not count in divisional standings. Titles will be determined on a point basis, two points for a victory and one point for a tie. In the event teams tie for first, two trophies will be awarded.
The Conference will still compete for the Rutgers Trophy until it is retired by a member school winning 3 championships. The award will use the “Dickerson rating system”.(a type of power point system.
As far as basketball championships for the past season, Red Bank High School is declared the winner based on its undefeated regular season. The Shore Conference voted to discontinue the playoffs and have a four team invitational tournament at the end of each regular season.
June 1951
President – Joe Rosati Rumson AD
Vice President – Charles Nelson Freehold AD
Secretary – Melvin Jones Keyport
Treasurer – Joseph Cushman Neptune
September 1951
Shore Conference makes major changes in the basketball playoffs. Under the new system, six teams will qualify for the playoffs, 3 from the Group I Division and 3 from the Group II Division. The 2nd and 3rd place teams in each division will play each other for the right to meet the top team in its division. There will be two champions, one from each division.
February 1952
Johnny Coil of Hoffman High School broke two all-time scholastic records at the Shore scoring 65 points in one game with a record 26 field goals. Jim Hudson of Atlantic Highlands had scored 56.
Sayreville High School submitted a request to join the Shore Conference to the Executive Committee who temporally denied it pending further study.
December 1952
Shore Conference continues to make adjustments for the increasing enrollment of local high schools changing its divisional setup from Group I & II to A & B Divisions. Since several schools will reach Group III status in the near future, the larger schools will comprise the A Division.
According to projections, only three Group I schools will be left in the conference next year, Rumson, Atlantic Highlands and Hoffman.
The Rutgers Cup Trophy was presented to Leonardo High School for its 3rd Shore Conference Football Title. It previously won in 1946 & 48. Granny Magee of Manasquan, the Shore Conference’s NJSIAA representative will again conduct the Basketball Tournament at Convention Hall in Asbury Park.
February 1953
Shore Conference adopts the “Rosati Plan”; the A & B Divisions will play against each other only in minor sports-golf & bowling. Division A will be the larger Group II schools Red Bank, Middletown, Neptune, Freehold, Manasquan, Toms River, & Lakewood. Division B will be Group I schools Rumson, Atlantic Highlands, Matawan, Keyport, Pt. Pleasant & Hoffman. Under the Rosati Plan (submitted by Rumson AD Joe Rosati) each school will play a home and home series against divisional opponents. Discussion against the plan centered around the fear that this may lead to the Conference splitting up with two separate leagues.
Jim Hudson, Atlantic Highlands, became the first player to score 300 points in Shore Conference Competition. He succeeds John Coil, Hoffman High School, who had scored 283.
June 1953
Officers for 53-54 school year:
President – Stan Baker, Coach Keyport
Vice Presidnet – John Schellenger, Manasquan AD
Treasurer – Howard Peterson, Neptune AD
Secretary – Maurice Hill, Lakewood.
April 1954
Granville Magee, Principal, Manasquan High School asked to be relieved of his duties of Shore Conference Basketball Tournament Director.
June 1954
Officers for 54-55 school year:
President – John Schellenger, AD Manasquan
Vice President – Roxy Finn, AD Atlantic Highlands
Secretary – Thomas Phipps, Coach Red Bank
Treasurer – Howard Peterson, AD Neptune
June 1955
Officers for 55-56 school year:
President – Roxy Finn, AD Atlantic Highlands
Vice President – Tom Phipps, Coach Red Bank;
Secretary – Bob Hawthorne, Toms River
Treasurer – Howard Peterson, AD Neptune
October 1955
The Shore Conference has suspended Freehold High School for the 1955-56 school year for use of an ineligible player. The Conference has asked Freehold to return Class A Championship Trophies for the 1953 & 1954 seasons.
The Shore Conference has reversed its decision to suspend Freehold High School after hearing arguments from the school. The reversal decision is based on the argument that the newly organized Freehold Regional School District should not be penalized for the mistakes of Freehold High School prior to regionalization.
December 1955
Four schools have applied for membership to the Conference; Asbury Park, Long Branch, Central Regional, & Red Bank Catholic
February 1956
Shore Conference approves 2 of the 4 applications for admittance. Asbury Park & Central Regional were accepted. Long Branch is on hold until a representative of the district can attend the next Executive Meeting. Red Bank Catholic was not admitted due to Constitutional By-Laws which limit membership to public high schools.
March 1956
Shore Conference admits Long Branch High School increasing membership to 16 schools
June-1956
1956-57 Officers:
President – Thomas Phipps, Coach Red Bank
Vice President – Arnie Truex AD Middletown
Secretary – Bob Hawthorne Toms River
Treasurer – Howard Peterson Neptune
Executive Committee will be comprised of 5 members—Past President, one coach from each division and 2 school administrators
October 1956
Don Lewis-Freehold HS (1953) & Avon”Bobo” Reeves-Long Branch (1956) hold post-war record for most points scored in a football season 120 pts; George Ruth-Keyport-118 (1956); Ted Laures-Middletown(1948) 115; Ed Weber-Matawan(1947) 100
December 1956
Shore Conference adds Cross Country to athletic programs. Charles Nelson, Freehold AD will coordinate the new sport with participating schools-Asbury Park, Red Bank, Long Branch, Freehold, Central, & Lakewood.
February 1957
Jack Arden-Lakewood sets conference seasonal basketball scoring record with 412 points.
June 1957
1957-58 Officers:
President – Arnie Truex Middletown AD
Vice President – John Dalton Toms River AD
Treasurer – Howard Peterson Neptune
Secretary – Bob Hawthorne Toms River
1st Shore Conference Cross Country Meet will be held at Ocean County Park on 11/5/57
December 1957
Shore Conference admits three new schools-Wall Township, Southern Regional & Brick Township. Southern and Brick will compete in 1958, Wall in 1959.
Shore Conference Bowling has expanded to 14 teams and will play at Elm Lanes in Eatontown.
Seven schools agreed to play their Tuesday basketball games in the afternoon. (Long Branch, Asbury Park, Freehold, Neptune, Atlantic Highlands, Pt. Pleasant, & Rumson) If a school refuses to participate in an afternoon game, a forfeit will be awarded.
Conference votes to hike annually dues from $2.00 to $10.00 per season.
February 1958
Jack Arden, Lakewood breaks state basketball scoring record of 1737 points. Arden is the first player in NJ history to score over 2000 career points (2003)
Shore Conference will split in to two divisions-North and South. The enrollment battle for schools being placed in divisions will be reviewed when male enrollment figures are presented from 1958-1961.
Conference voted to name its own All-Conference Teams in Football, Basketball and Baseball
Conference approves 7 team golf schedule( Lakewood, Middletown, Red Bank, Neptune, Pt. Pleasant, Asbury Park, & Manasquan
May 1958
Lakewood High School’s streak of 57 straight wins in golf matches ends with a defeat by Manasquan.
June 1958
1958-59 Officers:
President – John Dalton-Toms River
Vice President – James Mazzacco-Long Branch
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Secretary – Bob Hawthorne-Toms River
December 1958
New realignment for 1960 is presented. Group A—Asbury Park, Freehold, Long Branch, Middletown, Neptune, Red Bank; Group B North—Rumson, Keyport, Matawan, Manasquan, Wall, Hoffman, Atlantic Highlands; Group B South—Brick, Central, Lakewood, Pt. Pleasant, Southern
Bowling Divisions are established for the 1st time.
Two representatives from Red Bank Catholic attended meeting requesting entrance to conference. Their request will go to the Executive Committee.
September 1959
Officers for 1959-60:
President – William Beatty Long Branch
Secretary – Bob Hawthorne Toms River
Treasurer – Howard Peterson Neptune.
December 1959
Conference approves schedules for 1960-61. Group 4 schools (Freehold, Asbury Park, Middletown and Long Branch) concerned about Group 2 & 3 schools dropping them from their schedules.
March 1960
Proposal for realignment and scheduling is proposed. Divisions will be reassessed every two years with a check on enrollment of boys in grades 10-12.
Adoption of uniform fees for officials: $12.50 for Basketball; $17.50 for Football & Baseball
Tighter restrictions were proposed regarding behavior of athletes. Reportedly, members of bowling teams were smoking during matches and golf team members were wagering on their games.
April 1960
Shore Conference voted 15-3 to adopt a two Division realignment- A & B Divisions to go into effect for 1962-63. Asbury Park & Lakewood said they intend to withdraw from Conference but have until June to reconsider. Every two years, enrollment will be checked and schools will be placed in proper divisions.
June 1960
Officers for 1960-61:
President – Joseph Boyd AD Central Reg
Vice President – Harold Schank, Freehold
Secretary – Leonard Cooke Wall Twp.
Treasurer – Howard Peterson, Neptune
Asbury Park confirms that they will leave the Conference, Lakewood reconsiders and will stay. Keyport had voiced an intent to leave but will now remain in the conference.
December 1960
Scheduling and team grouping continues to be the main topic of business. Hoffman High School has indicated that it may leave the conference which would affect the current alignment.
March 1961
Conference approves the 62-63 Basketball & Baseball schedules-Most member schools indicate that they want a nine game football schedule. Conference will adopt soccer and play unofficial schedules this year and present it first official soccer schedule in 1962.
September 1961
Officers for 61-62:
President – Harold Schank-Freehold
Vice President – Leonard Cooke-Wall
Secretary – Harold Hanchen-Brick
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Dues raised from $10 to $15 per school. Conference has been operating in the red for several years. Conference has decided to stop awarding individual medals for all sports with the exception of golf, cross country and track. Trophies will be given to schools that win championships in the other sports. Shore Regional and Monmouth Regional have been added to the conference. Shore will arrange its own schedules until 1964. Hoffman and Asbury Park will drop out of conference following the 1961-62 school year. Executive Committee—Administrators—William Megill, Middletown; Harry Morris-Manasquan; Arthur Whitcomb-Pt. Pleasant; AD’s-William Beaty-Long Branch; William Stratton-Pt. Pleasant; Joe Rosati-Rumson-FH
March 1962
Conference adopts Wrestling as an official sport. Len Cooke, Wall AD present wrestling schedule which was approved
June 1962
Officers for 1962-63:
President – Leonard Cooke-Wall
Vice President – Harold Hanchen-Brick
Secretary – Arnold Truex-Middletown
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Jackson Township has requested admittance to conference.
Executive Members for 62-63:
Harry Morris -Lakewood; William Megill -Middletown; Thomas King- Central; Geoge Reiss-Wall; George Search-Keyport; Alfred Loux-Rumson; Hal Schank-Freehold; Conference now has 20 member schools.
February 1963
Conference approves 1964 football schedules with newly formed A, B, and C divisional alignment. Five member schools have asked for admittance in to conference wrestling league. Member schools must apply for admittance into specific sports leagues of wrestling, soccer, golf and cross country.
Bob Verga, St. Rose averages 36.8 ppg and surpasses Shore mark of 750 points in a single season. Previous mark was set by Jack Ardon in 1958. Verga sets Shorer and State single season scoring record of 1033 points in a single season.
May 1963
Conference adds tennis league for 1964. The Central Jersey Tennis League, in existence since 1942, will be left with 4 non-conference schools.
Conference will set-up schedules for all sports for 1964-65. William Megill, Principal-Middletown will continue to work on formulating the schedules
Conference will have 10 teams competing in 2 soccer divisions. Due to the growth of the conference, it was decided to establish an Executive Secretary. Applications are open for male faculty members of member schools. The position will carry a $200 stipend with an additional $75 for clerical help. Applications will go to the Executive Committee and selection will be made in the fall.
Officers for 1963-64:
President – Harold Hanchen-Brick
Vice President – Arnold Truex-Middletown
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Sept 1963
Conference will run individual cross country championships for A & B Divisions rather than one meet for the entire conference. Executive Committee Members include F. Russell Coleman-Neptune; James Major-Lakewood; William Megill-Middletown; Harry Morris; George Reiss-Wall; Warren Wolf-Brick; Leonard Cooke-Wall; Bob Hawthorne-Toms River; Bob Feeney-Shore. Conference now has 23 members in 2 divisions.
February 1964
Conference approves schedules for 1964-65 & 1965-66. Approved for the first time-tennis league schedule.
Basketball Tournament netted $2,298. A proposal by the Executive Committee asked for a 6:30 pm starting time for JV Basketball games or six minute quarters to speed up the game. Other discussion items included moving baseball season back a week into June for better weather and a listing of basketball officials in order to provide a guide for hiring the top officials.
June 1964
Officers for 1964-65:
President – Arnold Truex-Middletown(3rd term as President-Charter member since 1936)
Vice President – William LaRue-Lakewood
Secretary – Tom Judge-Brick
Treasurer – Harold Peterson-Neptune
Conference establishes a basketball official assignment committee and a budget committee.
Sept. 1964
Executive Committee:
School Admin—Russ Coleman, Hillman Harker, William Megill, George Reiss, Harold Schiable, Harold Hanchen (last year’s President) AD’s—William Hillman – Monmouth; Don Czok – Raritan; William LaRue – Lakewood.
Conference issues a warning to coaches and Athletic Directors of illegal scouting of football games.
February 1965
New grouping plan is presented for study by school officials and AD’s. Conference is currently divided into a large school A Division and the remaining smaller schools in geographic north and south B Divisions. The new plan calls for A, B, and C grouping based on enrollment of top 3 grades.
Proposal is made by the awards committee to present a uniform trophy for all sports.
Conference decided that no freshman at age 16 can compete in freshman sports.
Two mile event is added to track meets as a non-scoring event.
March 1965
New grouping proposal for 1966-67 is voted in by a 15-2 count. Rumson-FH protest stating increased traveling and the loss of traditional rivals.
Proposal passed for JV Basketball games to start a 7PM with six minute quarters or 6:30 with 8 minute quarters
Officials fees for Varsity-JV-Freshman games were set to provide continuity for all schools and avoid some schools paying higher fees.
May 1965
Rumson-FH announces that it will withdraw from the conference. Conference adopts schedules for 67-68 & 68-69 for Groups A, B, & C.
Officers for 1965-66:
President – William LaRue-Lakewood
Vice President – William Hillman-Monmouth Reg
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Conference is considering using the new gym at Monmouth College as an alternate for the basketball tournament if Asbury Park Convention Hall is unavailable.
Proposal is made to play baseball games on Monday & Thursday to provide more flexibility for rainouts.
Sept. 1965
Matawan AD Barry Rizzo inquired to the conference as to the plan for consideration of girls sports programs. Currently, five schools with girls programs are in competition with one another. South Amboy High School (formerly Harold Hoffman) was denied reentry into the Shore Conference since it is not a Monmouth/Ocean County school.
May 1966
Officers for 1966-67
President – William Hillman-Monmouth Reg.
Vice President – Bob Feeney-Shore Reg.
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Secretary – Terry O’Brien-Freehold (Salaried)
Asbury Park accepted back into the Shore Conference. Executive Committee passes rule that if teams tie for first place, both will be declared league champions without a playoff. Track Committee will present a plan to remedy the large number of entries in Shore Conference Championships that cause meets to run too long. Schedules for 1966-67 were presented and a new proposed schedule for a Shore Conference Gymnastic League for 1967-68 was presented.
Sept. 1966
Executive Committee Members for 1966-67:
Officers listed above and Bill LaRue, Lakewood; Hillman Harker-Lakewood Admin; Harry Morris-Manasquan Admin; Warren Wolf-Brick Admin; AD’s include Arnie Truex-Middletown(A Division); Don Czok-Raritan (B Division); **** Lansing-Pt. Pleasant Boro(C Division)
March 1967
Realignment for 24 conference schools is presented for the 1968-69 & 1969-70 years. All-Conference Track Meet is approved. Northern Freehold Regional applies to join the conference in 1968-69 and was approved but will not be part of a full conference schedule until 1970-71. Keansburg BOE also applied for membership for 1968-69 for its new proposed high school. Membership was denied at this early date and they may apply at a later date.
May 1967
Officers for 1967-68:
President – Bob Feeney-Shore
Vice President – **** Lansing-Pt. Boro
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Secretary – Terry O’Brien-Freehold (also league scheduler)
Conference agrees to start baseball season on 2nd Tuesday (1969) in April. All conference games would be played on Tuesday and Thursday.
Sept. 1967
Executive Committee for 1967-68:
Officers listed above and William Hillman, past president, Administrators-Harold Schiable-Henry Hudson; James Williams-Pt. Boro; Herbert Korey-Long Branch; Joseph Meyer-Lakewood. AD’s-William Beaty-Long Branch (A Division); Dave Dahrouge-Ocean(B Division); **** Garretson-Wall(C Division)
Conference approved rule that soccer home teams wear white and visitors wear dark.
Dec 1967
Conference approves schedules for 1969-70. John Kolibas, Principal-Shore suggests the establishment of sportsmanship award for member schools.
March 1968
Conference adopts point system for baseball(2 pts for win, 1 pt for tie) Conference will inaugurate a basketball officials rating system in order to assign the top officials to playoff games and other important regular season games that carry weight in the standings.
May 1968
Officers for 1968-69:
President – **** Lansing-Pt Boro
Vice President – Robert Hawthorne-Toms River
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune; Terry O’Brien Howell-Secretary and Scheduler
The rule against exchanging football films was discussed. Schools and coaches in favor of exchange-decision will come later.
June 1968
Conference honors, for their service, Frank Pingatore and Tom Phipps of Red Bank HS who where past presidents and will be retiring.
Dec. 1968
Conference and basketball officials met to review a proposed agreement for fees and other issues. A proposal to assign officials using an IAABO assignor beginning in 1970-71 was discussed. AD’s still want to assign officials to six games of their choosing and us the assignor for others. Also questioned was the proposed $25 fee per school to be submitted to Board 194 for services rendered.
Feb. 1969
Conference approves establishment of assignor for basketball. Realignment proposal for 4 Divisions (A, B, C, & D) tabled due to discrepancies in enrollment figures.
March 1969
Conference approves four division alignment by a vote of 23-1 (Wall dissenting vote) Alignment based on 27 schools (new Toms River, Marlboro, & Keansburg will enter conference in 1970-71. (A, B, C & D Divisions of 7 teams, 6 in C). Plan preferred over previous 9-9-9 structure because it leaves more flexibility in scheduling.
May 1969
Officers for 69-70:
President – Robert Hawthorne-Toms River
Vice President – Dave Dahrouge-Ocean
Treasurer – Howard Peterson-Neptune
Divisional Reps on Executive Committee—A Division Frank Farrell, Raritan; B Division Tom Perry, Red Bank; C Division-Bill Grayhill, Wall.
Schedules for 1970-71 & 1971-72 were approved with 4 division structure. Three new schools officially enter the conference—Toms River, Marlboro, Keansburg.
