Sports
Rockland County Coaches Association Holds Annual Award Ceremony
Local coaches, officials and secretaries were honored at the 20th Annual Rockland County Coaches Association year-end event Wednesday at the Pearl River Elks Club in Nanuet.
William Neuendorf, a swim official for over 30 years, was awarded the Steve Drummond Memorial Service Award from the Rockland County Coaches Association three years ago.
Neuendorf, who was also a big supporter of Tappan Zee High School sports, died about two weeks ago.
On Wednesday, Neuendorf’s daughter, Joni Neuendorf was given the same honor after serving as president of the organization for the past 10 years.
“It’s pretty cool,” Joni Neuendorf said. “It’s definitely an honor to be given the award, especially since my father was given it as well. I wasn’t expecting my kids to show up either."
When Neuendorf walked up to receive her award, her three children ran up and all presented her with bouquets of flowers. The children were brought as a surprise by Neuendorf’s partner, Dawn Sugrue.
Wednesday’s ceremony was the 20th annual Rockland County Coaches Association BBQ to end the year and honor various coaches throughout the county for their service.
That included giving the Joe Grasso Memorial Appreciation Award to Joe Casarella of North Rockland.
The ceremony also included the RCCA’s latest inductions into the Century Club, made up of coaches who have earned 100 victories in their career. The honorees on Wednesday were Jordan Turner of Clarkstown South field hockey, Sean Barnes of Suffern girls volleyball, George Gaine of Tappan Zee boys basketball, and Mike Henderson of Nanuet girls soccer. Ron Mokrynka, Tappan Zee boys basketball coach from 1969-1984, was inducted into the club in the Old Timers category.
“It’s more a testament of staying power than anything else,” Turner joked.
The South field hockey coach added that it was a nice feeling to go up and accept the award.
“There’s not always a lot of field hockey recognition,” Turner said.
Gaine is coming off a season where he led the Tappan Zee boys basketball team to the state championship game, where they lost to Harborfields.
“It’s an extension of recognition for the kids,” Gaine said. “I’m here representing them.”
On Wednesday, the following retiring coaches and officials were also honored: Suffern boys outdoor track assistant Ralph Coleman, Pearl River girls volleyball coach Julie Crowe, North Rockland boys soccer coach Pete McGovern, Ramapo Athletic Director Alan Malden and Pearl River boys basketball and baseball assistant coach Chris Woolgar.
Neuendorf said the association also holds a fall gathering to honor assistant coaches, and meets at the end of every year and gives out the awards and recognitions.
On Wednesday, secretaries from all the Rockland schools were also honored, along with coaches from teams that won Section 1 championships. The teams honored were: North Rockland football, Suffern girls volleyball, Suffern boys volleyball, North Rockland girls cross country Class A, Pearl River girls cross county Class B, Pearl River boys cross county, Tappan Zee boys basketball, Albertus Magnus boys basketball, Pearl River girls basketball, state champion Suffern ice hockey, Suffern girls and boys indoor track Class A, Pearl River girls and boys indoor track Class B, North Rockland girls lacrosse, Pearl River boys track, Pearl River girls track and Suffern boys and girls outdoor county champs.
“It’s nice to get everyone together,” Gaine said. “We’re all Rockland County. We’re all Section 1. We’re all in it for the right reasons.”
