Warren Townships 2019 Volunteers of the Year Awards
Warren Twp.’s Recreation department held its annual Sports Recognition Dinner at the Watchung Valley Golf Course, Watchung on March 4, 2020. The event was well attended by the Warren Twp. Committee and other elected officials, coaches and keynote speaker John Wagner. John Wagner is a long time director of Recreation programs in Warren, Educator and Hall of Fame Football coach winning State titles at Roselle Park, Pt. Pleasant and Rumson- Fairhaven.
(above) Warren Township Deputy Mayor George Lazo and Warren Township Recreation Director, Joe Passaro
Special Presentation Warren Township Deputy Mayor George Lazo
A special presentation was awarded to Warren Elected official and longtime resident of Warren, George Lazo. Mr. Lazo was instrumental in the support of now Director of Sports and Recreation Joe Passaro who spearheaded the building of the Sports Complex at the East County Reserve in Warren Township, home of Watchung Hills Pop Warner. Mr. Lazo, served as President of WHPW, coached for many years, supported Recreation in Warren for years as part of the Recreation Commission and serves now as an elected official. Warren Recreation has recognized Mr. Lazo’s service to the residents of Warren Township.
(above) Warren Township Recreation Director, Joe Passaro,
Volunteer of the Year Dave Pasi, and President Andrew Marion
Volunteer of the Year Dave Pasi
Dave Pasi of Warren has been selected as the Watchung Hills Pop Warner Volunteer of the Year. Dave has been a board member and football coach with the program for over 20 years and has played an integral part in the organizations success and growth from a local football and cheer association to one which is nationally recognized. Dave first joined the WHPW Board of Director’s in 1997 and served in a variety of roles including field operations director and equipment director. Dave played a pivotal role leading key fundraising activities throughout the early 2000’s and he was instrumental in helping the program to establish the WHPW Football and Cheer complex at 101 Old Stirling Rd, in Warren, which it operates today. During this period, Dave was also a football coach and saw all three of his boys play in the program through to his youngest son’s graduation in 2009. Dave took a year off and then rejoined the program in 2011, regaining his role as Treasurer where he was responsible for all financial related activities. For most of Dave’s tenure with the program, he has also served on the Executive Board where he was involved in helping to establish the programs long term growth plans among other key strategic initiatives. On behalf of the Watchung Hills Pop Warner Board of Directors, and all of the WHPW families, we congratulate Dave Pasi for his outstanding dedication and service to our program and the community.
(above) Volunteer of the Year Eric Larson
& Matt Saum
Watchung Hills Wrestling Association Volunteer of the Year Eric Larson
Eric Larson has continued to stay involved in the Watchung Hills Wrestling Program, years after his son graduated from high school and went on to Gettysburg University. You may ask, why did he stay? Eric stayed for the love of the sport, and the love of the program. For over 12 years he actively participated in the program. He was the Executive Board Treasurer for 5 years and then the Booster Club Treasurer for 4 more years. Eric has had many other jobs within the program, including a youth wrestling coach and he is credited for developing the Casino Night Fundraiser. Eric was a key component in raising many of the funds to build the wrestling facility. Both as an Executive Board member and on the Construction Committee he was a major contributor in our fundraising, planning and ultimately the construction of the facility. Not only did he assist behind the scenes, he also donated his own time, money and resources. Without Eric’s contributions the Wrestling facility may not have come to fruition. Eric is a great advocate for the sport of wrestling and has left his imprint on the Watchung Hills Wrestling Association and the program he loves; and for this, we would like to honor Eric Larson with the 2020 Watchung Hills Wrestling Association Volunteer of the year.
(above) Watchung Hills Soccer Association Volunteer of the Year Antonio Pagkalinawin & President Frank Sena
Watchung Hills Soccer Association Volunteer of the Year Antonio Pagkalinawin
Antonio joined the Board about 10 years ago and has been instrumental as a leader in the organization. Watchung Hills Soccer Association have honored him for his commitment to the TOPS program, which focuses on special needs children. Right after Antonio joined the organization, he approached the Board about starting a TOPS program. However, you don’t simply start a TOPS program and put it on auto pilot. The program requires many “buddy” volunteers who pair up with each child in the program. The buddies are required to attend a training session where instructors from New Jersey Youth Soccer talk about the program and the buddy responsibilities. Antonio recruited the buddies, coordinated the training sessions, and then managed the buddies as well as the program. Soon after the program started, Antonio suggested finding a sponsor so they could offer the program free to these families. He solicited sponsors for the program (currently Bosco Giannone) and the program is now free. Further, Antonio has managed the travel program for the past 5 years. The work required to manage that program is substantial. Watchung Hills Soccer Association personally thanks Antonio for his contribution to the club and without him; they would not have the club we have today!
(above) Warren Youth Basketball Association Volunteer of the Year Mike Edwards & President Vance Gillenwater
Warren Youth Basketball Association Volunteer of the Year Mike Edwards
Mike Edwards is a Director of Marketing at Novartis Oncology and still finds the time to volunteer for the Warren Youth Basketball Association. He has a love of the game of basketball, and he shows it as Director of the Girls 7/8 Recreation Division. Over the past year, Mike has gone above his normal duties as a member of the board. He spearheaded a new WYBA offering – the Rec All-Star Weekend. Putting his marketing know-how to good use, Mike made the All Star Weekend a real happening. It featured a DJ, a Food truck, various contests throughout the day and of course competitive youth basketball games. It gives the Rec All-Stars a venue to demonstrate their skills, and raises the profile of Warren Youth Basketball. For his years of outstanding service to the WYBA and his expertise showcasing the Rec. All Stars, the WYBA awarded Mike Edwards with the WYBA Volunteer of the Year for 2020.
Watchung Hills Lacrosse Club Volunteer of the Year Vince DeNave
Vince DeNave has spent over a decade with Watchung Hills Lacrosse Club. He started in the coaching in the program in 2007 when his sons Vince and Joe started the program. Anthony was part of the 2018 WHRHS Team that was the first ever North Group IV Sectional and State Champions (for the high school), in the Tournament of Champions they won they opening round but lost in Semi-Finals to eventual winner Delbarton. Currently Anthony is sophomore at Clemson playing lacrosse. His son Joe is now a senior at WHRHS and has committed to playing lacrosse at Muhlenberg. For the past four years, Vince has been coaching for Watchung Hills Lacrosse with no children in the program. Vince coaches the 8th grade team and even helps with other teams when needed. Due to his dedication to the sport and unconditional support to the program the Watchung Hills Lacrosse Club would like to thank Vince and gave him a plaque acknowledging his “Years of Sacrifice, Dedication & Commitment” to the players and WH Lax program.
Warren Baseball/Softball Inc Volunteer of the Year Alex Romero
Alex Romero exemplifies the Rec Spirit of developing each and every child on the Warren Baseball/Softball Inc. teams. His patient approach to coaching has developed many of these kids into better players and has always developed a better team. In addition to coaching, Alex also helps with the travel teams and he has joined the board of directors. He has revamped the Travel softball program by including many teaching opportunities for the girls to learn the proper way to play softball. Alex takes all of his commitments seriously and his service is not self-serving. He is a contributing member of the board and a huge benefit to the program overall.
