TOMS RIVER – Hundreds of people celebrated hundreds of accomplishments.
A recent Friday night was Nostalgia Night – the night of the Toms River Regional School District Athletic Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – at the RWJBarnabas Health Arena.
There were tears. There were hugs. There were smiles. There were handshakes. There were standing ovations. There were rhythmic cheers. There were roars of approval.
“This is more than an event – it is a celebration of legacy, of excellence and of the enduring spirit of interscholastic athletics in our community,” Superintendent Michael Citta, a former Toms River High School North football player, said to the 525 people gathered.
“For over 140 years, athletics have been woven into the fabric of our school district. From the early days of the original Toms River High School, serving our community from 1891 to 1969, to the proud traditions carried forward by Toms River High School South, North and East, our athletic programs have reflected the very best of who we are.
“These programs have never simply been about wins and losses. They have been about building character, fostering resilience and creating a sense of belonging. They have taught generations of students the value of teamwork, discipline and perseverance – lessons that extend far beyond the playing field.
“Tonight, we recognize individuals whose impact has helped shape that legacy. Our Hall of Fame nominees represent decades of dedication, achievement and inspiration. They are athletes who pushed boundaries, coaches who mentored with passion and contributors who elevated our programs to new heights. Their stories are part of a much larger story – one that continues to unfold with each passing season.
“Today, our district proudly supports over 3,000 student-athletes competing at the high school level each year. That number speaks not only to the scale of our programs, but to the continued importance of athletics in the lives of our students. It is a testament to a tradition that remains strong, vibrant and deeply valued by our community.
“To our inductees and nominees – your accomplishments have left a lasting imprint on Toms River Regional Schools. You have helped define what it means to wear our colors, to represent our schools and to uphold a standard of excellence that continues to inspire future generations,” he said.
Individual inductees, teams and their accomplishments are on several Walls of Fame near the gymnasium. Team members will also receive certificates.
Some Indians fans wore red and white school spirit buttons. One button said, “The Spirit Rings on Forever.” Another said, “Tribe. Tradition. Toughness. South Pride.” Another said, “Feel the Spirit.”
The names and accomplishments of each inductee were flashed on a video board to the left of the stage. David Correll Jr., who has close ties to South, was attired in maroon and white. Surrounded by South cheerleaders, he led inductees and spectators in a chant of, “We are T.R. We are T.R. We are T.R. We are T.R.,” as the ceremony began.
Veteran Jersey Shore radio broadcaster Kevin Williams emceed the event. The Toms River High School orchestra provided entertainment. Former East girls’ soccer coach Pat Thomas, now a district assistant superintendent of schools, wore a suit in the Raiders’ colors.
Former East soccer standout Ted Gillen, the district’s athletics director, was the event’s chairman.
The Hall of Fame Committee consisted of Gillen, Erin Anders, Ed Keller, Kevin Raylman, Brian Cerbone, Bill Madigan, Dave Fazzini, Chris Madigan, Katie Muller, Jacob McCartney, Correll Jr., Ron Laycock, Kevin Cohen, Kevin Kanarkowski, Carole Rogalski, Bonnie Milligan and Pam Guter.
The Class of 2026 inductees follows.
P. David Correll: He was The Voice of the Indian at South from 1971-2019, generating spirit at home football games.
He had several sayings. One was “Everybody up on the kickoff and let’s go River.” When South scored a touchdown, he bellowed, “Ttttouchdown!” He acknowledged South’s first downs with, “Fiiirssssst down Indians.”
The press box was named in his honor. He furnished home and away team scouting reports from the press box.
He was a spokesperson, historian and advocate for South. He was voted the Best Football Announcer on the Jersey Shore by the Asbury Park Press and the Ocean County Observer. He was on the Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. He was an advisor of the Marching Indian Band Flag Squad. He was an assistant girls’ spring track and field team coach. As a faculty member, he was a key figure in Spirit Week. He was involved in the district for more than 50 years. Correll Jr. is his son.
The 1978 Toms River South football team: The Indians of head coach Ron Signorino (a 2012 inductee) won the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association South Jersey Group IV title, downing host Millville 14-12 in the championship game en route to a 9-2 overall record. The Thunderbolts were 10-1. It was the district’s first sectional football championship. The Indians won Shore Conference Class A South. They were ranked 10th in New Jersey and first in the Shore Conference.
They bested host Cherry Hill East 16-6 in the semifinals. East, quarterbacked by Glenn Foley, who played at Boston College and in the National Football League, scored on an interception return.
“The most overachieving team I ever had as a head coach,” Signorino said. “Foley was a great college and NFL player. We lost to Matawan and 8-0 to North (coached by Bob Fiocco, who had been an assistant coach under Signorino). The North game was an ugly, ugly game. It was a great triumph for Bob (coach Bob Fiocco). A key reason for our success was our mental toughness … mental toughness, absolutely. We had relentless mental toughness.
“We took an average team and made it into a championship team.”
Signorino, a student of Greek history, brought the Spartan Approach to the Indians. He and his assistant coaches wore maroon shorts and white shirts to each game, shivering in bitter cold.
“We did everything the hard way and the right way,” he said. “The kids bought into it. When I learned this team was to be inducted, my first thought was that it was long overdue.”
Signorino wore a South football shirt to the ceremony. One of his players wore a South sectional title jacket. Among the Indians’ top players were quarterback Ed Grundhauser and running back-inside linebacker Mark Troutman. Signorino said Troutman captained the team.
“Mark had the body of a wrestler,” Signorino said. “He led us in rushing. He had no business being on the field.”
Signorino watched Grundhauser play for the St. Joseph Angels of Toms River at the Pop Warner level.
“He was my best recruit,” Signorino said. “I knocked on the door of his family’s home in Silver Ridge and his mom Michiko asked me to take off my shoes. She was Japanese. Ed was only 5’8”, but he knew how to win. He was a very talented player. I could not wait to get him. The key to our success was my recruitment of Ed Grundhauser. He never made a mistake.”
Grundhauser, who also starred in baseball for the Indians, and tight end Ralph Bush often practiced together at the Silver Beach Club.
“We practiced day and night,” Grundhauser said. “It was all we did. We practiced our routes. I have great memories of this team. Larry Nemetz was our first-team all-state center.”
“I never handed Ed a bad snap,” Nemetz chimed in.
“Football taught me great life lessons in terms of discipline,” Grundhauser said. “It taught me to put the team first and to put personal desires second. It taught me to give up my individual ego for the team. There was no drinking. Instead, we had root beer parties.”
Grundhauser enjoyed playing for Signorino.
“He was a tremendous motivator,” Grundhauser said. “I am cerebral. I always looked forward to his pre-game motivational speeches. He was an amazing x’s and o’s guy. He was a great teacher. Even when he was upset, he could collect his wits and explain things to me. It was his greatest gift. He was a wonderful strategist. He knew how to put together a game plan. He put us in position to win. He was almost like a second father to me.
“It’s an honor to be with the guys tonight. We had good talent and a great team. Some of us played for four years together.”
Grundhauser, who competed despite a fractured pinky on his left non-throwing hand, said Millville was ranked first in South Jersey entering the game.
“We were the underdogs,” he said, “but we always knew we had a solid game plan. We were very confident. Nobody expected us to win. That motivated us. We had a lot of injured players during part of the season. We were hurting at running back.”
The Indians relied on long drives in their triple option attack.
“We used ball control,” Signorino said. “We had bigger, faster and more talented teams, but we never had a team with this much determination. On defense, we were small, but quick and ferocious and mentally tough. We used the 4-4 (alignment) with an eight-man front. We defended the run. We said, ‘If you can’t run the ball, we’re gonna beat you.’ “
The Indians were honored on Signorino’s 92nd birthday.
“It’s ironic,” he said. “I feel like I’m only 62. I did not plan it this way. I am thrilled that this team got in.”
Signorino coached Toms River High School from 1964-1968. He coached South from 1969-1978 and from 1997-2000. His Class A champion 1968 team went 9-0 overall. His 1969 club was 8-1 overall. An offensive-defensive tackle was Pete Bush, who coached the 1978 offensive line. Bush attended the ceremony.
“Our 1968 and 1969 teams were the best teams I ever coached,” Signorino said. “We lost to Middletown in 1969. We threw four interceptions and lost four fumbles – and still led in the fourth quarter. We had over 300 yards of total offense. We gave ’em the game.”
His teams combined for a 19-game winning streak at Toms River High School and South. His overall career record, including a stint at Bald Eagle Area High School in Pennsylvania, was 134-56-6. His combined overall career record at Toms River High School and South was 119-55-4. Signorino coached the 1976 and 1998 clubs to Class A South championships.
“He defined and made a reality the term Hitting Indians,” it says on his plaque. “Sig created the Spartan approach. He introduced Pennsylvania football to the Shore Conference.”
The Pennsylvania native led five South teams to the sectional playoffs. Recruited by then-Penn State assistant coach Joe Paterno, who enjoyed a legendary career leading the Nittany Lions, Signorino played under head coach Rip Engle, a highly successful mentor.
Retired North football coach Bob Nani: The fiery Nani guided the Mariners to three South Jersey Group IV titles and five Class A South championships. His Mariners made 12 playoff appearances from 1989-2004. He was named among the top 150 football coaches in Shore Conference history.
“I am really excited,” he said. “When I took over, we had probably the worst program in Ocean and Monmouth counties. We had great coaches, a great staff and great kids. I always knew we could win here. Now, I gotta get my sectional championship teams in here.
“It’s nice to see the guys I taught and coached with. We’re all getting older and ya gotta cherish each day. Five of my assistant coaches have passed away. When I learned of my induction, I was very excited. You coach all of these teams and you get recognized. It means one thing – I am on the wall.”
Nani touched Citta’s life.
“I flunked out of college at the age of 19,” Citta said, “and coach Nani gave me a chance to coach under him.”
Ex-North standout Zach Kane: The 2008 graduate starred for the Mariners, earning 2007 All-Tri State, All-State, All-Ocean County and All-Shore honors.
He helped the Mariners to a South Jersey Group IV title, registering 140 tackles, 14 sacks, 25 tackles for yards lost and rushing for three touchdowns.
The Governor’s Bowl selection was rated the No. 32 player in New Jersey and No. 28 at inside linebacker by ESPN. The University of Miami recruit made the 2010 Athletics Director Honor Roll at Temple University.
Retired East baseball coach Bill Frank: He led the Raiders to the 2001 Group IV championship, four sectional titles, nine division crowns and eight Ocean County Tournament championships. The Raiders’ field was named in his honor a few years ago.
“It’s great to see all of the people I have not seen in a long time,” he said. “This is such a traditional town. I get the chills talking about it. I really do. We had great players. Kenny (South’s retired highly successful coach and Frank’s brother) are from Hudson County. We brought Hudson County baseball here and it took off. It’s a very aggressive style of play with a lot of action. Hit and run. Bunt. Squeeze plays … anything we could do to win a game.”
Retired Toms River educator Bruce Mulford: He earned a Service Award. He served the district at Toms River High School (later South) from 1959-1992. He was South’s and East’s athletics director. He was president of the Shore Conference. He coached boys’ cross country, boys’ track and field. boys’ soccer and boys’ wrestling.
Ex-Toms River High School standout Richard Worthy: The 1965 graduate competed in football and track and field, basketball and baseball. He was an All-Shore and all-Ocean County running back. He was Class President in 1965 and a Student Council member.
Ex-Toms River High School standout Robert Ogle: The 1965 graduate competed in football and track and field. He was a member of the Junior Class Executive Committee and captain of the ROTC program. He attended Murray State College on a football scholarship and was a Captain in the United States Army in Vietnam. He earned seven Air Medals, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and two Bronze Stars for Meritorious Service and Valor.
Ex-Toms River High School standout Rick Tucci: The 1962 graduate competed in boys’ wrestling for four years, captaining the Indians in 1962. He refereed in eight Olympics.
He was twice awarded the Gold Whistle Award as the Outstanding Official in the Olympic Games. He refereed in the 1985 World Championships and was president of the USA Officials. The international wrestling referee is a member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame and the Florida High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
The Toms River High School girls’ basketball team: One of first organized girls’ teams in district history, its captain was Frances Ruth, named the Indians’ Most Valuable Player. Other team members were Vickie Gernert, Signe Lockwood Height, Debbie Freeman, Karen Williamson and Kathy Civick.
The Toms River High School 1965 boys’ wrestling team: The Indians were 11-0 overall. Its district champions were Pat Reina, Bill Sorrentino and Jay Kilpatrick. The latter won a Region title and placed second in the state.
Ex-East speedster Ron Jules: The 2003 graduate starred in boys’ track and field. He was the 2003 national indoor champion in the 55 and 60-meter hurdles. He sped to 2003 Shore Conference titles in the 110 and 400 hurdles. He was second in the 55 hurdles in the state’s all-groups meet. He was third in the 110’s in the 2003 Meet of Champions.
Competing for Penn State University, he was second in the 2008 Big Ten Championships in the 60 hurdles and 110 hurdles. He’s an assistant track and field coach at Colorado College.
Ex-East standout Vin DelleFave: The 2009 graduate was a three-time District wrestling champion and a four-time Region champion. He was named the Region VI Outstanding Wrestler. He was a four-time state placewinner and a 2008 and 2009 state champion.
The high school All-American posted a 145-7 career record. He was a two-time NCAA Division I Tournament qualifier at Rutgers University where he captained the Scarlet Knights.
Former East standout Corey Schwartz-Krauss: The 2012 graduate was a first-team all-state softball player. The All-Shore player was named the 2012 Shore Conference Player of the Year.
She was twice named first-team All-National Fastpitch Coaches Association East Region. She was named to the Super 36 New Jersey All-Star Game. She was a three-time first-team All-Ocean County and All-Division selection. She won 12 varsity letters as she also competed in basketball, soccer and field hockey. She was a four-year starter in softball at the University of Maryland.
Former East standout Tara Nichols-Rienecker: The 1991 graduate earned 12 varsity letters. In soccer, she was a four-time All-Ocean County and two-time first-team All-Shore selection. In field hockey, she was a three-time All-Ocean County, a two-time first-team All-Shore and a first-team all-state selection. She ran on a state champion 4×400 relay team in winter track and field. She played on four Big East Conference championship soccer teams at the University of Connecticut and was a member of the Huskies’ 1994 Final Four team.
Ex-Toms River Regional School District educator Joe Arminio: He earned a Service Award. He was the district’s athletics director from 2008-2017. He coached the Raiders in football and girls’ basketball.
He was named the Ocean County Girls Basketball Coach of the Year in 1998. He was the Shore Conference president in 2016. He was named the Ocean County Athletic Director of the Year in 2015-2016.
Ex-North baseball standout Mark Leiter Jr.: The 2009 graduate earned All-Ocean County and All-Shore honors as a pitcher in 2009 and was named to the 2010 All-Rookie team. He was a 2013 All-Conference selection at the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Now pitching for the Athletics, he has also pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies, the Toronto Blue Jays, the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees.
Leiter wore his dad’s No. 56 jersey in 2025 when he pitched for the Yankees, just as his father had. Leiter Jr. wore No. 38 in 2024 when he joined the Yankees in a trade with the Chicago Cubs near the trading deadline.
Ex-North standout Elizabeth Kalwinsky-Kartikis: The 1997 graduate sped to SJ IV titles in the 100 and 400 meters. She won Shore Conference titles in the 55, 100, 400, 400 hurdles and long jump and Ocean County titles in the 55, 100, 400 and 400 hurdles.
She set North records in the 55, 100, 200, 300, 400 4×400 and the sprint medley relay. She was an All-County, All-Shore and All-State selection. She’s on Georgetown University’s all-time list in the 60 high hurdles and 400 intermediate hurdles.
Ex-North standout Kelley Healey: The 2005 graduate was named the 2005 Sullivan Award winner as the Shore Conference’s Outstanding Female Athlete.
She was named the 2005 Ocean County Female Athlete of the Year. She was a Wendy’s High School Heisman finalist. She starred in field hockey, basketball and lacrosse for the Mariners. She was a four-time All-American in field hockey at Kutztown University.
Ex-North principal Ray Ryan: He earned a Service Award and was principal from 1977-1998. The Mariners’ baseball field was named in his honor.
He was a district administrator for 27 years. He created Spirit Week.
The 1978 North girls’ cross country team: The Mariners won the 1978 NJSIAA Meet of Champions and the Group IV state title at hilly Holmdel Park.
Coached by Jim Jackson, the team members were junior Janet Flood-Wood, Karen Krall, Corinne Taylor, junior Kerri Mason, freshman Lisa Szymanski, senior captain Eileen Smyth, Danielle Lambert, Chris Siegler and junior Sharon White.
The latter led the Mariners, placing 10th overall in 20:00. Flood-Wood was 11th in 20:00. Szymanski was 13th in 20:14. Mason was 28th in 20:51. Smyth was 35th in 21:01.
It is the lone Toms River cross country team – girls and boys – to win the Meet of Champions. The Mariners fell five times to the Brick Township Green Dragons of coach Bill McGuire.
“We finally beat them when we won the state Group IV championships the week before the Meet of Champions,” Flood-Wood said. “We were ready to again run our best race and we were determined to not let Brick take back the victory. What made the Meet of Champions title special and meaningful was all of our hard work paid off as we won the coveted meet and were able to state we were the best team in New Jersey. We knew that we all had to run our best race.
“We were very close with Brick’s girls – Jeanne Fox, Wanda Darling and Valerie Huhn – and coach McGuire. Although they were our rivals and we wanted to beat them, we had fun with them. With their help, we toilet papered coach McGuire’s house. He caught us and laughed.”
Jackson passed away in 2016 at the age of 81.
“His motto for us was three simple words, ‘Do the job,’ ” Flood-Wood said. “At the Meet of Champions, his motto was, ‘Do the job again.’ He had a lot of patience and allowed us to have our own personalities. When he passed on, my first thought was sadness. We lost a legend. We respected him and his coaching.
“The team would chant KBA, which meant Kick Brick’s Ass. We were very silly, always laughing and getting into mischief. On long runs, we could be found running through intersections and through the Ocean County Mall. If there was mud, we had mud fights. However, once we were on the course, we were all business. We were aware of what we needed to do.”
As Meet of Champions winners, North was honored with a General Resolution from the New Jersey State Assembly at the State House in Trenton.
“There was also an awards dinner in our honor to celebrate our win with family and friends,” Flood-Wood said. “We all had a great relationship. We really enjoyed running and being together. When I learned we were going into the Hall of Fame, my first thoughts were, ‘Yay. It’s about time. It’s been 48 years and no other Toms River cross country team has accomplished this win.”
North also won the South Jersey Coaches Meet and the Spotswood Invitational. The Mariners (8-1) were second in the Ocean County, Shore Conference and South Jersey Group IV championship meets and second to Brick in Class A South, falling 24-31.
“The good times and the hard work are what I remember the most about being on this team,” Flood-Wood said. “We pushed each other to excel and we were all very competitive.”
Ex-South boys’ track and field and boys’ cross country coaches Mark O’Leary and Ed Heffernan: They led the Indians to numerous titles and were named the 1993 boys’ cross country Coaches of the Year.
Ex-South standout Kathy Lupichuk-Fisk: The 1977 graduate was a first-team All-Ocean County selection in 1975 and 1977 and a first-team All-Shore choice in 1075.
She was a 1,000 varsity career points scorer. She set South’s record in the 4×440-yard relay.
Ex-South standout Sheree Dillard-Gray: The 2004 graduate starred on the Indians’ 2001 and 2002 Group III state champions in girls’ soccer.
She was a member of the 2004 United States U19 World Cup and U21 Women’s National teams. She played on four Big Ten Conference championship teams at Penn State University and competed for the St. Louis Athletica team in 2009 in the Women’s Professional Soccer League.
Ex-South standout Frank Major: The 1997 graduate won a state wrestling title in 1977 for the Indians.
He was a two-time Region VI and a three-time District 25 champion. He helped the Indians win three Shore Conference Tournament team titles. He served in the United States Marine Corps for three years.
Ex-South standout Mike Weidenbush: The 1977 graduate won the 101-pound state title in 1977. He was a two-time District and two-time region champion. He was fourth in the state in 1976. He helped the Indians to three District and three Shore Conference Tournament team titles.
