Fair Lawn, NJ - Generations came together on Sasso Field on Saturday, October 6th to induct the Fair Lawn Athletic Hall of Fame's 11th class. The induction honored the success of former athletes, coaches, and teams that have represented the Fair Lawn Cutters.

Cathy Schofield assisted in starting the committee for the Hall of Fame in 2006, and it has gained popularity since. The Hall of Fame honored the individuals with a weekend full of events.

The weekend began with the unveiling of each athlete’s plaque, hanging outside the Bennett Gymnasium. The plaque lists their name, graduation year, and accomplishments. The idea for the plaques was Schofield’s.

“I insisted on that hallway to present and show the current students and alumni how proud we are of our Cutters,” Schofield said.  

Added to the wall are Debra DiPrima ‘05, Alison Scarpa DiScola ‘85, Vincent Ficca ‘60, Daniel Graff ‘85, Vincent Graff ‘06, Kathleen Hegewald ‘01, Matthew Psaltis ‘92, Andrew Rau ‘08, Lior Zamir ‘04, the 2007 Girls Volleyball team, Dr. Craig Boydell, and Kimberly Salma.

Vincent Graff ‘05, along with his uncle Daniel Graff ‘85,  celebrated together on Saturday. Vincent Graff scored his 1,000th point during his senior basketball campaign, under the coaching of his father, Jimmy Graff. To see his name on the 1,000-point banner meant a lot, Graff said.

“I was happy to do it with my father as my coach and my loved ones watching,” Graff said.

Graff, a two-sport athlete, continued his football career at Rowan University and still lives in town. With support of his family throughout his high school career, Graff made a name for himself and broke records as an integral member of his teams.

“I went out and did the two things I love to do, basketball and football, did it to the best of my ability and that was that.”

Lior Zamir ‘04, a wrestler, placed twice in the state tournament during his high school career and carried on his athletic career at the University of Pennsylvania. During his time at Fair Lawn, he honed in on his academics and his sports, having success in both areas, including several titles with his name appearing often in the wrestling gym.

Fair Lawn set Zamir up for more than just his wrestling career.

“It’s a nice honor,” he said, “It’s amazing how fast the time goes and it’s definitely a big part of my life...it taught me a lot of things for college and afterwards...this was a great starting point.”

Members of the 2007 Volleyball team, Stephanie Samra ‘08, Jessica Ren ‘08, and Cindy Okereke ‘08 were also in attendance for the festivities. The young women worked hard for their title.

“We were the underdogs, we were seeded low and really had to come together as team” Samra said.

Their team chemistry and the dedication of their coaches were pivotal aspects of their success, Samra said.

“[Coach Zisa and Coach Mielnicki] were tough, they pushed us, but it was all worth it in the end. Without those practices, we wouldn’t have gone where we wanted to go.”

To see their name and their team up on the wall “[is] really exciting...it’s cool to be apart of something bigger than yourself...and leave a legacy and be acknowledged for it. No one thought we would go anywhere, but we really believed in ourselves,” Ren said.

One of the 2018 Hall of Fame’s most seasoned alumni, Vincent Ficca ‘60 was also present. Though times have changed since Ficca’s high school years, he emphasizes that passion for any endeavor should be one's motivator.

“Whatever you do, do it with all you have, even with school work...Go into it all you can, and get something out of it,” said Ficca.

The committee is pleased with how the Hall of Fame has developed since its inception Schofield said.

“It’s just grown, everyone knows about it, and everyone has been so humble and grateful and they really love it.”

By Amanda Laudani

Interviews from Zack Cohen & TJ Tomesco

Thumbnail Credit: Thomas Tomesco

Header Credit: Thomas Tomesco