Event welcomes Hall of Fame inductees, marks 30th anniversary of girls tennis title
Cape May Court House, N.J. – Middle Township School District will reflect on its successes during a night that includes a Hall of Fame induction ceremony and a commemoration of the 1996 state championship girls tennis team.
All honorees will be acknowledged during a Feb. 2 ceremony that will take place around 6 p.m., immediately following the 5 p.m. Panthers girls basketball game and prior to the 7:15 p.m. boys game. The public is invited to attend.
The Panthers girls tennis team won the Group III state championship in 1996, defeating Ramapo High School, 3–2, in the tournament final. Coach Tracy Hall and team members have been invited to the Feb. 2 event to be recognized.
Five new members will be inducted into the MTSD Hall of Fame during the ceremony. They are former teacher Mabel Bryan; 2011 state golf champion Alex Hicks; former teacher, coach and principal Frank Riggitano; former Board of Education President Dennis Roberts; and former teacher and coach Paul Yerk, who is being inducted posthumously. This is the third induction for the MTSD Hall of Fame, which will grow to 26 members after welcoming the new group.
Mabel Bryan
- 28-year English teacher at Middle Township High School
- Her passion for teaching English and genuine care and compassion for her students were inspiring
- High standards in the classroom encouraged students to challenge themselves
- She motivated generations of students to reach their fullest potential and left a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of being in her classroom
Alex Hicks
- 2011 NJSIAA Group 2 State Individual Golf Champion
- 2011 Academic All-American
- Three-time South/Central Jersey Group 2 Individual Golf Champion
- Two-time Cape Atlantic League Individual Champion
- Middle Township High School records: 34.6-stroke average per nine holes; career-low 32 strokes for nine holes
Frank Riggitano
- 36-year teacher, coach, athletic director, vice principal, principal
- Panthers football coach for 22 seasons, earning seven playoff berths
- All-time wins leader in Cape May County with 111
- West Jersey Football League division title in 2022
- Inducted into the South Jersey Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2024
Dennis Roberts
- 24-year Board of Education president and member
- Tireless advocate for the school community and students
- Passionate Panthers athletics fan
Paul Yerk
- 35-year English and special education teacher
- Three-decade mentor and coach of Panthers football and golf
- 352 career golf wins
- Cape Atlantic League golf team champions in 1975 and 1985
- Inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2003
Nominations for the MTSD Hall of Fame will be considered for any person who graduated from or was employed with the district and who has brought honor to the community. Nominees should have demonstrated outstanding athletic and/or nonathletic accomplishments, have served our community or country in truly outstanding ways, or have demonstrated excellence within their vocations. Nominees can be nominated by themselves or others.
For more information, contact Middle Township High School Assistant Principal of Athletics Josh McCarty at [email protected].