Bridgewater-Raritan High School Athletic Hall of Fame 4th Induction Dinner 2024 By Bruce Doorly Photos by Dawn Wilde
	On Saturday, October 5th the Bridgewater-Raritan Athletic Hall of Fame Committee held their 4th annual induction dinner. The evening featured reunions of old teammates and friends as well as photos, memorabilia, and sentimental speeches.
	One must give the Hall of Fame Committee credit as they really do an excellent job. In the banquet room, the backdrop to the elevated stage had three tall pull-up banners. One for each school and team nickname and logo used over the years. The first banner was the original Golden Falcons logo that was used from 1959-spring 1991 at the original BRHS and High School West. Another was for Minuteman’s logo that was used for East High School 1966-spring 1991. The final banner was the Panther – used since fall-1991 - when the two schools East and West combined.
	Two large video screens ran a slideshow featuring photos, accomplishments, and quotes from the inductees. On display were the plaques for each inductee that have been installed in the high school at the entrance to the gym.
	Click for PDF of Slideshow about the Inductees
	And the once highly prized trophy for the East-West Thanksgiving Day football game was on display serving as a reminder of the era when there was an intense rivalry between two Bridgewater-Raritan High Schools 1967-1991. For those that could not make it there in person, the ceremony was available by a live feed on the internet.
	Hall of Fame Chairman Dick Myers made the opening remarks before turning most of the program over to emcee Jim Gano. The night started with a bagpiper who led the inductees into the room. Jim Gano spoke of the accomplishments of the inductees. There were 22 inductions in this class – 15 individuals, 2 coaches, 3 teams, and 2 contributors.
	All but two of the individual inductees are still alive today – and 13 of the 15 were at the dinner with representatives of the deceased inductee’s accepting and speaking on their behalf. One inductee Michael Janczewski-Jobin had traveled all the way from Colorado only to get Covid upon arrival. He had to settle for watching the live feed from his hotel room. Each inductee had the opportunity to speak to the crowd. Highlights of those speeches included:
	Randy Sinclair Randy felt fortunate as the coaches and athletic directors in his era have become legendary – Chuck Nelson, Joe Fischer, Carl Weigner, and A.J. Troisi. They taught him life lessons that he still lives by today.
	East Girl’s Soccer Team – Back-to-Back State Championships 1986 - 87 It has been 37 years since their state championships, but that did not diminish their enthusiasm, as the 86-87 girls’ soccer team were the most vocal of the attendees at the induction dinner. Susanne Meisenbacher addressed the crowd with six members of her team and coach Bob Morris behind her. She praised the parents who were instrumental in establishing both the girl’s recreation league and years later the varsity girls’ soccer program. She spoke of the special memories - about how many of the team have become lifelong friends. Saying “we have gone to each other’s weddings, rejoiced together when our children were born, and even supported each other as we buried our parents.”
	Jim Gano The emcee of the evening Jim Gano was also inducted in the Hall of Fame as a Contributor. Former Athletic Director John Maggio talked about Jim’s accomplishments. Jim Gano has been the P.A. Announcer for BRHS Athletics at East, West and the combined school for 42 years. Jim Gano, a cancer survivor, had a life lesson he shared with the crowd. It was from a Peanuts cartoon. In the cartoon Charlie Brown says to Snoopy “We only live once” and Snoopy replies “Wrong! We only die once. We live every day!” Jim encouraged those in attendance to live their best life every day.
	Mike Swain Not only was Mike Swain inducted into the Hall of Fame that night for his wrestling accomplishments, but due to his participation in 4 Olympics in Judo, one where he won a Bronze Medal, the Mayor of Bridgewater, Matt Moench unveiled a sign about Mike with a photo that will now be displayed near the high school on Commons Way. It reads:
	Bridgewater, NJ Home of Mike Swain 4X Olympian (Judo) 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist 1987 World Champion 1996 USA Judo Olympic Coach
	The full list of 2024 inductees: Michael Janczewski-Jobin – West - 1965 -1967 Basketball, Baseball, Golf, Tennis, & Cross Country Randy Sinclair – West – 1966-69 - Basketball, Football, & Track Jim Foxwell – East – 1969-71 - Baseball and Basketball Danny LaMountain – East – Football, Basketball, and Track & Field Mike Swain – West – 1976-79 - Wrestling Stu Richter – East – 1967-71 - Baseball & Football Joyce Flower – East – Softball, Basketball, and Tennis Patricia Bandjlich – West – 1977-80 - Basketball John Fleurant – East – 1978-80 – Basketball & Baseball
	Keith Vanderbeek – East – 1980-82 - Football, Track, & Basketball Michael 'J.' Winchock - West - 1987-89 - Baseball & Football Jamie Watson – East – 1986-89 - Lacrosse & Soccer Jim Eckert – East – 1982-84 - Lacrosse Chuck Lowe – East – 1982-84 - Lacrosse Jay Hobbs – West – 1989-91 - Track, Football, & Basketball Al Rossi – West & Combined – 1980-2009 – Coach Cross Country & Track Gary Wood -– East – 1989-1994 - Coach of Volleyball
	1986 - 1987 Girl’s Soccer Team - East (Group 3 Co-State Champs & Group 2 State Champs) 1991-1992 Girl’s Swimming Team - Combined 1991 - Boy's Track Team - West Jim Gano - Contributor - West Mike Galida - Contributor West & Combined
The entire induction dinner can be seen on YouTube. Click for link The public is encouraged to nominate potential inductees for consideration for the next induction class. This can be done on the website for the Hall of Fame - click for link