Al Carino
SOUTH JERSEY BASKETBALL
HALL OF FAME
The Basketball Club of South Jersey, a long-time dream of founder Al Carino, was organized in the fall of 1962 with the help of Courier-Post sportswriters Charlie Schuck and Walt Burrows.
Thanks to the dedication of several standout coaches, players and officials, the Club has flourished for over 60 years. Coaches such as Bill Hiltner (Sterling), Bill Lange (Overbrook, Bishop Eustace and Lenape), Harold Little (Lindenwold), Bob Byatt (Washington Township), Dave Troiano (Wildwood) and Russ Winsett (Glassboro) have played huge roles with the Carino Club. Others such as John Valore (Cherry Hill East, Cumberland & Holy Cross), Paul Rodio (St. Augustine), Joe Kessler (Shawnee), Jim Crawford (Camden Catholic) have been extremely supportive of the Club’s activities and basketball officials have stayed active is a sport they love. Thanks to the likes of the Bill Thomas, Jack Mongulla, Robert DeLambily, Jason Lewer, Tony Caracci, Robert DePersia, Brian Turner and Ernie Troiano, this organization stands among the elite.
During the first year, men such as Al Mattern, Sam Strauss, Bob Kenney, Dick Carpenter, Ben Mark, John Kling and the Rev. William Hart added their support. An All-South Jersey team and the Coach of the Year were honored at the first post season banquet and the Suburban Newspapers presented the Suburban Cup. State Champion coaches were feted.
Thanks to the dedication of several standout coaches, players and officials, the Club has flourished for over 60 years. Coaches such as Bill Hiltner (Sterling), Bill Lange (Overbrook, Bishop Eustace and Lenape), Harold Little (Lindenwold), Bob Byatt (Washington Township), Dave Troiano (Wildwood) and Russ Winsett (Glassboro) have played huge roles with the Carino Club. Others such as John Valore (Cherry Hill East, Cumberland & Holy Cross), Paul Rodio (St. Augustine), Joe Kessler (Shawnee), Jim Crawford (Camden Catholic) have been extremely supportive of the Club’s activities and basketball officials have stayed active is a sport they love. Thanks to the likes of the Bill Thomas, Jack Mongulla, Robert DeLambily, Jason Lewer, Tony Caracci, Robert DePersia, Brian Turner and Ernie Troiano, this organization stands among the elite.
During the first year, men such as Al Mattern, Sam Strauss, Bob Kenney, Dick Carpenter, Ben Mark, John Kling and the Rev. William Hart added their support. An All-South Jersey team and the Coach of the Year were honored at the first post season banquet and the Suburban Newspapers presented the Suburban Cup. State Champion coaches were feted.
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In 1964 the Courier-Post started the Top Ten Award and in 1966 the Club selected the first South Jersey Collegiate Player of the Year and held its first South Jersey Invitational Tournament. In addition, the International Association of Approved Basketball Officials (IAABO), Camden District Board 34 presented the initial Sportsmanship Award in memory of Kenneth E. Smullen.
In 1970, the Al DiBart Memorial Foundation began the top scoring award and named it the “Bob Elder” Award. That year the Club held its Unsung Heroes night for seniors who contributed to the team. |
Class of 2022
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1971 saw the best foul shooting award. It now honors Tom Bowe and is presented by IAABO Board 34. In 1973 the Club honored its first woman coach for winning a state championship.
In the fall of 1974, the Club began honoring girls at the regular meetings and the 1975 banquet cited the girls’ scoring champion in addition to the girls’ Coach-of-the-Year. The Courier-Post added the girls Top Ten Award.
Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975.
In the fall of 1974, the Club began honoring girls at the regular meetings and the 1975 banquet cited the girls’ scoring champion in addition to the girls’ Coach-of-the-Year. The Courier-Post added the girls Top Ten Award.
Charles Nash began honoring the South Jersey girls’ scoring champion and named it the Sara J. Taylor Memorial Award in 1975.
In 1976, the first Female College Player of the Year was honored by the Club with the aid of the women officials of West Chapter 5 honoring Ginny Whitaker, the former long-time Athletic Director at Cherry Hill East.
In 1977, the first Small College Player-of-the-Year was honored. A player from a Division 2 or 3 college is recognized. 1978 saw the first All-Star games featuring senior boys and girls from South Jersey.
The Major College Player-of-the-Year Award was named in memory of Samuel Strauss in 1980.
In 1977, the first Small College Player-of-the-Year was honored. A player from a Division 2 or 3 college is recognized. 1978 saw the first All-Star games featuring senior boys and girls from South Jersey.
The Major College Player-of-the-Year Award was named in memory of Samuel Strauss in 1980.
In August, 1982, President Albert J. Carino died as the result of an automobile accident and William G. (Bill) Thomas was elected President of the organization.
Hall-of-Famer Tony Caracci began to sponsor an annual award to the Outstanding Guard in South Jersey in 2000. The “Most Courageous Award was renamed in memory of the late popular coach from Haddon Heights and Triton Albert “Butch” McLean, who passed away in 2012.
Jack Mongulla was named President in 2019 after William G. (Bill) Thomas was named President Emeritus of the Club.
Hall-of-Famer Tony Caracci began to sponsor an annual award to the Outstanding Guard in South Jersey in 2000. The “Most Courageous Award was renamed in memory of the late popular coach from Haddon Heights and Triton Albert “Butch” McLean, who passed away in 2012.
Jack Mongulla was named President in 2019 after William G. (Bill) Thomas was named President Emeritus of the Club.
The Hall of Fame honors those individuals whose athletic achievements have been extraordinary and whose support has been significant as well.
Criteria for Nomination to the Hall of Fame:
ATHLETE
Nominee must have been an outstanding official at the High School level for five or more years or has made significant contributions to the sport on the high school level.
Other Hall of Fame Candidates
In extraordinary cases, by vote of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the South Jersey basketball community members and former athletes and officials may be admitted to the Hall of Fame without satisfying the stated requirements. Extraordinary cases should be interpreted to include premature termination of an athletic career due to injury or similar situation wherein the athlete’s accomplishments after leaving the school, have brought great credit and recognition to the institution.
Criteria for Nomination to the Hall of Fame:
ATHLETE
- Nominee must be a graduate of a South Jersey High School
- Eligibility for admission begins the eleventh year after the nominee’s graduation from High School
- Nominee must have demonstrated sustained commitment to the sport since her or his graduation.
- Nominee must have had a significant impact in her / his sport; defined as being at least an All-Conference performer or equivalent.
- Nominee must have been an outstanding coach at the High School level for five or more years.
- Coach/Team(s) must have been cited at the State/Regional level (example: conference championship, NJSIAA or regional Coach-of-the-Year
- Nominee must have been an employee in good standing during tenure
- Nominee must have continued to be a citizen in good standing.
Nominee must have been an outstanding official at the High School level for five or more years or has made significant contributions to the sport on the high school level.
Other Hall of Fame Candidates
In extraordinary cases, by vote of the Hall of Fame Selection Committee, the South Jersey basketball community members and former athletes and officials may be admitted to the Hall of Fame without satisfying the stated requirements. Extraordinary cases should be interpreted to include premature termination of an athletic career due to injury or similar situation wherein the athlete’s accomplishments after leaving the school, have brought great credit and recognition to the institution.
Please submit the nomination form to:
Albert J. Carino South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame
Attention: Bill Hiltner
30 Pennsylvania Avenue
Stratford, NJ 08084
Albert J. Carino South Jersey Basketball Hall of Fame
Attention: Bill Hiltner
30 Pennsylvania Avenue
Stratford, NJ 08084
