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Seton Hall Prep soccer coach Marty Berman and the NBC-4 NY sports anchor Bruce Beck were honorees at recent 52nd Mercier Sportsmen Awards Dinner at the Highlawn in West Orange. Local sports figures attend annual event such as former Rutgers basketball coach Fred Hill, Jr. (right, in fourth photo) while joined by the master of ceremonies Tim Reilly, who in fifth photo stands alongside Berman and his son Matty who introduced his dad to audience. Among those enjoying the evening were longtime softball umpire and basketball referee Mike Sferazza of Cedar Grove, who meets up with Larry Berra, Jr. Several people from Seton Hall Prep, including athletic director Larry Baggitt (left), were on hand along with Berman family. In bottom photo, the Mercier committee member Joe Quinlan listens in during conversation at the popular dinner. (Photos are by Jeff Stiefbold-so see more, visit jstiefbold.smugmug.com)
WEST ORANGE- Being able to pivot and not just stand pat is certainly a key to both enjoying and finding success in our ever-evolving world, and that is part and parcel of the mosaic in life that we find ourselves in with the emergence of all the technological marvels and other world changes around us. Still, when time permits, remembering one’s roots, reconnecting with people and reaffirming one’s early experiences while reflecting on one’s life lessons and core values can be both comforting and reassuring. The honorees during the recent 52nd Mercier Sportsmen Awards Dinner combined to help conjure up some fine memories of the past half century for many of those in attendance for what was a memorable evening during the popular area dinner at the Highlawn which brings a wide variety of fathers and sons together for a special evening of fellowship, while also raising proceeds for local charities. “I have certainly attended many sports banquets through the years, and I can say that this experience at the Mercier Sportsmen Dinner was different, and a very special evening,” said Bruce Beck, NBC-4 New York’s longtime sports anchor and the recipient of the Peter A. Carlesimo Sportsman of the Year award during the well-attended March 24 event. “Returning to my own roots and reconnecting with so many people, including some I may have not seen in many years, was extremely enjoyable to be a part of. ”And, to receive the Carlesimo Award which is named after such a tremendous person who comes from one of New Jersey’s legendary sports families, is such a tremendous honor!” Beck, who resides with wife Janet in Westchester County, N.Y., hails from Livingston, while Msgr. Edward J. Larkin Award of Distinction honoree Marty Berman from Seton Hall Prep grew up in South Orange and Maplewood. The pair were reunited during the Mercier Sportsmen Dinner nearly a half century since both worked at Suburban Cable, TV-3, back in the late 1970s, and for the statewide high school sports magazine, ‘Sportsfolio.’ “I hadn’t seen Marty for 45 years so to have the chance to share a special evening with him at the Merciers dinner was so special,” added Beck. “I was just thrilled to be back home among old friends.” For Berman, who has won 566 games in 39 seasons as the head soccer coach at Seton Hall Prep, it was indeed an evening which will now reside comfortably in the memory banks. “It was an unbelievable night and one I’ll never forget and always cherish,” he said. “I’ll definitely be at a Mercier dinner again!” The tradition of the Mercier Sportsmen Father-Son Beefsteak was further epitomized by the fact that both honorees were introduced by their sons with Jon and Michael Beck along with Matty Berman all talking about their dads before each honoree took the microphone from their boys. Berman began by talking about his roots as his family moved from the Weequahic section of Newark to Maplewood and South Orange. The 2023 U.S. Soccer Coach of the Year now resides in West Orange with his wife Lori, who is also a longtime soccer coach. Their sons Matty and Luke were among those at dad’s table for the Mercier Sportsmen event along with other family members including Dave Snyder, who is Lori’s brother, and Marty’s brother-in-law, and who along with Matty are members of the SHP soccer coaching staff. Beck spoke about the strong influence of his parents, mom Doris, who was once the mayor of Livingston and the first female mayor in Essex County when she served in that post in Livingston, and dad Felix, a successful businessman who was a pioneer in developing the idea for a variable rate mortgage. Beck, who has carved his own unique niche in the very competitive field of sportscasting, emphasized overcoming the power of rejection in life, and how he always encourages young people not to be afraid to make mistakes or to fail at something. He referred to legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden’s time-honored adage of looking to ‘Make each day your masterpiece,’ meaning to do whatever you are doing today to the best of your ability. A forward-looking message was emphasized by both honorees at the 52nd Mercier Sportsmen Dinner with the accompanying theme of appreciating family and friends and where one comes from. NOTES- Tim Reilly did another superb job as master of ceremonies for the Mercier Sportsmen Dinner, while event committee chair Bill Evans filled in nicely with the invocation in place of longtime dinner attendee Father Francis Burla of Immaculate Conception Church was unable to attend this year’s event…Longtime Metropolitan Area colleges (including Rutgers, Seton Hall and Columbia) athletic director Joe Quinlan is another valuable member of the committee along with others including local attorney Rich McMahon, John Jerbasi and Tim Reilly, Jr…Among the representatives of local sports families attending the dinner were Yogi’s son, Larry Berra, Jr., and Fred Hill, Jr., the former Rutgers basketball coach and son of the late, great Rutgers and Montclair State baseball coach Fred Hill, Sr. *** History Of Carlesimo Sportsman of the Year & Msgr. Larkin Awards:
2025: Bruce Beck, NBC-4 NY sports anchor Larkin Award: Marty Berman 2024: Jim Spanarkel, Duke star & college basketball TV analyst Larkin Award: Ron Anello 2023: John Sciambi, ESPN play by play man Larkin Award: Mark Corino 2022: Lenny Coleman- MLB’s National League President Larkin Award: Steve Tober 2019: Matt Loughlin- NJ Devils play by play voice Larkin Award: Rich Hansen 2018: Tom Verducci- Sports Illustrated & FOX Baseball Larkin Award: Dave Giarrusso 2017: Zack DeOssie- NY Giants long snapper Larkin Award: Tom Fleming 2015: John Farrell- manager, Boston Red Sox Larkin Award: Ted Fiore 2014: Eric LeGrand- inspirational Rutgers lineman- founder LeGrand Foundation Larkin Award: Peter von Hoffmann 2013: Joe Quinlan- St. Peter’s University director of athletics Larkin Award: Niall Handley 2012: Harry Carson- NY Giants Hall of Fame linebacker Larkin Award: Rich SanFillipo 2011: Jerry Walker- Seton Hall Univ. Hall of Fame, St. Anthony great Larkin Award: Michael Sammon 2010: Graig Nettles- NY Yankees third baseman Larkin Award: Rick Giancola 2009: Bart Oates- NY Giants Pro Bowl center Larkin Award: Ed Lebida 2008: Jerry Izenberg- Star-Ledger columnist Larkin Award: Mike Sheppard, Jr. 2007: Anthony Fasano- Notre Dame and NFL tight end Larkin Award: Major Jennings 2006: Fred Dwyer- Manhattan College track coach Larkin Award: Pat Dyer 2005: Fred Hill- baseball coach Rutgers Larkin Award: Fr. Edwin Leahy, OSB 2004: Jack Powers- executive director of NIT Larkin Award: Chris Johnson 2003: Carl Banks- NY Giants linebacker Larkin Award: Lou Racioppe 2001: Michael Strahan- NY Giants defensive lineman 2000: Rick Cerone- NY Yankees catcher Larkin Award: Hugh Moriarty 1999: Terry Shea- Rutgers football coach Larkin Award: John Finnegan 1998: Larry Doby- Cleveland Indians baseball Hall of Famer Larkin Award: Bob Farrell 1997: Willis Reed- NY Knicks and VP NJ Nets 1996: John MacLean- NJ Devils Stanley Cup champion player Larkin Award- Ollie Gelston 1995: Phil Rizzuto- NY Yankees Hall of Famer 1994: Kelly Tripucka- NBA Detroit Pistons, Notre Dame Bloomfield HS 1993: Ottis Anderson- NY Giants running back, Super Bowl MVP 1992: Bob Hurley- St. Anthony Hall of Fame coach 1991: George Young- NY Giants general manager 1990: P.J. Carlesimo- Seton Hall University and NBA coach 1989: Bruce Parker- Montclair High School Hall of Fame coach 1988: Russ Helwig- Essex Fells CC golf pro & NJ state champ 1987: Frank ‘Finn’ Tracey- Seton Hall Prep basketball coach 1986: Frank Tripucka- Denver Broncos, Notre Dame & Bloomfield QB 1985: Bill Raftery- Seton Hall University basketball coach, CBS analyst 1984: John McMullen- owner NJ Devils 1983: Aubrey Lewis- Notre Dame & Montclair football & track great 1982: Msgr. Michael E. Kelly- Seton Hall Prep athletic director 1981: William Horey- Glen Ridge football coach 1980: Gil Gibbs- Montclair High lacrosse and basketball coach 1979: Joe Garvey- Essex Cath. & West Essex basketball coach, IC sports 1978: Butch Fortunato- Montclair High football coach and AD 1977: Howard Finney- Montclair Cobras youth football 1976: Bill Dioguardi- Montclair State athletic director 1975: George Cella- Bloomfield High basketball coach 1974: Peter Carlesimo- NIT chief executive, Fordham AD 1973: Rev. Francis Burla- Immaculate Conception athletic moderator 1972: Angelo Bertelli- Notre Dame Heisman Trophy winner 1971: Yogi Berra- NY Yankees Hall of Fame catcher 1970: Clary Anderson- Montclair High football and baseball coach Follow Steve Tober on ‘X’ @Chattermeister
Event committee chairman Bill Evans provides the Invocation during the Mercier Sportsmen Dinner at Highlawn. Among the for mer coaches and athletic directors on hand were Ron Anello of Montclair seen with Tim Reilly. Marty Berman meets up with SHP trackk coach John Finnegan (left) and Athletic Director Larry Baggitt. Carlesimo Sportsman of the Year award went to sports anchor Bruce Beck of NBC-4 NY while Berman received the Rev. Edward J. Larkin Award of Distinction. Copyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - comments - contact the webmaster
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