SJ Sports: Inside Haddon Sports

Collingswood And Haddon Rise On Sports Scene

For four decades, the late Ralph Shaw was associated with baseball in Audubon. Thanks to Rich Horan, that continues to be the case. Horan, the revered baseball coach at Audubon High School, came up with the idea seven years ago to host a preseason tournament. Growing up in town, he knew all about Shaw and felt a local tournament would be an excellent way to honor the long-time youth coach.

"It's funny, because I never really played for him, but I was always around him," Horan said. "When I was 13, my father knew some people over in Fairview, so I went over there to play. I only played for (Shaw) on all-star teams. But just being around him and knowing the effect he had on kids in our town, I thought it was appropriate that the tournament be named after him."

Today, the annual Ralph Shaw Memorial Tournament continues to grow and has become arguably the most prestigious preseason tourney in South Jersey. "We had always played in other tournaments — we used to go to Myrtle Beach and play in the Hawaiian Tropic Tournament," Horan explained. "Finally we decided the time was right to have our own tournament and try to have some of the top teams from our area. Originally it was a four-team tournament and now it's up to eight teams."

Along with the host Green Wave, this year's tournament featured Washington Township, Shawnee, Triton, Paul VI, Cherry Hill East, Bishop Eustace and St. Joe's of Hammonton. All eight teams were guaranteed to play five games — quite a slate for the opening week of the season. "I think that tournament helped us out a lot, playing the competition we did and playing the close games we did," said Washington Township coach Bill Alvaro.

Horan's Audubon squad took the championship by beating Shawnee, 11-1, in the final. It was the fourth title for the Green Wave in the tournament's brief existence. "When you get into the Colonial Conference schedule, which is a very tough league, you have to be prepared," said Horan, whose club looks to defend both the Colonial Conference and Group II state crowns.

Conquering Hero
Gary Williams, a 1963 graduate of Collingswood High School, guided the University of Maryland to its first-ever NCAA men's basketball championship with a 64-52 win over Indiana. The high school and town continue to celebrate the feat, and Collingswood principal Charlie Earling was working on several ideas to honor Williams. "I would love to get a banner across Haddon Ave.," Earling said. "They have all kinds of banners in town, and there's a spot right near the police administration building that is open. You know, it could say 'Welcome to Collingswood, home of Gary Williams, coach of the national champions.'"

Williams, a 1968 Maryland graduate, has a record of 274-143 in 13 seasons at his alma mater. In 23 seasons as a Division I head coach at four schools, Williams has coached in 11 NCAA Tournaments and guided seven different teams to the NCAA Sweet 16. His career mark is 481-271. The residents of Collingswood have followed Williams closely as he's risen to elite status in the coaching ranks. Williams has returned the favor, speaking affectionately of his hometown. Earling and Collingswood athletic director Ed Hill were hoping to have Williams as a guest speaker for the school's sports banquet on June 4 or to have him speak during school hours.

Diamond Dandy For Dale
David Dale, who spent the last six years as an assistant coach at Haddon Heights, took over the baseball program at Colonial Conference rival Haddon Township this spring. Dale picked up his first career victory with the Hawks in the third game of the season. Haddon Township jumped out to a 5-0 lead after two innings and went on to defeat Paulsboro, 6-3. Senior Kevin Engel struck out seven in the complete-game win. Owen Friedrich went 2-for-3 with a double to pace the offense.

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Author: SJ Sports Club-Matt Cosentino