By Andrew DeCredico
Homecoming weekend is a weekend in which the high school recognizes its alumni and their great achievements while in school and after. On Sunday October 22, 2017 Ocean City High School recognized its athletic alumni and inducted members into the Ocean City High School Sports Hall of Fame.
The inductees included Phil Birnbaum, Jen Blizzard, Leon Brown, Ralph Carson, Mike Naples, Kevin Sinclair, Abbey Woolley, and the 1996 Football Team. All those inducted were more than grateful, and wished to thank their past coaches, friends, and teammates.
“I look upon today,” said an emotional Jen Blizzard “as a highlight of my life.”
It was noted that, though they were not being honored for this specific event, three of the four men who share the Ocean City High School 100m dash record were in attendance, including Leon Brown who was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame. “Ocean City has meant a lot to me,” said Brown “and if I weren’t here I don’t know where I would be.”
In addition, the two coaches who have guided these men to their record were also there, so the opportunity for a picture was too good to pass up.
Not pictured is Patrick Tolomeo, who also shares the 100m dash record.
As mentioned, the 1996 Ocean City Red Raiders football team was honored as well. Though not all of the men were in attendance, the honor still radiated through the men and their coaches who were also there. Head Coach Gary Dagenhardt was in attendance to speak on behalf of his team.
After the ceremony, a luncheon was held in the school’s Cafeteria. Many in attendance bought tickets and ate together one last time.
