Anthony "Sonny" Giordano pioneered the Oceanport recreation basketball program in the 1970s. He believed that the children of Oceanport should be able to learn the basics of basketball and that all children should be well versed in sportsmanship. To that end, Sonny created a round robin format of weekly games for the kids of Oceanport. In 1982, at age 42, Sonny was diagnosed with cancer and died shortly thereafter. His family and friends started this award in his honor and each year it is given to both an 8th grade girl and boy who participated in the Oceanport Recreation Sports Programs (basketball, soccer, softball, baseball and/or roller hockey) through his/her grammar school careers and best exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship espoused by Sonny Giordano.


SONNY GIORDANO AWARD WINNERS
1984 - Chris Ippolito, Greg Lockwood, Judy Mezger
1985 - Albie Esposito, Felicia Lombardo
1986 - Richard Lawrenson, Stephanie Onacilla
1987 - Amy Ryan, Scott Cichalski
1988 - Michael Soden, Jeanne Bizzocco
1989 - Paul Santorelli, Susan Boresen
1990 - Patrick McConaghy, Melissa McNish
1991 - Erik Beshore, Rachel Sullivan
1992 - Warren Emley, Caroline Manzi
1993 - Matthew McNish, Lori Right
1994 - Troy Madison, Christine Halper
1995 - Jamie Ryerson, Shannon Wells
1996 - Elisa Bagagem, Michael LoSapio, Chris Ryerson
1997 - David Kelly, Jessica Arnold
1998 - Cyril "Cy" Galvin, Lauren Koenig
1999 - Marc Hyndsman, Robyn Halper
2000 - Kyle Clayton, Ashley Waldman
2001 - William Sverapa, Michelle Polizois
2002 - Jennifer Murphy, Katherine Tomaino, Patrick Gornik
2003 - Lisa Corsi, Matthew Ehret, Luke Hoffman
2004 - Dennis Galvin, Emily Coyle
2005 - Lindsey Benedict, Christopher Spahr
2006 - Alexandra Carroll, Daniel Patella
2007 - Kristi Irace, Michael Noji
2008 - Nicholas Scherzinger, Dana Kelly
2009 - Jennifer Noji, Nicholas Vales
2010 - Brian Miller, Molly O'Neill

2011 - Chris Rescinio, Tommy Mannino

2012 - Kenny Wilhalme, Molly MacStudy's Daughter (Maddie)

2013- Tommy Mannino, Gianna LaPorta

2014-James LaBruno, Stephanie Seymour

2015 - Gil Goldsmith, Grace Leslie

 

 

1. Is a member of an 8th grade class during the year of the award.

2. Participates in the Oceanport Recreation Program.

3. Demonstrates a fair and competitive spirit.

4. Is respectful and courteous to teammates, coaches, officials and spectators.

5. Willingness to accept defeat gracefully as well as victory.

6. Is a team player willing to include all teammates in the play of the game.

7. Attends practices and games regularly.

8. Demonstrates leadership qualities - setting a good example, self-control, etc.

9. Maintains a positive attitude (maturity, responsibility).

This award is not a most valuable player award for sports ability, nor is it a popularity contest. The nominee does not have to be involved in every recreation sport. The best athlete may be nominated for this award if he/she meets all the above criteria.

The award shall be given once each year to a boy and girl in the Oceanport Recreation Program who meet all the above criteria.

The Process:

1. Using the criteria given by the Memorial Committee, each 8th grade coach (in the Oceanport Recreation Program) in conjunction with his/her assistant coach would choose an athlete for consideration of this award.

2. All the names selected by the 8th grade coaches would be reviewed by all the coaches in the particular sport.

3. These coaches would select one boy and one girl to submit to the selection committee. A short paragraph describing the attributes of this boy and girl would be given to the selection committee. Over the years, a representative from the organization comes prepared to verbally describe these attributes. They may also have the names of the other athletes who were seriously considered, but did not become the final nominee.

4. A final selection committee consisting of one representative from baseball/softball, basketball, soccer, roller hockey and the Principal from the Maple Place School, a representative from the “Sonny Giordano Memorial Committee” will meet. They will choose one boy and one girl by secret ballot. If a child of one of the above mentioned selection committee members is nominated for the award, an alternate member would take the place of that particular voting representative.