Todd Frazier, Rick Porcello, Kristen Somogyi Among 2018 NJSIAA Hall of Fame Inductees

ROBBINSVILLE, NJ – On September 12, 2018, a variety of 16 talented individuals were chosen to be on the 2018 induction group for the NJSIAA Gallagher/Bollinger Hall of Fame.

Those selected include 12 athletes and 4 officials/coaches, all of which were chosen by the NJSIAA assistant director Jack DuBois and the statewide committee of media members and active and retired administrators.

Notably, the class of 12 chosen athletes is the largest number of former players the Hall of Fame has inducted in any year since its establishment in 1996.

Following, in alphabetical order, is the 2018 class for the NJSIAA/Bollinger Hall of Fame:

Athletes (with high school and graduation year)

Al Blozis (Dickinson 1938)

A multisport athlete whose stature was every bit of intimidating yet successful, the 6-6, 250-pound Blozis excelled on the field as well as the record board for shot put. After high school, Blozis brought his football talent to Georgetown which lead to continued success in an All-Pro tackle with the New York Giants. Believing his size would prevail elsewhere besides a football field, Blozis insisted on enlisting in the armed forces in World War II. However, he was killed on January 31, 1944, just six weeks after playing in the NFL championship game.

Erin Donohue (Haddonfield 2001)

As one of NJ’s most notable tri-sport female athletes, Donohue has represented herself beyond the state border. Prior to representing the USA in the 1500 at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Donohue was distinguished by the 15 state titles won in outdoor track, javelin, as well as a two-time Meet of Champions winner in cross country. She also racked up more than 1,000 points during her high school basketball career, which then led to an All-American college career at Georgetown.

Todd Frazier (Toms River South, 2004)

Before suitably joining the New York Mets as their third basemen, the root of Frazier’s successful baseball career starts in 1998 as the star of the Toms River team, who went on to win the Little League World Series that season. Frazier also carries multiple season and career records at TRS, which includes two state titles. As his skills transcended through all sports he played, Frazier also scored more than 1,000 points on the TRS basketball team. Upon graduation he played baseball at Rutgers, where he was titled an All-American.

Asjha Jones (Piscataway, 1998)

Jones was awarded the titles of State Player of the Year and All-American honors as a senior for a rightful purpose. Her basketball career at Piscataway was recorded with 2,266 points that led to the team’s state title. Jones advanced onto college basketball in Connecticut, where her skilled contributions won the teams two NCAA championships. Jones success was carried into her professional career in the WNBA as well as earning a gold medal for the USA at the 2012 London Olympics for women’s basketball.

Lydell Mitchell (Salem, 1968)

Mitchell’s achievements are largely due to his exceptional basketball and track careers at Salem, but his high school football career is what led him all the way. A standout running back for Penn State football turned Baltimore Colts player created positive and impressive light for Mitchell. As a Nittany Lion, he rushed for 2,935 yards and set several school and NCAA records as he continued on to be a three-time Pro Bowl selection with the Colts.

Rick Porcello (Seton Hall Prep, 2007)

A career 0.88 ERA, three state titles and a 20-1 career record with the Seton Hall Prep Pirates, Porcello was more than qualified to be chosen as national Player of the Year in 2007 by Gatorade, USA Today and the American Baseball Coaches Association. Nine years later, he was chosen as the winner of the 2016 American League Cy Young Award. Porcello is now currently part of the pitching staff for the Boston Red Sox.

Bill Raftery (St. Cecilia’s of Kearny, 1959)

Though he is famously acclaimed as the basketball coach for Seton Hall University from 1970 through 1982, Raftery’s accomplishments began at St. Cecilia’s of Kearny, where he was named one of the best high school players in state history. A then-state record of 2,192 points and 827 points in his senior year, Raftery also excelled on the baseball and soccer field. After his high school success, Raftery became the widely-popular college hoops commentator, which earned him a spot in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2006.

Mike Rozier (Woodrow Wilson, 1980)

Rozier began his standout football career in high school which prepared him to excel on the field at Nebraska, where he was a two-time All-American and winner of the Heisman Trophy in 1983. This was awarded after his season in which he rushed for 2,148 yards and completed 29 touchdowns. Following Nebraska, he played two years in the USFL and advanced to the NFL for an additional eight years.

Kristen Somogyi (St. Peter’s of New Brunswick, 1992)

Somogyi rightfully earns her induction into the Hall of Fame for she graduated as the all-time leading basketball scorer in New Jersey history, girls or boys. She racked up 3,899 points, was titled All-State three times, All-American, and led St. Peter’s to win two state champions during her time there. Somogyi went on to play at the collegiate level at the University of Virginia and at Rutgers.

Jim Spanarkel (Hudson Catholic, 1975)

The now color commentator on NCAA and NBA telecasts has a stellar high school athletic resume at Hudson Catholic and Duke University. At Hudson, Spanarkel was selected All-State in both basketball and baseball in his senior year after scoring 1,000 points in basketball. Collegiately, he became Dukes first 2,000-point scorer and was a three-time MVP, including the 1978 season when Duke reached the NCAA final. Spanarkel went on to play five additional years of basketball in the NBA.

Brian Taylor (Perth Amboy, 1969)

Taylor was recognized in basketball and football during his time at Perth as an All-American as well as graduating with the second-leading basketball scorer in state history with 2,495 points. In just two years, Taylor put up 1,239 points at Princeton. He continued to play professionally for 11 years after college in the ABA and NBA.

Keiko Tokuda (Clifton, 1998)

Tokuda remains the most successful scholastic tennis player in state history. An 86-0 career and the only four-time state singles champion led her to be part of three NCAA team championship-winning teams at Stanford.

Officials/Coaches

Don Danser

The array of titles Danser held in his 40 year career is nothing short of accomplished. A teacher, coach, official, NJSIAA Project Manager, Tournament Director and NJSIAA Assistant Director for the sports of cross country, indoor track and outdoor track is among the many ways he has impacted NJ sports. Danser passed on June 15, 2015, where he was rightfully honored with the NJSIAA Award of Honor later that year.

Eugene Chyzowych

The 49-year span of coaching boys soccer at Columbia earned Chyzowych the title of the third-winningest coach in United States history. With a 757-216-73 record, his teams won four Group 4 state titles, 16 sectional championships and 13 Essex County Tournament titles. Chyzowych also founded the Columbia girls volleyball program, which he led from 1977 through ‘88 with a record of 247-0. Chyzowych passed in May of 2014.

Tony Karcich

The coach of the three-time Bergen Catholic football sectional champs moved onto St. Joseph’s after 9 years. From 1985 through 2013, his team won 17 additional sectional and state championships while doubling as an athletic director for St. Joseph’s. He finished with 338 victories, which is a Bergen County record, in his 38 years as a head coach.

Stan Woods

With only one losing season under his belt, Woods has coached the Emerson/Park Ridge wrestling coach since 1967. His coaching has lead his teams to 37 league championships as well as being awarded with numerous service and achievement titles. In 2012, Woods was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame.