Lifetime Achievement Awards will be presented to Don Hutchinson, a coach at South for 32 years; Anthony Pappalardo, recently retired head music teacher at South; and Brian Gould, a coach at North for 11 years. Nominated for their outstanding contributions to the fields of athletics and music, they will be honored at the West Windsor-Plainsboro High School North and South Boosters Sports Alumni dinner on Saturday, March 24, at Mercer College’s Conference Center.
The second annual dinner event includes a buffet dinner, entertainment by DJ Bob, silent and live auctions, and the awards presentation. Beer, wine, and soda are included in the $75 price.
Auction items include vacations in Las Vegas, St. Martin, and Hilton Head, a baseball bat signed by Alex Rodriguez, four Philly tickets with transportation by A1 Limousine, and a golf foursome at Forsgate Country Club.
The event is also a benefit to raise funds for lighting the turf fields at both schools. The school board and the booster club signed a memorandum of understanding in December, 2009, stipulating that the lights would be considered a donation to the school district, purchased with money raised from the booster club, and their operation and maintenance expenses would also be paid for by the booster club. More than $283,000 has been raised. The goal is to install the lights at both high schools this summer.
Hutchinson is a year-round coach of football, basketball, and baseball. He has been coaching varsity baseball, freshman football, and girl’s freshman basketball at South for 32 years. When school ends he coaches WW-P American Legion baseball for the entire summer. His teams have many accomplishments including CVC Division championships, Mercer County Baseball championships, and NJSIAA Sectional championships.
He received the High School South Alumni Achiever Award last year. A 1976 graduate, as a student athlete he played football, basketball, and baseball. His children have attended South and his daughter Shea is now following in his footsteps and coached South Cheer.
Pappalardo served as district music coordinator and high school head nusic teacher for 35 years. A music educator for 40 years, his teaching experiences include three years in New Brunswick, and 37 years in the WW-P School District. Band director at South for 35 years, he worked with the Pirate Marching Band on the football field as well as band competitions.
A trumpeter with numerous ensembles, primarily with dance combos and big bands, he has also performed in orchestras in New Jersey and in the United States Army Bands. He also performs with Mercer County Symphonic Band. His greatest desire is to impart his passion and respect for music and education to his students.
Gould has been a track coach at North since the school first opened 11 years ago. In the fall he is busy with the boys’ cross country team. In the winter he moves indoors and coaches the indoor track team. Then in the spring he moves back outside with the outdoor track team.
His teams have won Mercer County championships, sectional state championships, as well as regional and national championships. He has also coached his team members to achieve state, national, and All America honors.
Later this year the organization will host its third annual golf outing. The event is Monday, June 18, at Gambler Ridge Golf Course. $175 includes gold, golf carts, greens fees, barbecue lunch, buffet dinner, and awards.
Alumni Sports Dinner, WWPHS North/South Boosters, Mercer College Conference Center, 1200 Old Trenton Road, West Windsor. Saturday, March 24, 7 to 11 p.m. Register online. $75 609-462-1601. www.wwphsboosters.org.
