Recently, in collaboration with Robbinsville Township, we announced that a dedication ceremony to rename the Robbinsville High School Athletic Complex for Superintendent Steven J. Mayer will take place on Sept. 10. I thought it would be beneficial to discuss our plans for paying tribute to and honoring the memory of a man that has given so much to our schools, our community and to our students.
One of his latest projects involved replacing the turf and track at the high school. As you can imagine, Steve attacked this project with his customary energy and zeal. We spent endless hours learning about various types of artificial turf followed by countless discussions focused on the pros and cons of different surfaces as well as on what we hoped we could afford.
I remember asking Steve if he wouldn’t mind going to see some of the newer fields within driving distance. Of course, I should have anticipated the results. If you knew him, it will come as no surprise to learn that he did indeed drive to see them…and walk on them…and touch them…and jump on them…and run around on them.
As we were going through this process, I would periodically notice Steve lost in thought with just a hint of that boyish smile on his face. It was then that I knew he was thinking about how much the kids were going to enjoy their new athletic facilities. I’m sure he was also contemplating the practices, the games, the wins, the losses and most importantly the life lessons that would occur in the Ravens’ new nest.
The upcoming celebration on Sept. 10 will be one of the ways that we honor Steve, but it certainly won’t be the only thing that we do. As you are likely aware, this celebration will also serve as the official kick-off for our fundraising drive to construct a new fieldhouse. The concepts for this project are still in the beginning phases as we determine critical factors, such as what we need and what we can afford, but absence of a fieldhouse is something that Steve always wanted to address. It is our deep hope that we can fulfill his wishes.
In addition to the Athletic Complex, we want to ensure that Steve’s influence is present in each of our schools. After careful consideration we have decided that his presence should be felt in one of the places he most loved; in the main entrance of each school greeting students. We are in the process of ordering a plaque for each school that will appear just inside the front entrance. Each one will display his picture and the quote “Make someone’s day today” that has come to define him and to serve as a valuable and profound reminder to others.
On behalf of the Board of Education as well as the entire Robbinsville Schools community, I hope you are able to join us at 11 a.m. on Sept. 10 as we take time to gather, smile, reflect and remember.
Matt O’Grady is president of the Robbinsville Board of Education.
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