One thousand. That is quite a number.
Every year, Verona’s elementary school kids celebrate the 100th day of school by pasting 100 different small objects to a poster. Line up 10 of those posters and you’d have 1,000. But it wouldn’t begin to approach the magnitude of what happened Saturday afternoon at Rutgers University’s Bainton Field.
There, long-time Verona resident and Rutgers head baseball coach Fred Hill won his 1,000th baseball game, becoming the 16th active Division I head coach to reach that milestone. His record, for those of you who take your kids to the Fred Hill Sports Academy on Fairview Avenue, is now 1,000-651-9 overall and 852-560-7 at Rutgers.
“This really belongs to the players I have had an opportunity to coach and the coaches I have worked with throughout the years,” Hill said in a statement released by Rutgers University. “I am blessed to have the support of my family through all these years I have spent on a baseball field. Today was a great moment, which I will cherish forever.”
“Everyone at Rutgers is very proud of what Coach Hill has accomplished,” said Rutgers Director of Athletics Tim Pernetti. “It is a great day for Coach Hill and the baseball program and a great day for Rutgers.”
In a ceremony after the game, in which Rutgers beat the University of South Florida 6-1, Coach Hill was presented with several trophies and a 20-foot banner that will be a permanent addition to Bainton Field’s left-field fence. Rutgers and USF will close their 3-game series with a 1 p.m. game today.
Hi Mr. Hill!
Everyone at Clifford J. Scott High School (especially the classes between 1968 – 1972 – we are all talking about you on Facebook)wishes you the best of congratulations!
We are talking about how your taught so many of us to drive (drivers education at Clifford Scott High School), play baseball and play football. We were all blessed to have you in our lives as teenagers!!
Thank you for the memories and again, congratulations on your 1,000 win at Rutgers!!
Warm regards,
Colleen Duffy Young
P.S. ~ Sorry for not giving you my maiden name . . . I just talked to my parents, Jack and Betty Duffy, and they also share in congratulations to you and hug and kiss to Evelyn and all of the kids!!!!
Love, the Duffy Family.
Congratulations to Mr. Hill on his achievement. I remember Coach Hill from growing up in East Orange. He was one of my little league coaches at Soveral Park and family friend. There was no better teacher and role model for young people.
Hey Coach Hill,
I’m glad I was able to meet you in December when Dale was at your camp. I’m so very glad you were able to spend your professional career doing the sport you love. It must be very rewarding to look back on your accomplishments. There are many of your students who look up to you and you have made a favorable lasting impression. My son is the next generation and admired you. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and caring. Still now accidents.
Carolann
Congratulations Coach Hill!! We all have such fond memories of you from CJS. I still remember so much of what you taught me in Behind The Wheel.You were a great role model to all of us!
Ginny Ohlson Malecki Class of 70
Mr. Hill was one of the coolest teachers at CJS. He demanded respect and set high expectations. Several of my classmates from the 68-72 era have already shared their thoughts and regards. I want to add my congratulations to Coach Hill!
Peter Crosta
Class of 1971
My twin brothers, John and Michael Moore, and I attended Clifford J. Scott H.S. during the time Coach/Mr. Hill was there. He was my twin brothers’ coach and my driver’s education instructor. Couldn’t ask for a nicer person to have in the halls of CJS than Fred Hill. He will always be one of the teachers that I will think of fondly! Congratulations Mr. Hill from both me and my brother!
Marilyn Moore Crocker, Class of 71
John Moore, Class of 1972
Mr. Hill,
It seems like only yesterday that we were living across the street and playing with all the Hills. I was so pleased to read of your 1,000 wins – congratulations. You have had so much positive influence on so many young people – what a legacy!
All my best,
Christina (Citrano) Sandy