2011

George H. (Nick) Van Tassel (Class of 1963) - Despite being small in stature at 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, Nick Van Tassel often stood head and shoulders above all others on the baseball diamond and basketball hardwood. A gifted athlete with exceptional hand-eye coordination, Van Tassel was ambidextrous. He threw a baseball left handed, batted right handed, and in basketball, could go to the hoop left-handed or right-handed. He played golf right-handed and scored in the high seventies. A four-year starter in baseball as a pitcher/outfielder, Nick was elected Co-Captain his junior and senior years. He led the team in most offensive categories while also serving as the team's go-to pitcher. A highlight of his senior season was his two homeruns over the left field fence at Hurrell Field in a game vs. Park Ridge. For his efforts in baseball his senior year he was a 2nd-Team All-State All-Groups outfield selection, as well as being named 1st-Team All-State Group 1, 1st-Team All-Essex County, and 1st-Team All-Conference. In basketball, his senior year, he led an inexperienced starting lineup which included three sophomores and a junior to a 13-6 record. It was the first winning record in three seasons for the squad. A co-captain as a senior, Van Tassel scored 294 points for a 15.4 points-per-game average. Van Tassel could have scored more points, but as a point guard, and being the complete player, he led the team in assists, enabling his teammates to contribute to the scoring as well. Describing Van Tassel's quickness on the court, coach Jack Curtis remarked, "He sucks 'em in with a feint, the defender gives him half a step and Nick's gone." His basketball honors include being selected 1st-Team All-State Group 1 (Star-Ledger), 3rd-Team All-State Group 1 (Newark News), as well as garnering All-Conference recognition. While attending the University of Vermont, Nick Van Tassel died tragically in an automobile accident at the age of 21. Those who knew him will never forget him.

Rita Massot (Class of 2003) - Rita Massot's influence on female athletes in Glen Ridge cannot be understated. Her athleticism and infectious energy inspired countless young girls to play sports, which began a golden era of girls athletics for Glen Ridge High School. Massot played point guard for the basketball team and help lead the Ridgers to a record of 78-18 during her four years. She garnered 3rd-team All-State Group I Honors in her junior year. She finished her career with 730 points, 362 steals (a school record), and 265 assists. Coach Maria DiCondina says of Massot, "She is without a doubt the best, one of the quickest and most outstanding female athletes in Glen Ridge High School history." On the soccer field, Massot made history. She scored two goals in the final and led the soccer team to its first State Group I Title in 2001 by beating Pennsville 3-1. She led Glen Ridge to its first Essex County Tournament final 2002, in which the Ridgers lost 2-0 to Millburn. Massot is the school record-holder with 165 career goals, a number which ranks second all-time in Essex County and sixth all-time in the state. In 2001, she led the state in scoring with 51 goals and, and she followed that by leading state in goals in 2002 with 45. A three-time 1st-Team All-Essex County Team selection, she also earned All-State Group I First Team honors in 2000, 2001 and 2002. In 2001 and 2002, Massot was voted by the Colonial Hills Conference as its player of the year and by The Star-Ledger as its Essex County player of the year. After graduating from GRHS, Massot went on to play for Seton Hall University. Her accomplishments at the collegiate level included leading the Pirates in points (12) and goals (5) as a freshman, being selected to the All-Big East Rookie Team, and being named a Big East Academic All-Star.

Sam Delaney (Class of 1993) - Sam Delaney earned 12 varsity letters in three sports (football, wrestling, baseball) and ranks among the best all-around athletes in Glen Ridge High School history. In his senior year, the versatile Delany captained the football team and earned 1st-Team All-State Group 1, 1st-Team All-Essex County, and 1st-Team All-Conference Honors. He and played quarterback, running back, defensive back, and linebacker. He recorded 116 tackles on defense and 640 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns, and 680 passing yards with 5 touchdown passes on the offensive side of the ball. On the wrestling mat as a junior captain, Delaney was a district runner-up and qualified for the New Jersey State Wrestling Tournament. In his senior season, Delaney, again the team captain, fashioned a 25-2 record, was a District Champion, and qualified for the New Jersey State Wrestling Tournament. At the time of his induction Delaney's 21 pins in a season rank him second in school history and his 71 takedowns in one season rank 9th all time. Delaney hit .300 and platooned in leftfield as a freshman and then moved over to patrol centerfield for the rest of his baseball career. As a senior captain, the outstanding outfielder batted .350 led his team to a 23-2 record and the New Jersey State Group 1 Championship. Sam Delaney was a gifted athlete and fierce competitor, and he represented Glen Ridge High School with class and dignity on and off the field. Following graduation Delaney played collegiate hockey at Denison University and currently owns his own business.

Tom Murphy (Class of 1981) - A key player of every team he was on, Tom Murphy led by example and inspired his teammates by delivering his best with determination and a level-headed sense of cool. He never criticized anyone, and was always there to pick up a player who needed a boost. People gravitated toward Tom Murphy because of his sincere kindness, and with a quick comment and smile, he could calm any tense situation. A three-year starter for the basketball team at point guard, Murphy was the team leader in assists each year and directed the team to a record of 39 wins and 11 losses in his junior and senior years. As a junior, Murphy spurred the team to the Group I, Section 2 semifinal. As a senior he guided the team to the Group I, Section 2 final. Murphy was not only a tremendously skilled player, but generally was the smartest guy on the court, because he was one of the best passers the school has ever seen. He easily could have scored more, but took great pride and enjoyment in sending a no-look pass to a teammate for an easy basket. With Murphy at second base and on the mound, the baseball team was 48-10 during his two years as a starter. Despite battling a back injury, Murphy helped the team to its first-ever Colonial Hills Conference Championship and the Group I, Section 2 Final his junior year in 1980. Then, everything came together for Murphy and the baseball team in 1981. Murphy pitched to a 6-1 record with an ERA of 0.45 and played a solid second base. The team won the Group I State Championship and finished the year ranked second in Essex County and No. 10 in New Jersey. After graduating from GRHS, Murphy continued his basketball career at Trenton State College where he was a four-year letter winner and captain of the 1985 team which won the NJSAC and advanced to the NCAA Division III Tournament. He recorded more than 100 assists for three consecutive years and was inducted into the Trenton State Hall of Fame as a member of the 1985 team.

Victor See (Class of 1976) - Victor See earned six varsity letters in baseball and football during an outstanding career at Glen Ridge High School. He honed his leadership skills as the co-captain of the football and baseball teams his senior year. In football, See lettered three times as a defensive back, running back, kick returner, and punter. In his junior year, See played a key role by making several long runs, as the Ridgers defeated Mountain Lakes, 19-13, to end their rival's 23-game winning streak. The headline the next day read, "The Herd Finally Halted". As the starting left fielder in his junior year he was pivotal in leading the team to a 23-4 record and coach Lou Calderone's first Group I State Championship. See finished the season with a .460 batting average, set the record for stolen bases in a season, and was named 2nd-team All-State All-Groups, 1st-team All-State Group I, 1st-team All-County, 1st-team All-Conference, and was named a 1st-Team All-Metropolitan All-Star by the New York Daily News. See played centerfield his senior year and broke his own stolen base record, swiping 25 bags. He was named 1st-Team All-State Group I, 1st-Team All-County, 1st-Team All-Conference, and was a repeat member of the New York Daily News 1st-Team All-Metropolitan All-Stars. That team won the Group I Sectional State Championship. After graduation, See attended the United States Naval Academy and led its baseball team to the 1979 Eastern Intercollegiate League Championship and the NCAA Tournament Northeast Regional. Upon graduation from the Naval Academy in 1980, See became a helicopter pilot and an Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer for the U.S. Navy. He was the first member of his class to be promoted to Rear Admiral (One Star and Two Star) and became the leader of Navy Space during his last five years of service.