2019

Bill Murphy (Class of 1964) - An outstanding three-sport athlete at Glen Ridge High School, Bill Murphy accumulated nine varsity letters before graduating in 1964. In football, to become his hallmark sport, he was a split end and defensive back which earned him All-Colonial Hills first team and All-State Group I third team honors in 1962 and 1963, as his Glen Ridge High School teams won all 16 of its games to collect North Jersey Conference and Group I State Championship Honors. As a three-year starter and senior co-captain in basketball, Murphy led the 1963-64 Ridgers' squad to a 17-2 record, averaging 13 points per game and first team all-conference, as the team became conference and Group I, Section 2 champion. In Track & Field, Murphy's event was the 180-yard low hurdles. At the 1964 conference championship meet, he finished third. At the Group I State Meet, that year, he captured the gold medal. He was voted outstanding athlete in the Class of 1964. At Cornell University 1964-1968, he became a sensational football wide receiver. In 1967, he set six Cornell and three Ivy League receiving records, which led to his selection on two All-Ivy all-star teams and honorable mention All-America. In 1988 he was inducted into the Cornell Hall of Fame. After college, Murphy was the leading receiver for the Lowell Patriots of the Atlantic Coast Football League, which led to him playing in 1968 in the National Football League for the Boston Patriots.

Liam Carr (Class of 1995) - Liam Carr was a two sport star at Glen Ridge High School playing football and basketball. During the fall, he helped lead head coach Duke Mendez’s football teams to over 18 wins in his three years on the gridiron. The Star Ledger recognized both the 1991 and 1993 football teams in their Final Essex County Top 10 Rankings in which Liam was a key contributor as a wide receiver and safety. It was on the basketball court where he thrived under legendary head coach Clem Tennaro. He helped guide his teams to two Colonial Hills Conference Championships and over 50 wins in his four varsity seasons. For his accomplishments on the court, he earned the following accolades: All Colonial Hills All-Conference in ’92-93, ’93-94, ’94-95. He was named All State Group I for the 1994-95 season. After graduating Glen Ridge High School, he went on to a post-graduate year (1995-96) at Peddie and registered one of the highest single-season scoring averages in school history (24 PPG). After Peddie, he competed for Roger Williams University. He was inducted into the Roger Williams University Athletic Hall of Fame in 2016 where he currently is the school’s 4th all-time leading scorer with 1,653 points. He just completed his 13th season as GRHS boys’ varsity coach accumulating over 150 career wins, two Super Essex Conference titles (2015-16 & 2017-18) and two sectional final appearances (2016-17 & 2017-18).

Melanie Carnevale (Class of 2003) - With a four year batting average of .454, Melanie Carnevale was one of the greatest hitters in the history of the GRHS softball program. Her power hitting helped the Ridgers qualify for the Group 1, Section 2 State Tournament in three of her four years on the varsity team, and she was a captain her senior year. She led the team to a top 10 ranking in Essex County in 2001. Carnevale garnered Group 1 All-State honors twice, received All-Essex County recognition three times, and was named first team All-Colonial Hills Conference, and first team All-Area all four years. She finished her career with 159 hits. Melanie matriculated to The University of Scranton where she led the Freedom Conference in doubles and triples and was offered an opportunity to play with the United States International Sports Tour Softball Team.

Maddie Buttitta (Class of 2004) - Known as a fierce, tenacious competitor, Maddie Buttitta made her mark on the soccer field, basketball hardwood and softball diamond. In basketball, Maddie was a 1,000-point career scorer finishing with 1,354 points while leading the team to a record of 76-22 and three conference championships as a four-year starter. She was named the Colonial Hills Conference Player of the Year in 2003. In soccer, Buttitta was named first team All-State Group I as a sophomore helping the team to the Group I State Championship in 2001. She also garnered first team All Essex County and first team All Colonial Hills Conference in 2003. Joining the softball team as a junior, Buttitta immediately made an impact with her hustle, determination and leadership while providing left handed power to the lineup and playing the outfield.

Nick DePhillips (Class of 2009) - A rare athlete who could have been inducted into the GRHS Hall of Fame in any of his three sports, Nick DePhillips excelled in football, wrestling and lacrosse. He was a 12-time varsity letter winner between 2005 and 2009, which ties a Glen Ridge High record. In football from the fall of 2005 to 2008, he was a star running back who accumulated 45 touchdowns, as his teams were 22-18. He was All Colonial Conference for three years as he ran the football with power and excelled as a linebacker on defense. That earned him All-Conference recognition in three seasons, with All-State Group I first team offense honors as a junior and senior. As a senior, he was named Colonial Hills Conference most valuable offensive player, and All Essex, first team on offense. In wrestling, he recorded a four-year record of 108 victories and 14 losses. He was District XIII champion three years, and regional champion as a senior in 2009 before finishing in seventh place at the state finals. DePhillips’ lacrosse teams were 45-21 over four years, and he was Waterman Conference Player of the Year in 2009, a season in which Glen Ridge was Conference Champion. Scoring 166 goals for his career, DePhillips set a Ridgers' all-time record with 420 ground balls. His prowess on the lacrosse field as a midfielder, earned him a scholarship to The Ohio State University. While crediting his success to his parents, Michael and Tracy, DePhillips acknowledged his teammates of all three sports, stating: "We had style, talent, work ethic and desire." And they had Hall of Famer Nick DePhillips in their lineup for 228 games and matches.

John Volpe - The Danny Gleeson Award of Meritorious Service