Athletics

On Friday, September 28th a football pre-game tribute was held for Jim Grasso. The Grasso Family was on hand as we honored and remembered the contributions made by our Athletic Director, Jim Grasso. Dr. Murphy and the Board of Education announced that the Wellness Center will be named for Mr. Grasso. Below are the Tributes delivered by Michael Ghiorsi, Dr.Thumm, and Dr. Murphy. In addition, a tribute by Mrs. Gorman and the thank you from Jim’s wife, Laura Grasso is included.

Michael Ghiorsi: Matt Fowler Jim Grasso: Our #1 Fan

Loss is the greatest pain in life. To a high school athlete, that pain typically does not extend past an agonizing defeat on a Friday night, or surrendering a part of a season to a nagging injury. In playing football and baseball for four years of high school, I ran into these struggles quite a few times. Mr. Grasso would always be standing by his office the following Monday, armed with a smile and a reassuring comment, telling me how much he loved watching our teams play, win or lose. His conversations had a way of alleviating any stress I had. He was the first to congratulate me on my accomplishments and the first to talk me through my failures. As he sent me off to class with a smile, he would remind me losing, although it hurts, is a part of life.

Unfortunately, Mr. Grasso was correct. Losing is in fact a part of life. However, the loss of Jim Grasso from the Ramsey community is far more devastating than any athletic defeat or injury. Not only did the high school lose its athletic director, it lost one of the most genuine, caring, and honorable people I have ever met. So to the man who always had a smile on his face and an abundance of pride for all of his athletes, thank you for everything. You will be dearly missed and you will never be forgotten.

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Mike Thumm:

Hearing an athlete’s perspective you can see what Jim Grasso meant to Athletics at RHS. While Jim supported all sports, Football was his passion. Teaching the game, planning the game, playing the game, and coaching the game made football an art form for him. When I became principal, Jim played a big part in helping me to adjust to a new and unfamiliar role. He was a sounding board, he introduced me to other AD’s and Principals, he had my back in making tough decisions, and he contributed his ideas to our efforts to reimagine the high school experience for all students.

Jim divided the world into two types of people Athletes and Dodgeball targets. I won’t tell you which category I fell into. No matter the category Jim found a way to relate to people. He was a guy who liked to have fun and we often used humor and tell stories to break the tension and relieve stress. Laura would tell Jim, “Why don’t you just number the stories to save time?, you could then just say a number and then laugh.” We would recite lines from movies like The Blues Brothers and reference classic sitcom episodes like WKRP In Cincinnati, Coach, and Hogan’s Heroes.

Jim and I spent many games in this endzone watching games and talking. We talked about our families and Jim would keep me updated on Anna and Meg. For several years, Joe was a frequent visitor and Jim would break the game apart for Joe. Jim took great pride in teaching the game to young players and to making it a fun learning experience for them by having goofy signals for plays and nicknames for his players.

Shortly after Jim was diagnosed, I shared how badly I felt. Jim stopped me and said “Mike, it’s just a bad call, I can’t argue the call, I have to play on.” We are here tonight to remember Jim’s fighting spirit and to show the Grasso family what Jim meant to us. At this time I will share the permanent sign that will be placed on the fence in the endzone and will present tokens of our gratitude to the Grasso Family.

-Reveal sign.

-Captains present gifts.

At this time w invite Dr. Murphy and the Board of Education members Mae Fine, Kerri Walsh, Jim Meiman, and, Mr. Ralph J. Caputo, Jennifer Burns to come to the podium for a special announcement.

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Dr. Murphy with BOE Members: Mr. Grasso was a strong advocate for our Athletic program and he was the Supervisor of Health and Physical Education. Jim was a leader who helped us to begin transforming Health and PE to a Wellness program centered on individualized wellness for our students. It gives us pleasure to announce that our evolving Wellness Center will be named the Jim Grasso Wellness Center.

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The following tribute was read on 9.25.18 by Maggie Gorman at a Team Grasso fundraiser event.

It is an honor to be speaking about Jim and representing Ramsey High School. Ramsey is my first and only job. I started in the Fall of 1992 so Ramsey is my home away from home. All of the people that work at Ramsey and the students that come through become a part of my heart, so to talk about Jim Grasso is easy because he will always be a part of my heart.

Jim joined us after the tragic loss of our beloved AD Lou Molino. The shock of Lou's passing left all of us heartbroken and we knew those were huge shoes to fill. It took Ramsey some time to catch our breath before we interviewed for the AD position, but once we got our feet back under us, I was privileged to be on the hiring committee. Jim Grasso, in my opinion, was the ONLY one to respectfully follow Lou. Jim and Lou were great friends and I know Lou wanted Jim to carry on the Ramsey Tradition and that's what he did. Jim considered Lou in so many decisions until he had to make Ramsey his own.

In the 6 years Jim was our leader, he shined a light on the pride of Ramsey. He reminded us of our great success and how difficult it is to accomplish all that we had in athletics. Winning Championships, State and County Titles, Athletes of the Week, Coaches of the Year, Players of the Year… ALL of it from our little town of Ramsey. Jim and I would present our portion of the 8th grade orientation together and he would look up all of the State, County and League Championships to brag about and to be proud of ALL of our programs. He was constantly looking for ways to improve our fields, facilities and programs...he only wanted the best for Ramsey! He may have gone about things in a "not so popular way” all of the time(shocker) but you knew deep down that Jim’s heart was always in the right place. That’s why you hated how much you loved him!! You couldn’t help yourself!! He would battle with anyone who wanted to talk. Jim and I would go at it on a regular basis and he would say to me, “I thought I left a smaller version of you at home!!” referring to his AMAZING wife Laura:) But Jim knew I had his back. I could call him out and support him at the same time. He always wanted to be better and was a team player...even when he didn’t want to be! He didn’t know any other way but to do what’s best for the team….hence the rise of TEAM GRASSO!!!!

One of Jim’s finest moments in Ramsey was when our basketball and hockey teams were playing for the State Sectional Championship the same night. One problem, Hockey was playing in Newark and basketball at Ramsey. Jim organized times, buses, tickets, fans, t-shirts and anything else that over a thousand people needed to get together in 24 hours!! Well, he pulled it off! Both teams won, everyone made it to BOTH games. It was truly the highlight of the year and one of the greatest moments in Ramsey history. Those are the moments Jim lived for...all about the kids! ALWAYS about the kids!

Time moves on, time heals and the memories will remain in our hearts. On a personal note, Jim is more than a colleague to me. He coached my husband Tom for Ridgewood football in 1986, our oldest children took swimming lessons together, Laura taught all 3 of our children and guided them through the hell of Middle School, I coached their daughters in volleyball and basketball and our youngest children are Freshmen together at Ridgewood HS. Our families have a group text called WE ARE RAM FAM where we bust chops, send birthday wishes, celebrate getting drivers licenses, and wish luck for upcoming games. So through the tears, there will be more smiles because of ALL the lives Jim has influenced.

Ramsey will move on but time has stopped for now to mourn and remember all that Jim has done for his Ramsey Family. Thank you,Boss!! We love you! We miss you but we will never forget you!! #GO RAMS!!!!!!

Maggie Gorman

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To the entire staff, faculty, students and families of Ramsey Public Schools,

Our family is overwhelmed with the kindness, generosity, love and friendship that came to our family during Jim’s battle with pancreatic cancer and since his passing. The outpour of support has left us humbled and grateful. We are touched beyond words.

The simple words "thank you" just don't seem adequate. Your support and thoughtfulness are a gift the children and I will always treasure. The honor you bestowed upon Jim with the naming of the future wellness center, along with the sign for the football field, the recognition from the Board of Education and the kind words took our breath away.

Jim loved everything about Ramsey. He was honored to follow in the footsteps of his dear friend Lou Molino. Jim had such pride for the programs he was involved with and cared deeply for all the coaches, his co-workers, the students, and especially the athletes. He truly felt blessed to be part of the Ramsey school district. We are confident the next Athletic Director will carry on the pride that both Jim and Lou had for Ramsey.

Every night when Jim returned home and tried to unwind, he still remained glued to the outcomes of the Ramsey sports teams and individual’s accomplishments. It was really important for him to make sure Ramsey athletics were always highlighted on social media. Jim will always be remembered for the #GoRams that ended every tweet and it brings us great comfort as we continue to follow Ramsey athletics on twitter.

For all you do, for who you are, the Grasso family will forever be grateful. Your thoughtfulness will always be remembered. Thank you.

With love and gratitude,

Laura, Anna, Meghan and Joe Grasso

Belle & Greg Grasso (mother and brother)

#GoRams