Wolf set to tell story of Brick Twp. High School BY WAYNE WITKOWSKI Staff Writer Warren Wolf is busily preparing for the 50th year celebration at Brick Township but it goes far beyond his own half-century tenure as the school's only football coach. "The boys and coaches are very excited about this being the 50th season. We want to make this a memorable one," said Wolf. Wolf is preparing his second book tersely titled "The 50 Year History of Brick Township High School." The endeavor will attempt to commemorate all 50 graduating classes, with photos of each one. Photos have been scanned in at the school in recent months and by the end of the school year, they hope to be up to the 1970s. Wolf, considered by many a walking anthology of the school and the township, is writing the history with many other capable contributors who harken back to the early years. "I even started my own e-mail for the first time for anyone who wants to get in touch with me with anything on the school history," said Wolf, with a laugh. He can be reached at warrenwolf07@comcast.com or people can mail him items to his address at 535 Nicholas Road, Brick, NJ 08724. "The important thing is that people will talk about it and realize: Once a Green Dragon, always a Green Dragon." The volume, which looms in Biblical proportions, will chronicle the evolution of the school, its clubs and boys and girls athletic teams, including Wolf's storied football program. He is 350-113-11 going into this season as the state's all-time winningest coach. He expects it to be completed in late 2008. Two years ago, Wolf published a book paying tribute to the coach at Memorial High School in West New York under whom Wolf served as an assistant in his only other high school coaching position aptly entitled, "Joe Coviello: Master Mentor." "That was my first start and I learned the good and the bad from it," said Wolf of the publishing process. "That was a book of 38 years. This is a book of 50 years." Wolf was inspired to pay tribute to the school's half-century anniversary from when he attended Memorial's 50-year commemoration in 1996. More than 700 people attended a reception at the school, said Wolf. "I want to do the same thing as they did at Memorial but we'll do a little more," said Wolf. He said he has gotten full support from the school and district administration, including school principal Dennis Filippone, an alumnus and former football player. "The teachers and students are behind it," said Wolf. Along with the book, a carnival also is planned at the school's West Parking Lot on July 11-14. There also is a reception in the works for after the 2008 graduation inviting graduates of all 50 classes. Wolf calls it "the blast." Wolf has had countless people at the school and beyond helping him compile facts and to offer bits of history. He said he also has good source material from many people who go back to those early years, including Bob Auriemma, the only hockey coach in the school's history who played under Wolf at Memorial. "There are good things, good times and we want to be sure to capture it," said Wolf. "Kids today have no idea what transition took place at the school, how it has grown and how the building was expanded." Wolf pointed out that the school enrolled 700 students in its early years and had 170 in its first graduating class. Eventually, that number would grow to 3,000 before Brick Memorial would open on the other side of town "for political reasons," said Wolf. It will chronicle successes of the athletic teams but also will provide a personal touch with people telling some of their own personal experiences. "We're inviting people to give their fond memories," said Wolf. "The Industrial Department, the Theater Department, teachers that helped prepare students then to what they are today. It's a major celebration where people can look back fondly and say, 'If not for this teacher ...' It's a pat on the back for some people. "It's about tradition and pride and how pride and community spirit pulled the town together," said Wolf. Amid all the work on the book, Wolf has kept track of his many players returning for next school year and his staff remains intact (Why would anyone leave on such a momentous season?) as the team looks to recapture its winning ways after two straight nonwinning seasons that kept the team out of the NJSIAA playoffs for the first time. He also has kept track of his graduating seniors heading off to college and any awards they have gotten. "I've been involved with this program since 1997 and I find the coaching staff and program to be second to none," said Sharon Kight, corresponding secretary of the Brick Dragons Football Parents Club, who is heading efforts by many with club president and husband Richard for a carnival commemorating the school's 50 years. "Warren Wolf has developed one of the most unique programs, that he has mentored so many young minds who gained so much from him and the program. The majority of (assistant) coaches are all Brick High School football alumni and that's very unique. When you talk to other coaches around the state, they're aware of that. It's heartwarming and something I'm so proud to be a part of." Eight graduates are going on to college, including standout defensive end and wide receiver Scott Davis to Kean, running back/defensive back Anthony Nardone to Boston University and right tackle Ryan Boyce to the University of Tampa, as well as guard Robert Eckert and defensive tackle Anthony Chadwick to King's College. Center Dan Atheras is headed to Loyola of Baltimore, which does not have a football program, and offensive guard David Concadora will go to The College of New Jersey but is not expected to play, at least not at the outset. Running back F.J. Lucchetti, also an outstanding pitcher, is going to Wagner on a baseball scholarship. Five of them - Concadora, Chadwick, Atheras, Eckert and Nardone - recently attended the 12th annual Shore Conference Football Coaches scholar-athletes reception at Gibbs Hall in Fort Monmouth. Players are selected based on academic standing and recommendation from coaches and school administrators.