---

January 5, 2005

Walt Tucker - Ocean City Sportsperson of the Year

By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist


For more than four decades, the first week of January has been set aside to salute an individual (or individuals) who made a positive impact on the sports scene in Ocean City.

Sometimes the honor goes to one who made special contributions during the previous year. At times the nod goes for accomplishments over a period of time. We have recognized coaches, athletes, administrators and volunteers. Plus those behind the scenes.

This year, we turn the spotlight on a person who has worked behind the scenes for decades to make it possible for Ocean City High School’s teams, and those who are part of the many recreation leagues, to play at their best.

Walt Tucker played some basketball for OCHS before graduating in the late 1960s. He eventually became part of the city’s recreation department, largely responsible for the fields and courts.

This year Tucker and his current team - Mike Lenhardt and Don Pileggi – faced the challenge of night football and the construction surrounding the new high school. Plus the terrible weather and the toll it took on the city’s fields.

As always, they got the job done as well as could be expected under trying circumstances. They are constantly working with recreation leaders and OCHS athletics director Paul LeFever to make sure everything is ready. In addition, Tucker is also responsible for showing Bruce Beaver where to stand at home football games. He is even studying up on care of turf fields, in case Ocean City ever decides to resurface Carey Stadium or the Tennessee Avenue soccer complex.

There are people who treat their jobs like they are jobs and put in just enough time to keep them. Then there are people like Walt Tucker and his dedicated staff, who go beyond the job requirement to make sure everything is done right.

For that dedication and the extra effort they give to make sports more enjoyable and safe for the athletes, Walt Tucker is Ocean City’s 2004 SportsPerson of the Year.


Click here for a complete list of Ocean City's Sportspersons of the Year.


As we put up new calendars, it is always a good time to look back on the top local sports stories of the previous year. As is our custom, here are the 10 sports stories that seemed to generate the most interest among Ocean City fans in 2004:

1. The beginning of night football in Ocean City. Friday night lights at Carey Stadium started with a thriller against Bridgeton in September and ended with a November game against Toms River South during a near monsoon.

2. Another win in the NJSIAA Cross Country Meet of Champions and a second trip to the Foot Locker National Championship Meet for junior Brittany Sedberry, chosen South Jersey Runner of the Year for the third straight year. She also won the 3200 meters in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions in outdoor track.

3. The first home basketball games in the gym at the brand new OCHS. Raider teams swept all four games, including the junior varsity games, from EHT. The already exciting evening ended at a fever pitch when Dave Beyel scored in the final seconds of overtime for the boys’ win.

4. A sweep of the South Jersey Group 3 team championships by both the OCHS girls and boys cross country teams. It was the second straight and seventh overall sectional title for the girls, the first for the boys.

5. Another South Jersey championship in boys soccer, the second straight and fifth in six years.

6. Cape-Atlantic League championships by OCHS field hockey, girls cross country, boys soccer and girls soccer teams.

7. Renee Tomlin’s win in the 800 meters at the NJSIAA State Group 3 Meet.

8. Chugger LaCasse blasting a 400-foot home run over the left center field fence at Citizen’s Bank Park during the Carpenter Cup, the last of many big hits in baseball and football for LaCasse in high school.

9. The OCHS boys and girls basketball teams both won their holiday tournaments during the Boardwalk Basketball Classic in Wildwood.

10. The half dozen big-play touchdowns scored by sophomore A.J. Harris during Ocean City’s football season.



Read more of Tom Williams' columns