RHS Athletic Hall of Fame
Members of the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame are those that have made a lasting impact on the school’s sports program as either student players, coaches, or supporters. Often the student players have continued to influence their chosen sports after high school by ongoing participation in athletics.
Nick & Dottie Capasso 2012 Inductee
In recognition of a four decade (and counting) commitment to the physical health and well being of the youth of the Village of Ridgewood, the Ridgewood High School Sports Hall of Fame is proud to announce the induction of Nick and Dottie Capasso.
Nick and Dottie, long time residents of Ridgewood, are the pioneers and driving force behind the Ridgewood Biddy Basketball program which they founded in the early 1980’s. They sought to establish a basketball program that develops the skill sets of young hoopsters in a friendly, instructional, and competitive setting. Today’s version of the Biddy Basketball program consists of more than 1000 players, girls and boys, playing on over 100 teams, for the grade levels 3 – 12. Practically every RHS basketball player, of both genders, participated in the program, where they learned the game and honed their skills on the hardwood in preparation for competitive high school careers.
Nick and Dottie work tirelessly on behalf of the Biddy program. In addition to serving in trustee and officer capacities ( Nick has served over the 40 years as President and Vice President and Dottie serves as Secretary/Treasurer since inception ) they together ensure each team is sufficiently equipped with uniforms, basketballs, score clocks, score books, first aid kits and gym time. They administer the checkbook, and collect and disburse the cash paying referees, timekeepers, and scorekeepers. They would open and close gymnasiums, often late in the evening, just so the kids could play.
Most proudly, Nick and Dottie Capasso also raise funds to provide financial scholarships to worthy Biddy alumni upon their graduation from RHS. Today, annually, the Nick and Dottie Capasso Biddy Basketball Scholarships grant $5000 per year to deserving Ridgewood High School student athletes.
Nick Capasso has also been heavily involved over the years with the Ridgewood Baseball Association as a Trustee, and as a Coach. In the 1970’s Nick led the only Ridgewood Little League team that ever advanced to the Little League World Series finals in Williamsport, PA.
The Village of Ridgewood is proud that Nick and Dottie Capasso call this town their home. Their generosity of time and attention to the youth of the Village is to be envied. The Ridgewood Biddy Basketball program is alive, robust and popular today as an outcome of Nick and Dottie’s vision and efforts and with their continued oversight and management of all of the program needs. The RHS Sports Hall of Fame is honored to name them to the incoming Class of 2012.
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Lynne Collazo, Chuck Johnson, Patricia Putnoky Piotrowski, Tyler Roten, Kelci Smesko, Brett Sowers,
2022
Patti Auger, Eric Benedict, Eunae Jo, Peter McGinley, Karla Mixon, Clair Nowakowski, 1983 Softball Team, Joe Pedone, Julia Rappa
2020
Carlos Peay, Louis Edward “Eddie” Peay, Kelly Conheeney, Samantha Cermack, Chris Rae, Chelsea Steinberg, Mark Strittmatter, Andrew Clarke, Jim Dee, Phil Ross Sr.
2018
2016
Maureen Greico, Larry Coyle, Jacob Brown, Richard Bennett, Toshiko D’Elia
2014
John Marshall, Jim Bruni, Mark Romeo, Jean Hughes, Chris Van Note, Nancy Hogan, RHS Football Team 1913, Don Taylor, Rachel Grygiel, John Cerf, Paul Tornatore, Michele Marangi, RHS Boys Lacrosse 1990-92
2012
Craig Halyard, Tom Flatt, Tricia Pappalardo, Mike Henderson, Kandie Latham, Leigh Jester, Tom Dusel, Roger Sweeney, Linda Zabielski, Patty Capasso, Dennis Sullivan, Nick & Dottie Capasso, Track and Field (Bain-Daley-Oliver Era)
2010
Primo “Duke” DeRochi, Debbie Paul, George Monro, Bill Dunne, Amy Lyons, James Sullivan, Michael Culver, Keith O’Connor, Josh Kauke, Patti Mileski, Mary Ellen Mileski
2008
Kitty Batterson, Henry Blauvelt, Frank L. Bradley, Jr., Lucia Cancelmo, Chris DuFlocq, Renee DuFlon, RHS Girls’ Basketball 1922-1923, Harry Grundy, Jim Jones, Joe LeMay, Jen McDermott, Shannon McGarrigle, Tony Napier, Margaret Niemann, Vince Robertiello (Jamie Roberts), Damian Ross, Mike Springer
2006
Mario Ferraro, Paul Ferraro, Don Haldane, Wendy Hartwig, Tom Hopper, Bob Keino, Frank Mozeleski, Tim Mullen, Jenna Rogers, Donna O’Connell, Carin Cone, Charles Yennie
2004
Paul Arrigoni, Pete Campbell, Doug Cook, Becky Deetz, Otis Grendler, Jodi Hartwig, Gene Links, Debbie O’Connell, Aimee McGuire, Walt Perdue, Tom Simos, Kazbek Tambi, Jack Van Yperen, Bob Whitaker, Margaret Scutro