5 Manalapan Men Inducted into Parks and Rec Volunteer Hall of Fame

Manalapan Parks and Recreation Superintendent Mona Cholowinski inducted residents into the Manalapan Parks and Recreation Hall of Fame last week. Rich Cohen, George Hartigan, Rocky Flammia, Mike Hammer, and JP Noval were all inducted into the Parks and Recreation Volunteer Hall of Fame.

While the Hall of Fame has existed in Manalapan for many years, new inductees have not been added since 2001 when the Recreation Commission came to an end.

The Hall of Fame recognizes local volunteers who dedicate their time to Parks and Recreation Programs or at the Recreation Department and this is one of the few ways the Township can thank those volunteers, Cholowinski said.

Since the Hall of Fame has been on a hiatus, Cholowinski said that she wanted to acknowledge a large number of important and influential volunteers in Manalapan who helped out the Recreation Department long after their child left the programs.

These volunteers have worked in a number of different capacities including being members of the Recreation Commission, the Recreation Advisory Board, serving as presidents of programs, helping with events and volunteering on a large scale.

“You kind of have to give a little bit of extra effort in order to get into this program,” Cholowinksi said.

2013 Manalapan Parks and Recreation Department Volunteer Hall of Fame Inductees:

Rich Cohen
-member of the Recreation Advisory Board
-President of the Youth Hockey Association
-instrumental in starting the ice hockey program that is currently playing at Manalapan High School

George Hartigan
-coaching and ran Youth Wrestling Program for years
-Tournament Director of Soccer for years
-served on Recreation Commission

Mike Hammer
-served on Soccer Board of Director for years as member and President
-currently runs the Memorial Day Soccer Tournament
-volunteers for the Basketball Program, running a division
-involved in a lot of community service

Rocky Flammia
-big part of Recreation Football Department for years
-member of Booster Club at Manalapan High School

JP Noval
-part of Baseball Association for years
-volunteers for Manalapan High School Baseball
-part of Football Association when it was part of Recreation
-part of Booster Program at Manalapan High School