Page 213 - 2007 Wardlaw Hartridge

D n frcuing nmmotif... Beloved coach, colleague, mentor...
Ernie Vajda
Coach Ernie Vajda, 58, was a lifelong NewBrunswick resident and was considered August 8, 1948 - March 22, 2007
tobeone of the finest basketball minds around. In 1999 he was inducted into the NJS1AA Coaches Hall of Fame and recorded more than 430 career victories with three different bas­ ketball programs. Coach Vajda's winning record marked him as one of the most successful coaches in the state in the last generation. He was a physical education teacher and the girls' varsity basketball coach at Wardlaw-Hartridge from 2 0 0 0 until his passing. As a teacher andcoach,heconstantlymadesurethatthebestinterestofthekidsalwayscamefirst. Ernie Vajda was a beloved figure at Wardlaw-Hartridge. Not only will his students and colleagues miss himbut the basketball community has lost a terrific coach and someone who has done somuchfor so many different children.
From His Players...
Through his passion and love for the game of
basketball, Coach Vajda was able to transform what was formejustthesportIplayedinthewintertoapassion ofmyown. Oneofthewaysthathewasabletoshare hisenthusiasm for the sport was his summer camp, for which Iwasfortunatetoworkforfoursummersfollowing my high school graduation. I truly looked forward to thatweek injuly every year because it would allow me to reunitewith Coach Vajda and see him do something that heloved. Coach Vajda loved teachingyoung basketball playersthegameofbasketball,andthroughthesport hewasabletotouchthousandsoflives. Iamgrateful for having been able to get to know Coach Vajda and learnfrom him. - Erin Boccher ‘01
Coach Vajda completely renewed my inter­ est in basketball when he became the team’s coach my senior year. After three years o f different coaches, Coach Vajda came in with a thorough knowledge of fundamentals and a lot of patience. His loyalty to the W-H Girls’ Basketball Program will be sorely missed. -Lauren Fedechena ‘01
The memories shared and the bonds that form between a player and a coach are things that are unforgettable and irreplaceable. - Lauren Harry ‘09
Coach always pushed us to be our best. Almost as if he could see inside o f each one of us and see our potential before we could. More important than his 430+ career
everygirl on his team. Coach took it upon himself to maintain a positive atmosphere whenever possible. Even during big games withalotoftension,hewouldletyouknow thathewasproudofyouwhetherwecame awaywith the win or a loss. He was tough but only because he was determined to bring our basketball program to a new level, which he did. Coach’s favorite part o f the game was seeing each player excel and become better than they were the day before. He was very kind hearted as well as a jokester and he
extended this loving spirit to his students in theLower School. Our team will not be the samewithout his love for the game but the inspiration he has been not only to us but to the players he coached and the children he
From His Colleagues...
The only thing Vajda may have loved more than basketball was teaching little kids. As a coach he often had that gruff exterior, but I got a chance to see Ernie’s soft side. He was so great with the kids. They loved him and he loved them. I really think he was at his happiest with these kids. They always would bring a smile to his face. - Mike Romeo
Ernie was always picking up something to enhance the LS Physical Education program. He would come in with new equipment like beach balls that look like soccer balls and basketballs, inflatable “Sponge Bob” and “Scooby Doo” characters, or age appropriate CDs. - Ardys Sapchin
Ernie was very dedicated to his basketball program and he will be missed. He always looked out for the kids to make sure they did well in school and on the court. For all o f us who really knew him, Ernie was Ernie. - Dawn Francavilla
Ernie’s persona as a teacher was a very lov­ able one and students felt very comfortable giving him a hug ora high-five in the hallway. He was seen almost as a big teddy bear. The kids were closely attached to him and his students and colleagues will miss him. - Andy Webster
Ernie was unwaveringin his commitmentto the sport o f basketball and to his kids. His PE students truly loved him and he will be hard to replace. Both his presence and his passion will be greatly missed. - Trisha Malizia
Ernie was like a gentle giant. He would always have something special to give the children, like pencils for Halloween, stickers for a great day, or two thumbs up. He was genuinely a good person with a good heart and I can’t believe he is gone. I couldn’t think o f a nicer person. When the children would see him in the lunchroom just after gym, they would say “There’s Ernie!” like they were seeing a movie star. -Jennifer Ceissler
As a teacher, Ernie was knowledgeable, supportive and nurturing. He was beloved by his elementary students. He will always hold a special place in my heart, as well as in the hearts of all his students and athletes. The Wardlaw-Hartridge School will not be the same without him. He has left an incredible mark on all o f us. - Katie Howe
IrememberErnieastheperpetuallycheerful face I would see every morning as I entered my class­ room. We also used to get more excited than the kids when we had snow days! - Amy Dorrien
From His Students...
When I came to W-H, I was very shy and didn’t really talk to anyone but then I met Mr. Vajda in gym class. He and I both liked to talk about sports. We would talk about college football and o f course we would discuss basketball. Every once in a while we would talk about baseball. He was a Yankees fan but I am a Red Sox fan so we would always debate which was the better team. Coach Vajda and I were really good friends and I will miss him very much. - Kyle Hewett
Mr. Vajda was my gym teacher. He taught us how to play basketball and even how to Hoola Hoop. He lived a great life and he will always be in my heart. - Noah Fischer
I was feeling very sad when I heard that Mr. Vajda passed away. He was a great gym teacher. I remember when he showed us how to throw a hoola hoop so that it would come back to you. Mr. Vajda was a good friend. - Divyaa Sarin
Mr. Ernie Vajda was a good man. Being new this year I didn’t develop a deep
relationship, but we shared a common interest
in basketball. From that we talked and I got to know him. For the short time I knew him he was a very nice, kind figure at W-H. To see him leave us for the next life so quickly, without notice is not only saddening but also unbelievable. It is also
a blessing to die without suffering because you don’t have to see him go through a slow painful death. So don’t mourn because this is only one life and we all will catch up to him in the next life.
- Tommy Papas
Mr. Vajda helped me open my Gato- rade. Whenever Igot hurt in gym he would always say “it didn’t hurt that bad, you’ll be alright.” He taught me how to be a better teammate.
In Health class he taught us how to eat better,
and he always made it fun so he wouldn’t bore us. I’ll always miss Mr. Vajda, but when I feel sad that he is gone l will think about the good times we had. - Ade Osinubi
taught is his legacy. Team
- 2007 Girls’ Basketball