Sussex County Sports Blog

By Dan Cleary

10/7/2009 - Classy Chernati wins 300th Game

Irene Chernati has never been a self-promoter. The classy head coach of Wallkill Valley’s field hockey team would much rather talk about her players’ accomplishments on and off the field than her own.

That is why it came to me as no surprise when I was told by Mike Weilamann, who covers West Jersey field hockey for the Star-Ledger, about how Chernati’s 300^th win was reported to the paper.

First of all, it was reported by the losing coach, Bev Keur of High Point, another class act, and what struck Weilamann was how it was reported.

In the game notes section, Keur wrote that she couldn’t have been happier for Chernati and went on about what a great coach and person Chernati was and what a joy it was competing against her over the last 20-plus years.

And anyone who knows Keur knows what a competitor she is and is no fan of losing, but she was compelled to praise Chernati for her reaching the coaching milestone. It just speaks volumes to how Irene is seen in the field hockey world.

Chernati hit 300 a couple of weeks ago in a 2-1 win over High Point and as of this writing she is 303-150-9 since taking over the program in 1986, the most in Sussex County field hockey history.

Chernati also guided the Rangers to two Sussex County Interscholastic League crowns and three section titles, including 1988 when the Rangers advanced to the Group 2 state final before losing to Moorestown.

“I enjoy the renewed energy every year with a new set of kids,” Chernati said recently. “And it is also nice to see the former players and parents still support the program and come back to watch games. It is so nice for the current players to see that.

“I like to teach the kids that there is more to life than just field hockey,” she added. “But you can use field hockey to build friendships and prepare you for life.”

Chernati learned the game at the knee of one of the best field hockey coaches to come out of the county in former Kittatinny coach Linda Crawn. Chernati played for Crawn in the 1970s and learned a lot from the no-nonsense coach.

“When I first started coaching I used a lot of what I learned from her,” said Chernati. “But as you go on you learn different things and use everything. But it was very tough to go against her when I first started coaching and it is still tough to play Kittatinny because I know so many of the girls from living in the district.”

Chernati said she has too many good memories to pick out a top one, but she mentioned the run to the final in 1988 and how the seniors the year previous laid the foundation with how they approached the game.

“The 1987 team really set it up,” recalled Chernati. “They built the foundation, players like Kelly Lusardi and Cheryl Ish.”

The 1988 team was a special one with players like Jill Simmons, Tara Morgan and Anna Ross. And in later years Chernati coached some of the top players to come out of the county like Kori Wyngaard, Lillie Ellison, Noelle Ulikowksi, Staci Gado, Jen Lonsky, Carly Engesser, Michelle Fariello, Heather Radlciffe, Missy Esser and more recently Laura Nann, Amanda Nann, Kara Buda and Abby Tilton.

But Chernati was also quick to point out some of the great assistant coaches that have stood by her side the last 23 years, like Connie Krawz, Pete Pallis and especially John Steiger, who has been with Chernati since 1998.

“Co-coaching with him is one of the reasons why I’m still coaching,” said Chernati of Steiger. “We complement each other well and he has done just a great job.”

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, I have thoroughly enjoyed covering field hockey in the Mugs Media area since 1988 and the main reason is the coaches, who have been a delight to work with and have developed outstanding programs in their own right.

Newton coach Lisa Bechtel is right on Chernati’s heels with over 290 wins, Keur has over 260 in three stints at High Point, while Stefanie Gastaldello of Vernon has over 220 wins.

“We all have a mutual respect for each other and our programs,” said Chernati. “We realize the quality of hockey we produce and how we challenge each other.”

Well, it has been no challenge for me covering Chernati over the years as she is one of the most sincere and kind people I’ve come across in all my years in the business. So congratulations, Irene, you deserve all the accolades, even if it is not your style.

CUTOFF SOON—The cutoff for boys and girls soccer coaches and field hockey coaches to submit their resumes for the upcoming Hunterdon-Warren-Sussex Tournament is next week.

Coaches have to go online and submit their teams’ records by noon on Oct. 14 for the seeding process which will be done the next day. The first round is set for the Oct. 17 and all three finals will be held the Oct. 31.

In my next blog, I will break down the process of how the tourneys will be seeded, so stay tuned.

SO LONG COACH—And finally,the world of Sussex County football received some sad news this week with the passing of “The Coach” Ray Sabia. Ray was the longtime color analyst for football games on WNNJ radio with such announcers as Joel Konya and Paul Mencher. He was also an analyst for Mugs Media and had a funny rapport with Jerry Morelli on and off the air.

The former Sussex Tech coach always had a smile on his face and the East Rutherford native loved to talk SCIL football. He had been ill the last few years, but he made sure to make to a few SCIL games every season where I would always get a big “Hello” when I ran into him.

Ray will be sadly missed, especially by those who had the privilege of working with him, and everyone who had the chance to listen to his excited style of announcing.

Rest in peace, Coach.

That’s it for now, see you on the sidelines.

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Sussex County Sports Blog

By Dan Cleary

10/7/2009 - Classy Chernati wins 300th Game