January 7, 2004
Bob Cwik - CAL Sportsperson of the Year
By TOM WILLIAMS
Sports Columnist
Almost a decade ago the selection of an annual Cape-Atlantic League Sportsperson of the Year began.
Those selected in previous years have included coaches like Pleasantville basketball coach Ken Leary,
Absegami wrestling coach Gene Barber, Mainland football coach Bob Coffey, Wildwood girls basketball
coach Dave Troiano and Ocean City football coach Gary Degenhardt. The nod has also gone to former
Absegami athletic director Harry Ackerman and Wildwood mayor Ernie Troiano.
This year the salute goes to a coach whose program has dominated the Cape-Atlantic League, and most
of South Jersey, for more than a decade.
Bob Cwik is the girls track coach at Bridgeton High School and his teams have not lost a dual meet since
May of 1991 when Absegami beat them in the CAL championship meet. The Bulldogs have won 101
straight meets.
During that stretch, his teams have won South Jersey championships, state championships and developed
dozens and dozens of athletes. Many went on to success in college, even the Olympics. He has already
been named to the New Jersey Coaches Hall of Fame.
During his tenure, Cwik, a Cape May lifeguard during the summer months, has helped turn the spotlight on
outdoor track in the CAL. And in the past few weeks, he has been in conversation with officials of the
Wildwoods Convention Center, hoping that the facility could host some indoor track meets. Should that
become reality, it would be a giant step forward for indoor track in South Jersey.
The brilliant Shameka Speed, spotlighted in Sports Illustrated this summer, and all the Bridgeton athletes
who preceded her, owe a debt of gratitude to their coach for his contributions to their success, both on the
track and off.
Ken Leary, Gene Barber, Bob Coffey, Dave Troiano, Gary Degenhardt – these are all special coaches
whose programs have brought pride and prestige to the CAL. Bob Cwik belongs in their company.
He is our Cape-Atlantic League 2003 SportsPerson of the Year.
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As the calendar year comes to an end, it is always a good time to look back on the top local sports
stories. As is our custom, here are the 10 sports stories that seemed to generate the most interest among
Cape-Atlantic League fans in 2003:
1. A second straight win in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions by the Mainland boys cross country team,
which was ranked among the best teams in the country.
2. Additional state championships by Mainland swimming, St. Augustine wrestling, Sacred Heart girls
basketball, Absegami wrestling, Holy Spirit swimming, St. Augustine golf and Ocean City boys soccer.
3. Another NJSIAA championship by St. Joseph in football, stretching the CAL’s streak to 17 straight
years with a champion. And doing it despite the emotional impact caused by the tragic death of teammate
Mark Bresani.
4. Atlantic City High School’s decision to replace successful veteran coach Mo Griffin with rookie coach
Gene Allen in boys basketball.
5. The double win in the NJSIAA Meet of Champions by John Richardson, the first time any New Jersey
runner had won both the 800 and 1600 meters in the same MOC.
6. The trip to Henley for the Holy Spirit crew teams and a victory by the girls.
7. A dual meet win streak by Bridgeton’s girls track team that was extended to 101, a record in track and
one of the longest in any sport.
8. A win in the NJSIAA Cross Country Meet of Champions and a second place in the Foot Locker
Northeast Meet for sophomore Brittany Sedberry, leading to her second straight South Jersey Runner of
the Year award.
9. St. Augustine Prep twice being forced to suspend games because of slippery floor conditions, including
the South Jersey semifinal.
10. Mainland’s Matt Uretsky winning the NJSIAA golf championship, after his chauffeur (Coach Whitey
Haak) almost got lost on the way to the country club.
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Tom Williams' columns