Maureen Grieco (2016)

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR 1989-2014 In his article for "The Record" on January 6, 2015 announcing Maureen Grieco's retirement from her position in the athletic department at Ridgewood High School, sports writer Darren Cooper wrote "Maureen Grieco never won a championship for Ridgewood. She didn't coach. She didn't play sports. And the school probably won't put her name in the gym now that she is retired. But after twenty five and a half years as the schools administrative assistant to the athletic director, her contributions were undeniable." All true statements ,but we now honor Maureen's outstanding accomplishments for RHS athletics by putting her name up along the main gymnasium wall with all the other inductees to the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame making her one of the all time Maroon and White greats. Working for six athletic directors for close to twenty six years (Dave Vanderbush, Garland Allen, Walt Hampson, Tom Zaccone, Greg McDonald and Nick Scerbo) Maureen was adaptable to the many differences each brought to the job. Each of these men knew they had an indispensable resource with Maureen that allowed for them to function in as sane a manner that a person in that position could possibly expect. She was able to handle each change professionally and skillfully mentored each new AD into a comfort zone after the initial shock of a huge learning curve. Maureen's responsibilities included scheduling games, officials and transportation. She also confirmed previously made schedules and notified all parties of changes in a timely manner. This included rescheduling of transportation, officials and facilities. She was responsible for disseminating information to and communicating with 25 head coaches, 35 assistant coaches for 27 sports and 75 teams. All the while she kept a smile and treated everyone with dignity and often times grace under fire! Further in her job description it is noted she provided administrative support for each sport including ordering equipment, athletic physicals, parental permission slips, eligibility records, athletic letters, preparation for awards dinners and typing recommendations for student athletes presented to her by her coaches. Her position also required regular communication with other districts AD's and Athletic Administrators, parent booster groups, the press and general public. She needed knowledge of the NJSIAA regulations especially in the area of eligibility and transfers and the completion and filing of regular NJSIAA reports. Most importantly her job required that she make immediate decisions in regard to the daily functioning of the athletic department in the absence of the athletic director. Maureen was professional and knew the impact her decisions would have on everyone concerned with athletics on a daily basis. She would never make unilateral decisions and always trusted her coaches to lend a helping hand. Each year the job grew. There were new computer programs, with several software systems, night games, freshman and JV tournaments, new field scheduling practices, extended work schedules and working gates at games. Each time the job changed , like a great athlete or coach Maureen was able to adapt her game to the circumstance. Eventually along with Nick Scerbo she also absorbed the duties of the secretary to the Wellness dept. and like every great athlete, Maureen knew when it was time to step away from the game. An all time great we salute Maureen's invaluable contributions to RHS athletics for 25 1/2 years with her induction into the Ridgewood High School Athletic Hall of Fame.