October 2, 2013 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 7 Midland Park Greater identity sought for MPHS football players The lack of the distinctive green and white colors on the uniforms of Midland Park High School football players prompted a resident to ask the board of education last week to take steps to establish a Midland Park identity. “There is no Midland Park ID on the Waldwick team,” said Les Barber of Pine Street. “We should play games at both fields,” he added. Under a cooperative agreement with the Waldwick Board of Education which began in the fall of 2005, Waldwick is the lead agency for the team. As part of the Waldwick team, Midland Park players wear the school’s blue and white colors. All varsity home games are played at the Waldwick field. Periodically, a freshman or JV team will play a home game at the Midland Park”Sonny” Santorine field. Three JV games were played in Midland Park this year. Board President William Sullivan said that the issue of increasing the identity is being addressed. Trustee Robert Schiffer said that one option would be to pull out of the arrangement with Waldwick and go back to fielding a Midland Park team, noting that only 25 play- ers would be needed. The agreement is revisited every two years, Sullivan said. “We can only do that if we have the numbers,” said trustee Tim Thomas. He said 25 players is not enough to field freshman, JV and varsity teams. “The safety of the kids is a priority, but let’s take a look at it,” he said. Sullivan said that student participation and budget would have to be considered in restarting a team at MPHS. “We do realize we have made a commitment to this coop, and pulling out could have a detrimental effect on the Waldwick program,” Sullivan said. Waldwick High School Principal Kevin Carroll said Midland Park students are an integral part of the team, with captains coming from both towns, newspaper list- ings naming both towns, and cheers sensitive to the team makeup. The associate head coach and two assistant coaches are supplied by Midland Park High School. Basketball association reorganized The new officers of the Midland Park recreational bas- ketball program are focused on revitalizing the organiza- tion to return it to its former glory. Newly-elected President Rich Formicola said the new board is set on bringing youngsters back into the recreation program. “The board’s goal is to make the program fun for kids,” he said, explaining that the travel program is for those play- ers who want a more advanced level of competition. For- micola, who had headed the association until becoming a Midland Park Board of Education member, now replaced Jerry Mercadante, who resigned due to the demands of a new job. Other officers are: Cheryl Hartmann, vice president; Linda Herlihy, secretary; and Laurie Template, treasurer. During the association’s first general meeting last month, discussion focused on: coaching, fundraisers, the travel and rec programs, division heads, coaches’ clinic, among other topics. The recreation program is open to youngsters in grades K through 12 grade. The recreation season runs from December through early March. Travel season starts in November. The association is seeking travel coaches for the upcom- ing season. Persons interested should send their name, tele- phone number and the grade level they would like to coach to mpbasketballassn@ gmail.com no later than Sunday, Oct. 6 or they may contact Formicola at 917-969-2074. “If you asked the student athletes, they would tell you they have been accepted by Waldwick as our own. The coaches treat them as team members, not as students from one school or another,” said Carroll. “We’ve had a great experience with the Midland Park coop. We enjoy having their students as part of us, and I hope to see it continue long term. Without Midland Park, we would not have a team. We both need each other.”