New Wayne Hills High school athletic director Rich Porfido was born in North Arlington and went to New Jersey City University where he got his degree in history / elementary education and master ’ s degree in educational leadership . He also played goalkeeper on the school ’ ssoccer team . After college , he taught and coached at Passaic Valley , Troy State University and Bloomfield College . He ’ smarried ( Deb ) with twins , Rebecca and Emily . He talks about his role at Wayne Hills and what it ’ slike to have a built-in rival next door . |
GAME ON Rich Porfido is hands-on in his role as athletic director at Wayne Hills High School . |
||
|
WHAT GOT YOU INTOATHLETIC COACHING / ADMINISTRATION ?
I had a great high school experience at North Arlington as a student-athlete and enjoyed history and soccer a great deal . John Galante influenced me to become a history teacher , and recently departed John McAllen , who was my soccer coach , had agreat impact on my motivations to combine these passions to work with studentathletes in the future .
WHAT APPEALED TO YOU ABOUTWORKINGATWAYNE HILLS ? I was the Director of Athletics at Caldwell High School for 11 years . Caldwell is a wonderful place , but the option to lead one of the top public school athletic and academic programs in the state was a huge motivation .
|
HOW BIG IS THE ATHLETICS PROGRAM AT WAYNE HILLS , AND WHAT ’ SITLIKE TO HANDLE THE DAY- TO-DAY OPERATION ?
Wayne Hills has over 1,300 students , 32 athletic programs with about 60 percent of our students participating in athletics . It is a large responsibility , and I am fortunate to have a good mix of veteran and up-and-coming coaches that keep the program achieving at a high level . The school district also provides us with two fulltime athletic trainers , which is a rare situation for most schools . We are very fortunate in this respect .
|
IS IT FUN TO HAVE BUILT-IN CROSSTOWN RIVALS WITH WAYNE VALLEY ? Rivalries in any sport can be fun when the focus is kept on the young men and women on the field . Take the Alabama / Auburn college football rivalry over the past 10 years . There have been some amazing games to watch with some amazing players , but once a fan takes it upon himself to poison the Auburn Oak Trees in Toomer ’ s Corner , it takes it to adifferent level in which it is out of control and needs to be evaluated as to the right way to handle the rivalry . Aslong as the Hills / Valley rivalry iskept in perspective – that it is 14-18-year-old young men and women competing in all |
COURTESY OFVICTORIA LOVERAR |
40 SPRING 2017 WAYNE MAGAZINE |