WOBM Christmas Classic “Last Breakfast”

More than 260 players, coaches, sponsors, guests and tournament staff gathered at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Toms River Wednesday morning for what has become a signature part of the WOBM Christmas Classic.  The Tip-Off Brunch brings everyone together prior to the start of the tournament and stresses sportsmanship on and off the court.  The two things all the student-athletes in attendance shared was a love of basketball and the breakfast buffet provided by the staff of the Clarion who has hosted the event for 27 years.

As most know by now this is the 40^th and last WOBM Christmas Classic as I am retiring from handling all the responsibilities that come with running such a large endeavor.  From starting with an 8-team boys event in 1984 we have grown the WOBM Classic into one of the largest holiday tournaments in the state offering extras that truly separate this from others.  The Tip-Off Brunch is unique and I know of no other in-season tournament that hosts a weekday event like this. Special thanks to Clarion GM Kevin Hanfield and his ownership group for hosting this for nearly three decades…it is truly appreciated.

The breakfast included welcoming remarks by Toms River Regional Schools Superintendent Michael Citta as the district has hosted the 32-team tournament since the opening of the RWJBarnabas Health Arena.  Community Medical Center VP of Operations Neil Bryant spoke about the hospital’s long-running commitment to the tournament in provide academic scholarships to those who participated the previous year as high school seniors.  Eight now college freshman will each receive $500 on the final day of the classic on December 30 thanks to CMC, a part of RWJBarnabas Health.

Also on hand were members of the US Marines including Staff Sgt. Romauldo Galindo-Cardozo, the station commander in their Toms River office.  Staff Sgt. Galindo-Cardozo stressed to the players the importance of having your body and mind “in shape” and the similarities of being part of a team…whether as a Marine or basketball player.

There were some special presentations made including the awarding of the annual Jim Ruhnke Contribution Award to William Madigan, the Athletic Coordinator at Toms River South and a member of the tournament staff for many years.  Billy, who did not know he was receiving the award just happened to bring his son to the event because he is home from college. It made for a nice moment.

As the “founding father” of the WOBM Christmas Classic this was the last breakfast I will MC and for that reason I was also honored and humbled at the same time.  Brian Lang, a Townsquare Media VP (and my most recent boss) presented me with a special plaque and more meaningful were his words of praise.  In what was a total surprise my “team” of Joe Arminio, Ed Sarluca, Jim Hibbs, Paul Barnoski and Billy Madigan presented me with a painted basketball celebrating the 40 years of what has become a holiday tradition.

While me and WOBM might be moving on it does appear that someone will be picking up the ball and running a holiday tournament very similar to ours next year and in the future.  I might even show up for a game or two.