Class of 2008
Augie Cellitti
Forward
1973-1975
Electrifying forward gifted with great speed and skill. Team record was 4313-5 over 3 varsity seasons. Captured first State Sectional, Essex County,
and 2 Big 10 titles in school history. Led team in scoring in 1974 and in
assists 1974-75. Top 5 all-time in career assists. Part of the most dynamic
forward line in Columbia history with Devivo and Donegan, scoring 74 of
the teams 83 goals. Served as Team Captain 1975. Earned All Big 10
Conference, All County and All State recognition. Went on to play at
Stevens University. Also honored for his work as Board member of CHS
Soccer Alumni Association. Founder of CHS Soccer Hall of Fame in 2001
Greg Meares
Defender
1980-1982
Marty Berman
Midfielder
1967-1969
Al Rehling
Coach-Contributor
1972-1979
Andrew Laskowski
Forward
1992-1994
Dan Zauber
Sweeper
1995-1998
One of the best all-time shut-down defenders, his teams were known for
tremendous defense, setting the all time record of 20 shutouts in 1980 Feared
by his opponents for his dominant, hard tackling style. Career record of 65-9-4,
Served as Team Captain 1982. Teams captured 3 State Sectional and Iron Hills
titles, and Essex County Championship. Greg won the Gordon Richards Award
as Team MVP in 1982. He earned All County, All Conference, and All State
recognition. Named to the All America team as one the top defenders in New
Jersey. Went on to star at Penn State University
Class of 2009
A tough and artful midfielder, compiled a record of 23-12-7 during 3 varsity
seasons. Member of the first state tournament qualifying teams of Columbia in
1968-69. Named to the all-Big Ten team in 1970. Played at Union College,
Ukrainian Sitch and Essex United. Named to US Maccabiah team in 1977.
Coached Cougar Soccer Club teams to Garden State, Greater Essex Indoor, and
Bloomfield League Championships making significant contribution to the
development of the 1978-79 Columbia teams that would emerge as NJSIAA State
Champions and Star Ledger #1 ranking State titles, and two Star Ledger Trophy
winners as #1 ranked team in New Jersey 1978-1979. Head Coach of Seton Hall
Prep since 1986, winning 3 State Championships and (2) Star Ledger Trophy
Awards as the #1 Ranked team in NJ, as well as over 300 career wins.
A true friend of youth soccer, he was one of the original founders and pioneers
of the Cougar Soccer Club responsible for the development of youth travel
soccer. He coached Alexander’s Exxon, Victors, and South Orange Spartan
teams that captured multiple youth soccer championships within New Jersey.
A tireless contributor and a man of quiet passion that influenced the lives of
hundreds of young soccer players within Maplewood and South Oran ge
Class of 2010
A power forward who was a relentless offensive presence on the field. “Lasko”
led the Cougars in scoring in 1993 & 1994, finishing with a career total of 45
Career goals. He was named Best Offensive Player in 1992. He served as team
Captain and received the Will Shue Award in 1994. The teams he played on
compiled a record of 59-10-5, winning 2 State Sectional, 1 Essex County and 3
Conference Championships. He was named All County and All State for 3
consecutive years, earning All America honors in 1994. He went on to a
successful collegiate career at Wake Forest University.
A smooth and rugged Defender, Dan was a 4 year starter on the varsity team,
serving as Captain for 2 seasons. He won Best Defender in 1995 & 1996, and
the only multiple winner of the Gordon Richards Award as Team MVP in 1997 &
1998. The teams he played on compiled a record of 58-24-8, capturing 1
Essex County, 1 State Sectional, and 2 Conference crowns and 1998 Group IV
State Championship. He earned First Team All County, All State, and was
named to the Parade and Gatorade All America teams. He capped an
incredible career at Columbia by winning the prestigious Fred Coggin Award as
the top player in New Jersey in 1998. He went on to a successful collegiate
career at Princeton University.
Class of 2011
Michael Warjanka
Coach-Contributor
1983-1998
Jay Kumar
Fullback/Stopper
1981-1983
Justin Edelman
Forward
1987-1989
Chris Quinn
Sweeper
1992-1994
Jack Skeffington
Sweeper
1967-1969
A true friend of Columbia Soccer, his relentless commitment and dedication to the
Cougar Soccer Club formed a foundation which carried the organization throughout
two decades. Under his leadership, the Cougar Rowdies became a perennial youth
soccer powerhouse in the 1980’s capturing multiple state titles including the NJ
Club State Championship in 1986. An original founder and coordinator of the
Cougar Memorial Day Tournament, he maintained his involvement in Cougar SC
well past the graduations of his sons Michael and Steven through several different
capacities, including youth referee Coordinator within New Jersey for several years.
A tireless contributor and a man of quiet passion, he influenced the lives of
hundreds of young soccer players within Maplewood-South Orange.
A smooth and punishing defender during 3 varsity seasons. A consummate leader
and source of inspiration to his teammates, he served as team captain and was
presented with the Gordon Richards Award as Team MVP in 1983. The teams he
played on compiled a record of 67-8-1, capturing 2 Essex County, 3 State Sectional,
and 3 Conference championships. Earned First Team All County, All State, and was
named to the Parade and Gatorade All America teams. Went on to play collegiately
for the “Big Green” at Dartmouth College. Jay is a member of the CHS Soccer
Alumni Executive Board.
A goal scoring machine, established the freshman scoring record with 42 goals in
18 games. Scored 47 career goals and added 25 assists during 3 varsity seasons,
led Essex County in scoring with 28 goals in 1989. The teams he played on
compiled a record of 63-7-1, winning (1) Essex County, (3) State Sectional, and (3)
Conference Championships. Captain of the 1989 Group IV State Championship
team, scoring a goal and assist in finals vs. East Brunswick. Twice named first
team All-Essex County, earned first team All-State and All Group honors in 1989.
Played four seasons at The University of Massachusetts.
A tough and artful defender during 3 varsity seasons, selected Captain while
earning the Gordon Richards Award as Team MVP in 1994. Awarded Best
Defensive Player and Sportsmanship awards in 1993. The teams he played on
compiled a 59-10-5 record, capturing 1 Essex County, 2 State Sectional, and 3
Conference championships and Group IV finalists in 1992.
He earned First Team All County, All State, and was named to the Parade and
Gatorade All America teams. Selected US Under 17 National Junior team. He went
on to play 4 seasons at The University of South Carolina.
A sweeper extraordinaire for the Cougars, he was a starter for all 3 varsity seasons.
The first complete player for Columbia, he was called upon heavily during the
program’s infancy and was a visible part of both the backline but also in transition.
As Captain he was a great leader who always inspired confidence in his teammates.
In 1967 and 1968 he led the Cougars to their first two state tournament berths
ever, and was named to the prestigious Big Ten All-Conference team. Went on to a
successful college career at Moravian and earned All-Middle Atlantic Conference
honors all four years.
Class of 2012
Jack Weber
Defender
1976-1978
A smooth and punishing defender during 3 varsity seasons, he earned the
nickname “Web” for the way he consistently shut down opponents with
smothering ferocity. The teams he played on compiled a record of 56-5-5,
capturing 1 Essex County, 2 State Sectional, and 3 Iron Hills Conference
Championships. He was a standout member of the 1978 Group IV State
Championship team which captured the Star Ledger Trophy as the #1 team in
the State of New Jersey. He earned First Team All Essex County and All Group
honors and went on to play collegiately at Rutgers University. In his 27 th season
as Head Coach of Montclair High School, Jack has registered over 400 career
victories with the Mounties.
A classic defender, Rod was a tower of strength in the back for Columbia teams
as they emerged as perennial post season contenders during the mid 70’s. The
teams he played on compiled a record of 43-13-5, capturing (2) Big Ten
Conference titles, along with the Essex County and State Sectional championships
in 1975. He earned All Essex County and All Group IV honors.
Roddy Coles
Defender
1973-1975
Steve Warjanka
Forward
1989-1990
Paul Bayer
Defender
1978-1979
A goal scoring machine, “Wojo” totaled 38 goals over his career and led the
Cougars in scoring in 1990 with 23 Goals and 18 Assists which earned him Area
Player of the Year honors while serving as team Captain.
The teams he played on compiled a record of 44-5-0, winning (2) State Sectional
and (2) Conference Championships. He was a member of the 1989 Group IV
State Championship team. Wojo was presented the Will Shue Award and was
named first team All-Essex County, first team All-State and All Group honors in
1990. He went on to a successful collegiate career at Providence College where
he remains the 10th all-time leading scorer in Friar history.
A shutdown defender, Paul made opponents earn space in the Columbia
defensive zone with his strong physical presence on the field. He emerged as a
key leader on the back-to-back State Championship teams from 1978 and 1979
which surrendered just 26 goals in 50 games, serving as Tri-Captain in 1979.
The teams he played on compiled a record of 46-1-3 which also won (2) State
Sectional and (1) Essex County championships. He earned All State, All Group
and All County honors while being awarded the Bobby Kato Award in 1979. He
went on to play (4) years at Dartmouth College, earning All-Ivy League with the
“Big Green” in 1983.