Caldwell Athletic Hall of Fame Makes a Comeback

Members of the James Caldwell Athletic Hall of Fame include the high school’s longtime athletic director and an Olympic gold medalist. But the last time anyone was inducted was 1997. 

That is about to change thanks to a newly formed committee, which plans to resurrect the Hall of Fame and announce a Class of 2014 later this year.

Tom Caravela, a lifelong resident of West Caldwell, has been selected to chair the 2014 James Caldwell High School Athletic Hall of Fame Committee. Caravela was a standout football player and wrestler for the Chiefs. After graduating from James Caldwell in 1986, he went on to wrestle for Rutgers University.

When Caravela learned recently that an induction had not been made in 16 years, he said, “That’s too long. We need to do something about this.” 

A group of former athletes and former and current coaches met on April 24 and elected Caravela as chair.

“The Hall of Fame is special,” he said. “Not only does it bring the community together, but it is also something that our current student athletes can strive for.” 

The James Caldwell High School Athletic Hall of Fame was started by Ken Trimmer and the Gridiron Club, the football team’s booster club, in 1990. The inaugural class of inductees included Olympic 800 meter gold medalist, Tom Courtney; longtime Caldwell athletic director “Chief Bonnel,” who the school’s football field is named after; and football, wrestling and baseball star, Tom Martin.

The committee plans to announce the Class of 2014 in November and hold an induction ceremony in April 2014. Anyone interested in helping with the organizing and planning of the event, should email Caravela at tom@carolan.com.