Field named for longtime vice principal
By:Eric Schwarz
Manville High School’s football field will be named for Ned Panfile, the longtime vice principal of the high school who recently retired.
The Board of Education on Tuesday agreed to name the field for Mr. Panfile, who attended the board meeting with his wife, Barbara.
Mr. Panfile said he’s proud to have lived in Manville for 41 years.
“We never degrade Manville or the school system,” he said. “I am proud of it, I appreciate it, and I thank everybody.”
Mr. Panfile worked in the Manville district for about 41 years, including 27 as vice principal in the high school.
He officially retired in December but stayed on until early March 31 as a consultant.
Mr. Panfile started as a sixth-grade teacher at Roosevelt School and later served as head coach in football and baseball from 1965 to 1972.
He also coached wrestling from 1962 to 1966. In 1968, he had an undefeated football team, won state sectional championships in football and baseball and was named Somerset County coach of the year in both sports.
When he became an assistant principal in the high school in 1972, local school policy prevented him from coaching in the district. So he moved his fall afternoon activities to Princeton University, when he coached for more than 25 years, including six years as head freshman football coach.
Superintendent Francis X. Heelan proposed a reception for Mr. Panfile at Manville Public Library and board member Dorothy Bradley suggested a dedication at the first football game in September.
Resident Anne Marie Kralovich earlier in the meeting called for more volunteers to help the school district.
“I’m available after June 23 for volunteer work,” Mr. Panfile said.
“Do you want to clean my house?” asked board member Jeanne Golden.