AHS seeking donations
By: Frank C. D’Amico
UPPER FREEHOLD — Friends and colleagues of Robert MacReynolds, the late Allentown High School guidance counselor and softball coach, have honored his memory by setting up a scholarship in his name.
The school to date has collected $700 for a scholarship to be awarded for a graduating senior softball player-scholar.
“We hope to have this scholarship every year, and this is the first year we will be awarding it,” said Allentown High School history teacher Warren Gessman.
Mr. Gessman said the school would like to collect a minimum of $1,000 for the scholarship.
“Bob was a character who was larger than life,” Mr. Gessman said.
Mr. MacReynolds, known to all as “Mac,” died Nov. 10, 1999 in Milwaukee after a lengthy battle with heart disease. He was 55.
Born in Trenton, Mr. MacReynolds lived in Allentown before moving to New Egypt 28 years ago. He was a 1962 graduate of Allentown High School and worked there for nearly 30 years.
“He was an Allentown man his whole life,” Mr. Gessman said.
Mr. MacReynolds took over the high school softball program in 1989 and won the Shore Conference title in his first season.
He coached consistent winners, always producing teams with winning seasons — well above the .500 mark. In fact, from 1993-95, Mr. MacReynolds guided Allentown to at least 20 wins each season.
“Bob demanded excellence from his players on the field and academically,” Mr. Gessman said.
He said all contributions would “be appreciated” and can be sent to Stacia Essel, Allentown High School, 27 High Street, Allentown, N.J. 08501.
For more information, call Ms. Essel at 259-2076.