Veteran mentor made impact in soccer, science programs
By: Rudy Brandl
It’s never easy for a teacher and coach to leave a job and community he loves.
Rob Richard, who has made a positive impact on Hillsborough High School’s academic and athletic world for the past 22 years, was faced with one of those difficult career decisions that comes along every so often. After careful deliberation and some serious agonizing, Richard has decided to leave the school district to become the high school science supervisor in the West Windsor-Plainsboro system.
The longtime HHS science teacher and boys’ head soccer coach will officially begin his new post next week. Today is Richard’s final day at Hillsborough.
"It was very difficult," Richard said. "I agonized over it because of the impact it would have on my students in the middle of the year. I was looking for a supervisor’s position that started in the fall. When I was offered the job, I didn’t take it right away."
It took an e-mail from former HHS Principal Tony Radano to convince Richard he was making the right choice. With older daughter Allison already at Muhlenberg College and the younger Emily set to graduate from Hunterdon Central, Richard had to make the right call for his family.
"Tony gave me some good advice," Richard said. "He told me the only kids I need to be concerned about are Allison and Emily. That really hit home. I really appreciate Tony saying that to me."
Richard has earned a solid reputation as a teacher, coach and gentleman. He’ll be missed by his students, athletes and colleagues.
"I’m happy for him because it’s a great opportunity, but at the same time I’m sad because we’re losing a great person," HHS Athletic Director Rocky Forte said. "He’s more than an outstanding coach and teacher. He’s an outstanding person and we’re going to miss him."
Forte credited Richard with building the high school boys’ soccer program. What was once a jayvee team has turned into one of the better programs in Central Jersey. This conversion took place under Richard’s tutelage.
Richard takes great pride in his advanced placement biology students and his soccer players. He’ll certainly miss them all.
"I’ll miss the kids in class," said Richard, who has a master’s degree in molecular and cellular biology. "I love being in the classroom. I think I’ve done a good job with the kids I’ve taught. My doctor (Dr. John Wierczbicki) was a student of mine."
The new supervisory role won’t afford Richard the time to continue coaching full time. However, he plans to devote many of his free hours as a volunteer soccer coach at Hillsborough.
"The schedule of a supervisor is so unpredictable, but whenever I have time in the fall I’ll help out with the soccer program," said Richard, a member of the Muhlenberg College Athletic Hall of Fame who still plays for an Over-40 team in Flemington. "That will keep me from going completely cold turkey."
Richard has guided some great teams during the past two-plus decades. His Raider teams have won six Delaware Division titles, two Somerset County crowns (1983, 1984) and one Central Jersey Group 4 sectional championship (1997).
The Raiders were basically untouchable last fall while rolling to the division title. Only some bad tournament luck kept them from winning more championships.
Richard has coached some great players over the years. He discovered along the way that one Division 1 player is not enough to build a championship team. His two most successful teams were led by two superstars, the 1984 squad with Guy Furfaro and Paul Mignon and the 1997 team with Dustin Sheppard and Matt Roberts.
Eric Puma, who has worked as Richard’s assistant the past six seasons, will take over as the new head coach pending approval from the Board of Education. Richard is confident the program won’t miss a beat.
"I think the program is in absolutely wonderfully capable hands," Richard said. "I predict Eric will be coach of the year very soon. He’s been invaluable to me over the years."
Richard is keenly aware of the large talent pool of soccer players and other athletes coming up from the youth and middle school levels. He’s going to miss being a part of one of the state’s emerging athletic powers.
"We are feared in many, many sports and a lot of that falls right on the shoulders of Rocky Forte," Richard said. "He has worked tirelessly under some demanding circumstances to develop an athletic program that is consistently putting out quality fall, winter and spring teams. There’s always a Hillsborough team knocking on the door of a championship."
Rob Richard certainly made a significant contribution toward that winning trend, both in the classroom and on the soccer field.