Veteran middle school mentor honored by players
By: Rudy Brandl
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Stan Pietrzyk has always been well-prepared as an algebra teacher and basketball coach, but he wasn’t ready for last Friday afternoon’s surprise.
Former players, parents and colleagues came to honor Pietrzyk in his final regular season home game as head coach of the Hillsborough Middle School boys’ basketball team. Although the game wound up being postponed because of a power outage in the Flemington-Raritan school district, the festivities continued as the young Raiders competed in an intra-squad scrimmage at the Hillsborough High gymnasium.
Hillsborough Middle School athletic director Rich Burton presented Pietrzyk with a plaque and a basketball signed by many of his former players. The entire Hillsborough High boys’ basketball program sat in the stands and watched the youngsters who represent the future of Raider hoops.
"This was so special," said the 54-year-old Pietrzyk, who has spent the last 33 years teaching eighth-grade algebra at the middle school. "I’m totally overwhelmed. It caught me totally off-guard."
If you ask his players or opposing coaches, they’ll tell you Pietrzyk was always in control on the basketball court. There wasn’t much that surprised or got past a veteran mentor who has compiled an impressive 173-55 record in 12 years at the helm.
"He was always well-prepared and he always had his teams ready to play," said Burton, who coached against Pietrzyk when he worked in the Bridgewater district. "They were always well-prepared and disciplined and he had good kids."
Burton boasts an impressive coaching resume as well, having worked with Bridgewater-Raritan High head coach Tim Ortelli for many years. However, he suffered a few losses to Pietrzyk’s middle school squads.
"He’s a great coach," Burton said. "He knows when to change things up. It was tough coaching against him."
The HMS Raiders have won seven championships in Pietrzyk’s 12 years. They had one undefeated season (21-0) in 2002-03 when current sophomores Tom Molarz, Brian Humphrey and Warner Jones were leading the way. He’s averaging nearly 15 wins per season and is leading his team into this year’s playoffs with a 14-2 mark.
"He knows the game really well," Hillsborough High senior Chad Barbieri said. "He’s a great coach and friend. He’s an excellent coach and his record shows it."
Barbieri and several members of the HHS Class of 2005 played for Pietrzyk back in the 2000-01 season. That team won its first 16 games but suffered its first and only loss in the tournament finals.
"I still remember coach coming up to us after the game," Barbieri said. "He was upset after the loss, but he told us he had some of his best memories with us. He was always there to help us out."
Barbieri and classmates Mark Demetriou, Charles Miller, Simeon Vargas, Joel Brissett and Justin Smith are still playing ball together after all these years. They’ve all been varsity players for the past two seasons, thanks in large part to the preparation of their middle school coach.
"He really emphasized teamwork and staying together," Barbieri said. "He was always big on team camaraderie and playing together. Even now as seniors, we’re all still closely-knit."
Pietrzyk and his wife, Barbara, have continued to support the players through their high school careers. They’ve become regulars in the stands at HHS on Friday nights. That’s something he’ll miss the most when they move to Pulaski, N.Y., this summer.
"I don’t know what Barb and I are going to do on Friday nights," Pietrzyk said with a smile.
The Pietrzyks aren’t exactly retiring. They’ve purchased The Double Eagle Lodge, a bed and breakfast for fishermen on the Salmon River.
"It’s exciting," Pietrzyk said. "It’s a new life. I love what I do. I love teaching and I love coaching. I’m looking for something more relaxing for the future."
Stan and Barbara have four children and two grandchildren with another on the way in addition to many brothers and sisters. Their new home will be a great meeting place for everyone in the Pietrzyk family.
"I love fishing," Stan said. "Barb always wanted to have a bed and breakfast. She just never counted on it being for fishermen."
The Pietrzyk party continued at the Smith’s barn on East Mountain Road, where people continued to show their appreciation for their departing teacher, coach and friend. While Pietrzyk will certainly miss Hillsborough, he’s excited about life after teaching and coaching.
"I’ll miss working with the wealth of talent that Hillsborough has to offer," he said. "I’m going to miss working with a new bunch of young men each year and watching them develop and further develop in high school.
"I’ve been blessed with so much talent. I thank the kids and the parents for all their support."

