By Jeff Appelblatt
Jack Kuhnert, one time basketball coach and math teacher at Freehold High School, left such an impact throughout Freehold that some of the people he made an impression on in his life want everyone to remember the man who meant so much to so many.
When he died in 1997, one of Kuhnert’s successors at Freehold High School, then boys’ basketball coach Ben DiBiase, along with Freehold Township High School boys’ basketball coach Brian Golub, decided that it was time to rename the holiday basketball tournament at Freehold High School after their idol. However, that was quickly done away with.
“Unfortunately, his tournament was one of the things that got cut during budget cuts,” Golub said.
However, DiBiase and Golub wouldn’t let the game be eliminated. Kuhnert meant too much to them.
“Doc K [or] coach K was an invaluable person in my life. He’s a big reason why I am what I am today,” Golub said, reminiscing on the practices he attended to watch and spend time with Kuhnert. “He was just a generous, thoughtful, great man. He was a coach, a father, a teacher [and] a mentor. He did a lot for a lot of people.
“It didn’t matter who you were, he went out of his way for you.”
As a result, Golub decided he would continue to keep Kuhnert’s legacy alive, whatever it took.
“I try to pay it back the best I can,” Freehold Township’s basketball coach said. “I need to keep his name out there — need to keep the tradition going, as long as I can keep the tradition going.”
So far, so good. Freehold and Freehold Township will play in the now annual Kuhnert Classic basketball game Jan. 19 at Freehold High School.
It’s a game that Kuhnert’s wife, Loretta, along with their daughters. Jackie and Kathryn, plan to attend.
“We’ll be there,” Loretta Kuhnert said. “This started when my husband first passed away. They decided to have this rivalry game.
“It’s wonderful. It’s amazing [hearing] ‘Ms. Kuhnert, I remember your husband. He was my mentor.’ ”
The biggest thing Loretta Kuhnert wants to be thought of when people think about Jack Kuhnert is the importance of teachers. In turn, she helped create the Jack Kuhnert Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded to one Freehold and one Freehold Township student with aspirations to teach.
Freehold’s current basketball coach, Jesse Ryan, hasn’t been in the mix long, but there’s no way to coach in Freehold without knowing about the legend whose name is on the basketball courts at Michael J. Tighe Park.
“Honoring and keeping Coach Kuhnert’s legacy alive is important,” Ryan said. “Coach Kuhnert is part of a very rich tradition of very proud Freehold Borough athletes, coaches and families.”
Golub, who Loretta Kuhnert calls a family friend, sees it as his job to have everyone know why the annual basketball game is taking place. He sees it as his job to keep the legacy alive.
“[Jack Kuhnert] has so many friends out there. I’ve never heard anybody say anything negative about him,” Freehold Township’s coach said. “If I impacted one person in my life the way he impacted mine, great.
“I know it’s important to keep his legacy going.”
The game to honor the 27-year coach between Freehold and Freehold Township is slated for 5:15 p.m.