After 28 years working for the Newark Parks and Recreation Department, Joe Spadafino is retiring next month.
During those 28 years, including the last eight as director of the department, Spadafino oversaw several improvements, changes and developments.
Among his favorites were improving Newark’s trail system; building Preston’s Playground, Newark’s first all-inclusive playground; and developing Hillside Park, the former Rodney dorm complex that is now a seven-acre park that includes a playground, natural playscape, fishing pier, lighted walking trail and other amenities.
In a more general sense, he also mentioned being a part of Newark Parks and Recreation’s long-standing events and activities that so many generations of families have enjoyed, including the Halloween Parade, Newark fireworks, Community Day, Winterfest, Rittenhouse Camp, Camp G.W.C. and others.
And perhaps one of the most important accomplishments when so many places were shut down and so many people were shut in, was the efforts of his department during the pandemic.
“Newark Parks and Recreation staff worked hard to keep up with all the mandates and requirements during that time to keep our parks open and provide childcare and recreational opportunities,” Spadafino said.
Spadafino’s replacement will be a very familiar face, as Paula Ennis has been promoted to take over the reins.
Ennis, who joined the department in 1999, previously served as recreation supervisor of athletics before being appointed deputy director of parks and recreation in 2016.
What does Ennis’ new role entail? Only overseeing 650 acres of parkland, 52 parks and open space areas, 17 miles of trails, and more than 386 acres of forested lands. Pretty impressive. If there were elk in the area, you’d think it was Yellowstone National Park.
In addition, the department facilitates more than 200 programs and events, including sports leagues, health and fitness programs, arts, camps and community events. As a resident for more than four decades and someone familiar with other recreation departments around the state, I can tell you Newark’s is right there at the top in terms of what they offer, the quality of their programs, and the affordability of them.
“Paula has established relationships with many of the community stakeholders and has exceptional knowledge of the department and the Newark community,” Spadafino said. “She has the leadership ability and knowledge to keep the department moving forward.”
Thanks Joe, for nearly three decades of excellence, and thank you Paula for ensuring that while the person in the position might change, the quality residents have come to expect, won’t.
In the coop
The Blue Hens women’s golf team won the CAA conference title. … Former hoops star and Newark resident, Jyare Davis, announced last week that he is transferring to Syracuse for his final season of eligibility. … Former quarterback Joe Flacco will give this year’s commencement speech. … The annual Blue White Spring Game ended in a tie with no clear winner. Maybe a hint of what’s to come this fall when the Hens are not eligible to compete for a national title? Sorry, I couldn’t resist.
Baseball Hall of Fame
Three players with local ties will be inducted into the Delaware Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in a ceremony at Frawley Stadium on June 19.
Former Blue Hens Chuck Coker and Paul Murphy, along with Saint Mark’s graduate Pedro Swann Jr., are among the six individuals and one team being honored.
At Delaware, Coker was a standout first baseman from 1979-82. Coker played significant innings all four years and served as captain as a senior. He ranks in the Top 20 among UD career leaders in RBIs, walks, hits and games played.
Murphy was an All-American infielder before competing in the minor leagues and making a name for himself as a successful professional scout. He was named East Coast Conference Player of the Year in 1986 when he batted .294 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs as a third baseman. He was drafted by the Royals in 1986 and again by the Orioles in 1987. He played one season of minor league baseball and went on to coach locally before becoming a Major League scout. He was inducted into the Mid-Atlantic Scouting Association Hall of Fame in 2022.
Swann led Saint Mark’s to a 19-2 record and the 1988 state championship. He went on to become a three-time All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection at Delaware State University and then was selected in the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He played briefly in the majors with the Blue Jays and Orioles. He has been enshrined in the Saint Mark’s and Delaware State University Hall of Fames. He currently operates Pro Prime Sports Academies in Elkton and Middletown.
Caravel Academy athletes commit
Five Caravel Academy seniors have announced where they will play next year in college. Congratulations to Jasiyah Crawford (basketball, Livingstone College), Priest Jones (football, Ursinus College), Ryan Black (basketball, Penn State Abington), Donovan Dixon (track, Delaware State University), and Daniel Homer (soccer, Neumann University).
In my opinion only …
College sports as we knew them took another blow last week when Virginia ruled that schools in the state are now able to directly pay college athletes via name, image and likeness. This basically means that college athletes in Virginia can be paid financial contracts just like the pros and it is illegal for the NCAA to punish those schools. Virginia is the first state to pass this law and won’t be the last. Just when you think the world of big-time college sports can’t get any less amateurish. … The University of Michigan is on probation for three years because of its video-recording scandal. The head coach at the time, Jim Harbaugh, could care less. He’s now making millions in the NFL. He spent his first paycheck on a “M 15-0” tattoo celebrating the Wolverines’ perfect season. You can thank me for not suggesting to the editor that we should run the photo.
Wrapping it up
Jalen Hurts made a $200,000 donation to 10 Philadelphia schools for the installation of air-conditioning units. Pretty cool move by him.
Until next time … have a great sports week!
Have a sports tidbit to share? Email JonBuzby@hotmail.com and follow on Twitter @SportsBuzzPost.
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