Retired Livingston Teacher, Coach Honored For 4 Decades Of Service

LIVINGSTON, NJ — If you attended Livingston High School during the past 40 years, there’s a good chance that you’ve been a part of Alanson Partelow’s life.

The longtime Livingston High teacher and coach recently got a commendation from the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders, honoring his many years of service to the town’s students and parents.

Partelow retired from teaching health, physical education, and drivers’ education at Livingston High School in 2009 after 40 years of service and retired from coaching volleyball in 2016 after 45 years of service.

The Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders honored Partelow during their Jan. 18 public meeting. Livingston resident, former teacher and At-Large Freeholder Patricia Sebold presented the board’s commendation to Partelow, congratulating him on his many achievements as well as his “hard work and dedication.”

Partelow said that his 45 years of coaching has left him with numerous, long-lasting memories.

He credited his success to his wife of 47 years, Shirley, for “supporting him throughout his career” and helping to raise their three sons, Lance, Brian, and Christopher, as well as their five grandchildren.

According to a news release:

“Partelow graduated from Union High School in 1965 and Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey), in 1969 as a Health and Physical Education Teacher. He began his career at Millburn High School and started his first coaching position in the Boys’ Soccer Program as an Assistant Coach from 1969-1970. He helped start the Girls’ Volleyball Program in the Spring of 1971 and continued to serve as Coach for the Boys’ Soccer Program while simultaneously serving as the Girls’ Head Volleyball Coach.

“He became the first Head Coach of the Seton Hall University Women’s Volleyball Team in 1977, where he served for two seasons, and became the first coach of Millburn High School’s Girls’ Soccer Program in 1980, winning 2 Northern Hills Soccer Conference titles. After transferring to Livingston High School in 1988, he continued to coach volleyball at Millburn High School. He also led the Livingston High School Girls’ Soccer Team in 1988 and won 3 Essex County Championships in 1991, 1992, and 1993.

“Partelow spearheaded the Livingston High School Girls’ Volleyball Program in 1995, and, with the assistance of the late Bob Cece, formed the Livingston High School Boys’ Volleyball Program in the Spring of 2000. Under his leadership, the Livingston High School Boys and Girls Volleyball Teams have won 12 Conference Championships, 8 Essex County Championships, 3 New Jersey Sectional Championships, and 2 New Jersey State Championships. The girls team won a total of 887 games, and the boys team won a total 382 games.

“Partelow has received several awards, including: “Coach of the Year” (1993), New Jersey Star Ledger State Coach of the Year for Girls (2004), and Boys (2008), NJSIAA “Coach of the Year”, National Federation of High School Coaches “Coach of the Year” (2013), NJSIAA State Volleyball Legends Award, Girls’ State Coach of the Year (2011), and National High School Coach of the Year (2012). After 45 years of Coaching, he was also recognized by Livingston Board of Education during its December 12, 2016, meeting with a standing ovation. He has successfully led the Livingston Girls’ Program to over 400 victories, 368 victories for the Livingston Boys’ Program, 11 conference championships, 3 state sectional championships, and 2 state championships.”

Photo: Glen Frieson

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