"Inspirational" Mahwah Coach To Be Remembered At Golf Outing

Late and physical educator, coach and mentor John Carty will be remembered Monday at the Sixteenth Annual Golf Outing to support the scholarship that bears his name.

“When Coach Carty passed away in 1990, he left behind money for a scholarship fund. When it ran out a few years later, I got some guys together who knew him to play golf and write checks to continue the scholarship. It’s kept growing ever since,” said Roger Remo, a former student of Coach Carty’s whose kids now attend Mahwah schools.

“Coach Carty meant so much to so many people. I knew he wanted to give back to the school that he gave so much to,” Remo said.

Coach John Carty taught at Mahwah schools from 1968-1990, with an attitude that Remo said allowed him to approach everyday asking the question, “What is best for the kids?” He taught phys ed, coached basketball, and, according to Remo, had a great “influence on all of the students that passed through his gym.”

Even current students who did not have Carty as a teacher or coach are probably familiar with his name and impact on the district: the high school gym is now named after him.

Remo said the plaque dedicated the gym to him correctly characterizes Carty as a teacher who “inspired people to work hard and make the most of everyday.”

The John F. Carty Scholarship, which was founded in 1993 and raises money through private and corporate donations, awards two $2,000 scholarships to Mahwah seniors who demonstrate what Remo described as “those great Carty qualities.”

Seniors can apply for the scholarship through the guidance office at the high school.

Though the selection committee generally awards one male and one female student the scholarships, this year, the group doubled that.

“We came down to the final four students, and couldn’t decide. So, we asked ourselves, 'what would Coach Carty do?’ And, we all knew, it would be to give it to all of the students,” Remo said.

This year’s recipients were Kristin Kosch, Walker Larsen, Victoria Mold, and Stephen Neer.

The golf outing, which will be held Monday at the High Mountain Golf Club in  Franklin Lakes, is like a reunion, Remo said.

“We have 144 golfers, which is the maximum number you can have at the course,” he said.

“And all of us were affected by Coach Carty. This has become an excuse for all of us to get together, and to remember him while doing a good thing for current Mahwah students.”

Those interested in donating can make checks payable to “The John F. Carty Scholarship Fund,” and mail them to 9 Oweno Road in Mahwah.

Anyone who wants to find out more information about the outing, or be added to the fund’s mailing list, can email Roger Remo at rremo@aol.com.