Basketball Game Raises $1,300 For Manchester's Copeland Scholarship

Rodney Copeland must be smiling.

Student-athletes again will be helped after $1,300 was raised Friday night for the scholarship fund that bears the name of the former Manchester Township three-sport athlete turned coach, when the Manchester Township Police Department squared off against teachers and staff from Manchester High School.

Copeland, who coached three sports at Manchester High School, died in 2009 at the age of 44 from brain cancer.

The basketball game’s sixth annual edition ending with the police department team defeating the teachers, who were led by Manchester High School Principal Dennis Adams.

“We’re proud to join the school district year after year to compete in support of a great cause. Their high level of commitment to making Manchester a better place is impressive and inspirational,” said Chief Lisa Parker, who served as coach of the police team along with Patrolman Doug Higgins.

Copeland, a lifelong resident of Manchester and a 1983 graduate of the high school, had ties to the law enforcement community as well as the schools, working for the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department in addition to coaching at the high school.

Members of the police department team, organized by Officer Chris Cerullo, who serves as school resource officer at the high school, included: Officers Robert Dolan, Charles Brooks, Richard Mazza, Christian Nazario, Patrick Cervenak, Keith Craig, Joseph Reilly, Jason Weiner, Matthew Juralewicz, Jesse Hoydis, Michael Guarino, Michael Anderson, Dan Wherle and Confidential Aide Greg Kyriakakis.

(Photos: 1. The Manchester Township Police team poses with the Copeland family following the Friday night benefit basketball game. 2. Manchester Mayor Kenneth Palmer and Mrs. Copeland. 3: Players from both teams pose for a photo following the game. Credits: Manchester Township Police)