Barchuk is popular with players, townsfolk, faculty, staff, and even opponents
Tony Barchuk was really, really, really overwhelmed Friday night, to coin his own patented superlatives, when Kingsway Regional High School dedicated its football field to him prior to the Dragons' home opener against Millville.
Bob Shryock Anthony "Tony" Barchuk Field is a fitting tribute to the man who totaled 50 seasons as a Kingsway head coach in major sports -- 37 as the top guy in football, 13 as head coach in softball, including a South Jersey Group II crown in football and a state championship in softball.
Said Barchuk in Times writer Bill Evans' Friday story, "You know, really, what did I do? It wasn't even a job. I was just doing something I loved every day."
After arriving from Brooklyn in 1979, Barchuk built programs in both sports that were highly competitive. Tony was known for achieving what seemed to be at least one football upset victory each season.
He was popular with players, students in general, townsfolk, faculty, staff, even opponents. Many of his players garnered athletic scholarships. He's enshrined in a slew of sports halls of fame.
He also had a terrific relationship with the sportswriting fraternity, win or lose. Tony would not back down from a tough question, even after losing a heartbreaker.
I've managed to maintain a friendship with most in the scholastic coaching ranks.
And I'm proud to count Tony Barchuk as a good friend. A really good friend.
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Harrison Township celebrates 100 years of sports and recreation at an exhibition opening reception for members and friends Friday, Oct. 7, 4 to 7 p.m. at the Old Town Hall Museum (Harrison Township Historical Society) in Mullica Hill. For additional information, call 856-478-4949.
Bob Shryock may be reached at bshryock@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.